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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
William & Mary Special Collections Research Center staff
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
The 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.
Preferred Citation
Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor family papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor family papers were donated by the grandchildren of Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor.
Biographical / Historical
Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor was born May 17, 1895, to George 
Preston Blow and Adele Matthiessen, in Chicago, Illinois. Blow married Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, a federal serviceman to President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1917, and the couple had four children, Hobart, Richard, Rose, and Adelaide. Ms. Chatfield-Taylor
was an architect enthusiast, helping to restore up to 30 historic buldings in her lifetime. In addition to her interest in
preservation, Ms. Chatfield-Taylor was a member of the Colonial Dames of America, the United Nations War Reflief, the Home
for Incurables, and co-founded the National Women's Democratic Club in the 1930s. Leaving behind 16 gradnchildren and 5 great
grandchildren, Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor passed away on August 31, 1977 at the age of 82 in Fairfield 
County , Connecticut.
Content Description
Correspondence belonging to Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor and Wayne Chatfield Taylor; discusses Wayne's role with the American Red Cross in Europe; the couple's courtship, engagement, and marriage; business papers relating to Chicago Investors' Corp stock purchase; and family correspondence throughout most of the twentieth century.
Arrangement
The Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor Family Papers collection is arranged in two series; Series I. Correspondence, and Series II. Personal Papers. Series I. contains three sub-series: Correspondence to and from Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor Correspondence, and Family Correspondence.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- American Red Cross--History--World War II period
- Courtship--1910-1920
- Letters (correspondence)
Container List
The correspondence series contains letters between Adele Blow Chatfeild-Taylor, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, family members, and various associates. The contents of the correspondence refer to Adele's childhood, such as drawings and holiday greetings, social event invitations, romantic correspondence between her and Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, and messages to and from her children and extended family.
- Correspondence to and from Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylorcirca November 19, 1899- December 5, 1977Scope and Contents
Correspondence to and from Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor discussing various topics including her engagement to Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, invitations to ceremonies and events, general greetings, travel plans, and messages to her mother during her childhood about her daily life. A significant amount of the letters are between Adele and her husbnad Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, and they detail their friendship, courtship, and romantic sentiments.
General correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
"A" GeneralUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2
"B" General1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3
Adele Mattiessen Blow1901-1913
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 1900-1911
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 1911
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6
"C" General1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7
"D" General1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8
"E" General1917-1977
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 9
"F" General1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 10
"G" Generalcirca 1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 11
"H" General1916-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 12
"K" Generalcirca 1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 13 Undated
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 14
"L" Generalcirca 1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 15
Dorothy Leecirca 1976-1977
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 16
"M" General1911-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 17
Fannie Mae MattiessenUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 18
Frederick MattiessenUndatedFolder contains one black and white photograph of an adult woman with a child, and two dogs.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 19
"O" General1977
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 20
"P" General1917
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 21
"R" Generalcirca 1917
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 22
"S" General1920-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 23
"T" General1917-1977
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 24
Hobart C. Chatfield-Taylor1916-1917
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 25
Richard Chatfield-Taylor1933-1961
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 26
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1916
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 27
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1916
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 28
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 29
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917Folder contains multiple photos. One photo is of a stable, and has been marked with drawings. A second photo is of a Yorktown cottage, with the Yorktown monument in the background. There is a collage of photos depicting an unidentified individual standing with and riding a horse. In the collage there is also a photo of a baby, identified in one photo as Hobie, being fed and held by two different women. The last photo in the collage is of an unidentified woman standinging near a chair.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 30
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917Folder contains a black and white photo of a woman with two dogs. There is another woman in the background, both of whom are unidentified.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 31
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 32
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 33
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 34
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 35
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 36
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1917
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 37
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917Folder contains a black and white photo of a Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor as a young girl. The date is unknown, but it looks to have been taken during a colder season, with snow in the background and Adele bundled in layers of clothing.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 38
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917Folder contains multiple photos, all of which are black and white. One photos depicts a nature scene, with mountains in the background. A second photo is of an unidentified town near the shore, with multiple buildings, and hills in the background. A third photo shows a body of water with a small village in the background, with an unidentified man in the right corner. This photo was taken in Italy. The fourth photo depicts Saint-Malo, France with its old wall structures.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 39
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918Folder contains multiple black and white photographs presumably of the Chatfield-Taylor family. There is a black and white photo of an unidentified woman and baby sitting on a shaded porch There are multiple photogrpahs of Otis Chatfield-Taylor, an infant identified as AT, as well as an older gentleman and young woman along with young children. The photographs look to have been taken around the yard and on the patio of a large home.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 40
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918Folder contains multiple black and white photographs. The first photogrpah is of a garden with a plant stand in the center. There are then a collection of photographs, one of which depicts a baby identified as Hobie, being held by a nurse. A second photogrpah in the collection shows an unidentified man holding a young girl in a small pond, and the third photograph depicts an unidentified woman, a baby, and a young girl standing in a garden in front of a large house. A final phot depicts the same unidentified man and young girl in the pond, now looking at the camera.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 41
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918Folder contains a photograph of Adele Blow Chatlfield-Taylor and Wayne Chatfield-Taylor's son, Hobart, at twelve weeks old. The photo is adhered to a letter, and is cut in a diamond shape. The folder also contains a small handmade photo album of photos of Hobart Chatfield-Taylor at fifteen weeks.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 42
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918Folder contains multiple photographs of various individuals. A small black and white photo depicts two unidentified women standing close together on what looks to be nature path. The collage of photgrpahs adhered to light blue paper depict Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor both alone and with baby Hobart Chatfield-Taylor, identified as Hobie, and a man identified as Fred wearing a uniform. There is a newspaper collage that contains two black and white photos, and it is unclear whether they are newspaper cutouts or photographs of known associates.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 43
