4.75 Linear Feet, 4 ft. 8 1/2 in. (9 document cases, 5 in. each); (3 document cases, 2 1/2 in. each); (1 artifact box, 4 in.)
Creator
Bennett, Sallie Maxwell, 1857-1944
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Personal correspondence, legal and financial papers, diary, and newspaper clippings of Mrs. Sallie Maxwell Bennett of Weston,
wife of Louis Bennett, Sr., the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 1908. The collection concerns the career of her son,
Louis Bennett, Jr., particularly his student days at Yale, his pioneer efforts to organize the West Virginia Flying Corps,
his service in the Royal Air Force [RAF], and his subsequent death in World War I. Additional topics include Mrs. Bennett's
effort to memorialize her son, family affairs, and a South American trip in 1915. Correspondents include Louis Bennett, Sr.
and Jr., and John W. Davis.
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Researchers may access digitized materials by visiting the link attached to each item or by requesting to view the materials
in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Sallie Bennett Papers regarding World War I Flying Ace Louis Bennett,
Jr., A&M 1590, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Louis Bennett, Jr. became World War I's 12th ranked American flying ace. In his brief, meteoric career, he scored three aircraft
and nine balloons in ten days, described by one author as "undoubtedly, one of the most brilliant records of the air war".
Louis Bennett, Jr. was born 22 September 1894 in Weston, West Virginia, son of Louis Bennett and Sallie Maxwell Bennett. It
was a West Virginia family of wealth and prominence. Growing up in Weston, he was described as bright, likeable, and headstrong,
with mechanical inclinations. He had his own car and motorcycle when 12 years old, and is said to have frequently raised the
dust on his town's dirt streets with best friend Paul Hoskins.
He attended Cutler and St. Luke's preparatory schools in Pennsylvania, entering Yale University in 1913. He was apparently
active in athletics and popular with women.
Interested in early aviation, Louis took pilot training from the Burgess Company at Marblehead, Massachusetts. In 1917 the
Governor of West Virginia approved Louis Bennett's idea of a West Virginia Flying Corps, with intent of joining the unit to
the United States Air Service. Refused by the US Army, the unit disbanded. Impatient to join the air war, Louis decided to
join the British Royal Flying Corps, departing for Toronto on 5 October 1917 for training. Receiving his commission on 21
January 1918, he sailed for England.
Arriving in London on 25 February, he was sent to Flying School, receiving his Graduation Certificate on 6 March. Stationed
to No. 90 Squadron, a Home Defense unit of little action, Bennett became impatient and sought transfer to a fighting squadron
on the Western Front. His efforts rewarded, Louis received assignment to No. 40 Squadron at Bryas on 21 July 1918, and flew
his first offensive patrol on 30 July.
The fireworks really began on 15 August when Bennett began his impressive string of victories. After killing a German balloon
on the 17th, Bennett caught "balloon fever". "He (Bennett) immediately set out to down every captive balloon in the area and
we were all talking about it in the squadron ... each of us knew he was expendable". With his solo destruction of four balloons
on 19 August, Louis Bennett had become an ace in the space of only four days!
His final sortie on the 24th cost the enemy two balloons before anti-aircraft brought his machine down in flames. Apparently
the Germans so respected his courage that they burned their hands pulling him out of his burning aircraft. He died in a German
field hospital at Wavrin, with burns from waist to neck, a head wound, and a broken leg, calling for his parents.
Historical information for this biography was obtained from: Williams, George H. "Louis Bennett, Jr.; No. 40 Squadron, RFC/RAF,"
Cross & Cockade Journal 21 (1980): 331-351.
Personal correspondence, legal and financial papers, diary, and newspaper clippings of Mrs. Sallie Maxwell Bennett of Weston,
wife of Louis Bennett, Sr., the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 1908. The collection concerns the career of her son,
Louis Bennett, Jr., particularly his student days at Yale, his pioneer efforts to organize the West Virginia Flying Corps,
his service in the Royal Air Force [RAF], and his subsequent death in World War I. Additional topics include Mrs. Bennett's
effort to memorialize her son, family affairs, and a South American trip in 1915. Correspondents include Louis Bennett, Sr.
and Jr., and John W. Davis.
See also C619 of Oral History Sound Archives, which contains one audio cassette and typed transcript of an interview with
David B. McKinley by Wayne Sheets regarding the life and times of Sallie Maxwell Bennett. Louis Bennett, Jr. and Agra are
discussed as well.
