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Gregory Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
The materials were acquired by Special Collections Research Center from Letitia Gregory Galbraith Machado on 12/16/2008.
Accessioned and processed by Susan Riggs and Emily Eklund.
Martha "Mattie" Gregory was born in Charles City County in 1851 to Judge John Munford Gregory and Amanda Wallace Gregory. In 1879, she married Robert Davidson Galbraith and relocated to Spartanburg, SC. She and her husband had five children, though only two (Letitia "Letty" Gregory Galbraith and John Munford Gregory "Greg" Galbraith) survived to adulthood. Mattie Galbraith died in 1924.
The Gregory Family Papers follow the family of patriarch Virginia Governor John Munford Gregory and wife Amanda Wallace through three generations with letters dating from the 1820’s to the 1920’s. Most items are letters between family members and grant insight into the daily activities and concerns of the Gregory family. The collection also includes correspondence between members of the Gregory family and other acquaintances, including members of the John Tyler family. While most letters are of a personal nature, some also touch on the issues of politics, education, religion, and agriculture. The collection is rich in genealogical information on the Gregory family and related Croshaw, Graves, West, and White families, as well as history of the family’s war involvement. In addition to letters, the collection includes newspaper articles, family documents, and two diaries kept by John M. Gregory’s daughter, Mattie Galbraith, in the late 1870’s. There are also seven cased images of members of the Gregory Family, including Amanda Wallace Gregory, Amanda's sister (Elizabeth Christie Powell), William Wallace Gregory, and Mary "Mollie" Gregory.
In order by recipient, when applicable, otherwise in order by subject matter. Then, within folder, in chronological order.
This Collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Correspondence between members of the Gregory family, organized by recipient.
Item by item description:
Letter from Letty Gregory to niece Letty Galbraith
22 February 1893
Family
Health, Sleep, Diet
Included: Note from Amanda Wallace Gregory
Letter from John M. Gregory to Letty “Missy” Galbraith
28 February 1894
Death of Amanda Wallace Gregory
California, Missy to Visit
Letter from John Gregory to Letty “Missy” Galbraith
16 March 1894
Her Illness, Benefits of California Climate
His Children
Postcard from Elisabeth W. B. to Letty Galbraith
14 September 1920’s
Gloucester County Court House
John M. Gregory Tablet
Item by item description:
Note by Mattie Galbraith
7 October 1884
Death of Mattie Galbraith’s Child, Amanda
Cause of Death Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
20 July 1885
Gifts, Visitors
Illness
Religion
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
29 September 1885
Family, Illness
Friends, Company
Bishop, Robert D. Galbraith’s Confirmation
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
5 July 1888
Family Illness, Amanda Gregory’s Eye Trouble
Mattie’s Children
Note from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
Eye Trouble
Letter from John M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith
J.M. Gregory’s Civil War Service
Captain Wallace, General Stonewall Jackson
Letter from T.B. to cousin, Mattie Galbraith
Family, Health
Genealogy
Letter from T. B. to cousin Mattie Galbraith
Children
Family Genealogy
Letter from M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith
4 March
Family News
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
Amanda Gregory’s Grandchildren
Recent, Controversial Marriage
Added Note by Grandchild
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
Friends and Family
Dressmaking
Racist Remark
Letter from Mille A. A. to Mattie Galbraith
17 June
Family, Friends, Weather, Household Concerns
Cherry Harvest
Postcard from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
13 April 1889
Family, Photography, Books
Rob Galbraith, Health
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
8 August 1890
Public Schooling, Travel, Health, Clothing
Letter from Greg M. W. (?) to Mattie Galbraith
15 July
Family, Friends, Travel Plans
Death of “Dear Ones”
Letter from Margaret (?) to sister Mattie Galbraith
9 November 1890
Family and Friend News, Family Illness
Death, Sympathy
Baptism
Letter from M.E. to sister-in-law Mattie Galbraith
17 June 1891
Family News
Health, Weather
Recent Photograph
Price of Potatoes and Refrigerators
Gossip, Recent Scandal
Letter from M. E. to sister-in-law Mattie Galbraith
23 January 1892
Family News, Recent Visit from Robert Galbraith
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
27 April 1892
Family, Family Activities, Health
Bishop Visit
Letter from Letty (?) to sister Mattie Galbraith
15 February 1893
Company, Visit from Mr. Tyler
Health, Doctor, Benefits of “Hyperphosphites”
Valentines
Alcohol
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith
7 June 1893
Family, Dressmaking
Travels, Williamsburg
Recent Marriage
Fruits and Flowers of the Season
Letter from Ms. Gregory to sister Mattie Galbraith
Death of a Betty C.
