Vowell-Creighton Family Collection Finding Aid MS024

Vowell-Creighton Family Collection Finding Aid MS024


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Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library

717 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Business Number: 703-746-1791
lhsc@alexlibraryva.org
URL: http://alexlibraryva.org/lhsc

Repository
Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library
Identification
MS024
Title
Vowell-Creighton Family Collection (MS024) 1890-1970
URL:
https://alexlibraryva.libraryhost.com/repositories/2/resources/88
Quantity
.42 Cubic Feet
Condition Description
Photos are fragile. If necessary, photos are to be handled with untreated nitrile or latex gloves.
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item identification], Vowell-Creighton Family Collection, MS024, Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections, Alexandria, Va.


Biographical / Historical

Thomas Vowell and his brother John C. Vowell came over from England between the years 1749 and 1800. They were amongst the first settlement, to help build the town of Alexandria, Virginia. Thomas Vowell and his brother had a thriving shipping business before 1799. The firm occupied a warehouse on Prince Street but moved in 1805 to Union Street between King and Prince Street. In 1798 Thomas bought the property at 619 South Lee Street and constructed a house on it. He sold the property to Edgar Snowden, the editor of the Alexandria Gazette in 1842.

Thomas Vowell married three times. His first two wives: Mary Harper and Charlotte H. Douglas have both passed away. His third wife, Elizabeth Truscott would remain with him for the rest of his life. Thomas and Elizabeth had a daughter, Harriet Vowell on June 13, 1843.

Harriet Vowell married a druggist, William Franklin Creighton (b. January 5, 1840). They had three living children. In 1885, he purchased a wholesale and retail pharmacy located at the corner of King and Royal Streets. The continuous family owned the drug store until the 1964 urban renewal project when the building was destroyed.

Content Description

The collection consists of various objects, writings and ephemera pertaining to the Vowell-Creighton family. Most of the materials are from Hattie Vowell-Creighton. Writings include genealogical information and poetry written by Hattie. One piece of realia: a locket which includes a lock of hair, likely from Mary Vowell. There are a number of unidentified photographs, likely Vowell-Creighton family members. The oversized materials include certificates for the United Daughters of the Confederacy and an application for the Daughters of the Revolution.

Container List

Manuscript
English.
  • Books box: 1 folder: 1
    Leather booklet, property of John T. Creighton.
    Contains musical notations and poetry. Described in manuscript by J. Elliot on Vowell & Creighton genealogy.English.
  • Books box: 1 folder: 1
    Monographed and hand bound booklet, "Word Pictures".
    1948Written by Ethel S. Creighton, Mobile, Ala., Christmas 1948. Reference made from Elliot manuscript on Vowell & Creighton genealogy.English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 1
    Cover and three pages of Bible and calling card belonging to Miss Hattie Vowell Creighton.
    1891English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 2
    Part I of Manuscript by Jean Elliot of Vowell-Creighton Family.
    English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 2
    Handwritten paper listing births and deaths of family referred to in manuscript.
    English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 3
    Part II of Manuscript by Jean Elliot of Vowell-Creighton Family.
    English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 3
    Handwritten copy of scripture cake recipe referred to in manuscript.
    English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 3
    Letter from S. Dillion Ripley (Smithsonian Institution) to Mrs. Elliot and her reply.
    1976-08-101976-08-17Carbon copy letters concerns McKnight portraits.English.
  • Realia box: 1 folder: 4
    Locket, contains hair.
    Inscribed: 1895-08-19Inscribed: Mary Vowell: obt 1 4 19 August 1895, AE 34English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 5
    Vowell Family Tree
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 1 folder: 5
    Coat of arms for Vowell and Creighton families
    Two coat of arms painted on cardboardEnglish.
  • Books box: 1 folder: 6
    Poetry book belonging to Hattie Vowell-Creighton, "Illuminated Floral Album."
    English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 6
    Poem titled "The Broken Engagement".
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 1 folder: 6
    Photo card for Hattie Vowell-Creighton.
    English.
  • Text box: 1 folder: 6
    Calling card for Hattie Vowell-Creighton.
    English.
Photographs
English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 2 folder: 1
    Photographs, 1-27
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 2 folder: 2
    Photographs, 28-34
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 2 folder: 3
    Photographs, 35-43
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 2 folder: 4
    Photographs, 44-78
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 2 folder: 5
    Photographs, 79-96
    English.
  • Graphic Materials box: 2 folder: 6
    Photographs, 97
    English.
Oversize
English.
  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 3
    1st Certificate – United Daughters of the Confederacy to Hattie Vowell Creighton
    English.
  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 3
    2nd Certificate – United Daughters of the Confederacy to Hattie Vowell Creighton
    English.
  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 3
    Wilcoxen Certifcate – United Daughters of the Confederacy to Mrs. W.F. Creighton
    English.
  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 3
    Margaret Vowell Smith, Genealogical application for the Daughters of the American Revolution
    English.