Special Collections Research Center

Letter, February 26, 1937, of James Armstrong to John Crowninshield written from Norfolk, Virginia. The letter mentions a ship, Macedonean, and the Navy Yard. It also refers to U.S. President Andrew Jackson's term in office imminent end and that Martin Van Buren enters office under auspicious circumstances.

Four copies of a 1762 map detailing land that was surveyed for a Mr. Samuel Boush. The land was apportioned into lots to be sold and was located in the borough of Norfolk adjoining Smith's Land, Church Street, and a creek flowing out of the Elizabeth River. The original map is held by the Library of Virginia.

Scrapbook, 1895, of newspaper clippings of Mary Ann Brooks of Philadelphia, Pa. and [Norfolk, Va.] The volume also includes pasted-in circus prints, and report cards, 1896-1898, of Jonathan Brooks while a student in Portsmouth, [Va. public schools.]

Collection of legal papers chiefly of Wythe and Warwick counties, Virginia. Includes papers of George Blow, Jr.; letters, 1842-1853, concerning the legal practice of Peter F. Schlecker; resolutions, 1860 July 28, passed by the Board of Trade of Norfolk, Virginia; and deed, 1831, to land in Wythe County, Virginia from Joseph F. White to Elisha D. Payne. Some legal documents concern grain mills.

Two page letter to George Mayo, Esq. informing him that he arrived safely at City Point in Norfolk, was received well by the Commandant and treated very well by the citizens of Norfolk. Claiborne sailed from Manchester to Norfolk, and takes the remainder of his letter to write about the possibilities and complexities of marriage to different women.

Copy (photocopy) of the Elizabeth River Parish (Norfolk County, Va.) vestry book, 1749-1761.

From Norfolk, Watkins writes to her sister in Indianapolis. She mentions an illness and how she is overwhelmed by her teaching duties in Norfolk. Watkins seeks charity from her friends and family as she is too ill to work.

A letter from George F. Shepley, Brigadier General, in Norfolk, Virginia to Lt. Col. G. A. Kensel, Chief of Staff, concerns rumors of a possible raid by Wade Hampton on Portsmouth, Virginia. He arrested William A. Moppin, who admitted he had been gathering information at the request of James Arthur. He has also arrested Arthur. He asks if he should send them up for Benjamin Butler to examine. A typescript is included.

Includes manuscripts of poetry written by Julia Selden Grandy who lived in Norfolk, Va. and Baltimore, Md. as well as short stories by Grandy; translations by Grandy of French poetry written by Stephen Mallarme (1842-1898); diaries kept while in school in New York and on trips to Paris and London; published books by Grandy; and scrapbooks.  Includes a biography, poem and her obituary.

This collection consists of letters from supervisors or sponsors to Minnie A. Hill, a northern female teacher, who was in Norfolk and then Petersburg, Virginia teaching at freedmen’s schools in the late 1860s.

Diary, 1855-1862, of a child in Norfolk, Va. (apparently dictated to or copied over by her mother) and of her mother. Concerns trips to North Carolina and New York City and to springs in Virginia and records the family's move to a plantation near Richmond, Texas. Includes reports of friends dying in Norfolk during the yellow fever epidemic of 1855 and records the mothers ill health (possibly tuberculosis).

One page letter from Norfolk, VA. She reports that there are twelve negroes guarding a bridge in close proximity to her and it unsettles her as a result. She does not think much of the African American guards. The remainder of her letter is in regard to the receipt and sending of correspondence between herself and the recipient.

The collection contains artifacts including an Orange employee hat from Doumar's Cones & Barbecue resturant and a menu from Charlie's Cafe, both located in Norfolk, VA. The hat was worn by James Marino (class of 2013) during his 2010 employment at Doumar's as part of an Order of the White Jacket scholarship.

Letter from J.S.E. McGhee, Camp Carolina, Norfolk, Va., to his uncle [?], no place. The letter describes camp life and fortifications at Craney Island from where he could see the "Enemy". Other locations mentioned include Sewells Point, Spinners [Pinners] Point, the marine hospital and Fort Norfolk, which are "in good order for meeting the Northern vessels". He heard that Yankees had landed at Ocean View, Va. and he expresses his disrespect for them. He sends greetings to family members.

Notes, 1870, taken by L. D. Switler while a student at the Webster Institute, Norfolk, Virginiaa. The notes concern history, mathematics, philosophy, geography, and Latin.

Letter, 1794 April 27, Norfolk, [Va.] to [?]. 4 p. on 1 leaf ; 20 cm. Relates an incident of tarring and feathering in Norfolk, Va. in connection with the embargo and notes the arrival of Major [John] Rivardi to examine points of defense on the river.

Letter from "Dwayne" to W. Dwight Barrell, dated "Sept. 31, 1858" [sic] from Norfolk, Virginia. Describes boat travel along the East Coast of the United States, along with street, weather and fruit crop conditions in Norfolk. Mentions large presence of "Negroes" and how few of them were free. Mentions that he will send a Norfolk paper. Postmarked envelope, addressed to Barrell in Turner, Maine, is included.

Collection of about 50 letters written by and to Louis Edward Kessler, of Brooklyn, New York, from August 1944 to March 1945, while Kessler served at the United States Navy Recruiting Station at Camp Bradford in Norfolk, Virginia during World War II. Most of the letters are to or from Kessler's wife, Nancy Kessler, of Brooklyn, New York.