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Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence,

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2014-015

Scope and Content

This collection contains approximately sixty letters exchanged between Dr. William B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas (later Conway) during their courtship in 1869-1870. The letters discuss a number of topics including the couple's relationship, their families, mutual friends, and local and national events.

Dates

  • 1869 - 1870

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Biographical Note: William B. Conway

Dr. William B. Conway was born in Ellerslie, Virginia, in 1845. Conway studied at Virginia Military Institute for a year, but left school to enlist as a private in Company C, 4th Virginia Cavalry. He served through the war, and afterwards studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Alfred Taliaferro at Culpeper Courthouse. He then studied at Washington University in Baltimore and graduated in 1869. Upon graduation, he left Baltimore to practice medicine at Mount Vernon Iron Works in Rockingham County, Virginia.

Biographical Note: Julia Ellen Thomas Conway

Julia Ellen Thomas was born in 1848 in Blacksburg Virginia the daughter of Col. William Thomas. Julia and William were married in 1870 and settled for a time in Blacksburg where William became a surgeon for the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech). They had five children: Daisy, Alfred, William, Archie, and Mary, all of which, except William, reached adulthood. Julia died in 1916. William died in College Park, Georgia, in 1920.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence contains letters exchanged between the couple from 1869 to 1870 before they were married.

Arrangement

The letters in the collection are arranged chronologically.

Acquisition Information

The Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence was donated to Special Collections in 2014.

Related Materials

W. B. Conway and Julia Thomas Conway Correspondence (Ms2019-018). Finding aid available online.

Julia Thomas Conway and Mary Black Thomas Luster Correspondence (Ms2019-019). Finding aid available online.

Catlett Conway Correspondence (Ms2012-039). Finding aid available online.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence was completed in December 2014.

Title
Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence, 1869-1870
Status
Completed
Author
Betsy Reed, Graduate Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Date
© 2015 Virginia Tech. All rights reserved.
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308