Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions 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], William B. Durie Letters, 1865, Ms2023-145, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William B. Durie Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in July 2016.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William B. Durie Letters was completed in December 2023.

Biographichal Note

William Brittin Durie was born to Nancy Maxell and Samuel Durie in New Jersey in March 1840. During the American Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army on August 28th, 1862. He mustered into Company B of the 30th New Jersey Infantry Division. The following year, he was promoted to Corporal. On October 8, 1864, Durie mustered into Company C of the 39th New Jersey Infantry Divison. Durie's service ended on June 17th, 1865.

After the war, Durie worked as a public school teacher and farmer. He married Francis E. Clark around 1876 in Rahway, New Jersey. They went on to have six children: Mabel, Esther, Homer, Samuel, Roberta, and William Brittin. Durie died on January 17th, 1916.

External Sources:

Finding aid for William B. Durie Letter, 1864, SC 0013, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, https://aspace.lib.jmu.edu/repositories/4/resources/343 , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

U.S. Federal Censuses, 1860-1910

New Jersey, U.S., State Census, 1885.

"William B. Durie", ancestrylibrary.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/family-tree/person/tree/73983608/person/46286941756/story , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

"William B Durie" in the U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/1168591:1555 , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

"William B Durie" in the U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/1454661:1555 , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

"William Brittin Durie" in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/11923979:60901 , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

"Durie, William B.", National Park Service's Civil War soldier database, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=0EEEA598-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

"Durie, William B.", National Park Service's Civil War soldier database, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=0DEEA598-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A , accessed Jan. 23, 2024.

Scope and Content

The William B. Durie Letters were written from Burkesville Junction, Virginia, by Durie, a soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War, to his sister Maggie E. Durie in New Providence, New Jersey, on April 15th and 16th, 1865. The letters contain information on Durie's guarding of Confederate prisoners and the assassination of president Abrham Lincoln.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Correspondence
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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