Stuart, Litchfield, and Bolling Families of Virginia, Collection of Letters, Ca 1870-1930s 

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  Stuart, Litchfield, and Bolling Families of Virginia, Collection of Letters, Ca 1870-1930s 
  
  Archive of letters, documents, checks, and autographs from the Stuart & Litchfield family [CSA Genl. J.E.B. Stuart’s immediate and extended family] extending, through marriage, to the Bolling family [1st Lady Edith Bolling Wilson family]. Items date mostly from 1870s to 1930s period, some earlier. The primary family line for these letters is the Litchfield family. While we found no J.E.B. Stuart signed items, there are a few autographs of some CSA Generals and other officers. Lt. George V. Litchfield, Jr. (1837-1903) and his brother, Capt. Connally Trigg Litchfield (1829-1909) are referenced throughout the collection. Their father, George V. Litchfield, Sr., was a slaveholder who served on the Board of Visitors of Emory and Henry College. Their grandfather was William King, Sr., who discovered and developed the great salt works of Washington and Smyth counties Virginia. During the Civil War George, Jr. served as 1st Lt., Co. D, 1st VA Cavalry, C.S.A.. [J.E.B. Stuart’s Cavalry]. He was wounded twice. In 1867 he married Elizabeth “Lizzie” P. Peirce, the niece of Genl. Stuart (her mother was Anne Dabney “Nancy” Stuart Peirce (1818-46), the general’s older sister). Post war George Jr. was a farmer, manufacturer, and Mayor of Abingdon, VA. George Jr. and Lizzie had 5 children that reached adulthood: Annie Stuart Litchfield (who married Rolfe Bolling, the brother of U.S. First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson), Elizabeth “Lizzie” Pierce Litchfield, Mary Litchfield, Dr. George Victor Litchfield, III, and Belle Pierce Litchfield. Captain Connally Trigg Litchfield began the war as a sergeant in Co. L, 1st VA Cavalry, and participated in the battle of First Manassas. From 1862 until the Appomattox surrender he was Captain of Company L. He was in all the cavalry fights and campaigns under Generals J.E.B. Stuart, Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee. He was wounded in the arm at Shepherdstown, and in the face at Brandy Station by a 42-caliber ball, which he unknowingly carried in his head until 1897 when, to his shock, it fell out of his mouth (he lost eyesight in one eye from a chronic, unexplained sinus infection. Mystery solved). At Appomattox Court House he was among General Rosser’s men who led a daring morning charge and subsequently rode away from the field with Rosser to avoid surrendering. After working briefly in Lynchburg after the war he returned to Abingdon. Summarized, in part, the archive includes:
  
  1878 ALS, Staunton, VA, by Flora Stuart (widow of Genl. J.E.B Stuart) to Lizzie [Mrs. Geo. V. Litchfield] “… Virginia [J.E.B. Stuart’s daughter and Lizzie’s cousin] is quite sick… confined to her room 3 days… I feared ulceration or diphtheria, but… it passed off… we live plainly but well… I heard recently that [Genl.] Joe Johnson had returned from W(est) P(oint). What was the trouble? Let me hear. Jimmy is so anxious to go, but even if General P__ gave him the appointment I fear for him. There seems to be a fatality attending the boys from that District… How is Henry Preston? I feared from what I saw in the papers that his recovery was doubtful. His death would be very sad… write to me again Lizzie- and give me all the family news… Love to all. V(irginia) sends love & thanks… Write soon- Flora Stuart.”; 2 ALSs by Henry C. Stuart (Governor VA, nephew of J.E.B. Stuart), sends money to Geo. V. Litchfield, but wants to remain anonymous, the other letter on Stuart Land & Cattle Co., Saltville. Includes an additional long letter with a proxy sig.; 1888 & 1891 ALSs by William A. Stuart (older brother of J.E.B. Stuart, who supported J.E.B.s family after his death, father of Gov. Henry C. Stuart)— first ltr is to niece Lizzie Litchfield re his sister Mary’s failing health & to give her opiates as doctor suggests [Mary Tucker Stuart Headen died two weeks later]; second ltr to George V. Litchfield, re business transaction and congratulating him for becoming a grandfather and “Lizzie” [his niece], for being a grandmother.; 1893 ALS, Abington, VA by Lafayette Washington to D.S. Peirce (nephew of J.E.B. Stuart); ALS, John G. Brown [Sgt. Co. B 45th VA Inf., VA Delegate] to G. V. Litchfield; 1895 ALS, Paul C. Landrum [1st VA Cav.]; 2 ALSs, 1887 & 1888, Nashville, by Virginia Smith [great-niece of J.E.B. Stuart, niece of George & Connally] 1st ltr to uncle Geo. V. Litchfield re Organ at Abingdon & whether Major Jones will accept position at Emory & Henry or Mississippi & 2nd ltr to aunt Lizzie (Mrs. George V. Litchfield) re little Flora’s death; 1898 ALS, Emory, VA, Oscar Littleton; 4 ALSs by Wm. H. Mitchell, [VMI Grad, Litchfield cousin, watched Abingdon, VA burn in 1864] to Connally T. Litchfield (one with cover “C(ourtesy) Genl. Fitzhugh Lee) on East Tennessee, VA, and Georgia RR Lthd-- “Dear Cousin… you have a lucrative position in Lynchburg… if you hear of a vacancy….”; ALS by George C. Hickman, Springfield, MO, to uncle Connally asking him to come out.; ALS, Wilbur L. Litchfield seeking info on Connally T. Litchfield “who attended West Point briefly from 1849-50.”; 1898 ALS to Connally by Q. A. Tipton, Jr. Knoxville, TN. “Reliance Coal and Coke Co. , re business. [Cpl. Tipton, Co. C.,15th Consolidated TN Cavalry CSA]; 1895 ALS to Capt. Litchfield (care Genl. Fitzhugh Lee) by D.T. Webb re: rent on Litchfield’s house; 1894 Invite to Connally to wedding of Margaret Towse & Lt. Cmmdr John Allan Doughberly- [nephew]; 1895 ALS, To Connally by John Wingfield re having written Genl. Lee. “when you see Genl. Lee ascertain just what the situation is, and if possible secure the appointment for me...”; Certificate appointing Connally a Deputy Collector U.S. Int. Rev. 6th District VA. under Fitzhugh Lee, Collector.; 1891 printed (in script) circular letter to Connally by the Veteran Cavalry Assoc., asking him to be an agent in his county to collect funds for the erection of an equestrian statue of Genl. J.E.B. Stuart in Richmond, by C. A. Taylor, Secretary [Fitzhugh Lee listed as President]; 1905 ALS- Treasurers Office to Connally by D. C. Zollickoffer re application; 1901 ALS, w/ FF Env., by U.S. Senator John W. Daniel [aka “The Lame Lion of Lynchburg” Major on Gen. Jubal Early’s staff, seriously maimed at Battle Wilderness] to Connally re letter on behalf of a Mr. Webb for Postmaster at Abingdon; ALS & TLS, 1915, by Ann Mason Lee (Niece CSA Genl. Fitzhugh Lee, Grandniece Genl. Robt. E. Lee, G-G Grandaughter George Mason of Gunston Hall) re family news, William back from Panama, workmen, etc.; 1904 ALS from Mary to her brother, Dr. George V. Litchfield re cousin Harry’s Estate, etc.; 1874 ALS Baltimore, by Dr. Francis a. McManus [murdered in California in 1915]; Wedding Invite for daughter of Frank. S. Robertson (son of Governor Wyndham Robertson, Lt. on staff of J.E.B. Stuart at Harpers Ferry during John Brown Raid, currier btw Jackson and Stuart at Chancellorsville, on W.H.F. Lee staff at Gettysburg, brother-in-law of Lt. Col. William W. Blackford, ADC of J.E.B. Stuart.); ALS, 1886, David Stuart Peirce (nephew Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, VMI Cadet at Battle of New Market) re his religious conversion, defending Peirce Crockett, going to visit Aunt Flora (J.E.B. Stuart’s widow), etc.; 1895 ALS by Paul C. Landrum [Mayor Saltville, 1st VA Calvary CSA] to George V. Litchfield re business deal, mentions Zollicoffer, Boswell & Gathright leases.; 1895 ALS by John G. Brown [Sgt Co. B 45th VA Inf, CSA, Cashier Bank Wytheville] to G. V. Litchfield; ALS, Lois Stuart to Alex. Stuart, Glade Spring, VA, infirmary, ill.; 1894 TLS, Judge Archibald A. Campbell [husband of Susan Lee Stuart- nice of J.E.B Stuart] to Alex Stuart; 1904 ALS by David Lowry (Sgt. 1`st VA Cavalry & color bearer who concealed their flag at Appomattox to avoid its being captured, it being one of the few un-captured Confederate flags. Now in museum] to Alex Stuart; 1877 ANS postcard to G.V. Litchfield by Charles Tefler (Lt. Co. D. 13th TN Cavalry CSA) re business; 1877 ALS to G.V. Litchfield by Roderick R. Butler [CSA Lt. Col. Tennessee, US Congress, Judge] re land deal & taxes; 1895 TLS, to G. V. Litchfield by [Colonel] George W. Palmer; 2 TLSs, 1930, William A. Stuart (nephew Govr. Henry C. Stuart, grand-nephew J.E.B. Stuart) to cousin Mary Litchfield re business; 1896 ANs, Frank Simpson Blair (Attorney General Virginia, Lt. Col. 60th TN Vols, CSA) to G.V. Litchfield re $40 note.; 1888 ALS by Arthur P. Wilmer, a Virginia author, to Mrs. [Lizzie] G.V. Litchfield [J.E.B. Stuart niece] re sympathy for death of her child; Similar ALS to Lizzie from cousin Lizzie P. Thomas; 1882 ALS by Lizzie Litchfield (J.E.B. Stuart niece) to Connolly (brother-in-law).
