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This collection contains the papers, dated 1859-1934, but mainly 1862-1864, of Augustus C. Golding (also spelled as Goldin and , Golden). It includes letters, a letterbook, diaries, documents, pension papers, printed materials, and photographs. All items relate to Golding's service in the Union Army, 1861-1864, in Northern Virginia, on the Virginia peninsula, and in Maryland. Golding's letters to family and friends describe troop movements, battles, camp conditions, his health, a hospital, and the weather. Golding describes his participation in the following battles or their aftermath: Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Mechanicsville, 2nd Bull Run or Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He occasionally presents his views on war, politics, and the destruction of Virginia's cities and countryside. He also gives financial and practical advice. The collection contains genealogical data on Golding's immediate family.

This collection is housed off-site. At least 72 hours advanced notice is required for retrieval.

Correspondence, bonds, and accounts of Jacob Baker of Monongalia County, West Virginia and Nelson Baker and Jonathan W. Baker of Alleghany County, Maryland. Includes letters written from Washington, Iowa, Piedmont, West Virginia, and from Missouri as well as letters written by a student at St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland.

The Robert E. Lee and Lee Family papers consist of the personal papers of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee, including documents bearing their signatures. The papers also include one one letter (dated February 1926) from Mrs. William A. Anderson to Sydney B. Williamson that relates the history of a quilt made by Mary Custis Lee that was donated to the VMI Museum.

Letters and business papers, chiefly 1848-1866, of James E. Cooke of Powhatan, Virginia and the Barker family of Fluvanna County, Virginia. Includes letters relating to the hiring out of slaves, plantation operations and the Civil War. Civil War letters are between John H. Barker and Henry J. Dobbs of the 18th Virginia Regiment of the Confederate army concerning the Battle of First Bull Run/Manassas.

Papers and correspondence of three generations of Samuel Barrons, all of whom were involved in naval affairs. Papers, 1793-1809, of Samuel Barron (1765-1810), commander of one of the Mediterranean squadrons sent to defeat Tripoli. Papers concern naval business and the War with Tripoli. Includes correspondence with his brother James Barron, Stephen Decatur, William Eaton (concerning his controversy with Tobias Lear over the Tripolitan peace settlement), Tobias Lear, Edward Preble, John Rodgers, Robert Smith (Secretary of the Navy), and Thomas Truxton. Includes letters written by Preble and Rodgers on board the USS Constitution and letters concerning the capture of William Bainbridge and the seamen of the USS Philadelphia.

The inventory includes letters, 1851-1861, and accounts, 1840-1866, of Rufus King Fitzhugh and his wife Henrietta Ellen (Baytop) Fitzhugh of Stanardsville, Greene County, Virginia. Most letters to Henrietta are from her mother Lucy Taliaferro (Catlett) Baytop, and her sisters Rowena, Lucy Ann, and Eugenia, all of Springfield, Gloucester County, Virginia. The collection also includes letters from her sister-in-law Mary F. Fitzhugh of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Business ledgers of receipts and expenditures for Dr. Baxter I. Bell for Bell Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia and one folder of loose business papers (25 items). 1926 to 1970. (Acc. 1995.61 and 1999.11)

"Benefactions of Francis Nicholson, Esqr. to the Church & Clergy in North America" prepared by Rev. George Keith, which lists the churches and amounts of money given by Nicholson to build churches from 1689 to 1704. Also noted is "Benefaction to the College of Williamsburgh in Virginia of several hundred pounds." Keith was agent for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 8 pages. There is an incomplete contemporary copy as well as a typescript of the manuscript. From the library of Gordon W. Jones.