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Gravely Family Papers, 1753-1988. Accession 34126, Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Gift of the Estate of Richard P. Gravely, Jr., 1989.
The Gravely family resided primarily in Henry County, Virginia. They are early tobacconists and industrialist in the area. Their interest expanded to include furniture manufacturing. The principals in this collection are Henry Clay (1857-1942), Hope Thomas (1861-1947), Benjamin F., Richard P. Gravely, Sr. (1885-1962); C. Y. and Bettie Sheffield, and Mary Ann Reamey Thomas (1834-1911); and Alberta Gravely and William L. Fernald.
Papers, 1753-1988, of the Gravely family of Henry County, Virginia, including business papers, correspondence, genealogical notes, photographs, legal documents, and transcripts. Major correspondents are Harry C. Gravely, his wife Hope T., their son Richard P. Gravely, Sr., her parents Christopher Y. and Mary Ann Reamey Thomas, and her sister in law Betty Sheffield.
The collection has been arranged into series including: Incoming Personal Correspondence, Personal Files, Genealogical Notes, Subject Files, Legal Documents, Ledgers, Miscellaneous, Transcripts, Business Records, and Photographs.
The incoming personal correspondence is arranged into 7 subseries. Subseries have been designated for Harry C. Gravely, Hope T. Gravely, Richard Gravely, Sr., Betty Sheffield Thomas, Christopher Y. Thomas, Mary Thomas, and miscellaneous. The integrity of the personal files of Richard P. Gravely, Jr. has been maintained. Included in his personal files is substantial information on philatelic matters. There follows an extensive genealogical collection arranged alphabetically by family. Artificially-created subject files follow. These were compiled from unarranged loose items and include some biographical information. Legal documents relating to the Fernald, Gravely, and Thomas families follow. There are typed transcripts of Benjamin F. and Peyton Gravely, and Christopher Y. Thomas correspondence, S. J. Mullins diary, and the ship's log of the "Omega."
A large collection of early business records is included in the collection. Family and individual business accounts, letters and receipts is the first part of this section. A section of private business papers for numerous individuals, arranged alphabetically, follows. B. F. Gravely, B. F. Gravely and Co., and B. F. Gravely and Sons business correspondence comprises the bulk of the company business records. Original order was maintained and there is private correspondence of B. F. Gravely mixed in this material. Additional business records for Peyton and Willis Gravely, Peyton Gravely, D. H. Spencer and Sons, Inc., as well as smaller concerns completes the business records section. Business ephemera consist substantially of catalogues, circulars, and flyers and alphabetically arranged covers. Included are records relating to the slaves of the Gravely family, including Bible records (see Acc. 39625) and account books.
Photographs and negatives of family members and for Henry and Patrick counties, and Martinsville (Henry County), Virginia people, former slaves of the Gravely family, and scenes complete the collection.
Includes photographs from Remsen Studios of the following people and families: Iris C. Atkins, Claude Barker, Doug Bassett, Berlin family, Connie Blue, Mr. Bolejack, W. Richard Broaddus, W. Richard Broaddus, III, J. Amon Brodie, Mary Brown, Mrs. James Carter, Edward T. Cheshire, Jesse D. Clift, Ms. Clift, Mr. Dalton, Robert Daniel, Mitchell Davis, Ursie Davis, Jack C. Dodge, Priscilla H. Dudley, Mr. Earles, S. Burdell Eure, Robert J. Fagg, Mr. Finney, Lee Ford, Mr. Fountain, William Franck, Mr. Globman, Mrs. Hund Goode, Irving Miller Grovers, III, Mrs. Irving Miller Groves, Sr., Mrs. Irving Miller Groves, Jr., Ruth D. Groves, Mrs. Haynes, R.A. Henderson, George T. Hennessey, Hermann family, Eldon W. Holsinger, Mabel B. Hooker and Children, May Hooker, Ralph A. Hooker, Grey C. Hughes, Oliver V. Huskey, Grace James, T.K. Jones, Jr., William Jones, Harry B. Kester, Natalie P. Lester, W. Alfred Mays, Eugene M. McDaniel, Steve L. Mitchell, Jr., James O. Nance, Pannill wedding, Mary Lavinder Pannill, John G. Ragland, Benjamin S. Ramsey, J.D. Ripple, Warren Robinson, Mike Sale, Shackelford family, Jesse M. Shackelford, John W. Shumate, Charlotte O. Simmons, Charles Smith, Dudley Smith, John Redd Smith, Randolph Smith, David T. Stanford, Bill Stone, Mary B. STone, Mr. Stowe, Jack Townes, John W. Townes, Claude S. Turner, H. Kenneth Whitner, Midred Windley, Mr. Witt, Mr. Woody, Bob Atkins, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. W.D. Jones, George T. Lester, Sr., Mr. Fountain, Abe Globman, Irving Miller, Groves, Jr., Charles E. Reed, Walter E. Roadcap, Jr., Mr. Ruffin, Ed Whitner, and Honlu E. Broaddus.