Series 1. Biographical Information; 1917-1919, 1980-ca. 2000 (includes facsimiles); box 1, folder 1. Includes mostly photocopies of narrative information on the life of Louis Bennett, Jr. For more historical narrative of Louis
Bennett, Jr. and the Bennett family, consult the Newspaper Clippings series.
Series 2. General Correspondence; 1908-1917; box 1, folders 2-13. Includes letters, telegrams, clippings, receipts, etc. Topics include family affairs, Yale College, and the West Virginia
Flying Corps in 1917, among other subjects. Correspondents include primarily Mr. Louis Bennett, Mrs. Louis Bennett [Sallie],
their son Louis Bennett, Jr., and daughter Agra.
Series 3. Outgoing Letters; 1917-1918; box 1, folders 14-18. Includes primarily letters by Louis Bennett, Jr. on Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force [RAF] stationery describing adventures
in London, military matters, impatience in Shotwick, and military life and combat on the Western Front as a pilot in the 40th
Squadron, RAF.
Series 4. Incoming Letters; 1918; box 1, folder 19 - box 2, folder 3. Includes letters, clippings, photographs, and other material. Letters are from Louis Bennett, Jr.'s immediate family, friends,
fellow aviators, girl friends, and others regarding personal and military matters, etc.
Series 5. General; 1914-1920, undated; box 2, folders 4-9. Includes miscellaneous material regarding Louis Bennett, Jr., such as combat reports, personal ephemera, RAF Graduation Certificate,
transit and burial permit, etc.
Series 6. General Correspondence--Bennett Family; 1915-1926; box 2, folder 10 - box 7, folder 2. Includes primarily letters to and from Mrs. Louis Bennett, but other family members as well, about the personal, financial,
and legal affairs of the Bennett family. Many letters are testimonials and condolences regarding Louis Bennett, Jr. by his
friends in England and the military. Correspondence after 1918 primarily documents Mrs. Louis Bennett's efforts in England
and Europe to find the facts regarding her son's fate, and her efforts to memorialize her son and other aviators of WWI; for
the latter, she corresponded with the British Air Ministry, among other military and governmental authorities. The variety
of letterhead of US east coast, British Isles, and European hotels document a very peripatetic Mrs. Bennett. Letters are arranged
in chronological order. Also includes a travel diary of Mrs. Bennett.
Series 7. Newspaper Clippings; 1914-1925, 1960 (includes facsimiles); box 7, folders 3-11. Contains loose clippings and clippings in scrapbook pages which document both Louis Bennett, Jr. and the Bennett family.
Series 8. Legal Papers; ca. 1918-1923; box 7, folder 12. Includes information on deeds and power of attorney; also includes agreement with the sculptor Augustus Lukeman for "heroic
bronze statue".
Series 9. Financial Records; 1916-1926; box 7, folder 13 - box 8, folder 2. Includes appraisement and other documents relating to the Louis Bennett estate, insurance records, real estate records, balance
sheets, receipts, etc.
Series 10. Publications; 1873-1882, 1907-1924; box 8, folders 3-5. Includes books and periodicals, mostly material about Louis Bennett, Jr.
Series 11. Greeting Cards; 1920, undated; box 8, folder 6.
Series 12. Calling Cards/Business Cards; ca. 1910-1925; box 8, folder 7. These cards appear to document primarily the personal and professional contacts of Mrs. Bennett, Louis Bennett, Jr.'s mother.
Series 13. Postcards; ca. 1910-1925; box 8, folder 8. Includes photo postcards. Subjects include portraits, landscapes, and WWI images.
Series 14. Ephemera; 1899-1924, undated (includes facsimiles); box 9, folders 1-4. Includes much Louis Bennett, Jr.-related material, such as his RAF Wallet (for wallet, see box 12).
Series 15. Photographs; 1904-1920, undated; box 9, folders 5-17. Includes photographs, postcards, and negatives. Subjects include a diverse range of material recording Louis Bennett, Jr.'s
involvement in WWI, as well as the Bennett family. Mrs. Bennett's 1915 trip to South America is extensively documented.
Series 16. Artifacts; 1890s-1925, undated; boxes 10-10a. Includes checkbooks, a pin cushion, a sketchbook, newspaper clippings, a lock of hair, and other items.
Series 17. Dissertation; 2009; box 11. Contains Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries).
Series 18. Miscellaneous; ca. 1916-1919; box 12. Contains glass plate negatives, Louis Bennett, Jr.'s RAF wallet, and his memo book.
