January 27, 1951

Kent, Virginia Williams, 1918-1987

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dearest Mom

Letter from Gin, most likely Virginia, to "dearest Mom," most likely Cordelia Williams saying that she received her letter yesterday at school and that she should not worry about her turning back. She went to see her lawyer today. He "drew up the papers asking for custody of the children" along with papers for care of the children and for the settlement of property. It also says that the reason for divorce is "assult and cruelty and abuse." The case will not be seen until next week because the court is closed on Saturday. Her lawyer said that after the case is filed it could take up to three…

GLC09587.398

16 April 1951

Kent, Virginia Williams, 1918-1987

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dearest Mom

Letter from "Gin," Virginia Williams to "dearest Mom," Cordelia Williams. She writes that the [divorce] case came up Saturday but the only thing decided on was the maintencance. The judge ruled that she gets $70.00 per month for the kids. They discussed property settlements but could not come to an agreement. It appears that Bookers lawyer wanted to deed the property to the kids but her lawyer did not. Virginia spoke with Booker and he said he would tell his lawyer to ask for the children's name to be sbstitututed in his place and that her name will remain on the deed. Booker will still live…

GLC09587.399

11 November 1975

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grand

Letter from "Gerrry" to "Grand." "Gerry" is most likely Geraldine Pinn, James T. Williams II's wife or Geraldine Williams, his sister. "Grand" is most likely Cordelia Williams. "Gerry" writes that she thought about the recipient recently and planned to write but then people visited and she was not able to. She says that she put flowers on Jimmie's grave, who most likely is James T. Williams II. She also says that she always gives the Church flowers on the first Sunday of November in his memory. She also tries to get to Church that Sunday. She says it is funny that the recipient said she wants…

GLC09587.400

2 May 1912

The National League of Negroes, 1920-1931

Pamphlet

Title: Taft Denounces Lynching, Tells Afro-American Audience it is Cowardly Murder. President Advocates the Rope for Lynchers

The pamphlet announces that President Taft was endorsed by a conference that convened on the issue of race. The conference marked the inaugural meeting of "The National League of Negroes" and a committee on resolutions was formed. The pamphlet lists resolutions adopted by the committee concerning race, race relations, and goals for the League. These goals include enfranchisement of the African American population by means of the constitution, civil rights, and equality under the law. The pamphlet also contains an excerpt of Taft's speech denouncing lynching.

GLC09588

August 1952

Students for Democratic Action, fl. 1952

Pamphlet

Title: The Big Little Person's Book of Songs For Democratic Action

The book, published by the Students for Democratic Action (SDA), is a mix of common picketing and protest songs and original works by the author. The table of contents is ordered by genre of the song as follows: popular folk songs; old favorites; SDA, ADA (Americans for Democratic Action) miscellaneous political; union songs; freedom line; war and peace; old west; satire and parody. The songs center around the theme of socialism and democracy while bringing awareness to social and economic injustices like poverty, the United Nations, and class inequality. Some songs directly reference…

GLC09590

1862

Warder, T.B., fl. 1862

Book

Title: Battle of Young's Branch; or, Manassas Plain, Fought July 21, 1861

Co-authored with James M. Catlett. First edition copy published in Richmond by Enquirer Book and Job Press. Folded map (39.2 x 29 cm.) in front of book of the Centerville-Manassas, Virginia area. Says it is a "Map of the country occupied by the Federal and Confederate Armies on the 18th & 21st July 1861." Created by the authors. Also has another large (55.3 x 50.5 cm.) fold-out topographical map of the Manassas, Virginia and Bull Run area between pages 72 and 73. It is a "Relief Survey and Map" by James L. Bowen. Says "Linear Survey" was made by the authors. Shows where Union and…

GLC04061

1831

Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company

Pamphlet

Title: Address to the reader of the documents relating to the Galveston Bay....

One of the first accounts of Texas written in English. Printed by G.F. Hopkins and Sons. Graff 1494, Howes S1137.

GLC04063

1843/04/11

Great Britain. Acts.