Includes negatives of the following people, families, and places: William Charles Sunday school class, Ed Draper, Mr. English, Golfers, Charles A. Hall and daughters, R.A. Henderson, Harry B. Kester, Martinsville High School class, Townes Funeral Home, Nina S. Whitener, John Letcher Englhis, Clarence P. Kearfoot, Dick Lee, Robert S. Pannill, Edwin G. Penn, Lucy Moir Pannill Brown, Chalres H. Davis, D.S. Davis, Draper Barber Shop, Edgar H. Draper, Geoffrey Draper, George W> Draper, Harry Draper, W.R. Draper, Jesse Ben Gregory, Jim Kester, Harry M. McMillion, Tom Moore, Wes Shumate, Creed STone, George Turner, Frank Winn, Lewis Winn, Raish Winn, W. Burton Dillon, A. Frank Hooker, J. Clyde Hooker, Sr., Hooker-Bassett Furniture Company, Myron E. Whitener, Sr., Globman's Dept. Store, Martinsville flood, Edwin G. Penn, Jr., H. Banks Pannill, Girl Scouts, and the Martinsville Police.
Also includes negatives from Remsen Studios of the following businesses, people, places, and families: Altrusa Club, William W. Ascough, William C. Barnes, Murray B. Barrow, Bassett Furniture Co., Pat Brown, Byrd Building, Coleman Supply Co., Corner-Ston Apt., Cross Laundry Co., Billy Cross, Fred Cross, Jack D. Cross, Irvin W. Cubine, Mr. Daughton, David S. Davis family, Ed Davis, Jr., Ed Draper children, Gustave B. Dudley, W. Brown Dudley, Esso Service Center, Robert J. Fagg family, Fieldale Mills, John Floyd, Thoms M. Ford family, Mattie H. Groves, Guld Super Service (Church and Moss Streets), Charles A. Hall family, Mr. Hatcher, Hermann family, Hermann studio, Francis A. Hermann, Ms. Hermann, W. Wallace Hermann, Chevis Horne, Frank Hundley, Alphonso Krupski, Garland T. LaPrade, Lacy-Pannill wedding, Mr. Mannis, Martinsville High School graduation, Martinsville street scenes, Robert L. Mason, McBryde family, Edd McCormicky, H. Grady Moore, National Theatre, Percy C. Nowlin, Pannill-Stephens wedding, A.L. Philpott, Post office, Martinsville post office under construction, Prillaman family reunion, Irving W. Ramsey, Broomfield Reed, Charles W. Reed, Henry C. Reed, Remsen family, Reubel Remsen, E. W. Reynolds, Lena M. Richardton, Carrie Davis Roadcap, Mr. Russell, Schottland family, Finley Schottland, Dr. Shackelford and grandchildren, Jesse M. Shackelford, Mr. Shackelford, Dr. Shelburne, Russell Shumate, Dick Simmons, Dr. Simmons, R. Morgan Simmons, Mrs. Spencer's house, Ms. Stanford, T.B. Stanley, John A> Stephens, Steve Mitchell's Wholesale Auto Parts Store, Mary B. Stone, Mr. Stone, Harold W. Stultz, Dr. Teague, Tennis match, Mr. Thomasson, O. Fletcher Thomasson, Kay Thompson, Townes Funeral Home, Zella D. Townes, Virginia Electrical Supply Co., Mr. Walker, H. Kenneth Whitner family, Mrs. M.E. Whitner, Whittle family children, William Charles Sunday School Class, Dr. Womack, Martinsville High School students, Robert A. Fontaine, Russell Shumate, Girl Scouts, Hermann family, W. Nicholas Ruffin, Abe Globman, John Simmons, Myron Edward Whitener, Jr., Mary Walker Robbins, Margaret S. Simmons, Tony Remsen, and John Simmons.
