Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
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Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Gift: 237 items, 1940.
Robert Morton Hughes, an alumnus of the College of William and Mary, attended the University of Virginia Law School. He was the son of Robert William and Eliza M. (Johnston) Hughes. He practiced law in Norfolk, Virginia. Hughes was the president of the Virginia Bar Association; biographer of Joseph Eggleston Johnston; a member of the Virginia Board of Education; and served as a member and as rector of the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary.
Biography Timeline |
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1855 | Born, in Abingdon, Virginia, the son of Robert William and Eliza M. [Johnston] Hughes | |
1870- 1873 | Attended College of William and Mary, A.B. | |
1877 | M.A., University of Virginia | |
1877 | Began law practice in Norfolk | |
1879 | Married Mattie Smith of Williamsburg (two sons) | |
1893-1918 | Member of the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary, served as Rector | |
1895 | President, Virginia Bar Association | |
1930- 1935 | Member, Virginia State Board of Education | |
1940 | Died in Norfolk, Virginia |
Papers, 1871-1933, of Robert Morton Hughes of Norfolk, Virginia, concerning his law practice; his interest in maritime law; his biography of Joseph Eggleston Johnston; his influence in Virginia politics; and the College of William and Mary. Correspondents include Joseph Eggleston Johnston, Fitzhugh Lee, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Thomas Nelson Page, Woodrow Wilson, Flora (Cooke) Stuart and Theodore Roosevelt. There is also an autograph collection, 1715-1924, which includes signatures of Frances Hodgson Burnett, Mark Hanna, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Samuel L. Clemens and presidents of the United States.
This collection has been organized into 2 series: Series 1 includes Personal and Business Correspondence, and Series 2 includes an Autograph Collection.
ArrangementThis collection is arranged into 2 series which are then broken down into subseries. Series 1 is arranged by date and Series 2 is arranged alphabetically.
There are five collections within the Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary that relate to this collection. They include the John B. Floyd Papers, the Robert W. Hughes Papers, the Joseph E. Johnston Papers, the Preston Family Papers, and the Virginia Bar Examination Papers. The Library of Robert William Hughes is also available in the rare book section.
John B. Floyd Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books
Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
John Buchanan Floyd Papers,
1831-1863, 1850- 1863. 72 items. Collection number: Mss. 65 F59
Robert W. Hughes, Manuscripts and Rare Books
Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Robert W. Hughes Papers,
1818-1900. 103 items. Collection Number: Mss. 39.2 H87
Joseph E. Johnston Papers, Manuscripts and Rare
Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and
Mary.
Joseph E. Johnston Papers,
1825-1891. 264 items. Collection number: Mss. 39.1 J63
Preston Family Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books
Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Preston Family Papers,
1755-1836. 90 items. Collection Number: Mss. 39.1 P91
Virginia Bar Examination Papers, Manuscripts and
Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and
Mary.
Virginia Bar Examination Papers,
1900- 1923. 1,306 items. Collection Number: Mss. 39.1
V81ba
The library belonging to Robert William Hughes is located at the Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Another related collection is the Robert Morton Hughes
Papers, located in Special Collections, Perry Library, Old
Dominion University. This collection in significant because
of the correspondence and other papers originally belonging
to several of Hughes' relatives including Judge Robert W.
Hughes, Governor John B. Floyd, and General Joseph E.
Johnston. The collection also contains personal and
political correspondence regarding Robert Morton Hughes'
legal practice, involvement in Virginia politics,
activities in support of education, longtime association
with the College of William and Mary, and service on the
State Board of Education and the Board of Directors of the
Norfolk Public Library.
The William and Mary collection of Robert Morton
Hughes Papers compliments and does not duplicate the Robert
Morton Hughes Papers at Old Dominion University.
Papers of Robert Morton Hughes, Special Collections, Perry Library, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Papers of Robert Morton Hughes, 1767- 1959. 39 Hollinger Flat Boxes; 5 Hollinger Oversized Boxes and Additional Bound Volumes. Collection number: MG-7
Discusses and compares Floyd Hughes' mental capabilities to those of his brother [Robert M. Hughes], and how he would fare at the "University".
Mention of the irregularity of mail in the southern states; is pleased that he and his brother, Floyd, will be enrolled at W[illia]m and Mary College [sic] at the same time; tells of an "old and valued" friend, Col. [Benjamin S.] Ewell , who is president of the College; he will mention to Ewell their presence at the College; assumes that their Cousin, Mrs. Munford, will also be available for help; is pleased that he has "been applying [himself] to Modern Languages."
