Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929)
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
Title: Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929)
Collection No.: SC 0276
Creator: Catlett Family
Extent: 2 boxes; .66 cubic feet
Language: English
Abstract: The Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), consists of two boxes containing the correspondence, personal financial records, and ephemera of the Catlett Family of Staunton, Virginia.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions: Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Preferred Citation: [identification of item], [box #, folder #], Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), SC 0276, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Acquisition Information: This collection was acquired through the Large Antiques and Firearms Estate auction
held by Green Valley Auctions on January 16, 2018.
Processing Information: The collection was received in no particular order other than general groupings of
correspondence and financial files. The archivist imposed an order on any unordered
documents, created discrete series, and filed accordingly.
Bio/Historical Note:
Richard Henry Catlett, born April 19, 1828 near Warren County, Virginia, served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War working as an aide, an acting assistant adjutant general, and as head of reserve organization. After the war, he moved to Staunton, Virginia and established a law firm in 1865 with two war acquaintances to help develop the economy of West Virginia and Virginia. He died in March 1898.
He had his first two children, Charles (1866-1945) and Richard Henry (1868-1940), with Mary Mercer Patton (1838-1871). After her death, he married Fannie Bolling Gay (1847-1938) and had four daughters: Margaret Erskine (1878-1958), Fanny Gay (1879-1838), Amy Pendleton (1883-1972), and Elizabeth Gay (1884-1948). The family remained active in the daily affairs of Staunton, and the children traveled extensively over the course of the early twentieth century. Most notably, Amy Pendleton and Elizabeth Gay Catlett travelled in France while Charles Catlett (a geologist and chemist) and Fannie Bolling Gay Catlett remained prominent figures in the Staunton community, contributing to the naming of areas such as Woodrow Wilson Park, and donating to local businesses.
The Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), consists of two boxes containing the personal correspondence, financial records, and personal materials of the Catlett Family of Staunton, Virginia. The materials in this collection provide a small glimpse into early twentieth century life through the eyes of the Catlett family. The collection is divided into two series: Correspondence and Personal Papers and Ephemera. Topics of conversation in the correspondence can range from education to travel to day-to-day activity, while financial records comprise of receipts and checks usually directed to or filled out by Fannie Bolling Gay (noted as Mrs. R.H. Catlett). Ephemera include personal affects held by unspecified family members and business-related materials of the time period.
Scope and Content:
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into two series: Correspondence and Personal Papers and
Ephemera.
Series 1: Correspondence, 1901-1929
Series 2: Personal Papers and Ephemera, 1850-1933
All series are arranged chronologically.
Bibliography:
"Capt. Richard H. Catlett Dead." Staunton Spectator and Vindicator [Staunton, VA],
March, 24, 1898. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024720/1898-03-24/ed-1/seq-3/
(accessed September 21, 2018).
"The Leland Family of Virginia, et. al." RootsWeb, April 12, 2017, https://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rl1946&id=I60669
(accessed September 24, 2018).
"Richard Henry Catlett and Family in Staunton." Janegrayavery, July, 4 2016, https://janegrayavery.com/index.php/richard-henry-catlett-and-family-in-staunton/
(accessed October 5, 2018).
Contents:
Series 1: Correspondence, 1901-1929
This series contains the correspondence between Catlett family members. The bulk of correspondence is addressed to the matriarch, Fannie Bolling Gay Catlett (under the name Mrs. R.H. Catlett), with most being sent by Elizabeth Gay Catlett (who signed these letters as "Dib"). Other family members gave the nickname "Baby" to Fanny Gay and a slew of other illegible nicknames to Amy Pendleton. The correspondence itself covers family and community news: Fannie Catlett would update her children about the goings-on of Staunton, Elizabeth would write her family about school experiences at Edgeworth College in Baltimore, Maryland, and Amy Pendleton wrote about her travels in Europe. Some items of potential interest include Elizabeth Catlett's monthly report cards or letters to Amy Catlett from a gentleman admirer.
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Margaret Erskine Catlett Correspondence, 1901-1904 |
1:1
|
| Fanny Gay Catlett Correspondence, 1901-1906 |
1:2
|
| Fannie Bolling Gay Catlett Correspondence, 1902-1903 |
1:3
|
| Amy Pendleton Catlett Correspondence, 1903-1922 |
1:4
|
| Fannie Bolling Gay Catlett Correspondence, 1904 |
1:5
|
| Elizabeth Gay Catlett Correspondence, 1904-1910 |
1:6
|
| Charles Catlett Correspondence, 1904-1931 |
1:7
|
| Fannie Bolling Gay Catlett Correspondence, 1906-1929 |
1:8
|
| Amy Pendleton Catlett, 1922-1923 |
2:1
|
| Henry Catlett Correspondence, 1923 |
2:2
|
| Miscellaneous Catlett Correspondence, undated |
2:3
|
Series 2: Personal Papers and Ephemera, 1850-1933
This series contains personal financial records and ephemera collected by the family. Many of the receipts are from local businesses around Staunton (e.g. the Augusta Meat Market, the Hogshead Drug Store, Woodward's Cleaning and Dyeing Works). The canceled checks are largely paid to family members and the city in the form of tax payments and service bills. Materials in French can be found in both Amy Pendleton Catlett's date book (written in both English and French) as well as the Printed Materials and Personal Effects folder in the forms of poetry, newspaper articles, and other notes. Other items of note include programs for a reception for members of the Iron and Steel Institute and the American Institute of Mining Engineers, dated July and August 1906.
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Financial Files and Receipts, 1850-1928 |
2:4
|
| Amy Pendleton Catlett Date Book, 1921 |
2:5
|
| Paid Checks and Statements, 1925-1933 |
2:6
|
| Financial Files and Receipts, 1928-1931 |
2:7
|
| Advertisements and Business Cards, undated |
2:8
|
| Printed Materials and Personal Effects, undated |
2:9
|
| Travel Brochures, undated |
2:10
|
Compiled by: Phillip Wong, October 2018