Withrow Family Papers 1870-1925

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Creator:
Nettie M. Caldwell
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of Withrow Familypapers contains ca. 1000 items (2 Hollinger boxes; .5 linear feet), 1870-1925, and n.d., chiefly the letters to William Withrow, Jr.(1809-1894) and his wife, Mary Anne Jones Withrow(1809-1887) of Waynesboro, Virginiafrom their children, relatives, and acquaintainces.

William Withrow, a merchant in Waynesboro, was also the clerk of the session at the Waynesboro Presbyterian Churchand much of his non-family correspondence concerns the affairs of the Presbyterian Church and transferrals of membership.

His daughter Evelyn Withrow(1840-1882) married Matthew Hale Houston(1841-1905), a Presbyterian missionary to China, in 1871. Letters concerning the Houstons' stay at the Presbyterian Mission Churchin Hangchowinclude the following: January 4, August 11, and September 6, 1881; March 22, August 5 & 12, September 13, October 3 & 16, and November 18, 1882. Upon Evelyn's death in 1882, Houston returned with his family to the United Statesand remarried. He continued his correspondence with the Withrows while he worked for the Mission Boardin Baltimore. Other missionary letters include one from Korea(September 20, 1919) and China(January 12, 1925).

Louisa Withrowand her brother Charles Withrow, a graduate of the University of Virginia, were both educators, and their correspondence at times discusses their work. Charles was superintendent at the Danville Classical and Military Academy( Kentucky) and Principal of the Academy of Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia(especially June 30 & October 9, 1882). Charles also describes a trip to Europein 1889 (July 27, August 22 & 31,and September 4 & 6).

Other topics include: William Henry Ruffner(December 26, 1878); Withrowgenealogy (October 7,1884 & October 20, 1891); a copy of the Bailey familyBible records (January 23, 1883); letters from World War I soldiers (August 18 & May 26, 1918); and Leander McCormickand William Withrow's correspondence regarding recollections of the early reaper (September 3 & November 11, 1879).

Topics in the miscellaneous material include: a copy of Mrs. Elvira A. Brooks' will (n.d.); Withrow, McLean, & Whitefamily information (n.d.); a photograph of a Japanese Buddha (n.d.); and a printed defense of John W. Pratt's position concerning the Centre College of Kentucky(1876).

Biographical / historical:

The known children resulting from the marriage of William Withrow, Jr.(1809-1894) and Mary Anne Jones(1809-1887) include:

  • 1) Crimora Fannie Withrow(? -1904) m. William M. Caldwell
  • 2) Col. Charles Howard Withrow(1838-?) m. ?
  • 3) Evelyn Withrow(1840-1882) m. Matthew Hale Houston(1841-1905)
  • 4) Louisa Jane Withrow
  • 5) Bettie Withrowm. Lawson Chase(? -1889)
  • 6) Helena Withrowm. Bolling R. Swoope

Grandchildren include: Caldwell family: Annie Caldwell, Nettie Caldwell, Maury Caldwell; Chase family: Evelyn Chase, Withrow Chase; Houston family(by Evelyn Withrow): Dr. William R. Houston(1872-?), Gordon Randolph Houston(1876-?), Mary Lou Fishburne, Hale Houston(1881-?), John E. Houston(1874-1875); Houston family(by Alice McEwend. 1891): Arthur Houston, and Alice Houston.

Much of this information can be found in the Life of Gordon R. Houstonby William M. Case.

Acquisition information:
These papers were given to the Library by Miss Nettie M. Caldwell of Seattle, Washington on April 5, 1937.
Physical location:
Physical description:
1000 items