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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEmily Eklund and Anne Johnson.
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Gregory Family papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Initial papers received as gift (Acc. 2008.138). Accession 2025.011 received with the assistance of the Nelle Richardson Tonkin fund.
Accessioned and processed by Susan Riggs and Emily Eklund.
The Gregory Family papers follow the family of Virginia Governor John Munford Gregory and wife Amanda Wallace through three generations with letters dating from the 1820's to the 1920's. Most items are letters between family members and grant insight into the daily activities and concerns of the Gregory family. The collection also includes correspondence between members of the Gregory family and other acquaintances, including members of the John Tyler family. While most letters are of a personal nature, some also touch on the issues of politics, education, religion, and agriculture. The collection is rich in genealogical information on the Gregory family and related Croshaw, Graves, West, and White families, as well as history of the family's war involvement. In addition to letters, the collection includes newspaper articles, family documents, and two diaries kept by John M. Gregory's daughter, Mattie Galbraith, in the late 1870's. There are also seven cased images of members of the Gregory Family, including Amanda Wallace Gregory, Amanda's sister (Elizabeth Christie Powell), William Wallace Gregory, and Mary "Mollie" Gregory.
The collection is arranged in order by type of material (Correspondence, Papers, Genealogy, Legal, Newspapers and Photographs) or accession followed by individual, date or family name where applicable. Material is in chronological order within folders.
Letters written to Letty Galbraith from family members. February 22, 1893 letter from Lettie Gregory (her aunt), with a note from Amanda Wallace Gregory, about family, health, sleep and diet. February 28, 1894 letter from John M. Gregory to Letty "Missy" Galbraith about the death of Amanda Wallace Gregory, the visit of Missy and California. March 16, 1894, letter from John Gregory to Letty "Missy" Galbraith about her illness, his children and the benefits of the California climate. September 14, [1920's], postcard picturing the Gloucester Courthouse from Elisabeth W. B. about the John M. Gregory table. 4 items.
Letters written to Mattie Galbraith from Amanda Wallace Gregory (mother), [Cousin] T. B., John M. Gregory (brother), Greg M.W., M.E. (brother-in-law), Mille A.A. and Margaret (sister). Topics include the death of Amanda (Mattie's child), family, gifts, visitors, illnesses, religion, Robert D. Galbraith's confirmation, Amanda Gregory's eye trouble, Mattie's children, J.M. Gregory's Civil War service, Captain Wallace, General Stonewall Jackson, Amanda Gregory's grandchildren, a controversial marriage, weather, household concerns, African Americans, baptisms, deaths, travel plans, dressmaking, cherry harvest, public schooling, genealogy, a recent photograph, price of potatoes and refrigerators, scandal, Bishop's visit, Mr. Tyler's visit, benefits of "Hyperphosphites," valentines, death of Betty C., seasonal fruit/flowers, scrapbooks, serious illness of Rob (Mattie's son) and alcohol. 22 letters.
Letters written to Mattie Galbraith from Eva Gregory (sister-in-law), T.T.C. Gregory (nephew), Thomas Gregory (nephew), Laura R.G. May, Truxton Gregory (nephew), [Cousin] A. Nilsen (?), John M. Gregory (brother) and Letty Galbraith (cousin). Topics include the importance of education, Stanford University, Fourth of July festivities, Christmas, house fire, holiday events, honor code at Stanford, Eva Gregory's description of her children and request for advice on hiring Chinese vs. Japanese servant, Tom's professor to visit Mattie's town, John Gregory's graduation from Stanford, career plans of Tom and John, D. Smith, Charley Doyle, yachting trip, death of Sympathy (Mattie's daughter), Truxton's Christmas present ring, Truxton's baseball team, Ladies Home Journal, Christmas, childhood reminiscences and illnesses. Descriptions of a few letters: January 1897 letter from S.G. Tyler; January 1897 letter from Eva Gregory about her fears of house burning and comments on her children and husband with a note from Eva's son, Alfred, to Cousin Gregory; February 1897 letter on the Gregory family military record from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War; March 1897 letter from Eva Gregory about Gertrude's brother's visit and illness, a death in the Gregory Family, an earthquake, opinions on women's rights, upcoming vote and her son at Stanford University. June 1899 includes several letters about the death of Eva Gregory's son, John M. Gregory, Jr., from an accident. Includes obituary, comments on death, funeral, grief and community response. 17 letters.
Letters written to Mattie Galbraith from William T. Clapers (?), T.T.C. Gregory, Gertrude Gregory, Eva Gregory (wife of nephew T.T.C Gregory) and J.E.B. Topics include an earthquake in 1906, Gertrude's house burning down and her move to the "family house," political campaign in Suisun, California with T.T.C.'s reelection and his important trial, Eva Gregory's homesickness and isolation, the railroad and the Jefferson Davis Chapter. A 1906 (?) letter concerns Gregory genealogy, records in Richmond, Colonial Dames, Daughters of the Revolution and Daughters of the Confederacy with a transcribed letter from Mrs. Lyon G. Tyler. 7 letters.
Letters written to Robert Davidson Galbraith from a physician, Carrie Prag and Margaret [Galbraith]. Topics include eye problems, medical advice, loan request, home repairs, news of friends and family, recent marriages and gratitude. 3 letters.
Letters written to Amanda Wallace Gregory from E. M. Davison, M. Gregory (son), John M. Gregory (son), William Gregory (son), Thomas Gregory (grandson), [Cousin] Dam Stevens, Julia Armistead of Hampton, Virginia (niece?), John P. Tyler of Millwood, Virginia and Rob Galbraith (grandson). Two letters prior to 1881 are about family, religious testimony, religious conventions, death and salvation. 1880's topics include weather, family, birthdays, John Gregory's sons, Amanda Gregory's 74th birthday in 1883, illness, education, William Gregory's professional duties as a physician (1884 February 8), roads, death of Amanda Gregory's sister (Betsy), religion, birth of John M. Gregory's third son and wife's condition (1888), crops and vacations. 1890's topics include John M. Gregory's recent visit to Virginia, family, death of Sympathy (Amanda's daughter), religion, John M. Gregory's longing for Virginia and Amanda's malaria and recovery. 15 letters.
Letters written to John M. Gregory from Thomas Gregory and John M. Gregory, Jr. (son). 1843 letter from Thomas Wallace asking John Gregory to purchase a slave boy, Henry, who will immediately be emancipated. The request is from a "coloured woman by the name of Rebecca N. Mathews" and the money was given him by the boy's father. Henry is owned by W. C. McMurdo who also owns the boy's mother and both were purchased from the estate of William Hatall (?). The remaining letters are from John M. Gregory, Jr. to his father about his first communion in years (1872), his wife and their frugal lifestyle, elections, father/son relationship, career plans, application for county office, county politics, lifestyle, health, legal work, presidential election, drought, crops, "Greenback Movement," Father's 79th birthday (1883) and his judgeship. 6 letters
Letters written to Letty Gregory from E.J.S, John Munford Gregory (father), Amanda Wallace Gregory (mother), A. Van De Vyuer and David Gardiner Tyler. Topics include legal proceedings following the death of William in 1873 (possibly her brother), motherhood and the death of Mollie Gregory (1893). Letters from her parents, John Munford and Amanda Wallace Gregory, mention a deceased child's photograph, Cooper Family genealogy, war history, grandson Rob Galbraith, politics, Martha's wedding clothes, family and friends. In his four letters, David Gardiner Tyler writes about health, Congress in Washington, D.C., death of Amanda Wallace Gregory (Letty's mother), parties and his political trials and successes. 9 letters.
Correspondence between various members of the Gregory Family. 1869 July 25, John M. Gregory to wife Eva Gregory about his business trip, sudden illness, travel plans, weather, friends, family and household instructions. 1879 July 7, Robert Davidson Gregory, Burlington, Virginia to Coz Margaret about the marriage ceremony, reception and honeymoon plans of Mattie Gregory. 1890 February 1, Nancy or Nannie, Singer Manufacturing Company, Mexico to "dear and valued friend" about the weather, family, children, health, living in Mexico and Mexican food. 1891 December 29, Amanda Wallace Gregory to grandson Rob Galbraith with family news. 1892 January 18, Amanda Wallace Gregory to "My Dear Cousin" about family news, the old Methodist Meeting House in Petersburg which is no longer standing and her horrible year in 1816 in Petersburg when her father died, half the town was burned and the family store was blown up with a young man inside. Mentions a local Catholic Bishop who visited her and her friendships within various denominations. 1893 May 1, Amanda Wallace Gregory to a grandchild with advice on marriage and family news. 1893 August 16, Amanda Wallace Gregory, Harrisonburg, Virginia to her son Robert D. Galbraith, Spartanburg, South Carolina, about her failing eyesight, health and family news. A later handwritten note on the envelope, "Died at 14 yrs. Old of spiral meningitis." [1909?] February 19, E.A. Joyner (?), Tryon, North Carolina to "My dear Friend" about "that branch of the Catholic ch., of which you & I are a part, was incapable of manifesting the 'good tidings of great joy' to 'all souls & conditions.'" She gives her reasons for her views on the shortcomings of the Catholic Church. Undated, but after 1900, partial letter with letterhead of William B. Hamilton, Agent, New York Life Insurance Company, San Antonio, Texas about Mr. Petty who struggled making a living with an "old hack" and a boarding house. Undated, M. to Mollie [Gregory] about the visit of Mollie's mother, family and local news. Undated, partial letter from Virginia Trayler about receiving a letter from Julia Armistead and confusing plans for a tea party. On reverse is a list of clothes "for Mag" which includes dresses, skirts, shirts, stockings and more. 11 letters.
Letters from Thomas Wallace and William Wallace to family members. 1832 February 7 letter from Thomas Wallace, Williamsburg, Virginia to his Uncle, Thomas Wallace, Petersburg, Virginia while a student at the College of William and Mary. He begins his letter with the comment "Wmsburg has been a scene of dissipation since the 1st ball – I am not thoroughly convinced that nothing can be more injurious to the students than those balls and parties – they are now just sobering down from their career of frolicking." He writes about three students who dressed up a horse in blankets and walked him up to the 3rd floor, played instruments loudly and cursed a professor and two students who have challenged each other to a duel. He notes his visit to Norfolk and he is staying away from females this semester. 1833 November 2 letter from William Wallace at the University of Virginia to his brother, Thomas Wallace in Petersburg, Virginia, about the lecture of Dr. Magill, his studies, languages, expenses, music, food, M.N. Washington and a break in at Monticello. 2 items.
Diary kept by Mattie Gregory before she married Robert Davidson Galbraith. Mattie writes of her day-to-day activities in Charles City County, Virginia with stories of her family and impressions of friends and acquaintances. She includes tales of the sorrows, the quarrels, the joys, and love in her life and the lives of those around her. The first few pages contain bond entries and notes on financial laws and cases, probably written by John M. Gregory.
Mattie Gregory continues to record the daily events of her life in Charles City County, Virginia. Near the end of the diary, she writes about the stress and excitement of her engagement to Robert Davidson Galbraith and the joy of marriage and motherhood. The first few pages contain notes about bankruptcy, probably written by John M. Gregory.
Telegram, resolutions, obituaries and correspondence concerning the death and life of Judge John M. Gregory. April 10, 1884 telegram from L.A. Gregory to Robert D. Galbraith informing him of John J. Gregory's sudden and peaceful death. June 2, 1884 Resolution by the Circuit Court for James City County and the City of Williamsburg at the death of John M. Gregory acknowledging their sadness and praising his character. May 20,1884 Resolution by the Charles City and Williamsburg, Virginia Courts at the death of Judge John M. Gregory with 2 attached newspaper obituaries. Two 1903 letters from John Lamb of the U.S. House of Representatives and David Gardiner Tyler about the erection of a tablet in memory of John M. Gregory I. Typed copy of wording for the dedication of a tablet in memory of Maj. Joseph Croshaw by the descendants through John Munford Gregory and Letitia Power Graves and wording for the dedication of a tablet in memory of Judge John Munford Gregory.
Pages 1 - 4 of the October 14, 1884 Richmond Dispatch. Confirmation certificate for William T. Gregory, from the Diocese of Virginia, held in "his home in Westover Parish" and signed by John P. Tyler, Rector, March 25, 1889. Funeral card for William T. Gregory, died May 10, 1889.
Notes and letters concerning Gregory family genealogy, plus some information on the Croshaw, West, Graves, White and Wallace families. April 1883 "Wallace Pedigree" related by Aunt Amanda Gregory. 1892 letter from Lyon G. Tyler to Letty Gregory about the Power and Gregory families. Draft of a 1894 letter from Letty Gregory to Lyon G. Tyler about the Power and Gregory families. Undated letter to David Duncan Wallace, Spartanburg, South Carolina from Lorabel Wallace Brooks of Bedford, Indiana about Wallace genealogy from the 18th century to the present. A Wallace genealogy, beginning with Aunt Letitia Gregory Ware, copied in 1897 by Letty Warburton, her granddaughter. Notes on the Cooper Family written on the reverse of a T. Morris Certificate for an agent of "Our Dutchman" cigar. Typed notes on the Croshaw, West, Graves and White families. Note about photographs, possibly the framed photographs that came with the collection.
May 1840 indenture between John Martin of James City County and John M. Gregory of Henrico County for property in James City County. September 15, 1893 handwritten note by Amanda H. Gregory naming certain items to be distributed after her death. 1895 letter from the Virginia Trust Company, Richmond, Virginia to Mrs. Martha G. Galbraith, Spartanburg, South Carolina requesting a voucher for the $5,000 received from Miss L.A. Gregory's estate. 1907 transcriptions of William Gregory's Revolutionary War land grant and the chain of title to his descendants.
Newspaper issues and clippings containing articles related to the Gregory family, including family genealogy. Genealogy Column from the Richmond Times Dispatch on the Gregory Family of Virginia, November 20, 1904 and December 4, 1904. Southside Sentinel (Urbanna, Virginia) article, "The Greatest of All Days in Old Gloucester County" about the unveiling of tablets and portraits at the Gloucester C.H., December 18, 1904. Mentions speech by Hon. D. Gardiner Tyler on the unveiling of the tablet for John M. Gregory. Solano Republican article, "Fashionable Wedding of T.T.C. (Thomas) Gregory to Gertrude Martin," April 24, 1903.
"Amanda Wallace Gregory & ? Power"
"Elizabeth Christie Powell, Mothers only Sister," "Daughters of William Wallace and Mary Cooper - Petersburg Va," and "Mrs Amanda W. Gregory 1856 Mother."
This series consists of full and partial letters primarily written to John Munford Gregory Jr. Correspondents include his parents, siblings, cousins and friends from New York, North Carolina, Missouri, California, Richmond and Charles City County, Virginia. All of the letters were written after he had emigrated to California, and mostly contain family news including deaths, health, romances, marriages, business, church services, and daily life. The letters also include mention of Gettysburg Water for rheumatism, calico and alpaca dresses, troubles in Virginia's timber industry, attendance at Washington College and Virginia Military Institute commencement exercises, butchering six "right fat" hogs, and accidently peppering a favorite hound dog with buckshot while killing a chicken for dinner. None of the letters include their mailing envelopes. The series is organized chronologically by date.