Special Collections Research Center

Papers, 1832-1856, of George Washington Parke Custis of "Arlington." The collection is mostly letters written to Francis Nelson, his farm manager at "White House," New Kent County, Virginia concerning growing and marketing crops, agricultural improvements, the effect of the proposed Richmond and York River Railroad on the plantation, and Robert E. Lee. There are a few additional letters to Nelson from merchants and railroad officials, and photostats of 2 additional Custis letters.

A letter from 1796 composed by Cuthbert Bullitt, a lawyer and plantation owner in Prince William County, Virginia. The letter describes Cuthbert Bullitt's interaction with enslaved workers on the plantation and his analysis of the character and value of each person. The letter amounts to a single sheet folded to 6" x 7 3/4" with ink prose.

The papers of George K. Dakin concern his service in the Richmond, Virginia area during the Civil War. Dakin served in voluntary military service in the 1st New Hampshire Battery, from Manchester, New Hampshire, during the Civil War. The collection contains several Muster Rolls (in and out), certificates of promotions, official discharges, and a report written by Dakin's superior, F. M. Edgell, about certain operations of the 1st New Hampshire Battery.

Unofficial gubernatorial papers of Virginia Governore John Dalton, including press releases, legislation material, and similar material.

15 boxes of memorabilia, press releases schedules, appointment books, and plaques. Includes an addition, Accession 2014.119.

Account books, 1842-1876, of Rev. Daniel Thomas (a Dunkard minister) of Rockingham County, Virginia and his administrator. Includes agreement, 1850, to discontinue the carding of wool, prescriptions for the treatment of disease, letter written to the Gospel Visitor Church of the Brethren's failure to meet; the expenses of Spring Creek Mill; estate accounts; and account concerning the building of a house.

Two letters from Thomas H. Daniel, Prince George, Virginia to Dr. Thomas P. Atkinson, Danville, Virginia, about selling Atkinson's land in Prince George. Daniel also mentions a House of Delegates resolution to  reapportion representatives throughout Virginia. 1848 and 1849.

Letter from Daniel Webster, Washington, D.C. to Norton Quincy Tirrell, Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, stating that since he has not made any selection, he will comply with Tirrell's wishes and forward Tirrell's letter to Dr. Sewall.

Norton Quincy Tirrell is the great-great-great-grandfather of donor, Mrs. Page Clagget.

Account book of Jacob S. Danner, a merchant in Frederick County, Virginia. Index at beginning of ledger.

Papers, chiefly 1801-1868, of the Darby, Parramore and Higgins families of Accomack and Northampton counties, Va. Includes wills, epitaphs, letters, a list, n.d., of slaves, a certificate of dismissal, 1834, from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and genealogical notes on the families.

Merchant ledger of Abraham Davenport of Jefferson County, and possibly Berkeley County, Virginia, now West Virginia.  Contains account of the estate of Abram Davenport with Braxton Davenport, executor, 1825-1833, and several recipes.

Letter dated 1862 April 18 from Camp on Chessman's Creek addressed to his parents. Everett was in "I" company of the 7th New Jersey Volunteers, 3rd Brigade of Hooker's Division. He describes his unit's travel to Norfolk and then the Yorktown area and the anticipation of a hard battle with the Confederate troops who are assumed to be numerous and well fortified.

Originals and copies of papers, 1804-1928, of the Davidson family of Frederick County, Va. Includes correspondence from Samuel Davidson in Sacramento, California to his father, William Davidson and brother David Davidson describing California in the Gold Rush era. The papers also include a deed, 5 April 1773, signed by Thomas Lord Fairfax to Thomas Talbot for land in Frederick County, Va. and genealogical material concerning the Davidson family.

Correspondence and accounts of Alexander Mathews Davis, lawyer of Grayson County, Va. Includes several Civil War letters.

Dianne Davis is a former pupil of the Cape Charles Elementary School, a former Rosenwald Schools. Dianne Davis recounts her time as a pupil attending Cape Charles Elementary School, a segregated school funded by Julius Rosenwald and created by Booker T. Washington. Dianne discusses the typical day attending a Rosenwald school and her hopes for the restoration of the school.

Papers, 1975-1985, of Richard J. Davis, mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia and lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The papers pertain primarily to his administration as lieutenant governor and include correspondence with politicians and constituents, personal correspondence, campaign material, speeches, newspaper clippings, photographs and a videocassette of Davis and his family discussing his years as a student at William & Mary, and his career.

Negative photostats of items from the correspondence of the Rev. William Dawson and the Rev. Thomas Dawson, both of whom were commissaries of the Church of England in Virginia and presidents of the College of William and Mary. Prominent correspondents include Patrick Henry, Samuel Davies, John Blair and Robert Dinwiddie.