"Weston Legionnaire" (These publications can be found in the pamphlet collection, under "P7253".):
June 1923; Vol. 1, No. 6
July 1923; Vol. 1, No. 7
October 1923; Vol. 1, No. 10
November 1923; Vol. 1, No. 11
March 1924; Vol. 2, No. 3
February 1925; Vol. 3, No. 2
November 1926; Vol. 4, No. 11
"Arrow Head Tribe, LSA [Lone Scouts of America]"; Weston, WV (These publications can be found in the pamphlet collection,
under "P7459".):
April 1, 1920; Vol. 1, No. 1
May 1920; Vol. 2 [sic]
June 1920; Vol. 3 [sic]
The original photographs in the RAF Wallet have been moved to separate storage; they can be viewed in West Virginia History
OnView by searching for "1590" combined with "wallet"; a facsimile set of all of these photographs have been inserted into
box 9, folder 4.
Most of the original print photographs documenting Lt. Louis Bennett and his involvement in WWI have been moved to separate
storage; they can be viewed in West Virginia History OnView by searching for "1590"; a facsimile set has been inserted into
box 9, folder 5.
"Louis Bennett, Jr. Papers Elucidate West Virginia's Only WWI Flying Ace" (Newsletter of the West Virginia and Regional History
Collection, Volume 13/Number 2/Spring 1998; 2 copies)
1998
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
Manuscript Narrative History (Two leaves, seven pages by Mrs. Bennett regarding her son and family; was attached to letter
of 10/16/1919 from G. Murray to Mrs. Bennett; original in box 3, folder 9; legibility poor.)
1917
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
"Photographic Observations of a Day at West Virginia Flying Corps Camp" (Wheeling Sunday News; 7/29/1917)
1917/07
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
"Address at Memorial Services; In Memory of Hon. Louis Bennett and Louis Bennett Jr., Who Died in Defense of Liberty" (Includes
much historical information; Weston Democrat; 9/5/1919)
Combat Reports (Original carbon copies of army documents describing aerial combat in short narrative form, certifying the
"kills" of Louis Bennett, Jr.)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4
List of Sorties of Louis Bennett, Jr.
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 5
Receipts (Documents Louis Bennett, Jr.'s activities in England; includes receipts for the Savoy Hotel, railroad transport,
stationery, photography, and bicycle storage; 9 leaves.)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
Royal Flying Corps (Canada) -- Pass
1917/10/11
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
Royal Flying Corps (Canada) -- Discharge Certificate
1918/01/20
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
Royal Flying Corps (Canada) -- Official Permission to Travel
1918/01/21
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
Notarized Statements of Bennett, Jr.'s Birth and Citizenship
1918/04/05
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
Royal Air Force (RAF) -- Graduation Certificate
1918/03/06
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- "Inventory and kit and effects of Lieutenant L. Bennett, 40 Squadron, R.A.F. reported missing
24th August 1918." (4 leaves)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Notary Document (For transfer of personal effects of Lt. Louis Bennett.
1919/11/08
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Clipping with Note (Clipping of poem "The Volunteer's Mother" from Bennett, Jr.'s mother to
Bennett, Jr. with note; 1 leaf.)
1918/01/28
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Testimonial/Memorial Letter (By Lt. Bennett's rigger and fitter regarding his character and
exploits; other letters from the same correspondent can be found in the General Correspondence series; 2 leaves; 5 written
pages.)
1918/08/26
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Telegram (Message informs Mrs. Bennett that her son Lt. Louis Bennett is reported missing;
1 leaf.)
1918/08/28
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Cablegrams from Mrs. Bennett to Alice Williams in London and 40th Squadron in France for information
on her son reported missing (2 leaves)
ca. 1918/08-1918-09
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Transit and Burial Permit (For burial of Lt. Bennett at Weston, WV.)
1920/04/10
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
Death of Louis Bennett, Jr. -- List of Pallbearers
1920
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 8
Aviation Ephemera -- Advertising Card--Patterson Aviators Air Shows
ca. 1914-1915
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 8
Aviation Ephemera -- Newsletter--"Patterson Aviators Bulletin" (Includes mostly articles about air shows; 1 leaf.)
