Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Clark Family Papers, Accession 10734, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

Purchase 1987 November 17

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This collection, 1804-1964, ca. 1200 items, contains correspondence, personal papers, and business and legal papers of the Pleasant Clark family and William Lawson family , as well as of their descendants in the Asher family and Elder family . Living in the Virginia areas of Hat Creek and Lynchburg , and in Campbell County , Charlotte County , and Halifax County , these families apparently served as prominent plantation owners, businessmen, and local elected officials.

Business papers include tobacco receipts from 1854-1934 and tax receipts from 1834-1913 which attest to their holdings during this period. Accounts and receipts, 1804-1933, have recorded the daily plantation activities of the Pleasant Clark family , and the transactions of William Lawson 's business, each with numerous references to local residents. The hire and sale of slaves, ca. 1827-1861, has been recorded chiefly in promissory notes, and, to a lesser extent, receipts, tax receipts, and legal documents. Other legal documents establish family kinship, and include deed transfers, declarations of bankruptcy, and insurance papers.

The bulk of the correspondence is personal, with some from each family. In the Asher family , the early religious work done by Louis C. Asher is described in letters to his wife, Alberta Elder Asher . Letters from friends and family to Alberta Asher usually pertain to her health, and to that of various relatives. Cassie O. Clark received most of the Clark family 's letters. Early letters from John P. Clark to his siblings include interesting notes on his life in St. Louis, Missouri . , Alberta Asher's brother, wrote letters primarily concerned with his efforts to find employment, and his personal relationship with Dollie Henderson . William A. Lawson received several letters from his brother, Robert Lawson , who told of his business travels. Correspondence of the Lawson family , as well as business and miscellaneous letters complete the series.