Planned Visit
Letter from Ms. Gregory to sister Mattie Galbraith
Health of Rob Galbraith
Scrapbooks
Amanda Wallace Gregory
Death of a Mother of Six
Letter from Margaret (?) to her sister Mattie Galbraith
21 April 1890’s (?)
Serious Illness of Mattie’s Son, Rob
Company, Social Engagements
Family
Letter from John M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith
3 June 1894
Family, Health
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
30 October 1894
Mattie’s Eye Troubles
Family
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
4 July 1895
Mattie’s Recent Move
Importance of Education, Sons and Stanford University
Fourth of July Festivities
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
Christmas Time 1895
Thanks for Christmas Presents [the ring], the Children
House Fire, Holiday Chaos
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
17 January 1896
Thanks for Christmas Gifts
Detailing of House Fire
Description of her Children
Stanford University, Honor Code
Seeks Advice on Hiring Chinese vs. Japanese Servant
Letter from T.T.C. Gregory to aunt Mattie Galbraith
6 June 1896
Tom’s Professor to Visit Mattie’s Town
John Gregory’s Graduation from Stanford, Tom and John Career Plans
Letter from Thomas Gregory to Aunt, Mattie Galbraith
14 August 1896
Stanford University
Friends: D. Smith, Charley Doyle
Yachting Trip
Letter from Laura R.G. May to Mattie Galbraith
11 November 1896
Death of Mattie Galbraith’s Child, Sympathy
Letter from Truxton Gregory to aunt, Mattie Galbraith
28 November 1896
His Christmas Present [ring]
His Baseball Team
“Ladies Stome Journal”
Letter from A. Nilsen (?) to cousin Mattie Galbraith
30 December 1896
Receipt of Present for Hattie, Travel Plans with Hattie
Health, Past Christmas
Letter from S.G. Tyler to Mattie Galbraith
7 January 1897
Childhood reminiscence
Family
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
January 1897
Thanks for Gifts
Fears of House Burning
In Depth on Children, Husband
Included: Note from Eva’s son, Alfred, to cousin Gregory
Letter from John M. Gregory to sister Mattie Galbraith
February 1897
History of the Family’s Military Record, Civil War, War of 1812, Revolutionary War
Letter from Gertrude Gregory to Mattie Galbraith
1 March 1897
Gertrude’s Brother’s Visit and Illness
Death in Gregory Family
Earthquake
Letter from Eva Gregory to Sister-in-Law, Mattie Galbraith
Opinions on Women’s Rights, Upcoming Vote
Stanford University, Sons’ Studies
Health, “Sad State of the Garden”
Letter from J. E. B. to Mattie Galbraith
30 December 1898
Death of Mutual Friend, Gratitude for Token of the Deceased
Letter from Eva Gregory to Sister-in-Law, Mattie Galbraith
7 June 1899
Death of Eva’s Son, John M. Gregory, Jr.
Included: Obituary of John M. Gregory, Jr.
3 June 1899
“Fatal Plunge”, Account of Deadly Accident
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
Summer 1899
Death and Funeral of Eva’s Son, John M. Gregory
Family Grief, Community Response
Letter from William T. Clapers (?) to Mattie Galbraith
Apologies
Unable to Provide Requested Information (Possibly Sermon Related)
Letter from Letty to her cousin Mattie Galbraith
1906(?)
