Found 5 collections related to Letters (correspondence)

Oscar Micheaux (1884-1951) was a prominent African American author of the early 20th century, and more notably the first African American filmmaker. The Oscar Micheaux papers consist of professional correspondence, financial records, handwritten scenarios and typed dialogues for his films, galleys and proofs of published work. Additonally, there are ephemeral items, clippings, prospectuses, and other forms of advertising for his works. less

The Butler family papers relate to two Pennsylvania families: the Butlers of Washington County, specifically, William N. Butler, a graduate of Geneva College and a practicing lawyer, and his son William F. Butler, a graduate of Geneva College and Howard University Law School; and the Carters of Beaver County. The elder Butler worked as recording secretary of the Civilian Defense Department, and he was a probation officer for the Beaver County courts. In 1964 and 1969, he was appointed to the Probation and Parole Board and was designated its acting chairman in 1974. Butler died in 1977. The Butler family papers include letters written by William N. Butler to his son, William F., while the latter was a student at Howard Law School, 1930-1931. Many of these Depression-era letters discuss the loss of jobs and bank closures in the family's hometown of Washington, Pennsylvania, as well as his own financial difficulties; Butler, Sr., gives advice to his son as well as relates family news. A file containing letters to William F. Butler signed "Aunty" speak of family matters. Additionally, the collection contains a notebook of a clergyman named Peters from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, with notes taken from the Bible, 1847. Printed material includes ephemera (1917-1920) and news clippings (1954-1996) related to the Butler and Carter families. less

The Berry family collection consists of seven pieces of correspondence, apparently written by members of the Berry family, dating from 1863 to 1918, and spanning three states and Europe. There is also one typescript entitled "My Bit in the World War or the Story of 2921486." The correspondence begins with James Tate in West Point Georgia, although his wife and children appear to be in Mobile, Georgia, or Alabama. The other writers appear to be his wife, son, and nephew, although their relationship to Tate is not indicated. The documents cover important periods and topics in African-American history. James Tate's letter, written in 1863, expresses the anguish and difficulties African Americans faced with trying to establish and maintain a family while enslaved. A letter dated June 20, 1868 documents the role of a Black church as "post office;" the writer indicates mail for him and news for other people in town can be sent care of the church pastor. The letter from Olivia Tate dated July 28, 1887 describes her excitement at the possibility of a "Great Colored National Fair" in Georgia to exhibit the "arts, mechanics and productions of colored people throughout the union." Both of the letters written by Henry S. Berry during World War I, in 1918, tell of his experience in the Army's Medical Unit, 331st Labor Bureau. He expresses his pride in being a soldier and tells how the army built character. The autobiographical typescript, "My Bit in the World War, or the Story of 2921486," is twenty-five pages long and follows Berry, a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, from the receipt of the telegram calling him to duty to being one of fifty men chosen for the Army Medical Department, through war torn France. The typescript seems not to have been finished. Throughout this piece as well, is the theme of pride in being a good soldier. less