Regretfully refusing position as Orator of the Washington and Jefferson Literary Societies of the University of Virginia.
Would appreciate Hughes' proofreading his second edition of Shipping & Admiralty.
Concerning admiralty cases.
Concerning thanks for work done.
Is returning Hughes' article as it cannot be published for several weeks.
Concerns a copy of the report of the Board on Fortifications or other Defenses Endicott wished sent to R. M. Hughes.
Including ANS from Jo[h]n W. Daniel , n.p., to [?], 30 April 1886, requesting that the report be forwarded to Hughes. 1 page.
Acknowledges invitation if visiting Norfolk.
Accepts invitation to visit.
Concerning the trial of Directors of the Glasgow Bank. Including an ANS from Ro[bert] W. Hughes, n.p., to Robby [Robert M. Hughes], n.p., n.d., directing him to respond to Judge Sage's letter. 1 page
Discusses various tax reforms in different states, including Connecticut and New York, and how they are faring.
Concerning case of Harris Rogers vs. Garland Johnston & others.
Regrets that he will not be attending the meeting of the [Virginia] Bar Association this year because he will be getting married.
Accepts invitation to be present at the laying of the corner stone of the Market and Connory Building on the centennial anniversary of Norfolk Lodge No. 1.
Asks Hughes to loan the government any Confederate Papers he knows of for the official government publication of the records of the Civil War.
Concerning Gen. Johnston's papers and his biography.
Concerning a memoir of General Joseph E. Johnston.
As Hughes requested, sends a report of what he saw and did at the first battle of Manassas.
Including AMsS by Tho[ma]s L. Preston , University of Virginia, [Charlottesville, Virginia], n.d., giving report of "first battle of Manassas." 13 pages.
Acknowledges receipt of a copy of Hughes' address delivered at the College of William and Mary.
Congratulates Hughes on favorable reviews of his biography of Joseph E. Johnston.
Acknowledges receipt of Hughes' life of J.E. Johnston.
Acknowledges receipt of copy of Hughes' college address. Has sent it to the University of North Carolina Library.
Concerning Hughes' biography of Gen. Johnston, and issues surrounding the writing and publishing of a "Life of Lee".
Has received his letter of the 19th; refers to controversy surrounding the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary; holds him in high esteem.
Hughes' letter of request for the Board of Trustees of E[mory] & H[enry] College was not received before they adjourned; therefore, it was not considered.
Congratulates Hughes on his recent election as President of the Bar Association of Virginia.
Enclosing the order in the libel case; the report "connecting my name with the nomination to political office, is without my sanction..."; and expressing appreciation of your kind offer.
Requests Hughes to make a speech.
Requests that a letter be written to President McKinley asking him to appoint Henry Bowen[?] of Tazewell to Marshall of the Western District of Virginia.
Card formally acknowledging receipt of verses sent by Hughes and declining to set them to music.
Discusses a problem with Professor Graves of the Law School.
Discusses a problem with Professor Graves of the Law School.
Concerning thanks from senior law class for a highly interesting course of lectures.
Concerning an invitation to speak before the Phi Beta Kappa at Williamsburg; and Page's attempt to secure a church for his brother to serve in as a preacher in the area near his home.
Discusses the ceremony used in conferring degrees at Princeton.
Asks for a copy of the biography of Gen[eral] Jos[eph] E. Johnston .
Requests Hughes' assistance in obtaining a position in the Norfolk post office for her niece, Ellen Seawell.
Glad that Hughes agrees with them on the sufficiency of just two examinations.
Returning a manuscript of William Campbell which was repaired at the Library.
Acknowledges receipt of Hughes' life of J. E. Johnston and speaks of General J. E. B. Stuart's relations with him. Encloses some papers, "culled from many."
Including an ANS from J. E. B. Stuart, near Gainesville, [Virginia], to [Flora (Cooke) Stuart], n.p., 25 June 1863, stating that "All well on the warpath." 1 page.
Appoints Robert M. Hughes a member of the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary in Virginia for a two-year term.
Sends printers proofs of a newspaper article written by Cameron which mentions Hughes's father.
Concerning Hughes' biography of General [Joseph E.] Johnston.
Sorry he missed Hughes' son's call, and hopes he "will give me the chance of making his acquaintance."
Concerning a method of preserving autograph letters and documents.
Thanking him for a copy of ""Maritime Liens." "
Thanking him for a monograph on maritime liens.
Returns to Hughes his letter of the 27th, and suggests that it would be better not to have it published.
Thanks Hughes for his kind invitation, but has to decline due to the vast amount of work needed to be done on the proposed tariff revision; also discusses a newly elected Senator from Mississippi, [John Sharp] Williams, whose term doesn't begin until 4 March 1911, due to the fact that the Legislature of Mississippi convenes only every four years.
Declines an invitation.
Thanks Hughes for his monograph, and will try to secure a copy for himself.
Desires information about John B. Floyd for a paper on the seals and flag of Virginia.
Gives title of certain volume, and who published it.
Discusses the various legalities relating to suit being filed under the Arbitration Agreement.
Returns two letters of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston which were submitted for publication.
Thanks Hughes for his letter relating to the maintenance of actions for death on the high seas; doubts that Senate will act on it this session due to most of their time being spent on the ship purchase bill.
Acknowledges letter of 22 January with enclosure, and promises to give it due consideration.
Acknowledges receipt of Hughes' views on pending legislation.
Acknowledges receipt of a card to admit him to the privileges of the Virginia Club at Norfolk.
Encloses letter of German Ambassador [Count Bernstorff] to Lt. Hans Berg.
Including a TLS from Count Bernstorff, German Embassy, Washington, D.C., to Lieutenant Hans Berg, S. M. S. Appam, Newport News, Virginia, 8 April 1916, containing copies of the communications sent to and received from the Foreign office of the German Government at Berlin by the Imperial German Embassy at Washington, Concerning the Appam case. 3 pages.
Thanking him for document sent.
Thanking him for pamphlets sent.
Concerning arrival of biography of General Joseph E. Johnston.
Thanks Hughes for his letter.
Relates to the addition of General Joseph E. Johnston to the group to be memorialized at Stone Mountain, [Georgia].
Thanks Hughes personally and officially for his "liberal treatment of the College of William and Mary."
Has completed his lectures on "Statesmen and Soldiers of the American Civil War" at Cambridge.
Concerning high honor conferred on him by the College of William and Mary.
Thanks Hughes for his letter and the information concerning Mr. [?] Sargeant.
Concerns articles on the relief of the Supreme Court published in The Independent.
Inquiry into acts governing the harbor masters of Norfolk and Portsmouth, [Virginia].
Concerns the political situation in Massachusetts and the nation.
Order to pay 19.8.2 pounds to the heirs of Charles Anthony, deceased, late a private in Col. Bradford's Regiment, to make good the depreciation of his wages to the time of his death.
Including ANS onverso. Receipt of James Sproat, n.p., 21 June 1794. 1 page.
Concerns recent visit with Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe at Norfolk, [Virginia].
for $90.00 for "searching for, finding, attending on, feeding, and bringing into Fort Myers" a drummer boy who was lost for eight days.
Witnessed by W[illia]m H. French, Capt. 1st Art[illery] Br[e]v[e]t Major , and S.F. Chalfin, 1st Lt., 1st Art[iller]y
Wants to get together; describes itinerary for the rest of the month; tells of a gallon of whiskey sent by Jno. Rankins, and his enjoyment thereof.
Declines an invitation for his daughter, Ella, to visit "Miss Ella" because she must return to Miss Belle [Pears'] school.
Order to and report of Board of Survey concerning damages done to Long's property by Confederate troops.
Including an AD, by [N. Long] and endorsement by Buckner, n.d., estimating damages done to Long's factory, field, and farm. 2 pages.
Concerning suits against Solomon Lathrop.
Declining an invitation and commenting on power and corruption.
Glad Burr will go South with him; will leave soon after the Senatorial election.
Warrant for return of a fugitive, Alexander Bogart, alias Alexander Bogart McCloed, to Edward N. Allen, agent of the Commonwealth. Signed also by Jno. B. Richardson, Assistant Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Hopes Ogilvy found the book "of which the missing has caused me the most poignant uneasiness."
Gives the full title of the case in South Carolina referred to in his notes.
Requests that Boutelle stop by his lodging as it is important to see him.
Gratified to receive Lyons' letter, and expresses his exasperation if a victory were lost due to internal dissention or lack of hearty cooperation [referring to his third presidential campaign].
Concerning the health of [his wife] Mary, Robbie, and Cooke's own hay fever; the progress of his writings of the Revolution; comments on the pain of growing old and his love for Sister Mary and Overton.
Concerning his unsolicited appointment as a Representative of the University in Parliament, his duties and responsibilities there, and his resignation upon being called up to the House of Lords.
Requests that certain work be done in the army - pay the officers, report on the absence of men from their duties.
Accepts tentatively an invitation to visit two literary societies at the University of Virginia.
Authorization for payment. In Italian.
Concerning momentary military situation near Hagerstown, [Maryland].
Appointment as Justices of Oyer and Terminer for the felony trial of Stepney, a Negro slave belonging to Robert Ballard.
Acknowledges his election as an honorary member of the New York Rhetorical Society.
Regarding the Finor Canal. In German.
Mentions that he [Froude] will be in Oxford on the 30th for the Exeter Gaudy; also a comment concerning a manuscript which was not allowed to be removed from the Bodleian.
Declines invitation to speak at Gettysburg on Decoration Day.
Is not acquainted with any of the aforementioned Greek works.
Requests the return of Reuben Smith, now resident in Perry County, Kentucky, a fugitive from justice in Virginia.
Hopes Myers has taken possession of Girard's land on the Eastern Shore and procured a purchaser. Gives prices of various commodities.
Mentions coming for a visit, needing "absolute quiet" for a week or two; hopes the buttercups will be blooming in Williamsburg before long.
Requests that a family annual for 1898 be sent to him at his home in Atlanta.
Comments on an article which provoked General Imboden, published in the Virginia State Journal .
Is sending barrels of rice to meet a debt. Requests Storke to return balance in cash.
Acknowledges receipt of a genealogy of the Watkins family and comments on members of the Watkins and Morton families.
List of land and houses at Port Tobacco, Piscataway and Benedict, in Prince Georges and Charles counties, Maryland, belonging to James Gordon and others, surviving partners of John Glassford & Co., on 31 December 1777, which was confiscated and sold as British property.
Newsy note describing a visit with old friends and a trip to Paris, [France] made by Eliza.
Thank you for the oysters which were "very fine".
Concerning invitation of the bar Association and his choice of topic for a speech.
Concerns land sold by him to Capt. William Evans, for which a receipt was delivered to Harrison's overseer, Edmund Borrom, and the bond for which was transferred to James Eason. Also concerns wheat bought by Evans and delivered to John Goodrich's vessel.
Apologizes for a misunderstanding dealing with an invitation to attend a meeting of the Trustees of the State Fund for the Education of Freedmen.
Squelches rumor of review because of the difficulties of long marching; family news.
Concerning a discussion with the Secretary of War about a military arrangement for the gratification of the people of the Southwest; arm and men of the Confederate government; and the President [Jefferson Davis].
Regrets that he must cancel a lecturing engagement at Buffalo, New York because of illness.
Declines an invitation.
Concerning request for autographs of famous men, from letters of Hopkinson's father.
At the suggestion of R.W. Hughes, writes to request a memorandum regarding the campaign of Gen. [John B.] Floyd in Western Virginia in 1861 for a history of the war he is preparing.
Concerning a letter of introduction for William C. Preston.
Sends an [enclosed] account of "The Battle of Mobley's Meeting House" South Carolina in June 1780.
Recommends Samuel Myers of Richmond for a position in the Treasury Department.
Concerning the Nicholson-Burwell courtship as a possible topic of a novel or story.
Acknowledges receipt of an autograph book for his use. Will be able to add to her collection.
Concerns a means of conserving water in Hawaii by the use of pumps.
Acknowledges receipt of Sprague's address on George Washington.
Recognizance of debt.
Concerning Congress and mention of their circular letter relative to the treaty with Britain.
Gives genealogy information of the Watkins family.
ADS on verso, 28 June 1861, certifying that Waite took requisite oaths in Greenbrier County, [Virginia] before Charles R. Hines, Justice of the Peace. 1 page. Also ADS on verso, 15 September 1861, by Sam[ue]l C. Waite, resigning his commission as Sr. 2nd Lieutenant in Company G of the 22nd Regiment Virginia Volunteers. 1 page.
Concerning Mr. Elijah McClanahan and his business contract, and Lewis' willingness to serve as an agent in Indian Affairs preferably with the Chickasaws and the Creeks.
Requests information about a revision of the Virginia's statutes, published in 1848. Desires to send a copy to a German jurist and statesman.
Also signed by Secretary of State, William H. Seward. See Medium Oversize File.
Is sending another photograph.
