A&M 0081Roy Bird Cook (1886-1961), Collector, Tavenner Family Papers and Other Material A&M 0081Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History CenterWest Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave. P.O. Box 6069 Morgantown, WV 26506-6069Business Number: 304-293-3536wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.comURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-09-10 07:02:12 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard West Virginia and Regional History Center Roy Bird Cook (1886-1961), Collector, Tavenner Family Papers and Other Material Cook, Roy Bird, 1886-1961 A&M 0081 Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key /repositories/2/resources/2409 1.1 Linear Feet 1 ft. 1 in. (2 document cases, 5 in. each); (1 large flat storage box, 3 in.) 1772-1955 1855-1866 Papers of Thomas Tavenner and the Tavenner family of western Virginia, including correspondence; memoirs; journals; financial and legal documents; pamphlets; newspapers; and other material. Much of the material in this collection regards the Civil War. The Tavenner family were Confederate sympathizers. West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/ English Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

 Biographical / Historical

Roy Bird Cook was born at Roanoke, Lewis County on April 1, 1886, the son of David Bird and Dora Elizabeth Conrad Cook. In 1905, at age 19, he received his pharmacy license, the youngest person to ever do so in West Virginia. His pharmacy career spanned fifty-six years. During his lifetime, Cook served on many pharmacy and state boards and commissions. His interest in local history, the Confederacy and Stonewall Jackson inspired him to collect manuscripts and some 600 volumes on those subjects. His many awards and honors include an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from West Virginia University in 1938.

 Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Roy Bird Cook (1886-1961), Collector, Tavenner Family Papers and Other Material, A&M 0081, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

 Related A&M Collections

81, 858, 895, 1309, 1379, 1528, 1561

For additional information regarding Captain John V. Young of the 11th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, see A&M 895, Cook, Roy Bird (1886-1961), Collector. Papers

See also A&M 3763, Tavenner, William C. Civil War Correspondence and Other Material

 Scope and Contents

Papers of Thomas Tavenner and the Tavenner family of western Virginia, including correspondence; memoirs; journals; financial and legal documents; pamphlets; newspapers; and other material. Much of the material in this collection regards the Civil War. The Tavenner family were Confederate sympathizers.

The collection is organized into ten series, including:

Series 1. Correspondence; 1796-1955, undated; box 1, folders 1A-20 Series 2. Reminiscences; 1861-1866, undated; box 1, folders 21-23 Series 3. Journals; 1840-1863; box 1, folders 24-25 Series 4. Financial papers; 1821-1901, undated; box 1, folders 26-31 Series 5. Indentures and Deeds; 1783-1855, undated; box 2, folders 1-8 Series 6. Subject series; 1859, undated; box 2, folders 9-15 Series 7. Pamphlets; 1845-1935; box 2, folders 16-19 Series 8. Ephemera; undated; box 2, folder 20 Series 9. Miscellaneous; 1932-1940, undated; box 2, folders 21-23 Series 10. Oversize; 1772-1938; box 3, folders 1-6

 Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

 Harrison County (W. Va.) Parkersburg (W. Va.) Ravenswood (W. Va.) Richmond (Va.) Weston (W. Va.) Wood County (W. Va.) Account books Harpers Ferry (W. Va.) -- History -- John Brown's Raid, 1859 Civil War -- Confederate Army Civil War -- Confederate letters Civil War -- Confederate newspapers Civil War -- Confederate sympathizers Civil War -- War diaries Civil War -- Kanawha Riflemen Civil War -- letters Civil War - Southern sympathizers in WV. Civil War - Union soldiers' letters. Civil War - Virginia 133rd Regiment. Civil War - West Virginia 11th Infantry. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Diaries and journals. Newspapers. Poets and poetry. Surveyors and surveying. Women's history -- 1850-1899 Barr, Henrietta Fitzhugh Brown, John. Camden, Gideon Draper, 1805-1891 Camden, John S. Cassady, Capt. James S. Cook, Roy Bird, 1886-1961 Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863 McGrew, James Clark. Rector, Enoch. Rowan, Andrew Summers Tavenner, Jennet Withers. Tavenner, Thomas, 1776-1857 Tavenner, William Cabell. Camden family Cook family Fleischer family Jackson family Matthews family Tavenner family Wells family Young family Series 1. Correspondence, Box 1, Folders 1A-20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303021796-1955, undatedScope and Contents

This series includes correspondence between members of the Tavenner family in (West) Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, and Michigan. Other correspondence includes Mason Matthews to his son Joseph William Matthews, CSA; Rev. Enoch Rector and Rector College; Andrew S. Rowan; and Capt John V. Young, 11th Virginia, USA.

Cook, Roy Bird Correspondence (Tavenner Genealogy)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130312undated11ATavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303131818-184611BTavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303141847-185412Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303151854-186113Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303161861-186514Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130317186715Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303181867-186816Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303191868-187617Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303201876-187818Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303211879-188219Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303221883-1955110Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130323undated111Tavenner FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130324undated112Tavenner Family (copies)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130325undated113Matthews, Mason to His son, Joseph William Matthews, CSA (contains transcripts)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303261861-1865114Rector College and Reverend Enoch Rector (transcripts)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303271822-1936115Rowan, Andrew S. (contains transcripts)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303281823-1937116Young, John V., Captain, 11th Virginia, Company G (Union) (contains transcriptions)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303291862-1864117Young, John V., Captain, 11th Virginia, Company G (Union) (contains transcriptions)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303301864-1865118Young, John V., Captain, 11th Virginia, Company G (Union) (contains transcriptions)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303311864-1865119Miscellaneous (contains transcriptions)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303321796-1937120Series 2. Reminiscences, Box 1, Folders 21-23Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303031861-1866, undatedScope and Contents

This series includes memoirs of E.D. Camden, Capt. James B. Cassady, and W.T. Kinzer.

