Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2011.104
Title
Aileen B. Cowardin Friendship Book, 1863-1870
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Cowardin, Alice Bolling, b.1848(?)
Language
English
.
Abstract
The collection consists of a friendship book collected and maintained by Aileen B. Cowardin. The book includes leaf and plant
samples, most of which are labeled as to the location where they were found.
Permission to publish material from Aileen B. Cowardin Friendship Book must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia
Tech.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Aileen B. Cowardin Friendship Book,
Ms2011-104, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
Acquisition Information
The Aileen B. Cowardin Friendship Book was purchased by Special Collections in November 2011.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Aileen B. Cowardin Friendship Book was completed in November 2011.
Although biographical information is limited, it is likely that Aileen B. Cowardin was born about 1848 in Virginia. She appears
to have had four brothers, at least two of whom fought for the Confederacy, one enlisting with a local defense regiment when
he was only fourteen. She also had an older sister. In 1860, the family lived in Hanover, Virginia. By 1870, they had relocated
to Greenbrier County, West Virginia. No additional information was found.
The collection consists of a friendship book collected and maintained by Aileen B. Cowardin. The book includes leaf and plant
samples, most of which are labeled as to the location where they were found. Several pages contain items of Civil War and/or
local history interest:
The first few pages contain unsent Confederate 3-cent blue stamps and a City of Richmond 10-cent voucher
Page 11 contains is a visiting card of J. F. Damman dated 1877 with part of a leaf attached to a picture stating that it came
from the tomb of Stonewall Jackson
Page 15 includes a fragment of cedar with a notation that is came from Jackson's grave, including poetry
Page 29 contains samples from Staunton, Virginia, and White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Page 57 contains a faded, but genuine signature of Gen. Robert E. Lee pasted to the page