Scope and Contents

A letter, dated December 31, 1876, from “Emma” to Cordelia Slater. Emma provides news of friends.

Scope and Contents

A thank you note, dated April 23, 1878, from Bland Taliaferro to her students, expressing gratitude for a “beautiful present.”

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The family papers of Corie Lynn Dorset Rivers include over 140 separate letters and other manuscript documents handed down to Rivers by her mother, Corie Lynn Slater Dorset. This collection includes papers written by several generation of Williamsburg, Virginia residents, including Lucy Ludwell Paradise; James and Louisa Bellett Lee and family; and Virginia Lee and Parkes Slater and family.Series One consists of the oldest item in this collection, a ledger or commonplace book...

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated April 20, 1879, from Philippa Barziza in Houston, Texas to Cordelia Slater. Barziza writes of various things she can do in Houston. She describes the proximity of her parents’ and brothers’ graves before writing, “Away with sadness!” She wishes that Cordie will not know the sadness she has known.

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated July 21, 1881, from Bland Taliaferro at Burgh Westra, Gloucester, Virginia to Cordelia Slater. Taliaferro writes of her love for both Burgh Westra and Williamsburg. She mentions harvesting peaches and making a trip to BelleVille—a family home—and having to stay overnight because their boat was temporarily stuck.

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated August 5, 1881, from Bland Taliaferro at Burgh Westra, Gloucester, Virginia to Cordelia “Cordie” Slater in Williamsburg, Virginia. Taliaferro writes about being lonely and ill with a fever. She says she will be back in Williamsburg by October to teach and asks if Cordie can find a room for her.

Taliaferro also recounts an argument she and Cordie had in the past and her determination to forgive and move past their disagreement.

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated February 12, 1882, from “Loyd H.C.” in Eltham, Virginia to Cordelia Slater in Williamsburg, Virginia. Loyd H.C. describes recent social events and news from friends.

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated July 29, 1882, from “L H C” in Eltham, Virginia to Cordelia Slater in Williamsburg, Virginia. Loyd H.C. writes that he is planning to visit Williamsburg soon. This letter is hard to read due to ink smearing.

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated August 6, 1882, from Philippa Barziza in Houston, Texas to her cousin Cordelia Slater in Williamsburg, Virginia. Barziza writes of relations, local produce, and the cool weather. The tone of her letter is despondent: “You cannot imagine how changed I feel. I take no pleasure in anything, not even in reading, to which I was once devoted.”

This letter is written on the stationery of D.U. Barziza, Attorney at Law, Houston, Texas.

Scope and Contents

One sheet of a long letter, from “I.H.B.,” trying to settle a misunderstanding or disagreement with Cordelia Slater. Dated [September] 9, 1882.

Scope and Contents

An invitation addressed to "Miss Lee" to attend a “Birthnight Ball” hosted by students of William & Mary on February 22 at 7:00 p.m. No year included in the invitation's date.

Scope and Contents

An undated, unsigned note addressed to Colonel West asking permission to pass the federal lines to go to school.

Scope and Contents

Fragment of a love letter from Jimmie Gray to Cordelia Slater. Undated.

Scope and Contents

The last page only of a longer letter from Jimmie Gray to Cordelia Slater. A love letter featuring poetry quotes. Undated.

Scope and Contents

Undated letter from I.H. Barnes to Cordelia Slater.

Scope and Contents An undated, unsigned fragment of a letter from an enslaved individual, presumably male, living in Richmond, Virginia. As a child, the writer lived in Williamsburg, Virginia, owned by the Slater family. He refers to living in Williamsburg and being friends with Ludwell, who he used to carry around town on his back. He shares other memories of growing up in Williamsburg, including a fight he had with Amner Walker.Other references in the letter suggest that he was...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The family papers of Corie Lynn Dorset Rivers include over 140 separate letters and other manuscript documents handed down to Rivers by her mother, Corie Lynn Slater Dorset. This collection includes papers written by several generation of Williamsburg, Virginia residents, including Lucy Ludwell Paradise; James and Louisa Bellett Lee and family; and Virginia Lee and Parkes Slater and family.Series One consists of the oldest item in this collection, a ledger or commonplace book...

Scope and Contents

A biographical sketch of Corie Lynn Dorset Rivers, the last owner of these family papers. Biographical information compiled and provided by Rivers's nephew and niece.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The family papers of Corie Lynn Dorset Rivers include over 140 separate letters and other manuscript documents handed down to Rivers by her mother, Corie Lynn Slater Dorset. This collection includes papers written by several generation of Williamsburg, Virginia residents, including Lucy Ludwell Paradise; James and Louisa Bellett Lee and family; and Virginia Lee and Parkes Slater and family.Series One consists of the oldest item in this collection, a ledger or commonplace book...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The family papers of Corie Lynn Dorset Rivers include over 140 separate letters and other manuscript documents handed down to Rivers by her mother, Corie Lynn Slater Dorset. This collection includes papers written by several generation of Williamsburg, Virginia residents, including Lucy Ludwell Paradise; James and Louisa Bellett Lee and family; and Virginia Lee and Parkes Slater and family.Series One consists of the oldest item in this collection, a ledger or commonplace book...

Scope and Contents

A letter, appearing to be dated February 26, 1853, without an identified sender or recipient. The letter's date and opening and closing remarks are difficult to read because the text at the end of the letter is written perpendicular to the opening lines on the first page. Includes references to Philippa Barziza.

Scope and Contents

A letter, dated October 1, 1863, from Virginia Lee Slater, Williamsburg, Virginia, to Colonel West, Commander, US Forces, Williamsburg, Virginia. Slater requests that her daughter, Virginia H. Slater, be given permission to pass Confederate lines.

Scope and Contents

A printed and signed form indicating that "Mrs Virginia Slater has taken and subscribed the Oath and Parole required by General Orders, No. 49, for a Loyal Citizen of the United States, residing in a State ever in rebellion or who has sympathized with...Seceding States." Signed by Major [James M...]. Dated February 2, 1864, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Scope and Contents

An unsigned note allowing Mrs. Slater to pass through the picket lines. Dated October 9, 1864.

Scope and Contents A letter, dated February 1866, from Philippa Barziza to “Jimmie,” possibly Jimmie Gray. Philippa berates Jimmie for not writing her more often, and she says she does not understand why Jimmie left Williamsburg for Richmond. She asks if Mr. Slater is still “full of mischief” or if raising his children made him “more sedate.” She Mentions that “Ma” and “Pa” are “active,” though Pa sometimes complains about his age. Philippa also asks, “Did Lucy leave you?” A later reference in the...