Includes negatives of the following people, families, and places: B and P charter members, Martinsille High School football team, First Baptist Church, Beaver Crrek house, Valuable buildings lots for sale broadside, CCC Camp (Ridgeway aerial), Fieldale YMCA, Fieldcrest Mills, Forest Park houses, Henry Hotel and radio tower, Ice on lake, Martinsville houses, Martinsville power plant and dam, Martinsville "Liberty Heights", Post office construction, Dr. Simmons family, Tobacco warehouse, Martinsville flood, John R. Smith house on W. Church street, Santa Claus Parade on Church street, Charity League, Court House Square, Farmers Warehouse tobacco sales, Henry County Court House, Lee Telephone Company, Martinsville, Churches, Stanley Aaron, J. Connie Bouldin, Clark Brown, Gasoline ration stickers on vehicles, Curtis D. Givens, Alice W. Gravely house on Cleveland Ave., Lester airport, Brook Price, World War II posters, "Crazy" Alice, Martinsville on Broad and Cleveland Avenues, Martinsville public square, Thomas C. Matthews, Hugh N. Dyer, Heck A. Ford, Thoams M. Ford, Andy Griffith, Jacques S. Hackler, George T. Lester, Charles Moore, "Crazy" Mose, Flora R. Whittle, "Happy Jack" Plaster, Thomas M. Ford, Jr., Earl Hartley, Brent Remsburg, Awilda M. Roach house, Flora R. Whittle, World War II recruiting posters, Billy Cross, Irving Grove, Charles Moore, Jacque Hackler cabin in Pittsylvania County, Tom Joiner, Jones Creek, Thoams C. Matthews, John Redd Smith, Ruth G. Winn, and a Ford V-8 car from 1934.
Also includes negatives from Remsen Studios of the following businesses, people, places, and families: Albert Harris High School, American Furniture Company, Bassett Superior, Chatham Heights Baptist Church, City Lake, Daily Bulletin, W. Burton Dillon house, Elks Home, Fairy Stone State Park, Fieldale Methodist Church, G. M. Finley, Stanford C. Finney store, First Methodist Church, First National Bank in Collinsville, Forest Park Presbyterian Church, Frank's Food Fair, George's Super Market, Globman's Dept. Store, W. Donald Hartford, Homecoming queen, Hooker-Bassett Furniture Co., J.D. Bassett Manufacturing Co., Koger Coal Co., Inc., Lee Ford Camp for Boys, Lester Lumber Co., Lynwood Golf Club, Marrowbone Creek, Martinsville "Chatham Heights", Martinsville High School, New Martinsville High School gym, Mratinsville High School shop class, Martinsville Public Library, martinsville aerial, Mayfair shop, McBryde family, Moorman family, Patrick County Hospital, Patrick Henry school, Philpott Lake, Piedmont Trust Bank on Church and Ellsworth streets, Rapid Transit Co., Robert Gair Co., Sale Knitting Co., Snow, St. Joseph Chapel, Standard Garments Inc., Stanley Co., Stone Funeral Home, Towne House Motel aerial, United Elastic Co., W.M. Bassett Furniter Co. fire, Samuel S. Walker house, Virginia D. Walker house on Mulberry Rd., Judge Whittle, Yeaman house, Yeaman-Pannill wedding, Forest Park houses, Lee Telephone Co., Martinsville High School students, Martinsville High School football team, Tony Remsen house "Remhurst", Bassett Forks, Fieldale City Plant, Globman's Dept. Store, Hillis Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville street scenes, Municipal parking lots, Charles Philpott house aerial, Bassett Mirror Co., Fairy Stone State Park, New Martinsville houses, Albert Harris High School, Axton High School class, Lee Ford Cmap for boys, Pure Oil Co., Ridgeway High School class, Drewry Mason High School, General Hodge memorial service, Troxler Furniture Co., Piedmont Trust Bank on Church St. at Walnut St., Mary S. Whittle family, Philpott dam, J. D. Bassett Furniture Co., Lake Lanier, Stanley Furniture Co., Mabry Mill, Whittle house, Martinsville street work, Black man, Martinsville buildings, H. Irvine Tuggle family, Airport, Albert Harris High School senior play, Antique cars, Armory, Beaver Creek house, Blue Ridge Airway, Christ Episcopal Church, Ridgeway Church, First National Bank, Harry Gravely, Highway 58, House moving, Jeb Stuart Day, Kearfott building, Lake Lanier dredging, Lynwood pool, Martinsville congested traffic, McCabe Memorial Baptist Church, Moonshine still, Paarfus, Jinks and children, John Pace airplane crash, Patrick Henry marker, Pumpkin patch, Sewer disposal plant, Sontag school, Stuart (Va.) buildings, Black female teacher, Tobacco sales, Tourist House, Walker pool, Hartford family house aerial, Helms family house aerials, Henry County map, Lester family house aerial, King family house, Business and Professional Womens Club, Lesco Homes, Lee Telephone Co., George Morris family, and First Presbyterian Church choir.
