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A letter, dated December 30, 1873, from Annie M. Barlow in Portsmouth, Virginia to her cousin Jimmie Gray. Barlow thanks Jimmie for the verses he sent that helped her and others in a time of sorrow. She writes that she is sending a “little book” to him.

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A letter, dated January 8, 1874, from Cordelia Slater in Williamsburg, Virginia to Jimmie Gray. This draft of a letter to Gray is a carefully written response to his professions of love (see letter from December 8, 1873). It appears she proofread this draft and made changes in blue ink with the original draft in black ink.

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A letter, dated February 23, 1874, from Jimmie Gray at Randolph Macon College to Cordelia “Cordie” Slater.

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A letter, dated March 7, 1874, from Jimmie Gray at Randolph Macon College to Cordelia “Cordie” Slater. Gray expresses dejection and sorrow, apparently hurt over Cordelia’s response to his expression of love. He expresses his distaste for dancing.

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A letter, dated May 29, 1874, from Jimmie Gray in Petersburg, Virginia to Cordelia “Cordie” Slater. Gray criticizes the possibility of women’s suffrage, suggesting it may have been an issue they have discussed and disagreed upon before.

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A letter, dated November 18, from Jimmie Gray (“JHG”) in Farmville, Virginia to Cordelia “Cordie” Slater. The donor of this collection suggested this letter may be from the year 1873 or 1874 given other letters exchanged between Gray and Slater during this time period.

Gray thanks Cordie for her account of Jamestown and evergreen leaves she sent. He writes of his visit to the Richmond Fair and the environment of Randolph Macon College.

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A letter, dated November 27, 1876, from [Evie Gray] to “Ma Chère Amie,” presumably Cordelia Slater. Evie gives news from college in Farmville, including an account of a sore throat epidemic that has made many of the women sick.

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

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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...

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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.