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 44
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 45
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 46
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1918-1919Folder contains photographs adhered to paper along with newspaper clippings. Multiple images look to be newspaper clippings, rather than photographs. One is of a laughing infant laying on a pillow, while a woman watches over the child, and the other is a candid photo of what looks to be a young woman in a chair, both of which are faded. A third photo depicts two smiling young women sitting on a bench sharing a newspaper.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 47
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1919
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 48
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1919
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 49
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1920-1929
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 50
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1920-1929
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 51
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1920-1929
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 52
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1920-1934
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 53
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1921-1922
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 54
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1923
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 55
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1925
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 56
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1926
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 57
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1927
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 58
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1927
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 59
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1927
- Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 60
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1927
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 61
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1927-1937
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 62
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1927-1937
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 63
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1928
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 64
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1929
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 65
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1929
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 66
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1929
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 67
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1930-1934
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 68
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1930
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 69
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1931
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 70
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1931-1932
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 71
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1932
- Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 72
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1932
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 73
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1932
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 74
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1933
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 75
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1935-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 76
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1935-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 77
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1935-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 78
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1935-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 79
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1935-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 80
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1935-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 81
Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1937-1938
- Mixed Materials box: 6 folder: 82
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1937
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 83
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1939
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 84
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1940
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 85
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1940
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 86
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1940
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 87
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1947
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 88
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1962
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 89
Wayne Chatfield-TaylorUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 90
"W" Generalcirca 1917-1976
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 91
"Y" General1909
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 92
Unidentified Correspondence1899-1917
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 93
Unidentified Correspondencecirca 1941-1977
- Mixed Materials box: 7 folder: 94
Unidentified CorrespondenceUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
- Correspondence to and from Wayne Chatfield-TaylorMarch 2, 1902-May 27,1944Scope and Contents
Correspondence to and from Wayne Chatfield-Taylor includes congratulations to Mr. Chatfield-Taylor on his engagement to Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor, as well as business correspondence surrounding the investment banking firm of Field, Glore & Company Inc. Childhood letters to Wayne Chatfield-Taylor's grandparents detail his daily life as a student, as well as political correspondence between Wayne and his father, Hobart Chatfield-Taylor.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 95
Correspondence to Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1915-1932
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 96
Correspondence to Wayne Chatfield-Taylor from Grandparentscirca 1902-1903
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 97
Correspondence between Wayne Chatfield-Taylor and Hobart Chatfield-Taylor1912-1944Folder contains a newspaper clipping.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 98
Correspondence between Wayne Chatfield-Taylor and Rose Farwellcirca 1915-1920
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 99
Correspondence between Wayne Chatfield-Taylor and Marshall Fieldcirca 1932
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 100
Unidentified correspondence to and from Wayne Chatfield-Taylorcirca 1915-1919
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 101
Unidentified correspondence to and from Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 102
Unidentified correspondence to and from Wayne Chatfield-Taylor1917
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 95
- Family Correspondencecirca March 10, 1917- August 16, 1977Scope and Contents
The family correspondence contains writings between the members of the Blow and Chatfield-Taylor family. Correspondence congratulates Adele and Wayne on their engagement, discusses the runaway marriage of Robert Chatfield-Taylor, and other general family affairs.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 103
Family Correspondencecirca 1917-1977
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 104
Family Correspondencecirca 1932-1977Folder contains multiple colored photos of various people. The photos were taken outdoors on what looks to be a patio.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 105
Unidentified Correspondence1976
- Mixed Materials box: 8 folder: 103
This series consists of business papers, photogrpahs, newspaper clippings, and various other materials that detail Adele Blow Chatfield-Taylor's life. The newspaper clippings commemorate her grandfather, Frederick Matthiessen, as a key builder of La Salle-Peru Township school. Personal notes includes a list of kin, hand-drawn maps, and sheets of stationary. Colored photographs depict unidentified children, an older couple and young children, and a bride. The series contains both Wayne Chatfield-Taylor's personal writings and unidentified wrtitings, along with Yale records.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 106
Adele Blow WritingsUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 107
Blank Cards and Envelopescirca 1903-1976Folder contains an envelope with a hair net inside.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 108
Business Paperscirca 1932
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 109
Drawingscirca 1901
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 110
Newspaper Clippingscirca 1974-1977
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 111
NotesUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 112
Photographscirca 1976
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 113
Unidentified WritingsUndated
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 114
Wayne Chatfield-Taylor Writingscirca 1915
- Mixed Materials box: 9 folder: 115
Yale Recordscirca 1915-1916Folder contains a dark, black and white photograph of five men posed to look at the camera