Pamphlet

Title: An Act for carrying into effect the Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Texas for the Suppression of the African Slave Trade

An act of Parliament effecting a treaty between Great Britain and the Republic of Texas. Paginated 166-180 + unpaginated first page.

GLC08513

31 December 1943

Railroad Retirement Board

Postcard

Title: to Cordelia Williams

Postcard from the Rairoad Retirement Board to Cordelia Williams sent to acknowledge the receipt of an application for death benefits of LeRoi Williams. It also asks that if her address has changed to send the postcard back with the new address.

GLC09587.310

20 September 1949

Hurt, Evelyn, fl. 1949

Autograph letter signed

Title: Dear Mrs. Williams

Evelyn Hurt begins the letter by stating it is the most difficult one she has ever written, and she is deeply shaken by Eugene Williams' death. She congratulates Cordelia for being the mother of such a great son, saying that Eugene called Cordelia his "sweetheart" and spoke of her often. She says they called Eugene "Flaps" and that everyone loved to be around him. She asks Cordelia to let her know when the services will be, because her and Wesley will come to Roanoke. She finishes by saying that Wesley will be writing as soon as he is emotionally able because the two were "just like brothers…

GLC09587.311

1 December 1949

Lawson, Sadie, fl. 1949

Typed letter signed

Title: My dear Mrs. Williams

Sadie V. Lawson, principal, thanks Cordelia Williams for the donation of an Encyclopedia Britannica in honor of Eugene Williams. It is written on Roanoke City Public Schools stationary.

GLC09587.312

18 February 1974

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter

Title: Dear Geri

Cordelia writes to Geraldine, providing Henrietta's address. She tells a story of Eunice P. fainting in school and being sent to the hospital to be operated on for gall stones. She tells Geri not to worry about how things are going at home and to remember that if she needs help, Cordelia will come to see her. She tells her "God Bless each of you." There is no signature.

GLC09587.313

4 March 1974

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: Dear Children

Cordelia writes to her children telling them to report interest on their bond because their names are all written on it. She asks them to let her know when they do. She will cash the bond she has and then send a check. She is praying for all of them and sends her best. She signs off, "Mom."

GLC09587.314

6 March 1974

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: Dear Children

Cordelia writes to her children, saying that the weather has cooled after being very hot but the spring shrubs are back in bloom. She discusses the bond and reporting income again (see GLC09587.314). Remarking on a break-in at the mailman's house, she says "when naked people are permitted to run the streets, we know judgement day certainly not far off." She tells Geri to get rest and shares some anecdotes. She sends love and blessings, noting that friends in Roanoke still ask after Don. She signs off, "Mom." On the reverse of page 2, she wrote "Jonquils blooming."

GLC09587.315

12 March 1974

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: Dear Children

Cordelia writes to her children, saying that the weather is rainy and storms are expected. There was snow earlier, but it has melted. She notes she is very excited for Christmas, when she will be able to see her family. She has recently gotten over a cold and still has a cough. Mrs. Neely and Myra are home after operations. Ruth Anderson, president of the "Helping Hand" Club at Cordelia's church had a contest for small children to help raise money, which ended up raising $4,580. She notes that the politicians are terrible because they do not care about the poor while utilities prices are…

GLC09587.316

3 April 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: Dear Children

Cordelia writes to her children, telling them that Mrs. Avery was buried yesterday. Cordelia was very touched by her death, noting she had the same "sickening feeling I have when I lose my own." She tells a story about Don fixing her garage door. There have been bad electric storms lately. She says she feels sorry for Virginia and it is everyone's duty to pray for her. She says Booker will reap his reward and that Virginia cannot help herself. Cordelia does not know if it is love or fear or both. It is unclear what she is referencing. She sends love and blessings, signing off, "Mom."

GLC09587.317

6 August 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children about the weather and that the new bedspread ordered for her is too big. She reminds them about Diane's birthday present and to tell her when they got it and how much it cost. She says that her garden is doing well and there might be watermelon soon. Sallye was sorry that she couldn't see the recipients of the letter when they visited, but George Coleman was still on the critical list. Thomas keeps asking when they recipients will visit again. She says that Thomas will come into the room and get in her way but she doesn't say anything, whereas Luther…

GLC09587.318

13 August 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children that it has been quite hot recently. She asks whether Virginia has found Dolores' glasses and speculates as to where they might be. Cordelia then shares the news of George Coleman. She writes that despite the electrical storm, she was able to can four quarts of peaches the previous afternoon. She shares the news of the Butcher-Crocker family reunion, how many people were there and what places they came from. She says that the politicians are trying to "make news" by "bringing Nixon to the public again also digging up the Kennedys, Johnson and…

GLC09587.319

20 August 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes that it has been nice and cool so she has been making dansom preserves. She tells both the "Twitties" and Virginia to bring "it" back when they come down and Diane to make sure that Virginia saves some for Dolores when she comes home. She tells them that Geroge Coleman's funeral was the other day and that it was very expensive but she sent a remembrance from "Virginia + Booker, Twitties, and Williams." She says she is mailing Dolores' birthday present and asks whether Diane has received a gift and if so, what did it cost. Diane has just called to say that she is…

GLC09587.320

10 September 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams thanks her children for their thoughtful letter. She says that in the past month, five of her close friends have died. This somewhat put a damper on her birthday, except for the fact that her children all came, which was the greatest gift of all. She says that Angela will have to set an alarm to make sure she is on time as she will be "the last to leave in the marriage". She says it's supposed to rain the following day and then asks her children what they think the results of the demonstrations about integration and busing will be. She has tried her melons and they were…

GLC09587.321

17 September 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes that she talked to Dan the previous day and it was a happy surprise. She describes a meeting of her missionary group where not many people came because so many in the group were sick or put off by the rain. She asks if Virginia was having trouble swallowing. She writes about the weather and how it is affecting her garden. Ren Taylor has been hospitalized but was sent home and told to rest. Cordelia ends by saying she hopes that the recipient watches "Geri" as the recipient has carried a heavy load a long time and should let "Geri" catch up.

GLC09587.322

1 October 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children that she can't believe that 1975 is almost over. Virginia sent her 24 skeins of very pretty yarn. She continues by discussing how beautiful the weather has been and how good it was for her tomatoes and flowers. Then she worries about the news of gas and oil shortages, inflation, and the government's urging recipients of Social Security to deposit their checks in the bank. She then informs them that there are plans to build a new shopping center on Jefferson Street and she thinks this is a bad idea. She wishes them well and asks if Dolores is in L.A.

GLC09587.323

15 October 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children that the weather has been very nice but everyone is talking a lot about robberies and petty crime. She writes of the death of "Mrs. Taliaferro" and says that "Mr Taliaferro" is very upset but only time and prayer will heal him. She says she is watching closely to keep worms away from the pine tree. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Craghead both brought her some food from their garden but she gave some of it to Sallye. She tells her children that it is getting darker earlier so they should remind Angela to be careful. She also reminds them that Virginia is dealing…

GLC09587.324

22 October 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children that the weather has been lovely and that "Rev. Jay" has been serving as Roanoke's first black mayor. She mentions the recent funeral of a local florist and her recent missionary group meeting. She says that Diane went on a trip to Maine and would send pictures and that Virginia had been in the hopsital. Cordelia says her garden is still pretty, but the soon frost will come and she'll have to content herself with making afghans. The Zetas are organizing an auxilliary and though she served for them 25 or 30 years ago "they are better known as friends."

GLC09587.325

29 October 1975

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1889-1978

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Children

Cordelia Williams writes to her children that she is happy "that the children can go to school in daylight" and the weather has been warm. She thinks that world is a mess after listening to the news and that they should just ask God to take care of them. She congratulates Andrea on her good report and asks if Angela's has come in yet. She writes about the garden club show and says she will enclose some clippings (not enclosed). She ends by telling them that "Taylor was unanimously elected mayor by "Council."

GLC09587.326