Gregory Genealogy, Gregory Records in Richmond
Colonial Dames, Daughters of the Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy
Transcribed Mrs. Lyon G. Tyler Letter
Letter from T.T.C. Gregory to aunt Mattie Galbraith
25 April 1906
His Mother’s Pneumonia
Recent Earthquake
Letter from Gertrude Gregory to husband’s aunt Mattie Galbraith
6 October 1906
Illness of Gertrude’s Brother and Baby
Burning of House and Move to Family House
Political Campaign in Suisun, CA
Husband(T.T.C. Gregory)’s Reelection, Important Trial
Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith
Homesickness, Isolation
Railroad
Jefferson Davis Chapter
Her Sons, New Granddaughter [Gertrude & Tom’s]
Letter from Minnie (?) to cousins Robert and Mattie Galbraith
8 July 1918
Family, Travel Plans
Item by item description:
Letter by Robert Davidson Galbraith
7 July 1879
Recent marriage to Mattie Gregory
Ceremony, Reception, Honeymoon Plans
Letter from a Doctor to Robert Galbraith (?)
26 October 1883
Eye Problems, Medical Advice
Letter from Carrie Prag to Robert D. Galbraith
20 November 1883
Loan Request, Home Repairs
Family and Friend News, Recent Marriages
Letter from Margaret (?) to brother-in-law Robert Galbraith
1 March 1892
Gratitude
Family
Item by item description:
Letter from E.M. Davison to Miss Amanda Wallace
12 July 1829
Shared Family
Letter to Amanda Wallace
5 July 1832
Religious Testimony, Religious Conventions
Death, Salvation
Letter from M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory
12 February 1881
Amanda Gregory’s Birthday
Cold Winter Weather, Winter Weather Colds
Family, John Gregory’s Sons
Letter from John M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory
12 February 1883
Amanda Gregory’s 74th Birthday
John Gregory’s Sons, Illness and Education
Weather, Family
Letter from William Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory
8 February 1884
Amanda Gregory’s 75th Birthday
William’s Wife, Health, Servant Search
William’s Professional Duties as Doctor
Weather, Roads
Letter from John M. Gregory and Thomas Gregory to mother/grandmother Amanda Wallace Gregory
September 1885
Thomas’s Schooling
Dinner Menu
Letter from Sam Stevens to cousin Amanda Wallace Gregory
25 December 1886
Death of Amanda Gregory’s sister, Betsy, Sympathy, Religion
Family, Health
Letter from John M. Gregory to mother, Amanda Wallace Gregory
30 May 1888
Birth of 3rd Son
Condition of Wife, Comments on Older Two Boys
Letter from John M. Gregory to mother, Amanda Wallace Gregory
12 June 1888
Health, Family
Crops
Letter from John M. Gregory to mother, Amanda Wallace Gregory
21 April 1889
Family Health
Children, Summer Vacation
Weather
Letter from John M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory
20 January 1890
His Recent Visit to Virginia
Family
Letter from Julia Armistead to Amanda Wallace Gregory
11 February 1891
Amanda Gregory’s Birthday
Family, Health, Weather
Letter from John P. Tyler to Amanda Wallace Gregory
20 July 1892
Death of her Child, Sympathy
Religion
Letter from Rob Galbraith to grandmother Amanda Wallace Gregory
11 February 1893
Amanda Gregory’s Birthday
Family
Note by Amanda Wallace Gregory
15 September 1893
Bequeaths Belongings to Relatives
Letter from John M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory
25 January 1894
Family
Amanda Gregory’s Malaria, Recovery
His Longing for Home/Virginia
Letter from Thomas Wallace to John M. Gregory
20 June 1843
Instructions to Purchase and Emancipate Slave Boy
Letter from John M. Gregory to his father John M. Gregory
8 July 1872
First Communication in Years
Son’s New Wife, Their Frugal Lifestyle
New Town, Elections
Family, Future Visit
Letter from John M. Gregory to his father John M. Gregory
24 June 1873
Father’s Birthday, Father-Son Relationship
Son’s Career Plans, Application for County Office
County Politics
Family, Lifestyle, Health
Letter from John M. Gregory Jr., to father, John M. Gregory Sr.