Camden, E.D. (contains transcriptions)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130333undated121Camden, E.D. (contains transcriptions)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303341866122Kinzer, W.T. (contains transcripts)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303351861-1864123Series 3. Journals, Box 1, Folders 24-25 Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303041840-1863Scope and Contents

This series includes the Civil War journal (1862-63) of Henrietta Fitzhugh Barr and one unidentified journal (1840-59).

Barr, Henrietta FitzhughArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303361862-1863124UnidentifiedArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303371840-1859125Series 4. Financial papers, Box 1, Folders 26-31 Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303051821-1901, undatedScope and Contents

This series includes receipts, tax papers, business contracts and miscellaneous items. Also includes an account book of Thomas Tavenner (1858-59) and a Cow Book.

GeneralArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303381821-1842126GeneralArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303391842-1874127GeneralArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130340undated128ChecksArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303411855-1867129ChecksArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303421897-1901130Account BooksArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303431858-1861131Series 5. Indentures and Deeds, Box 2, Folders 1-8 Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303061783-1855, undatedScope and Contents

This series includes indentures for lands deeded to George Washington by King George III, 19 February 1754 and deeds regarding land purchases by Thomas Tavenner and various members of his family. Most deeds are for land in Wood County, while others are for land located in Monongalia, Kanawha, Wirt, and Harrison counties in western Virginia, and Edwards and Wabash counties in Illinois.

MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303441783-180821MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303451813-182222MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303461823-183223MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303471838-184324MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303481843-185425MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303491854-185526MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130350undated27MiscellaneousArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130351undated28Series 6. Subjects, Box 2, Folders 9-15 Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130307ca. 1859, undatedScope and Contents

This series consists of a Kanawha Valley Economic Petition with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; an index of articles on the John Brown Raid in the Battle Creek (Weekly) Journal (Michigan); a Civil War play about Gauley Mountain; a short history of the 133rd Virginia Militia; poetry written by Thomas Tavenner; and a typescript history of the property title for Weston State Hospital (5 pages).

Kanawha Valley Economic Petition with the Baltimore & Ohio RailroadArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130352undated19Annotated List of Articles in the Battle Creek (Weekly) Journal (Michigan) Regarding John Brown and His FollowersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130353undated110Civil War Play -- Gauley MountainArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130354undated111133rd Virginia Militia -- Brief Historical SketchArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130355undated112Poetry by T.J. TavennerArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130356undated113Poetry by T.J. TavennerArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130357undated114Weston State Hospital--History of Property TitleArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130358undated115Series 7. Pamphlets, Box 2, Folders 16-19Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303081845-1935Scope and Contents

This series includes pamphlets and magazines.

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. 9, no. 1 (July 1901)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303591901216Southern Literary Messenger and Southern and Western Literary Messenger and Review. Vol. 13, no. 9 (September 1847)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303601847217Item 1: The Home Circle (July 1856 and October 1856, Nashville)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303611856218Item 2: Southern Planter. No. 6 (June 1856)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303621856218Item 3: Address of the Hon. Charles. J Faulkner at the Memorial Services in Honor of President Garfield in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Martinsburg, West Virginia, On Monday, September 26, 1881Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303631882218Item 4: Daniel Boone: Little-Known History of the Famous Pioneer, Trail-Blazer, Indian Fighter in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia, by Roy Bird CookArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303641938218Pages from the Past: Recollections, Traditions and Old Timers' Tales of Long Ago, by George W. Summers; 1935.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303651935219Series 8. Ephemera, Box 2, Folder 20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130309UndatedScope and Contents

This series includes a States Rights Ticket, photo of Colonel John S. Camden's headstone, and calling cards.

EphemeraArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130366undated220Series 9. Miscellaneous, Box 2, Folders 21-23 Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303101932-1940, undatedScope and Contents

This series includes typescripts sent to Roy Bird Cook, a Captain's commission (copy) for Henry Harris signed by John Hancock in 1776, and miscellaneous envelopes and paper.

Miscellaneous Items and One Commission (copy) Dated 1776Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130367undated221Miscellaneous ItemsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/130368undated222EnvelopesArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303691932-1940, undated223Series 10. Oversize, Box 3, Folders 1-6 Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303111772-1938Scope and Contents

This series includes genealogy (1932) of Mary Randolph Cook, citizenship papers for Ian Christian Brevoor (1797), a map of George Washington's land grant (1772) on the Little Kanawha River, and Civil War newspapers including 10 issues of the Richmond Whig (1863-64), 11 issues of the Richmond Daily Dispatch (1862, 1864), and miscellaneous newspapers from Staunton, Virginia, New York, Pittsburgh, and Louisville.

Mary Randolph Cook Genealogy (1932); Citizenship Paper for Ian Christian Brevoor (1797); Map, George Washington Land Grant (1772)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303701772, 1797, 193231Richmond Whig, six issues from 1863, four issues from 1864Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303711863-186432Richmond Daily Dispatch, ten issues from 1862, one from 1863, and one from 1864Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303721862-186433Miscellaneous NewspapersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303731855-186634Miscellaneous NewspapersArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303741865-187635Miscellaneous West Virginia Newspapers including Buckhannon Record, Charleston Gazette and Charleston Daily MailArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1303751937-193836