Thomas H. Williamson papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

Thomas H. Williamson papers, 1788-1888. MS 0105. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.50 cubic feet
Creator:
Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Thomas H. Williamson papers, 1788-1888. MS 0105. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The Thomas H. Williamson papers include:

  • Civil War memoirs, in which Williamson discusses the events that took place during his temporary assignment to the command of Major General Stonewall Jackson beginning in April 1862
  • Lecture notes (1850s) used in teaching engineering and architecture courses at VMI
  • Two copies of the textbook written by Williamson for use at VMI titled "An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering"
  • Williamson family genealogical material
  • Correspondence

Biographical / historical:

Thomas Hoomes Williamson was born on August 30, 1813 in Richmond, Virginia to Thomas and Anne Walke Williamson. He spent most of his childhood in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received his early schooling. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1829, but resigned in 1833 before receiving his degree.

In 1834 Williamson entered the profession of civil engineering and was the assistant to the United States Engineer in charge of building the dry dock at the Norfolk Navy Yard.

Williamson married Louisa Henrietta Fenton Garnett on May 11, 1837 and the couple had five children: Mercer, William, Anne, Thomas, and Olympia.

In 1841 Williamson accepted a faculty appointment at VMI where spent the remainder of his career except for a brief absences during the Civil War. He taught tactics, drawing, and engineering, and at various times was assigned additional duties (e.g., Commandant of Cadets, Treasurer, and Librarian). While at VMI he wrote a textbook titled "An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering."

Williamson took on various special assignments during the Civil War. In April 1861 he served with the Confederate Engineers Corps and worked on the defenses of the Rappahannock River and Manassas, Virginia. In October of that year he was ordered to return to VMI to teach civil and military engineering, but he was recalled to the Confederate Army in April 1862 for temporary special duty on the staff of General Stonewall Jackson.

In 1864 Williamson married for the second time to Julia Wharton (Lewis) and the couple had two children: Sydney Bacon and Cornelia.

Williamson continued his teaching career at VMI until shortly before his death on March 31, 1888.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 2