Cole Papers, 1786-1939.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Cole family
Abstract:
Accounts, minutes, and correspondence of Henry Denison Cole, lifelong resident of Williamsburg, Virginia and other members of his family.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Included are minutes of the Wise Light Infantry Co. of Williamsburg, 1881-1882; the College of William and Mary Alumni Association, 1906-1917; papers concerning the College of William and Mary including letters, 1873, from Benjamin S. Ewell; the Williamsburg Free School Trustees, 1870-1907; and the Democratic Committee of Williamsburg.

Also accounts of the state school funds, 1894-1911; the city school funds, 1906-1911, 1919-1924; Bruton Parish Church 1897-1938; and of Robert F. Cole (father of Henry D. Cole), 1843-1856. Also lists of registered voters in Williamsburg, 1889-1896, 1902-1925, and papers relating to property in Williamsburg and the restoration of Bruton Parish Church, 1905-1906.

The collection also includes stereoptican slides and letters from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller.

Biographical / historical:

Henry Denison Cole (1856-1938) was the son of Robert F. Cole. Henry D. Cole operated a bookshop on Duke of Gloucester Street, served as postmaster, 1884-1889, treasurer of Bruton Parish Church, secretary of the Alumni of the College of William and Mary, judge of elections, member of the Democratic Committee, the school board, and the Board of Trustees of Eastern State Hospital.

Acquisition information:
Gift: 1939.
Arrangement:
Arrangement

This collection is arranged into series.

Organization

This collection was organized into fourteen Series: 1. Papers of Williamsburg City Council, 2. Papers of Williamsburg Post Office, 3. Miscellaneous Letters, 4. Business Papers of H. D. Cole, 5. Papers of the Cole Family, 6. Papers relating to William and Mary College, 7. Wise Infantry Minute Book, etc., 8. Printed Material and Stereoptican Slides, 9. William and Mary Alumni Association, 10. Post Card and Shop Account Book, 11. Papers Relating to Schools, 12. Bruton Parish Records, 13. Williamsburg Democratic Records, and 14. Artifacts.

Physical description:
3,031 items.