West Virginia and Regional History Center
Reverend C. Shirley Donnelly Collection
Donnelly, C. Shirley, Reverend
West Virginia Baptist Historical Society
Higginbotham, Gary R.
A&M 4590
Archival Resource Key
/repositories/2/resources/6986
2.34 Linear Feet
(3 document cases, 5 in. each); (1 document case, 2.5 in.); (1 flat storage box, 3.5 in.); (2 flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (1 flat storage box, 1 in.); (1 oversize folder, 0.1 in.)
1731, 1781-1992, and undated
1860-1980
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the West Virginia Baptist Historical Society via archivist Gary Higginbotham, 2023 April 4 and September 21.
Biographical / Historical
Clarence Shirley Donnelly (1895-1982) was a Baptist minister who collected historical records relating to the history of West Virginia, especially Fayette County and the surrounding area. He was born in Rock Castle, Jackson County, West Virginia, but spent much of his life in Oak Hill and Beckley, where he served as minister to the Oak Hill Baptist Church and Crab Orchard Baptist Church, respectively. He also served as a chaplain during World War II and received the Bronze Star and other medals for his actions. He founded the Fayette County Historical Society and led other historical organizations and also wrote frequently for the
<part>Beckley Post-Herald</part> on various historical and related topics.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Reverend C. Shirley Donnelly Collection, A&M 4590, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Related Materials
Additional material from Rev. C. Shirley Donnelly pertaining to his work was retained by the West Virginia Baptist Historical Society.
Scope and Contents
Reverend C. Shirley Donnelly, a Baptist minister and local historian, collected these materials for his own research and interest in West Virginia history. The collection contains various materials pertaining to coal mining and West Virginia history, especially in the New River area and Fayette County. It includes correspondence, land grant and deed records, pamphlets, journals, local histories, records, photographs, and art relating to mining and life in the New River area. One set of correspondence includes recollections, a yearbook, and newspaper clippings by a World War II sailor from the USS West Virginia. Another series of correspondence includes the antebellum, wartime, and postwar letters and personal receipts of Charles Dequasie, a Confederate soldier from Fayette County, West Virginia, and Robert Edward Dequasie's personal and business correspondence. Other ephemera includes West Virginia and mining journals and certificates belonging to Donnelly and others. A scrapbook and notebook of newspaper clippings pertain to early court hangings and executions in West Virginia. Political posters include those for West Virginia Governor William C. Marland and West Virginia Senators Harley Kilgore and Robert Byrd.
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.
West Virginia - religion
Coal mining - disasters.
Coal mines and mining -- West Virginia -- Fayette County
Thurmond/Thurman, Fayette County, WV.
Land deeds and grants - Fayette County.
Fayette County (W. Va.)
Coal mining - New River field.
Clay County (W. Va.)
United States Navy - USS WEST VIRGINIA.
Civil War -- letters
Civil War -- Confederate Army
West Virginia - Politics and government.
Murder
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
West Virginia Baptist Historical Society
Higginbotham, Gary R.
Series 1. Correspondence, Local Histories, and RecordsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124211731-1977Scope and ContentsIncludes correspondence between Donnelly and others about coal mining and mining accidents primarily in Fayette County, West Virginia, in the early twentieth century. Other correspondence includes letters from a sailor recalling his experiences on the USS West Virginia and personal correspondence of Donnelly on various topics. Local histories include manuscripts about the Civil War battle of Carnifex Ferry and the following areas in West Virginia: Thurmond; Fayette County; and Clay County. Highlights of local records include a book of West Virginia land grants (1820s-1840s), 18th and 19th century land deeds, and a roster and history of the West Virginia National Guard (1929, 1950).
Roster and Records, West Virginia National GuardArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212422195031I00016Abstract of Oak Hill Post Office PropertyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124231794-191632I00018Application for Town of Oak Hill Electric Light, Water Works, Power Plant FranchiseArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212424190933I00021Vandalia Cemetery, Fayette County, RecordsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212425undated34I00024Huse Memorial Park (Cemetery), Fayette County, RecordsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212426undated35I00025Handwritten History of Education in Fayette County, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212427undated36I00027History of Harvey Chapel 1877 -- Present Day Methodist Episcopal ChurchArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212428undated37I00026Mine Disasters in Fayette County written by Rev. Clarence Figgatt, Mt. Hope, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212429undated38I00028Public Hangings at Fayetteville, WV (beginning 1893) written by Shirley DonnellyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212430undated39I00020Correspondence with USS West Virginia Sailor Charles Rogusky to Writer/Historian Myron J. Smith, Jr.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124311977310"USS West Virginia Crosses the Equator Again" -- roster of crew and photos of shipArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124321944311Newspaper clippings and documents relating to the USS West VirginiaArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124331941-1961312History of the 201st Infantry West Virginia National GuardArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124341929313I00017John Cheslock ManuscriptsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124351969314William Derenge and Layland Mine Explosion Newspaper ArticlesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124361958-1982315Letter written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- Thank you for being sent Highlights in the History of Fayette County WV by DonnellyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21243719593161Letter written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- talked about stint timbering, serving in the army, death of brother JohnArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21243819673162Letter written by William DerengeArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21243919683163Letter written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- His work in 1904 in Greenwood -- Brownwood mine, later Lawton at age 13. Then worked at Mindon Mine both with his father.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21244019693164Letter written by William Derenge -- writing about correcting three of Donnelly's facts on the Layland Mine ExplosionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21244119723165Letter Written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21244219743166Letter Written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- Donnelly's 1956 book about Layland Mine disaster and other mine disasters.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21244319743167Letter written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- details of Layland Mine Explosion; references to Russian coal workers there and his own father from LithuaniaArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21244419753168Letter Written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- Layland MineArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21244519763169Letter written by William Derenge from Quinwood, WV -- chapel carArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212446197731610Print and Negatives of a letter to the Church of ChristArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124471731317New York Detective Library magazineArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124481890318History of Dempsey Community by C. Shirley DonnellyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212449undated319100006Fayette County News ArticlesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124501970-1977320Letter from Harlan Adkins regarding Layland Mine with picture of survivorsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124511972321L00010Notebook of Clay County History (writings from 1897 through 1902 were gathered and typed by Rev. C. Shirley Donnelly, from the Clay County Star (WV) about the history of Clay County. An index is at the end of the book.)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21245219475unfolderedNotebook including typescript of "A Hole in the Ground and other stories by C. Pierson, Author of the Haunted Bottom and Other Stories. History of Clay County, Pioneer and Pioneer Days of Nicholas County." (1899) Introduction by William P. Gould of Ft. Myers, Florida (1925). Compiled and published by C.W. Bell of Zela, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124531899-19255unfolderedNew River Banking And Trust, Thurmond, WV 75th AnniversaryArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21245419796100030Story of Justus Collins who persevered in the Mine Fields by Shirley DonnellyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21245519762100001Notable Mine Disasters in Vicinity of Oak HillArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124561900-19272100002History of New River Gorge Area by Otis K. Rice, Published by Fayette Plateau Chamber of CommerceArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212457undated2100003Mine ticket -- Stuart Colliery company -- stoppages against accountArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212458undated2100004Multiple articles Mine disastersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212459undated2100005Fayetteville Rifles First From FayetteArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246019612100007Land Office Treasury Warrant -- County of MontgomeryArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246117812100008Land Deed "County of Kenhawa on Marsh Fork of Cole River"Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246217952100009Land Deed "500 Acres to John Preston and Francis Preston County of Montgomery"Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246317992100010Land Deed Delinquent -- Public Auction Fayette CountyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246418412100011Booklet written by Clarence Shirley Donnelly: The Battle of Carnifex FerryArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246519502100014Town Records Oak Hill, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124661903-19232100022Letter in response to Donnelly inquiry -- Bio of Dr. Laird founder of Laird FoundationArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246719582L00002Letter from Major Eli M. Dews -- Confederate Soldier's discharge signed by letter sender's great -- grandfather, Captain Samuel S. Dews.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246819792L00003Letter from G. Edmonds -- Whipple Mine Explosion 1907Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21246919672L00004Letter from J.A. Shuck regarding Red Ash Mine ExplosionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247019622L00005Letter from J.A. Shuck regarding Echo Mine ExplosionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247119632L00006Letter from Mrs. Elmer Biros regarding where were killed miners buried from Lochgelly MineArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247219682L00007Letter from Mrs. Elmer Biros regarding Lochgelly MineArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247319682L00008Letter from Grace Loving regarding Lochgelly mine explosionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247419692L00009Letter from Sylvester Berry regarding Red Ash, Beury, Old Sugar Creek Mine, Layland MinesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247519722L00014Letter from West Virginia Governor John Rockefeller to Donnelly on New River Gorge BridgeArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247619772unfolderedLetter from Harlan Adkins to DonnellyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247719722unfolderedBooklet on Fayette County SchoolsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21247819252unfolderedCertificate of life membership in disabled citizens of World War IArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212479undated6unfolderedGamble pamphletArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21248019046unfolderedMountaineers Certificate for C. Shirley DonnellyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21248119616unfolderedHandwritten Diary/Book recordings: West Virginia Land GrantsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124821820-18507unfolderedMap of West Virginia with county boundariesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212483undated6unfolderedSeries 2. Correspondence and Receipts of Dequasie FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124841830-1920Scope and ContentsContains the personal correspondence, receipts, and inventories of Charles A. Dequasie, a Confederate soldier from Fayette County, West Virginia. Includes antebellum, wartime, and postwar correspondence with his wife, Rachel, and other family members. Also includes the personal and business correspondence (circa 1890-1920s) of his son, Robert Edward Lee Dequasie. Receipts mainly include the tax receipts of Charles Dequasie. Also included are Dequasie's 1865 military parole given at the war's end, as well as an 1862 Confederate travel pass from Richmond, Virginia.
Assorted Correspondence of the Dequasie FamilyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124851830-192011-5Copy of certificate for Charles A. Desquasie from Thurmond, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212486186511P00008Copy of Desquasie discharge paperArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212487186211P00010Dequasie correspondence and tax tickets and receiptsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124881849-190723Series 3. Photographs and ArtArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124891837-1992Scope and ContentsPhotographs and art illustrate different scenes and activities in West Virginia, especially in the New River Gorge area, such as schools, churches, landscapes, and individual and group portraits. Morgantown, Lansing, Hinton, Oak Hill, and various Fayette County towns are depicted. Some photographs focus on Civil War history while others focus mainly on Fayette County history. It also features art prints of the West Virginia state capitol and the New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia.
Photograph -- Hinton, WV -- March of KKK members marching down main streetArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249019242P00001Postcard of Lansing, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249118372P00002Photograph -- Bridge Destroyed during Civil War, Gauley Bridge, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249219292P00003Photo of Grave of Stonewall Jackson's Mother, Ansted, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212493undated2P00004Photograph of Famous Lee's Tree Located on Sewell Mountain near Rainelle, WV Rt 60.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249419292P00005Photograph of Old Stone House Near Lookout, WV with letter to Arnold Betty and childrenArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2124951927-19632P00006Photograph of Tobacco and General Merchandise saleArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249618742P00007Copy of document: Robert A. Bailey commission to Captain of RiflemenArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249718612P00009Postcard of fairgroundsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249819242P00011Photograph of McKendree HospitalArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21249919204P00013Photograph of Morgantown, WV, Company G, World War I SoldiersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21250019184P00014Photograph of Harrison Ash (1861 -- 1923) Chief of Police -- Thurman, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212501undated2P00015Photograph of Country Store at Victor, Fayette County, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212502undated2P00016Photograph of Morris HarveyArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212503undated2P00017Photograph of Merchants and Miners Bank, Oak Hill, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21250419062P00018Photograph of Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, WV, founder of Grandparents DayArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21250519922P00019Photograph of Old Rock Head Fayette County, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212506undated2P00020Photograph of Charles Edgar Mahan IV, President of Fayette County BankArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212507undated2P00021Photograph of Hawks Nest near Anstead, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21250819302P00022Photograph of Kanawha FallsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21250919302P00023Photograph of New River at Gauley JunctionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212510undated2P00024Photograph of New River (?)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21251119332P00025Photograph of Tourist Cottages Canyon View Park, Gauley Bridge, WV Rt 60Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125121940-19492P00027Photograph of Canyon View Park Office Gauley Bridge, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125131940-19492P00028Photograph of Modern Double Band Saw Mill of Wilderness Valley, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21251419252P00029Photograph of Mr. M.J. Simms, President of Montgomery National BankArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125151911-19122P00030Photograph of R(h)odes Band, Gatewood, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21251618992P00031Photograph of Unknown High School (most likely in Fayette County)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212517undated2P00032Photograph of Large Home unknown (most likely in Oak Hill)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212518undated2P00033Photograph of Grave Marker Betsy and Peggy Morris "killed by Indians 1792" Lockwood, Nicholas County, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212519undated2P00039Photo of Camper Trailer being pulled by car in West VirginiaArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21252019562P00042Photograph of unknown WV residents in front of store?Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212521undated2P00043Photo of Charleston soon after Courthouse was builtArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21252218922P00044Photo of Charleston Kanawha County CourthouseArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21252319002P00045Photograph of group of men huntingArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212524circa 1900-19202P00046Photo of Sketch of St. John' s Episcopal Church Quarrier Street, Charleston by Harry Rus WarneArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212525undated2P00047Photo St. John's Episcopal Church Quarrier Street, CharlestonArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212526undated2P00048Photograph of woman by Blackwater FallsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125271950-19592P00049Picture of Omri N. Blake and introductory Letter regarding Swiss exploitsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212528undated2P00052Photo of burning of State Capitol Building Charleston, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21252919212P00053Photograph of horses and Buggy /Wagon heading up Rocky HillArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212530undated2P00054Photograph of Ruins of the Kanawha Falls Hotel after the fireArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21253119682P00058Photograph of Unknown Group of school boysArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212532undated2P00062Photograph of Railway through unknown townArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212533undated2P00063Photograph of Railway past house in unknown townArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212534undated2P00064Photograph of Teacher InstituteArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125351906-19072P00066Picture of Oak Hill Grade SchoolArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212536undated2P00034Picture of High School ClassArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21253719202unfolderedPicture of Lewis Oak in Marlington, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212538undated2P00035Picture of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver P. ReffeArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21253919176unfolderedMarriage picture of Wennier Eckreckerdoor and Harriet Ann ToryArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21254018816unfolderedRed Sweet Springs, WV 8"x10 1/2" Print (2 copies)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212541undated4Po00006Sketch of the Old West Virginia Capitol building, CharlestonArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212542undated22Sketch of the West Virginia Capitol building, CharlestonArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212543194921New River Gorge Bridge, WV "Always in October" #48 of 1000 Juanita H. AkersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21254419818A00004New River Gorge Bridge, WV "Bridge Over Antiquity" #475 of 1000 Juanita H. AkersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21254519778A00005New River Banking And Trust early 1900s Thurmond, WV PrintArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21254619796A00003Series 4. Scrapbook and Newspaper ClippingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125471897-1956Scope and ContentsDonnelly documented and saved newspaper clippings of the last public hangings and first executions by the electric chair in West Virginia, which is reflected in his scrapbook and his notebook of newspaper clippings on such events. It includes the original court reporter transcript of the circuit court in Fayette County and photographs relating to the murder case regarding the accused Lemuel Thomas Steed. Also includes Donnelly's ticket of admission to Steed's execution in 1948.
Scrapbook -- Lemuel Thomas Steed, Murder Defendant and convictionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21254819487unfolderedOriginal Court Reporter Transcript of Steed case in the Circuit Court of Fayette County, WVArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21254919487unfolderedTicket to Rev. C. Shirley Donnelly from West Virginia Penitentiary for Admittance for HangingArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21255019487unfolderedPhotographs of murder victim and crime scene -- Steed caseArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21255119487unfolderedClippings on Fazio murder case -- first possible death in electric chairArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/21255219497unfolderedClippings and death sentences of first 3 WV men sentenced to deathArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212553undated7unfolderedNotebook with newspaper clippingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/2125541897-19567unfolderedSeries 5. Political PostersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212555circa 1940-1975Scope and ContentsPolitical posters include original Democratic Party posters for West Virginia Governor William C. Marland and West Virginia Senators Harley Kilgore and Robert Byrd.
Campaign Poster: William C. Marland Democratic Candidate for GovernorArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212556circa 1940-19591Po00002Campaign Poster: regarding elect Kilgore to U.S. SenateArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212557circa 1940-19591Po00003Campaign Poster: Robert C. ByrdArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/212558circa 1958-19751Po00004