John M. Godown collection, 1848/1978

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John M. Godown Collection (WLU Coll. 0209) Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.41 Linear Feet 1 half-size document case, 1 oversize folder
Creator:
Batista, P. R., Mrs.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John M. Godown Collection (WLU Coll. 0209) Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes diaries (mostly typescripts), letters (mostly typescripts), and photographs of the Godown family. There are original letters, primarily written to Godown's wife Fannie during the American Civil War by Union officers. The subjects of the diaries include the railroad, Honduras, and the American Civil War.

Biographical / historical:

John McPherson Godown was born on March 25, 1832 in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in 1849. Godown served in the Union army during the American Civil War under Generals Grant and Sherman.

John Godown was an 1849 graduate of Washington College. He served in the Union army as a member of the Indiana Infantry, 12th Regiment Company K during the American Civil War under Generals Grant and Sherman. He participated in 28 battles, including Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, and Sherman's March to the Sea.

He died on December 20, 1911 in Indiana.

Fannie Fairbanks Godown was born on April 20, 1833 in New Hampshire. She married John Godown in Lowell, Massachusettes in November 1866. According to her obituary, her "belief in political and religious liberty was strong" in her mind since childhood. At the time of her death in 1935 at the age of 102, she was the oldes registered voter in Marion County, Indiana.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. P. R. Batista, granddaughter of John and Fannie Godown.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard