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Wagg, John D., Papers John D. Wagg Papers, 1849-1894 Ms.1992.048

John D. Wagg Papers, 1849-1894 Ms.1992.048


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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

LM Rozema, Archivist, and Special Collections and University Archives Staff

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1992.048
Title
John D. Wagg Papers 1849-1894
Quantity
0.4 Cubic Feet, 1 box
Creator
Wagg, John D., 1835-1866
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The John D. Wagg Papers, 1849-1894, documents the career and religious thoughts of Methodist preacher John D. Wagg and his fellow preachers, as well as the lives of his daughter Bettie Wagg, their family, and their friends. The collection contains correspondence, diaries and notebooks, sermons, church documents, and miscellaneous writings.

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.

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], John D. Wagg Papers, Ms1992-048, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The John D. Wagg Papers were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in November 1992 and August 2011.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John D. Wagg Papers commenced and was completed in January 1993. Additional processing, arrangement, and description was completed in September 2020.

Biographical Note

John D. Wagg, son of minister James Wagg, was born in Jefferson, North Carolina, on July 8, 1835. Although he initially studied medicine in 1854 at Jefferson Academy, Wagg eventually entered the ministry. On July 17, 1858, the Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South authorized and licensed him as a preacher. The Holston Conference, in the mid-nineteenth century, encompassed most of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia.

Wagg's first appointments were in the Virginia counties of Giles, Russell, and Wise, where he labored as a circuit preacher. By 1859, however, he was reassigned to Hillsville, Virginia, where he married Lavinia "Vin" Anderson on May 13, 1862.

Wagg subsequently assumed ministerial duties in Asheville, North Carolina, in late 1862. His only child, Martha Elizabeth "Bettie" Wagg, was born there at the home of lawyer Joshua Roberts on March 6, 1863. On August 6, 1864, his wife Lavinia died.

In late 1864, John D. Wagg relocated to Bristol, Virginia, although he continued to deliver occasional sermons in Asheville. Wagg was superannuated by the Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1865 because of tuberculosis. He died in 1866.

Bettie Wagg attended Martha Washington College in Abingdon, Virginia, in the mid-1880s. She died on March 20, 1898, and is buried along with her father John D. Wagg in Hillsville, Virginia.

Scope and Content

The John D. Wagg Papers, 1849-1894, contain correspondence, diaries and notebooks, church documents, and miscellaneous poems and essays. Correspondence comprises letters to Wagg from ministers, family, and friends, 1858-1866, and letters between Bettie Wagg and her grandfather James Wagg and friends,1869-1894. Church documents include Wagg's credentials and a list of members and map of the Hillsville circuit. The diaries and notebooks include notes for and copies of sermons as well as information about church. There are also miscellanous poems and essays by Wagg and his wife Lavinia and daughter Bettie.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Wagg, John D., 1835-1866
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Container List

box-folder 1 folder: 1
Correspondence
1858-1859
  • Josiah Torbett in Princeton, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    November 11, 1858
  • James K. Stringfield in Wytheville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    December 14, 1858
  • [Unknown writer] in Stony Point, North Carolina, to Jno. [J. D. Wagg?]
    April 26, 1859
  • Josiah Torbett in Princeton, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    May 17, 1859
  • T. D. Summers in Boon's Creek, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    July 7, 1859
  • Josiah Torbett in Princeton, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    August 18, 1859
  • A. W. Wagg to "My Dear Brother" [J. D. Wagg?]
    October 22, 1859
  • A. W. Smith in Gladeville, Wise Courthouse, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    November 8, 1859
  • W. W. Neal in Athens, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    November 12, 1859
  • John. W. Mann in Hillsville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    December 7, 1859
  • A. W. Smith in Wise Courthouse, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    December 23, 1859
box-folder 1 folder: 2
Correspondence
1860
  • W. P. Quien in Wythe County, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    January 29, 1860
  • A. W. Smith in Wise County, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    February 13, 1860
  • John N. Jones in Taylorsville, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    February 28, 1860
  • John W. Mann in Hillsville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    March 21, 1860
  • James Wagg in Jefferson, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    May 17, 1860
  • John W. Mann in Hillsville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    June 21, 1860
  • J. W. M. [John W. Mann?] in Hillsville, Virginia, to Jonnie [J. D. Wagg?]
    July 25, 1860
  • James Wagg in Jefferson, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    August 1, 1860
box-folder 1 folder: 3
Correspondence
1861-1862
  • J. D. Peters in Pearisburg, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    January 1, 1861
  • John D. Wagg in Hillsville, Virginia, to Samuel Wagg
    February 18, 1861
  • A. J. Frazier in Rheatown, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    March 4, 1861
  • A. G. Pendleton in Fort Branch, [North Carolina?], to J. D. Wagg
    March 5, 1861
  • A. J. Frazier in Rheatown, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    June 4, 1861
  • W. P. Quien in Grayson County, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    August 11, 1861
  • John [Wagg?], Jefferson, North Carolina, to Lavinia Anderson
    December 14, 1861
    Scope and Content

    Includes two handwritten copies.

  • W. P. Quien in Ducktown, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    December 26, 1861
  • Gwen in Knoxville, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    February 11, 1862
  • J. M. McTeer in Speedwell, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    March 24, 1862
  • W. McDowell in Wytheville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    April 11, 1862
  • Gwen in Knoxville, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    April 15, 1862
  • Gwen in Knoxville, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    May 25, 1862
  • John [Wagg] to Lavinia Anderson
    [ca. May 1862]
  • James Wagg, Jefferson, North Carolina, to Lavinia Wagg
    September 2, 1862
  • Benjamin W. S. Bishop in Jefferson, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    September 20, 1862
  • Lavinia Wagg, Asheville, North Carolina, to "Dear Sister"
    October 3, 1862
  • J. D. Wagg in Wytheville, Virginia, to "Vin" [Lavinia Wagg]
    October 11, 1862
    Scope and Content

    Includes typewritten transcription

  • Lavinia [Wagg], Hillsville, Virginia, to "Dear husband" [J. D. Wagg]
    October 14, 1862
  • F. L. Hale, Hillsville, Virginia, to J. D. and L. Wagg
    November 19, 1862
  • Laura and John Wilkinson, Carroll County, Virginia, and [Hillsville?], Virginia, to "Vin" and "Dear Sister" [Lavinia Wagg]
    December 10, 1862
  • Lavinia and John Wagg, Asheville, North Carolina, to "Dear Sister"
    December 28, [1862]
  • M. Tatum to J. D. Wagg, with newspaper clipping
    December 1862
box-folder 1 folder: 4
Correspondence
1863-1866
  • Samuel S. Grant in Hillsville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    April 16, 1863
  • [Thena?], Hillsville, Virginia, to Lavinia and John Wagg
    May 3, 1863
  • A. J. Frazier in Jacksboro, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    May 19, 1863
  • Samuel S. Grant in Hillsville, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    August 12, 1863
  • William H. Howell in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    July 20, 1864
  • Invitation for the funeral of Lavinia Wagg
    August 9, 1864
  • Joshua Roberts in Asheville, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    October 2, 1864
  • A. D. Stewart to J. D. Wagg
    February 20, 1865
  • Joshua Roberts in Asheville, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg, with newspaper clipping
    February 24, 1865
  • J. D. Wagg, Bristol, Tennessee, to "Miss Laura"
    July 24, 1865
  • James R. Stringfield in Emory, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    September 21, 1865
  • A. D. Stewart in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to J. D. Wagg
    December 28, 1865
  • J. B. Johnson in Lynchburg, Virginia, to J. D. Wagg
    February 15, 1866
  • Josie in Rose Valley, [Pennsylvania?], to J. D. Wagg
    May 1866
box-folder 1 folder: 5
Correspondence
n.d.
  • M. Tatum to J. D. Wagg, 3 letters
    n.d.
  • Anson W. Cummings at [Holston Conference] Female College, Asheville, North Carolina, to J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • J. D. Wagg to unknown person
    n.d.
  • Elva in Hillsville, Virginia, to Lavinia Wilkerson
    n.d.
  • Mollie to "My Dear Brother"
    n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 6
Correspondence of Bettie Wagg
1869, 1878-1879
  • Bettie Wagg, Etowah Seminary, to "My Darling Pet"
    August 21, 1869
  • James Wagg, Jefferson, North Carolina, to Bettie Wagg
    March 11, 1878
  • James Wagg, Jefferson, North Carolina, to Bettie Wagg
    December 2, 1878
  • Florence W., Marion Female College, Marion, Virginia, to "Ever Dear Cousin"
    [1878?]
  • James Wagg, Jefferson, North Carolina, to Bettie Wagg
    February [4?], 1879
box-folder 1 folder: 7
Correspondence of Bettie Wagg
1880-1894
  • James Wagg, Jefferson, North Carolina, to [Bettie Wagg]
    January 19, 1880
  • James Wagg, Jefferson, North Carolina, to [Bettie Wagg]
    July 22, 1880
  • Mattie, [Trinity?] Hall, to Bettie Wagg
    January 9, 1880
  • Mattie, [Trinity?] Hall, to Bettie Wagg
    June 2, 188[1?]
  • Annie Mustard, Wytheville, Virginia, to Bettie Wagg
    November 27, 1884
  • Eva Fugate, Martha Washington College, to Bettie Wagg
    January 28, 1885
    Scope and Content

    Includes short notes from "Mattie" and Lula [Umberger?].

  • L. R. [Inley?], Abingdon, Virginia, to Bettie Wagg
    February 23, 1885
  • Eva [Fugate?], Martha Washington College, to Bettie Wagg
    April 2[?], 1885
  • Eliza M., Martha Washington College, Virginia, to Bettie Wagg
    April 12, 1885
  • Mary N. Wagg, Saltville, Virginia, to Bettie Wagg
    June 28, 1886
  • Eliza F., Willow Spring, [North Carolina?], to Bettie Wagg
    January 3, 1887
  • Mrs. R. R. Crow, District Secretary, per Mrs. M. J. W., Newbern, Virginia, to Bettie Wagg
    March 7, 1889
  • Laura P. Wilkinson, Hillsville, Virginia, to Bettie Wagg
    June 19, 1889
  • Bettie Wagg, Weaverville, North Carolina, to Laura
    September 25, 1893
  • Mattie Maxon, Saint Louis, [Virginia?], to "Cousin Laura"
    January 25, 1894
box-folder 1 folder: 8
Diary of J D. Wagg
1854-1858
box-folder 1 folder: 9
Pocket diary and almanac of J D. Wagg
1865, 1882-1883
Scope and Content

Includes lock of hair and sheet with family data.

box-folder 1 folder: 10
Notebook of sermons by J. D. Wagg
n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 11
Sermons
1865
  • "Trial of Faith" sermon by J. D. Wagg, preached on February 21, 1864, at Asheville, North Carolina, and on March 5, 1865, at Bristol, Virginia
    February 21, 1864, March 5, 1865
  • "The Builders" sermon by J. D. Wagg, preached on February 19, 1865, at Bristol, Virginia, and on March 27, 1865, at Asheville, North Carolina
    February 19, 1865, March 27, 1865
  • "Angels" sermon by J. D. Wagg, preached on March 15, 1865, at Asheville, North Carolina
    March 15, 1865
  • "Faith" sermon by J. D. Wagg, preached on June 15, 1865, at Asheville, North Carolina, and on June 18, 1865, at Bristol, Virginia
    June 15, 1865, June 18, 1865
box-folder 1 folder: 12
Sermons
n.d.
  • "God Seen in Nature" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "What of the Night?" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "Valedictory" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "Aspiration of the Scriptures--External Evidence" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "The Divinity of Christ" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "The Fall of Man" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "A New Creature" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "Praise" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "The Water of Life" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "The Lord God and Death" sermon by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 13
Notes for sermons
n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 14
Miscellaneous church documents and writings
1849, 1858, 1884, n.d.
  • Class book for Hillsville, Virginia, congregation of the Holston Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South
    n.d.
    Scope and Content

    Compiled by J. M. McTeer and J. D. Wagg, this book includes names of church members.

  • Map of Hillsville, Virginia, circuit of the Holston Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South
    n.d.
  • Church credentials of J. D. Wagg
    January 1, 1858
  • Church credentials of J. D. Wagg
    July 17, 1858
  • Poem signed by Lavinia Anderson
    March 15, 1849
  • "To Miss _____" poem by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • "Mocking Bird" poem by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • Poem by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • Two essays by J. D. Wagg
    n.d.
  • History Examination, Bettie Wagg, Martha Washington College
    November 15, 1884