Bettie E. Miller Stoutamyer papers, 1866/1915

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Betty E. Miller Stoutamyer papers, 1866-early 20th century, SC 0426, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 cubic feet 3 folders
Creator:
Stoutamyer, Bettie E. Miller (Elizabeth Ellen Miller), 1854-1919 and Tim Abbott Americana
Abstract:
Comprises correspondence, photographs, and financial documents relating to Bettie E. Miller Stoutamyer of Rockingham and later Augusta County and family.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Betty E. Miller Stoutamyer papers, 1866-early 20th century, SC 0426, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Comprises correspondence, photographs, financial documents, and receipts relating to Bettie E. Miller Stoutamyer of Rockingham and later Augusta County and family.

Correspondence includes personal letters from friends and family (a niece Elsie) as well as multiple love letters from "Cornelius."

References in the documents as well as correspondence to F. M. Stoutamyer, Bettie's husband, are included. The collection also includes documents and a photograph relating to R. B. Dunlap, presumably Robert Bailey Dunlap (1843-1934) who married into the Stoutamyer family. A letter and photograph reference William A. Rife (1948-1926). Rife's letter includes a sketch of a hay, straw, and fodder cutter and his inquiry about a potential patent. Rife's specific connection to the Stoutamyers is unclear.

A portion of the photographs are identified as Stoutamyer family members and neighboring friends while others have no identifying information. Photographers include A. L. Hook (Staunton), J. M. Hill (Bridgewater), and Dean Studio (Harrisonburg).

A few documents not obviously connected to Stoutamyer or her family are included.

Biographical / historical:

Bettie E. Miller Stoutamyer (1854-1919) was born in Rockingham County to Adam Miller and Mary Ann Craun Miller.

Bettie married Francis Mcnut Mack Stoutamyer (1852-1929) of Augusta County with whom she had one child, Earl V. Stoutamyer. Bettie is frequently referred to as Ellen or Ella in correspondence.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Tim Abbott Americana in May 2026.
Processing information:

A previously assigned numbering scheme was applied to each of the photographs, letters, and envelopes.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard