Printer Friendly VersionA Guide to the
George E. May Papers, 1930s
SC# 2055
Compiled by: Orville Bame, October 1988
Updated by Chelsea Gutshall, February 2010
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
Title: George E. May Papers, 1930s
Collection No.: SC# 2055
Creator: George Elliot May
Extent: 1/2 Hollinger box; .209 linear feet
Language: English
Abstract:
The George E. May Papers, 1930s, contain 44 chapters (some missing) of a carbon-copy typescript manuscript plus handwritten drafts and other notes on the history of Port Republic, Virginia.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions:
None.
Use Restrictions:
None.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of Item], May, George E. Papers, 1930s, SC# 2055, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
Acquisition Information:
On deposit from the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, May 27, 1987.
Biographical/Historical Note
Port Republic, Virginia, founded in 1802, is one of the oldest towns in Rockingham County. It particularly flourished during the 1820s and 1830s after the South Shenandoah River was made navigable for flatboats. It is best known today as the site of the Civil War battle of Port Republic in 1862.
Scope and Content
The George E. May Papers, written in the 1930s, consists of approximately 44 numbered chapters of a typed manuscript, with some chapters missing, plus handwritten materials on the history of Port Republic, Virginia. The manuscript begins with a portrait of the land and the American Indians who inhabited it and goes on to detail the establishment of the town and its subsequent growth. Information concerning farming (references to the invention of the notched sickle used on the McCormick reaper), boating, industry, and schooling is included. Several chapters are devoted to the Civil War and Stonewall Jackson's victory at the Battle of Port Republic in 1862. Citizens of the town who were involved in wars through World War I are discussed, with additional genealogical chapters on the Carthrae, Burgess, Harper, Kemper, Harnsberger, Trout, Scott, Downs and Madden families. Other individuals mentioned include Zachariah Raines and local slave trader, George W. Eustler.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five folders divided by manuscript chapters.
Contents
Folder 1: Chapters 1-7
- 1. Locality
- 2. Early Settlers
- 3. Laying out the Town
- 4. Tragedy
- 5. Old Residenters
- 6. Farming
- 7. Boating
Folder 2: Chapters 8-12
- 8. Industries
- 9. Lost Opportunities
- 10-12. Churches
Folder 3: Chapters 13-24
- 13. Wars
- 14. Civil War: 1861-1865
- 15-17. Wars
- 18. Spanish American War: 1898-1899
- 19. Famous Fight
- 20. Post Office
- 21. Polls
- 22. Schools
- 23. Home Names
- 24. The Harper Family and Port Republic Bridges
Folder 4: Chapters 25-44
- 25. Drowings at the Point; the Kemper Family
- 26. The Harnsberger Family
- 27. John Dundore
- 28. [Missing]
- 29. Joseph Trout
- 30. Zacharia Raines (the "Commodore" of the Shenandoah)
- 31. Michael Amos Scott
- 32-34. [Missing]
- 35. George W. Eustler
- 36. William S. Downs
- 37-39. Missing Chapters
- 40. Thomas Madden
- 41. Cemetery
- 42-43. [Missing]
- 44. Bibles
Folder 5: Miscellaneous Papers
- Minutes of Methodist Meeting House, 1830s
- East Rockingham Magistrates
- Civil War Soldier's Letter