Includes negatives of the following people and families: Julia Alberta Gravely Fernald, Francis Cox Gravely, H.C. Gravely house, Hope Thomas Gravely, Nancy Watkins Gravley, Virginia Leatherwood, Unidentified woman, Benjamin F. Gravely, Mrs. H.C. Gravely, Benjamin F. Gravely, Harold Gravely, Hope Gravely, Paul Gravely, Harold Gravely, Mr. Austin, B.F. Gravely and Sons Tobacco Factory, Barrow's Mill, Black man, Charles Irving Blair, Mr. Calder, Cattle, Clouds, Mr. Crump, Danville and Western Railroad Station in Stockton, Woodberry Forest School dormitory, Gus Dyer, Mrs. Fernald, Ferns, Flowers, Mr. Frazier, mr. Gibson, Benjamin F. Gravely, George Gravely's house, Richard Pleasants Gravely, Harden Hairston, Mr. Johnson, Larkin (black worker), Lester Tobacco Factory, Log barn, Log cabin house in Stockton, Madison Mills dam, Mart Mannering, Mr. McMurran, Mills, Pinkard's Mill, Woodberry Forest School pump house, Mr. Putney, Railroad locomotive, Railroad station in Stockton, Rapidan River, Rocky Branch, Sauer's Mill, Mr. Shackelford, Alfred Simms, Elsie Simms, Mrs. Simms, Mr. Slaydon, Snow, Virginia Stockton, Sunset, Archer Thomas, Katherine Thomas, Mary Ann Starling Thomas, Mr. Thomas, Pine trees, Mr. Turnbull, Jessie Turner, Unidentified children, Mr. Walker's house, Woodberry Forest School, Woods, Tollie Wyatt, Dog, Flowers, Martinsville, Faith Thomas Parrott, Ridgeway, Smith River, Decorated table, Cemeteries, Granberry Methodist Church, Starling family coat of arms, Black man, Black man with scythe, Mounted fish, Grnad Canyon, Horses, C.Y. Thomas, Unidentified boy, Unidentified man and two girls, Unidentified man and woman, Unidentified woman and girl, and Automobiles.
Includes negatives of the following people and families: Unidentified man, woman, and girl, Churches, Granberry Methodist Church, Benjamin F. Gravely, Francis Cox Gravely, H.C. Gravely house, Harold Gravely, Hope Thomas Gravely, John Thomas Gravely, Julia Caroline Thomas Gravely, Nancy Watkins Gravely, Paul Gravely, Gravely, Richard Pleasants, Leatherwood Primitive Baptist Church, Virginia Leatherwood, North Fork Church, B. F. Gravely and Sons Tobacco Factory, Black man, Bonduran'ts Mill, Cascade, Farm, Flowers, Girl, Henry County (Va.), House, Mills, Tobacco boxes, Black nurse, Lewis Gravely Pedigo, Snow scene, and Mary Anne Reamey Thomas.
Includes negatives and prints of photographs taken by B. G. Fernald and members of the Gravely family.