Frank Hanson Terry Papers 1887-1961, n.d.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Wytheville Community College
F.B. Kegley Library
Wytheville Community College
Smyth Hall, Room 103
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Contact for questions and access:
POC: William A. “Bill” Veselik
Phone: (276) 223-4876
POC: George Mattis
Phone: (276) 223-4744
Fax: (276) 223-4745

Summary

Creator:
Frank Hanson Terry
Abstract:
The Frank Hanson Terry Papers provide researchers a glimpse into the personal and professional life of a Wythe County newspaperman. The collection contains correspondence and manuscripts relating to newspaper articles as well as family life. An important focus of the collection are three letters sent to Terry circa 1915-1917 from his cousin Edith Bolling Galt Wilson.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Series I contains both professional and personal correspondence dating form 1902 to 1961. Professional correspondence includes letters received from John Sargeant Wise, J. Stuart Crockett, and Curtis Carroll Davis regarding the 1885 duel between Wise and John Stuart Crockett at Bangs, Montgomery County, Virginia. Wise and J. Stuart Crockett, cousin of duelist John Stuart Crockett, gave Terry their version of one of the last duels fought in Virginia. In 1961, author Curtis Carroll Davis queried Terry's daughter-in-law, Laura Payne Terry, about the duel for an article appearing in Virginia Cavalcade (Vol. IX, no. 2, 1961). Letters from Edith Bolling Galt Wilson and her sister Bertha Bolling complete this series. In an 6 October 1915 letter, Edith Galt announced her engagement to President Woodrow Wilson. Subsequent letters from both women concern Frank Terry's request for a position in Wilson's administration. Frank Terry and the Bolling sisters shared ancestry through Benjamin (1778-1863) and Harriet Scott Wigginton (1791-1834). Series II, Manuscripts ([1888]- 1904, undated, contain drafts of articles Terry wrote perhaps for his newspaper the Wytheville Dispatch. Topics include the murder of Peter Harrell by Wayman Sutton in 1887, the murder of William Spiller by James A. Graham in 1855, Wythe Lead and Zinc Company, Wythe County Courthouse bell, the early history of Wythe County as well as a pair of child's shoes made form the uniform of C. S. A. Brig.- Gen. William Robinson Terry. Ephemera on Wytheville and the Wythe County sesquicentennial celebration comprise the bulk of Series III, Miscellaneous (1887-1940, undated). Wytheville items include a 1900 directory, 1934 parking ordinances, and an 1887 "Illustrated Prospectus." A brochure by Frederick Bittle Kegley, an exhibit guide, and a program for the historical pageant "Wings of Time" focus on Wythe County's sesquicentennial (1790-1940) celebration. Also included in this series is a 1912 petition by Wytheville taxpayers to re-elect Frank Hanson Terry as Treasurer as well as a 1938 map by Elizabeth W. Wilkins showing "Historic, Scenic, and Industrial Southwestern Virginia." Postcards of Wytheville at night and U. S. Route 11 on Draper Mountain complete this series.

Biographical / historical:

Son of C.S.A. Brigadier-General William Robinson Terry and Emily Burton Wigginton Terry,Frank Hanson Terry was born on 21 September 1860 in Wytheville. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute but did not graduate. Instead, he entered the newspaper business in February 1884 when he, with Robert Enoch Withers, purchased the Wytheville Dispatch from William St. Clair. In June 1885 Terry assumed full control of the paper when Withers embarked to serve as U. S. consul to Hong Kong. Concurrently, Terry published and edited the quarterly publication of Kappa Sigma fraternity from 1885 to 1887. Terry married Norma Lee Green (1865-1956) at St. John's Episcopal Church on 14 April 1887. Frank and Norma Terry had six sons and two daughters. One son, William, died in infancy. Surviving sons included Joel Green Terry (1887-1963), William Withers Terry (1889-1939), Arthur Palfrey Terry (1893-1955), Heartwhel Terry (1897-1952) and Raymond Wiggonton Terry (1900-1973). One daughter Eleanor (1891-1980) married John James Noel while another, Norma Lee (1896-1981), married John R. Manley. Terry also sold life and fire insurance and also was active in local government. He served as a member of Wytheville Town Council from 1899 to 1900 and 1902 to 1906. he also was Treasurer of the Town of Wytheville. Terry died on 10 November 1937 and is buried beside his wife in East End Cemetery in Wytheville, Virginia.

Acquisition information:
Laura Terry Norris of Salem, Virginia donated the papers of her paternal grandfather in January 1997.
Arrangement:
Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Organization

The Papers are arranged into three series including correspondence (1902-1961), manuscripts (1888-1904, undated), and miscellaneous (1887-1940, undated).

Physical description:
10 folders