Acknowledges receipt of a case of wine. [This is not the last letter written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. See Samuel Longfellow, ed., Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with extracts from his journals and correspondence, Boston, 1886, Vol. II, p.471]
Signature.
Signed by J[ohn] Madison [father of a Bishop James Madison].
Bill of complaint in suit against James Kennedy, Jr., and James Cavan, late merchants of Alexandria, Virginia, for debt.
ANS on verso, n.d., giving findings of the jury for the plaintiff, [Warwick], signed by Bernard Markham. 1 page.
Concerning Mason's position as minister to France for the U.S., Mr. Buchanan's election, and Mason's "abrupt, voluntary retirement" from the position; negotiations concerning maritime rights; and deep friendship with Wise.
Acknowledges contribution to assist the Irish during the Famine.
Concerns genealogy of the Watkins family.
Including ALS from William Meade, Mellwood, Clark Co., Virginia, to [Francis Watkins?], n.p., 13 March [18]60, concerning the forwarding of the letter.
Concerning Thomas and Robert Sully, and the latter's studio in Richmond.
Pass to admit two to the First Pres[byterian] Church all the month of March. Signature.
Requests transfer from Co. C, 13th Regt., Georgia Volunteers. Approved by John L. Moore, Capt., Co. C. 13th Regt., Georgia Volunteers, and by Walton Ector, Col., 13th Regt., Georgia Volunteers.
Sends a newspaper notice to be published concerning a translation of Lucien Bonaparte's poem.
Acknowledges letter written by Minor.
Written on back of visiting card of Miss Elizabeth Whiting Conrad.
Desires Dr. Boutelle's presence when the suit of Hadley vs. Dodges and Jones is tried.
Renewing the request that M. Peraud, Master of studies, bring Favie to Puizot's home during the vacation. In French. Includes translation.
Speaks of a certain "matter" between them.
Concerns proceedings in two suits: Boyd's Admr. vs. The City Savings Bank, and Boyd's Admr. vs. Dimmock & Co.
Concerns proceedings in Congress.
Signed by Peyton Randolphe, J. Power, and G[eorge] Wythe.
Sends order to be entered in records of case of John Moore, Administrator of Lydia Moore, deceased, vs. John Ball, referring the matters in variance to arbitration by Charles Williams, John Reece, James Boggs, all of Mill-Creek Hundred [Delaware]. Read is attorney for the plaintiff who lives in Virginia.
Asks name of a contributor on the subject of currency.
Note regarding Losing's Pictorial History of the U.S.
Thanks Perry for the letter and the program; suggests that following "scholarly etiquette," L. D. be added after his [Saxe's] name since he has received an honorary degree.
Is away from home but hopes to see Miss Rowland on her return.
Signature. C.S.
Response concerning a possible weapon testing; received the letter through the U.S. embassy; news of friend's suicide attempt; offers to help in any way possible [with the new weapon].
Expansion of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in Eastern Kentucky.
The suit concerned Virginia funds expended by Smith just previous to the fall of the Virginia government in 1865.
Letter to his publisher regarding literary matters.
Certification that on 8 April 1865 Supplies were taken from A. Staples of Patrick C[ourt] H[ouse] , Virginia, by the Federal forces.
Sends autographs of the judges of the Supreme Court and a copy of his centennial discourse.
Testimonial letter regarding Joseph Segar who is seeking office of charge d'affairs to Texas.
Concerns purchase of film rights to "The Two Vanrevels".
Gives his terms for delivering lectures.
Concerns the legal aspects of a case in which Sharp is involved.
Regrets being unable to attend the annual re-union of the Massachusetts Press Association.
Will take charge of the parcel Sprague is sending Dr. Lawrie.
Concerned with the supply of medical personnel; marching information. In Spanish.
Concerns a letter from the New York Times he had misplaced.
Discusses and gives approval as a "Commissioner of the state" to Isaac Watkins and Colonel Whitley to construct a road, to be built through the "Cherokee country to the highest navigation of the Savannah River."
Including a Acy of D of an extract from Judge [George] Walton, n.p., 28 April 1800, to the Grand Jury of Wilkes County, [Ga.], concerning his enquiries regarding the best routes for roads from the Tennessee River into Georgia. 2 pages.
Political discussion. [Reproduced from original in possession of J.C. McGuire, Washington, D.C.].
For 95 prisoners, and "five citizens who are suspicious persons", signed by Brig. Gen. Jo[h]n H. Winder .
Will send The Virginian for the Williamsburg Library. His Washington is the "apple of its author's eye."
In Spanish.