1915/07
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 8
Aviation Ephemera -- Prospectus--Federal Aircraft and Motor Corporation ("Flying; The Greatest 'Preparedness' Sport in the
World")
ca. 1914-1915
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Miscellaneous, Related to Louis Bennett, Jr.--Linen Samples
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Miscellaneous, Related to Louis Bennett, Jr.--Aero Club Dues Card
1916
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Miscellaneous, Related to Louis Bennett, Jr.--Naval History Society Dues Receipts
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Miscellaneous, Related to Louis Bennett, Jr.--Prospectus Card and Invoice for Automobile Tires (3 items)
1917
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Miscellaneous, Related to Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Advertising for Novels of E. Oppenheim (5 items)
1917
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
Miscellaneous, Related to Louis Bennett, Jr.--Classification Card from Local War Department Board
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
West Virginia Aircraft Company--Financial Statements (2 items)
Series 6. General Correspondence--Bennett Family, Box 2, Folder 10 - Box 7, Folder 2
1915-1926
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 10
Correspondence (includes photo portrait of Alice Williams)
1918/02-1918/06
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 11
Correspondence
1918/07
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 12
Correspondence
1918/08
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 13
Correspondence
1918/09/02-1918/09/18
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 14
Correspondence
1918/09/20-1918/09/30
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 15
Correspondence
1918/10/01-1918/10/08
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 16
Correspondence
1918/10/10-1918/10/19
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 17
Correspondence
1918/10/20-1918/10/24
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 18
Correspondence
1918/10/25-1918/10/31
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 19
Correspondence
1918/11-1918/12
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 20
Correspondence
1919/01-1919/03
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 21
Correspondence
1919/04
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 1
Correspondence (a lock of Louis Bennett's hair, originally in this folder, has been moved to box 10)
1919/05-1919-06
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 2
Correspondence
1919/07/02-1919/07/15
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 3
Correspondence
1919/07/21-1919/07/31
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 4
Correspondence
1919/08/01-1919/08/21
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 5
Correspondence
1919/08/23-1919/08/28
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 6
Correspondence
1919/09/01-1919/09/10
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 7
Correspondence
1919/09/11-1919/09/23
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
Correspondence
1919/09/24-1919/09/29
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 9
Correspondence (Letter of 1919/10/16 from G. Murray to Mrs. Bennett includes clipping regarding West Virginia Flying corps
listing membership and detailing activities; also includes manuscript narrative history of two leaves by Mrs. Bennett of her
son and family [photocopy in box 1, folder 1].)
1919/10/01-1919/10/16
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 10
Correspondence
1919/10/19-1919/10/29
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 11
Correspondence
1919/11
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 12
Correspondence
1919/12/01-1919/12/20
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 13
Correspondence
1919/12/21-1919/12/31
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1
Correspondence
1920/01-1920/02
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 2
Correspondence
1920/03-1920/05
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 3
Correspondence
1920/06-1920/09
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 4
Correspondence
1920/10-1920/12
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 5
Correspondence (Letter of 1921/10/28 from Air Ministry, London, to Mrs. Louis Bennett, includes two "British War and Victory
Medals"; they are multi-colored pieces of cloth 4 inches and 5 inches long respectively; a tag labeled "Victory Medal Riband"
was found pinned to the 4 inch ribbon.)
1921/01-1921-10
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 6
Correspondence
1921/11-1921/12
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 7
Correspondence (Several clippings dating from 1921/12 were discovered with the correspondence of 1922; subject matter concerns
primarily the gift of Mrs. Bennett to the city of Weston the Bennett home on Court Ave., Weston, WV.)
1922/01-1922/03
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 8
Correspondence
1922/04-1922/05
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 9
Correspondence
1922/05/18-1922/05/26
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 10
Correspondence (Regarding dedication of memorial stained glass window at Westminster Abbey for fallen British airmen, a gift
of Mrs. Bennett; includes 3 passes, 1 program, and thank you letter from Hon. Frederick Guest, Secretary of State for Air.)
1922/05/26
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 11
Correspondence (Includes clippings regarding dedication of memorial stained glass window.)
1922/05/29-1922/06
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 12
Correspondence
1922/07-1922/09
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 13
Correspondence
1922/10-1922/12
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 14
Correspondence (Contains correspondence with Emil Merkelbach, a German balloonist who witnessed Lt. Louis Bennett's final
sortie and downing.)
1922/11-1923/01
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 1
Correspondence
1923/01-1923/03
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 2
Correspondence
1923/04-1923/05
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 3
Correspondence
1923/06-1923/07
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 4
Correspondence
1923/08
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 5
Correspondence
1923/09
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 6
Correspondence
1923/10-1923/12
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 7
Correspondence
1924/01-1924/06
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 8
Correspondence
1924/09-1924/11
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 9
Correspondence
1924/11-1924/12
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 10
Correspondence
1925/01-1925/03
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 11
Correspondence
1925/04-1925/06/16
Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 12
Correspondence (Includes clipping on dedication of the sculpture "The American Aviator'', gift of Mrs. Louis Bennett.)
