Earhart Family Papers Earhart Family Papers Collection, 1853

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The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Earhart Family Papers Collection, 1853-1970, Ms2024-074, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in June 2024.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Earhart Family Collection was completed in July 2024.

Biographical / Historical

Nancy Elvira Williams Earhart was born on November 7, 1838, and she married William H. Earhart, who was born on June 10, 1828. The couple resided in Pulaski County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Virginia. They had 8 children: Lawrence (1860-1950), Mary (1862-1884), George Lee (1866-1906), Alexander (1868-1896), Lula (1870-1922), William (1872-1933), James (1874-1938), and Ada (1876-1890). William H. Earhart was the brother of David G. Earhart, who also has a collection in the archives here . During the Civil War, William enlisted with the Confederacy in Pulaski, Virginia, on May 23, 1863. He was imprisoned on September 19, 1864, and he was confined to Camp Chase, Ohio, and then sent to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Nancy and William's youngest son James Warren Earhart married Sallie Virginia Hays Earhart (1876-1972). The couple had multiple children, including Virginia Earhart Boykin (1907-1999) and James Warren Earhart, Jr. (1909-2000). Jr. married Lucy Payne Waddell Earhart (1911-1985). The couple had a son, James Warren Earhart III (1949-). Each of these individuals are pictured in photographs.

Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Ancestry

Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database. Ancestry

Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Ancestry

Year: 1870; Census Place: Wassee, Pulaski, Virginia; Roll: M593_1674; Page: 55A Ancestry

Year: 1880; Census Place: Highwassie, Pulaski, Virginia; Roll: 1386; Page: 248b; Enumeration District: 058 Ancestry

Year: 1920; Census Place: Fork Union, Fluvanna, Virginia; Roll: T625_1889; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 95 Ancestry

Ancestry.com. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Ancestry

Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Marriages, 1936-2014; Roll: 101142132 Ancestry

Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Marriages, 1936-2014 Ancestry

Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014 Ancestry

Scope and Content

The collection contains correspondence, receipts, deeds, indentures, and photographs of the Nancy Elvira and William Hank Earhart family.

Series I: Correspondence consists of letters written to the Earhart family, along with other unknown recipients. The letters are organized by recipient. Nancy Elvira received letters primarily from William, along with some from her extended family members. The letters provide details into life during the Civil War, with William describing his experience in the Confederate Army and the lack of food. Other letters share details about financial situations and purchases. Some letters also describe property that the Earharts owned in Missouri.

Series II: Papers includes multiple deeds for lands, including land in Missouri. The receipts have also bene organized by the person, John Grayson, Lawrence Earhart, Nancy Earhart, and William H. Earhart. Some receipts include the items purchased.

Series III: Photographs includes four photographs. One photograph is of Virginia Earhart Boykin. Another photo is of James Warren Earhart III on his wedding day, potentially to his first wife, Linda C. Amick in 1970. Another is of James Warren Earhart, Jr., and the final photo looks like it is of him and an unnamed woman, potentially his wife Lucy Payne Waddell.

Civil War
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Montgomery County (Va.)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Earhart Family Papers Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Earhart Family Papers Collection, 1853 - 1970 Ms.2024.074

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Conditions Governing Access

Preferred Citation

Source of Acquisition

Processing Information

Biographical / Historical

Scope and Content

Arrangement

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Rights Statement for Archival Description

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