Benjamin Stoddert Ewell Papers, 1784-1934.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
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

Summary

Creator:
Benjamin Stoddert Ewell; Elizabeth Stoddert Ewell, 1794-1859; Elizabeth S. Ewell, b. 1814?; Richard Stoddert Ewell; Hugh Blair Grigsby; Moses Drury Hoge; Joseph E. Johnston; D. H. Mahan; Elizabeth S. Ewell Scott; Francis Henney Smith; William Stoddert; John Tyler; Julia Gardiner Tyler; Lyon Gardiner Tyler; Henry A. Wise.
Abstract:
This group of 1,256 items and one bound volume, dated 1784-1934, consists chiefly of letters and papers of the Ewell family of Virginia. Many personal letters of Benjamin S. Ewell are included.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials dated 1784-1934. It includes correspondence, legal papers, and accounts, chiefly 1830-1892, of Benjamin S. Ewell, professor at the U.S. Military Academy, Hampden-Sydney College, Washington and Lee College, and the College of William and Mary (which he served as acting president, 1848-1849, and president, 1854-1888). Also, letters from Ewell during the Civil War when he was assistant adjutant-general to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Among the correspondents are members of the Tyler, Ewell, Campbell, and Brown families of Virginia and Tennessee. Includes memorandum book on Ewell family by Elizabeth S. Ewell.

Biographical / historical:

Benjamin Stoddert Ewell was born in Georgetown, D. C., 10 June 1810, the son of Thomas Ewell and Elizabeth Stoddert. He graduated from United States Military Academy and taught there. He taught at Hampden- Sydney College and at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). In 1848, he was elected professor of mathematics and acting president of College of William and Mary and in 1854, became president. He was colonel of 32nd Virginia Infantry Regiment and later assistant adjutant-general to Joseph E. Johnston. He was president of William and Mary 1854-1888 and died 1894. He was the brother of Richard Stoddert Ewell, had another brother, William Stoddert, a sister Elizabeth S. Ewell and a daughter Elizabeth S. Ewell Scott.

Acquisition information:
Gift: 1,128 items, 12/31/1935. Gift: 100 items, 03/30/1936. Gift: 25 items, 05/1/1957. Gift: 1 item, 04/1973. Gift: 1 item, 03/1973. Acc. No. 2001,14A; Gift: 1 item, 04/14/2001.
Arrangement:
Organization

This collection has been organized into 3 Series. Series 1 includes letters arranged alpabetically by writer; Series 2 includes papers; and Series 3 includes an addition to the collection.

Arrangement

This collection of papers is arranged alphabetically. A uniform entry has been adopted for each name, and persons of the same name have been identified and distinguished from each other by indicating their relationship to Benjamin S. Ewell or other persons. For example, the entry Brown (Harriot S.) is used for letters signed H. S. Brown and Hattie, and the entry Ewell (Elizabeth), daughter of Benjamin S. Ewell, is used for letters signed Lizzy Ewell or simply Lizzy.

Physical description:
1,256 items.