26 September 1880
Family, Health
Politics, Presidential Election
Crops, Drought
Letter from John M. Gregory Jr., to father, John M. Gregory Sr.
8 July 1880
Father’s Birthday
Legal Work
Politics, “Greenback Movement”
Crops
Letter from John M. Gregory to father John M. Gregory
8 July 1883
Father’s 79th Birthday
Son’s Judgeship, Plans
Family, Weather
Item by item description:
Letter from E.J.S. to Letty Gregory
11 February 1873
Death of William (Probably her Brother)
Legal Proceedings Following Death
Letter to Letty Gregory
November 1874 (?)
Expression of Emotions
New Baby and Mother
Letter from John Munford Gregory to daughter Letty Gregory
3 November
Photo of Child Who Died
Cooper Line, Ancestry, War History
Conversation with grandson Rob Galbraith
Political Opinions
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Letty Gregory
Family and Friends
Martha’s Wedding Clothes
Letter from Lyon G. Tyler to Letty Gregory
17 November 1892
Gregory Genealogy
Power Family Research
Health
Letter from A. Van De Vyuer to Letty Gregory
8 August 1893
Amanda Wallace Gregory
Health, Travel Plans
Death of Mollie Gregory
Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory
27 August 1893-7
Congress, Washington D.C.
Health
Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory
17 February 1894
Death of Letty’s mother Amanda Wallace Gregory
Testimonial of her Character
Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory
22 February 1897
Letty’s Travel Plans
Recent Parties
Desire to See Letty
Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory
6 December 1902
His Political Trials and Successes
United States Congress
Item by item description:
Letter from John M. Gregory to wife Eva Gregory
25 July 1869
His Business Trip, Sudden Illness
Travel Plans
Friends and Family, Weather
Housework Instructions
Letter from Virginia Trayler
Julia Armistead, Tea Party Plans
Letter from M. to niece Mollie Gregory
Family, Travel, Weather
1 February 1890
Weather, Family, the Children, Health
Residence in Mexico, Mexican Food
Letty Gregory
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to grandson Rob Galbraith
29 December 1891
Family News
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to a cousin
18 January 1892
Family
Old Church in Petersburg, Large Fire of 1816
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to a Grandchild
1 May 1893
Recent Marriage of this Grandchild, Marital Advice
Family News
Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to Rob Galbraith
16 August 1893
Health, Amanda Gregory’s Failing Eyesight
Family
On Envelope: Rob Dies of Spiral Meningitis
Letter by William B. Hamilton
Early 1900’s
Commentary on a Mr. Petty
Letter from E .F. J. (?)
19 February 1909
Religion, Criticisms of Church
Item by item description:
Letter from Thomas Wallace to his Uncle
7 February 1832
College of William and Mary, Studies, Prank, Potential Duel
Series of Balls, Parties – “scene of dissipation”
Family
Letter from William Wallace to his Brother
2 November 1833
Letter-writing
Lecture of Dr. Magill
Studies, Languages, Expenses
Home Comforts, Music, Food
M.N. Washington and Monticello Break-in
Notes on the Genealogy of the Gregory Family, made by members of the family, and letters written about Gregory and related family genealogy, including the Croshaw, West, Graves, White, Wallace, and Cooper families. Item by item descriptions follow:
Notes by Letty Gregory
9 October 1897
Family Genealogy, War History
Notes
Gregory Family Genealogy from 17th-18th Century
Notes
Genealogy of Croshaw, West, Graves, and White Families 1655-1804
Letter from Mattie Gregory to Lyon G. Tyler
25 September 1896
Gregory Genealogical Information, as Requested
Sent Elsewhere for Revision
Letter to Gregory Family from Distant Relative
Author’s Connection to Gregory Family (Shared Great-Grandmother)
Gregory Genealogy
Note to Mattie Galbraith
Wallace and Cooper Family Genealogy
Letter from Lorabel Wallace Brooks to Professor David Duncan Wallace
Culbertson, Wallace Genealogy
Note
Genealogy Scraps, Wallace, Cooper
Note
Genealogy, Wallace and Cooper Families
Item by item description:
Document regarding dedication of Croshaw, Graves, Gregory family
pews and pew doors at Bruton Parish Church.