1925/06/20-1925/08
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1
Correspondence
1925/09-1925/12
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 2
Correspondence
1926/01-1926/02
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 3
Correspondence
1926/03-1926/04
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 4
Correspondence
1926/05-1926/06
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5
Correspondence
1926/07-1926/09
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 6
Correspondence
1926/10
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 7
Correspondence (Letter of 1926/11/07 from Ruth Smith to Mrs. Bennett includes 1922 clipping regarding the memorial stained
glass window at Westminster Abbey for fallen British airmen, a gift of Mrs. Bennett.)
1926/11-1926/12
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8
Correspondence
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9
Correspondence
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10
Correspondence
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 11
Correspondence
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12
Correspondence
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 1
Travel Diary of Mrs. Bennett (An extensive typescript account by Mrs. Bennett detailing her travel experiences in Central
and South America; photographs in this collection apparently document this trip.)
1915
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 2
Travel Diary of Mrs. Bennett (An extensive typescript account by Mrs. Bennett detailing her travel experiences in Central
and South America; photographs in this collection apparently document this trip.)
General (Includes information on deeds and power of attorney; also includes agreement with the sculptor Augustus Lukeman for
"heroic bronze statue", 1923)
General (Includes appraisement and other documents relating to the Louis Bennett estate, insurance records, real estate records,
balance sheets, receipts, etc.)
1916-1919
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 1
General (Includes appraisement and other documents relating to the Louis Bennett estate, insurance records, real estate records,
balance sheets, receipts, etc.)
1916-1926
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 2
General (Includes appraisement and other documents relating to the Louis Bennett estate, insurance records, real estate records,
balance sheets, receipts, etc.)
Series 12. Calling Cards/Business Cards, Box 8, Folder 7
ca. 1910-1925
Mixed Materials Box: 8 Folder: 7
Miscellaneous Calling Cards/Business Cards (These cards appear to document primarily the personal and professional contacts
of Mrs. Bennett, Louis Bennett, Jr.'s mother)
Miscellaneous -- Ribbons (2 duplicate items; WV state seal in red on white cloth)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Account Book--National Grand Bank (one item; one entry)
1916
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Calling Cards and Leather Card Case
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Automobile Related--Certificates of Registration (3 items; for Pennsylvania and New York)
1913, 1916
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Automobile Related-Membership Cards (American Automobile Association; International Automobile
League)
1913, 1914
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Membership Card--Aero Club of America
1916
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Announcement Card--Memorial Church at Wavrin (5 items)
ca. 1918-1919
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Stamps (U.S. and Canadian postage, found in calling card case)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 3
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Dance Cards--Yale University (3 items)
1916, 1917
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 4
Cards -- Found Inside RAF Wallet (Includes Aero Club of America Membership Card and Aero Club of America Foreign Service Committee
Card; 4 items.)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 4
Calling Cards -- Found Inside RAF Wallet (Includes cards that apparently document Lt. Louis Bennett's contacts in London.
Also includes a facsimile set.)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 4
Photographs -- Found Inside RAF Wallet (Includes facsimiles of 12 small photographs, apparently of family and friends; originals
have been moved to separate storage; they can be viewed in West Virginia History OnView by searching for "1590" combined with
"wallet".)
Lt. Louis Bennett -- WWI and Other (Includes facsimiles of a diverse range of material documenting primarily Lt. Louis Bennett's
involvement in WWI; includes portraits of Louis and his friends, West Virginia Flying Corps, etc.; also includes pictures
of Louis in his car; most of the original print photographs have been moved to separate storage; they can be viewed in West
Virginia History OnView by searching for "1590".)
ca. 1917-1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 6
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Candid Portraits--WWI--Unidentified (10 items in 2 envelopes)
ca. 1917-1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 6
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Friends of LB, Jr. (5 items)
ca. 1910-1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 6
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Airplane Factory (11 items)
ca. 1910-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 6
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- LB's Car? (2 items)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 6
Louis Bennett, Jr.-Related -- Soldier on Horseback (3 copies of image) (currently missing)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 7
Portraits--Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Portrait (1 item, mounted)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 7
Portraits--Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Portrait--Candid (1 item; 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"; good pose with friend and car, but lacking detail)
ca. 1910-1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 7
Portraits--Louis Bennett, Jr. -- Portraits--Candid (9 items; 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"; one of these prints is of Louis Bennett; others
are unidentified)
ca. 1910-1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 8
Portraits--Louis Bennett, Sr. (Contains 2 mounted portraits and 1 print portrait of LB, Sr.; 1 candid portrait of LB, Sr.
in a car; and 1 candid group portrait with unidentified subjects.)
