Collections

Papers of Dr. Margaret Byrnside Ballard (1900-1991), regarding the history of Monroe County, West Virginia, and the Ballard family. As a genealogist and author of local history, she was an avid collector of the historical materials contained in this collection, most of which relate to her family and Monroe County. The collection includes personal papers, business records, historical and genealogical research material, scrapbooks, bibles, memorabilia, artifacts, photographs, broadsides, paintings, and postage stamps. See the Historical Note for more information about Dr. Ballard.

Personal, medical, and business papers, account books, and daily journals of a Harpers Ferry physician (d. 1883). Subjects include the practice of a small town doctor, his related business interests, and the education and careers of his children, three of whom became medical doctors. Included are the papers of William V. Marmion (1840-1922), who studied eye surgery in Vienna and established a practice in Washington, D.C. There are letters from George Marmion, acting surgeon and secretary of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, and letters of Robert A. Marmion (1844-1907), who was a naval surgeon and the first president of the Naval Medical School in Washington, D.C. Many of the letters, especially after 1883, are those of the Marmion heirs and are concerned with family, personal, and financial affairs. Some letters shed light on the condition of the gold market after the Civil War and family activities as prominent members of the Roman Catholic faith. There are a few fragmentary records regarding John Hancock Hall, a relative, who invented and patented the first American breechloading rifle in 1811. He was later hired by the government in 1819 to establish and operate a "rifle works" in close proximity to the federal armory at Harpers Ferry (see box 17).

Correspondence, business papers, and an account book of Peter T. Laishley, a Methodist minister, physician, and merchant in Monongalia County. There are papers on the settlement of the estate of Richard Laishley in England, marriages performed by Laishley; Laishley family birth and marriage notes; accounts for services as a minister and physician, 1833-1839; and other items on church and local history.

Papers of the Rush Dew Holt family relating to Matthew S. Holt, Andrew E. Holt, Ralph K. Chase, and Helen Jane (Holt) Seale. The collection includes correspondence, publications, photographs, and clippings, among other material that documents the personal and business activities of the Holt family. The collection is divided into five series as follows: Dr. Matthew S. Holt Papers (1837-1943), Andrew E. Holt Papers (1926-1958), Ralph K. Chase Papers (1918-1947), Helen Jane Holt Seale Papers (ca. 1930-2008), and Mixed (ca. 1820-2013 and undated).

The day book and papers of Dr. Squire Bosworth and family. Squire Bosworth was one of the earliest physicians of Randolph County, and his day book records details of his medical practice indicating common procedures and remedies as well as charges and costs during the early nineteenth century. Bosworth was also a deputy and county clerk of Randolph County, and included among the papers are court documents. Along with his son, Squire Newton Bosworth, the family acquired interests in landholding which is reflected in deeds, surveys, correspondence and tax receipts from Texas and West Virginia. Among the correspondence is an 1885 letter from William L. Wilson surveying his Congressional re-election possibilities.

Letters written by various members of the Varner family in Gilmer County and Baltimore, Maryland, and a number of letters of S.W. Varner, a physician in Kingwood, relating to his medical practice. Included is a letter from M.O. Dawson who is running for governor soliciting names of Republican voters. Subjects covered include death, illness, and news in the family, and West Virginia state politics.

Papers relating to the Wilson, Lewis, and Ruffner families of Prince Edward County, Virginia, Kanawha County, [West] Virginia, St. Charles County, Missouri, and Fairfield County, Ohio. Correspondence between Nathaniel V. Wilson and Dr. Goodridge Wilson, concerning land purchases, preparation for the settlement of the family, care of livestock, employment of slaves, salt making and marketing, and the market price of salt. Other members of the family migrated to St. Charles County, Missouri, and to Fairfield County, Ohio, and land prices, suitable crops, settlement and railroad building in Missouri comprise much of their correspondence. A third generation member of the family, Virgy Wilson Hall and her husband, John G. Hall, were missionaries in Matamoras, Mexico, and Colombia, South America, and her correspondence with her mother comments on living conditions, progress of the missionary work, revolution in Colombia, and health and living conditions of the residents of the Barranquilla area. In addition there is a will of Col. Charles Lewis, a series of letters between two doctors concerning health problems and treatment of various illnesses, and two diaries by Mrs. Daniel Ruffner, 1846, and Elizabeth Ruffner Wilson, 1871-1872, commenting on family life and community activities in Fairfield County, Ohio, and Kanawha County, [West] Virginia. All are photocopies. Material covers the years 1774-1942.