William Henley Nelson Family Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: AppMs-0303

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William Henley Nelson Family Papers contain correspondence, military certificates and commissions, political speeches and appointments, photo copies of Nelson's military service records, newsclippings and newspapers, essays, notes on the Nelson Family genealogy, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the military and political careers of W. H. Nelson between 1861 and 1935. The records dating after 1936 describe Nelson and St. John Family activities, their relationship to W. H. Nelson, and the literary activities of James Heaton and Pearl Nelson.

The Nelson Family Papers addition consists of correspondence, newsclippings, photographs, and Elinor Farina papers pertaining to the Nelson and St. John families.

Dates

1861-1990
1861-1936

Creator

Nelson, William Henley, 1837-1935 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The Elinor Farina Stories in Box 4, Folder 15 are closed for 15 years. The rest of the material is open for research.

Extent

1.50 linear feet

4.00 Boxes

1.00 Boxes

1.00 folder(s)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is divided into four series: Series 1, Military and Political Records, 1866-1934; Series 2, Personal and Family Correspondence, 1861-1973; Series 3, Newsclippings and Memorabilia, 1875-1910; and Series 4, Family Photographs, c. 1862-1973.

The materials in the addition were added to Series 2, Series 3, and Series 4, while Series 5 was created for the Elinor Farina Papers.

Method of Acquisition

The William Henley Nelson Family Papers were donated to the Archives of Appalachia by Elinor Farina August 27, 1987. A handwritten account of William H. Nelson's military experiences in the West following the Civil War was donated to the Archives of Appalachia by his grandson, Nelson St. John, August 20, 1989.

Accruals and Additions

The addition to the Nelson Family Papers was donated to the Archives of Appalachia in 1990, 1995, and 1996 by Elinor Farina of Johnson City.

Separated Materials

Removed from collection and filed in map cabinet by Accession No.:

1. Muster Roll for Company L of the 5th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, United States Army, February 28, 1865 (2:3).

Processing Information

Ed Speer and Scott Schwartz completed processing, and the collection was opened to researchers July 18, 1990. The addition was processed by Georgia Greer, and opened to researchers in December 1996.