1904, undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 9
Portraits--Bennett Family -- Mrs. Sally M. Bennett--Portrait (3 items; 2 images)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 9
Portraits--Bennett Family -- Agra Bennett (Daughter of Mrs. Bennett; 4 mounted portraits)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 9
Portraits--Bennett Family -- Agra Bennett with Pet Dog (1 item)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 10
Bennett Family--Vacation (?) (The items in this folder are related by subject matter and physical format.) -- Prints (8 items;
2 of these include Louis Bennett, Jr.)
ca. 1910-1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 10
Bennett Family--Vacation (?) (The items in this folder are related by subject matter and physical format.) -- Negatives (12
items; 3 1/2" x 5 1/2")
ca. 1910-1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 11a
South American Trip--Identified Prints (59 items; prints documenting the landscape and people of South America; these images
apparently taken by Mrs. Sallie Bennett on trip to South America; see her travel diary in box 7, folders 1-2.)
1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 11b
South American Trip--Portraits--Unidentified (16 items)
1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 11c
South American Trip--Postcards--Identified (14 items)
1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 12
South American Trip--Unidentified Prints (85 items)
1915
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 13
Miscellaneous Prints (includes 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" book of miniature photographs of Paris, France, ca. 1907)
ca. 1905-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 14
Miscellaneous Prints -- General (29 items in 2 envelopes)
ca. 1910-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 14
Miscellaneous Prints -- Candid Portraits (3 items)
ca. 1910-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 14
Miscellaneous Prints -- Ocean Voyage (LB seems to be a subject in one of these pictures; what appears to be an old wooden
Norwegian church is in evidence in this grouping as well; 15 items
ca. 1910-1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 14
Miscellaneous Prints -- Atlantic City, NJ (Includes boat on shoreline with people, inscribed, perhaps humorously, "survivors
of torpedoed SS Carolina"; parade; 2 items)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 14
Miscellaneous Prints -- Unidentified Candid (1 item)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 15
Portrait--Mary Bennett (5 1/2" x 9"; Sallie's sister; 1 item)
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 16
Portrait--Lt. Galloway Cheston (Sig. R.C.A.S. of U.S. Army; attached 206 Squadron; missing in action; includes description
of him)
1918
Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 17
Negatives -- South America (2 envelopes; see travel diary in box 7, folders 1-2)
Memo Book (very little content), Hair, Sewing Items
undated
Mixed Materials Box: 10 Folder: 6
Sketchbook--WV Scenes (3 1/2" x 8"; not much artistic value)
1890s
Mixed Materials Box: 10a
Lock of Louis Bennett's Hair (originally found with one of the letters in box 3, folder 1; also includes photocopies of that
letter and its accompanying materials)
Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also
available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries)
2009
Mixed Materials Box: 11 Folder: 2
Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also
available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries)
2009
Mixed Materials Box: 11 Folder: 3
Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also
available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries)
2009
Mixed Materials Box: 11 Folder: 4
Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also
available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries)
2009
Mixed Materials Box: 11 Folder: 5
Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also
available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries)
2009
Mixed Materials Box: 11 Folder: 6
Charles D. Dusch's Great War Aviation and Commemoration: Louis Bennett, Jr., Commander of the West Virginia Flying Corps (also
available as an electronic resource at WVU Libraries)
Glass Plate Negatives (Contains two portraits of Lt. Louis Bennett as RAF pilot [facsimiles are in box 9, folder 5]; and one
is an image of text for dedication of church near Wavrin, near Lille, France.)
ca. 1917-1919
Mixed Materials Box: 12
Louis Bennett, Jr.'s RAF Wallet (brown/black; 3" x 4 1/2"; labeled "Mr. Louis Bennett, Jr., R.A.F."; contents of the wallet
can be found in box 9, folder 4, and in West Virginia History OnView)
ca. 1916-1918
Mixed Materials Box: 12
Louis Bennett, Jr.'s Memo Book (red; 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"; title page labeled "Louis Bennett, Jr., R.A.F., Dec. 25th 1917; contains
addresses of contacts in London, etc.)