Indenture, by John Martin and John M. Gregory
15 September 1847
Legal Document, Land, Servitude
Business Letter from the Virginia Trust Company to Mattie Galbraith
30 September 1895
Legacy of Letty Gregory
Letter from John M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith
24 September 1907
Illness, Family
Includes land warrants and grants dated from 1792 – 1907
Gregory Family Right to Land due to Revolutionary War
Service of William and John Gregory
Letters, certificates, newspaper articles, telegrams, and court resolves relating to the deaths of members of the Gregory family. Item by item description:
Telegram from Letty Gregory to Galbraiths
10 April 1884
Death of father, John M. Gregory
Resolution by James City County Circuit Court, Hon. R.L. Henley, Hon. J.M. Jeffries, Gov. Robert H. Armistead, etc.)
2 June 1884
John Munford Gregory, Character and Accomplishments
Condolences to Family
Resolution by Citizens of Charles City Country
20 May 1884
John Munford Gregory, Career and Integrity
Condolences to Family
Two Newspaper Obituaries Attached
Certificate of William T. Gregory
25 March 1889
“Apostolic Rite of Laying on of Hands”
Signed by Rector John P. Tyler
Card
10 May 1889
“In Loving Remembrance of William T. Gregory”
Two Poems about Death
Issue of the Richmond Dispatch
14 October 1884
Obituary of Georgia Wilson Galbraith, Young Daughter of Mattie Gregory and R.D. Galbraith
Letter from John Lamb (of U.S. House of Representatives) to Mattie Galbraith
1903
David Gardiner Tyler, Judge Wright
Presentation of Tablets Honoring John Munford Gregory I
Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Mattie Galbraith
29 September 1903
Presentation of Tablets Honoring John Munford Gregory I
Honor of Presenting
Request for Data, John M. Gregory’s Career
Newspaper issues and clippings containing articles related to the Gregory family, including family genealogy and a wedding. Item by item description:
Page from the Southside Sentinel (Duplicates)
18 December 1903
Article: Gloucester Court House Unveiling Ceremony
Tablet in Honor of John M. Gregory
Address by Hon. D. Gardiner Tyler
History of Gregory and Family
Issue of the Solano Republican
24 April 1903
Article: Fashionable Wedding of T.T.C. (Thomas) Gregory to Gertrude Martin
Article from the Times Dispatch
20 November 1904
Genealogy of Gregory Family (traces, with gaps, to mid 1600’s)
Gregory Coat of Arms, Historical Information
Article from the Times Dispatch
4 December 1904
Gregory Genealogy
Supplement to Previous Article
Two personal diaries kept by Mattie Gregory leading up to and immediately after her marriage to Robert Davidson Galbraith, detailing "the many joys and few trials" of her life.
Diary kept by Mattie Gregory in one of her father's old journals. The diary is full of Mattie's day-to-day activities, stories of her family, impressions of friends and acquaintances, and tales of the sorrows, the quarrels, the joys, and love in her life and the lives of those around her.
In this diary, Mattie Gregory continues to record the daily events of her life in Charles City County, Virginia. Near the end, she deals with the stress and excitment of her engagement and the joy of marriage and motherhood.
Removed to artifact collection.
Framed photographs of Gregory Family members:
Mary "Mattie" Martha Gregory's sister
William Wallace Gregory
James P. and Mary E. Purcell
AWG's sister
three unidentified women.