Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters, 1849 Ms.2008.077

Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters, 1849 Ms.2008.077


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Emily Cook, Student Assistant

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2008.077
Title
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters 1849
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The collection contains letters to William S. Archer discussing his election as delegate to the July 1849 convention of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company. Correspondence also discusses the plan to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via railroads.

Administrative Information

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. Permission to publish material from the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

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], Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters, Ms2008-077, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters were purchased by Special Collections.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters commenced and was completed in September 2008.


Administrative History

After years of proposals from Lynchburg citizens, the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was chartered in 1849. Built in the 1850s, the V&T connected Southwestern Virginia, from Lynchburg to Bristol. With V&T rail lines came expanded economic markets and new industry. During the American Civil War, the V&T served as a Confederate lifeline by moving supplies, weapons, and troops. The Confederate reliance on the V&T resulted in the partial destruction of lines by Union forces. In 1870, the V&T joined the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and the City Point Railroad to create the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Ohio Railroad. The AM&O later became the Norfolk and Western.

Biographical Note

William S. Archer was born in 1841 at "The Lodge" in Amelia County, Virginia. Archer studied law, passed the bar in 1810, and practiced law in Powhatan and Amelia counties. From 1812 to 1819, Archer served four terms in Virginia's House of Delegates. Archer represented the Whig Party in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1819 to 1834 and in the Senate from 1841-1846. After his political career, Archer resumed his law practice. William Segar Archer died on March 28, 1855.

Scope and Content

The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters are two manuscript missives informing former Senator William S. Archer of his election as delegate to the July, 1849, convention of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company held in Memphis, Tennessee. Other elected delegates included: William C. Riley, John Mason, and Lieutenant M. F. Maury. The letters predate the railroad's construction and thus discuss only the proposed improvement. Also mentioned is the plan to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via railroads. The letter of May 4, 1849, was written by the chairman of the electoral meeting, Rich J. Morris, while the letter of May 17, 1849, was written by the committee of correspondence. Signatures of committee members also appear.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
  • Railroad

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

Container List

folder 1
Letters
1849