Collections : [College of William and Mary]

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
Williamsburg and surrounding area Virginia; Southern United States; African American life and culture; Hip Hop History; Movies and film studies; Travel, exploration, and adventure; Veterans papers; Distinguished alumni papers; College of William & Mary; Dogs
Description:
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Start Over Repository College of William and Mary Collection Molly Elliot Seawell Papers

Memoir of Maria Seawell Edwards of Gloucester County, VA, entitled "Family Records" Box 1, Folder 14

Molly's aunt, Maria Seawell Edwards (b. 1815) was the daughter of John B. Seawell and Maria Henry Tyler, and thus sister of John Tyler Seawell. Her eighteen-page, handwritten memoir notably discusses the origins of the name "Seawell" and describes family houses, as well as her parents, siblings, and various relatives. (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2000.45 - 2000 Se9)

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Molly Elliot Seawell Papers
  3. Series 4: Seawell Family Records

Molly Elliot Seawell Papers 0.80 Linear Feet

Seawell, Molly Elliot, 1860-1916

The papers of American writer Molly Elliot Seawell include personal diaries, correspondence, memoirs, photographs, news clippings, and other materials. Also included are photocopies of Seawell's business papers housed at the New York Public Library and at the Columbia University Library. The collection also contains other records from the Seawell family, mostly relating to Molly's aunt Maria Seawell Edwards, John T. Seawell and wife Isabella Josephine Brady, and Philip Hairston Seawell. The collection comprises four series: Diaries, 1900-1914; Personal Records, 1901-1916; Professional Records, 1889-1915; and Seawell Family Records, 1859-2001.

  1. College of William and Mary

Newspaper Article, Reviews, and Biographical Clipping Box 1, Folder 13

This folder contains a clipping in very fragile condition of Molly's famous text on woman suffrage, "The Ladies' Battle," as published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on October 16, 1910 (formely in Mss. MsV D37-38). It is possible to consult the microfilm version of the article at Swem Library. The folder also contains photocopies of published reviews on Molly's position on the suffrage question, as well as on her book "The Jugglers." The originals are held at the New York Public Library. Finally, there is an undated biographical clipping about Molly and photograph froma magazine (includes originals and a photocopy). (Formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Molly Elliot Seawell Papers
  3. Series 3: Professional Records

Photocopies of Correspondence Between M. E. Seawell and Editors/Publishers Box 1, Folder 10

These numerous letters cover topics such as offers to publish her books and stories, negotiations over compensation, editors' mistakes, and deliberations behind her authorial decisions, like how to write stories that appeal to specific groups of people. The bulk consists of letters addressed Mr. [Robert Underwood] Johnson, editor at the Century Magazine, in New York. Of particular interest is a July 2, 1895 letter from Molly to Johnson accompanied by copies of two letters between Molly's acquaintance U.S. Navy Engineer Harrie Webster to Admiral Ito in preparation of an article on the 1894 Battle of the Yalu River during the First Sino-Japanese War. Additionally, there is a November 30, 1898 letter accompanied by a seven-page autobiographical sketch that describes Molly's family's history, the family plantation, her education, the inspiration for some of her stories, her experiences traveling abroad (also recounted in her personal diaries), and the decision to move from Virginia to Washington D.C. Photocopies of originals housed at the New York Public Library and Columbia University Library. (Photocopies formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Molly Elliot Seawell Papers
  3. Series 3: Professional Records

Photocopies of Correspondence Between M. E. Seawell and Editors/Publishers Box 1, Folder 11

A continuation of Molly's business correspondence with various editors and publishers, including Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gilder, and Mr. Yarde. A February 15, 1911 letter is accompanied by a typed opinion piece on proposed legislation to increase postage fees on magazine advertisements. Photocopies of originals housed at the New York Public Library and Columbia University Library. (Photocopies formerly Mss. Acc. 2010.398)

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Molly Elliot Seawell Papers
  3. Series 3: Professional Records

Series 1: Diaries

This series contains two personal diaries kept by Molly Elliot Seawell while living in Washington, D.C., and traveling in the United States, Canada, Germany, and France. Themes discussed include her frequent travels, social life, health, personal finance, reading, writing, psychological and emotional life, and recollections from the past. The first diary covers the years 1900 to 1905. The second diary covers the years 1905 to 1914. Both diaries are in very fragile condition. (Formerly Mss. MsV D37-38).

  1. College of William and Mary
  2. Molly Elliot Seawell Papers

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