  
  Re family news.; 4 ALSs, Elizabeth “Bettie” K.H. Litchfield (1831-1911) [Sister of George & Connally. Missionary in China with husband Wm. G. E. Cunnygham. Daughter Virginia Litchfield Smith born in China 1857] 1st ltr to brother Trigg re Mission Board debt, family news, 2nd ltr to sister Sue M. Litchfield (i.e., Mrs. John B. Cosby) re their sister Mary, if she outlives them, who will take care of her, suggests all the siblings (Connolly, Trigg, etc.) give up their right to any inheritance to make provision for her, 3rd ltr to Mary Litchfield re death of Connally, and 4th ltr to Lizzie consoling her on the death of Belle.; ALS by James. F. Sutton (Pvt. Co. F. 40th VA Inf, CSA) re sending wool; 1902 DS, D. Q. Eggleston (Secretary of Commonwealth) to Alex. Stuart, Jr.; 1889 ALS, Martins Station, VA by James Vaughn to G. V. Litchfield re drought, cattle doing badly, sold 150 head to Liverpool, only getting 4 cents per pound, says hold off selling fat cattle and stock cattle… Mr. Stuart’s last shipment of cattle in Liverpool went unsold.…”; Group of agricultural advertising letters to Alex Stuart [J.E.B. Stuart’s brother]; Appx. 12 ALSs by Annie Stuart Litchfield Bolling (great niece of J.E.B. Stuart and sister-in-law of US First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson, married to Edith’s brother, Rolfe Bolling). Includes (1) 1900 ALS as Annie Stuart Litchfield Magill (before marriage to Bolling) to brother George V. Litchfield re visit; (2) as Annie Bolling to Mary Litchfield about estate matters, (3) 1930 ALS re seeing Lizzie off on a voyage to Havana, (4) ALS re husband “Rolfe was able to go to the bank this week, but still coughs a great deal….”, (5) 1933 ALS to Mary Litchfield, re plans “Rolfe & I wish you would come here with us… my mind is disturbed. I can’t seem to remember anything… Rolfe is kept busy at the bank & is still gathering in new accounts... Congress determined to stay in session & meddle in to the London conference. I am entirely disgusted with our Senators. We have no idea what plans E[dith] has except to take the trip to camp… of course Rolfe & I feel desperate & helpless;,(6) 1930 ALS re family business “… I will get Rolfe to put the deed in his safety deposit box… Rolfe and I felt she ought to keep, in case of illness… that she already stood to lose by Alex…. Rolfe in bed since last Sunday with a bronchial cold….”, (7) 1930 ALS similar to above, “…I have no right to spend money in pleasure and let Rolfe pay it. He has obligations of his own… Rolfe wrote again to go to Panama…”, (8) 1930 ALS “… still improving and Rolfe all right, except for a little cold … Dr. R. told him to stay in yesterday & today, but will return to his post tomorrow… I got the “Jeb Stuart” biography… I can get the biography… for $3.50…”; (9) ALS re bank business and Rolfe’s cough continuing to bother him. Dr. Ruffin has been there and Rolfe still has the grippe; (10) 1930 ALS re Rolfe’s health, deftly avoiding an invitation, Cousin Henry’s “bombshell”, finances, “… I cannot consider having Rolfe pay any part of Alex’s indebtedness if I can manage otherwise… he always paid the taxes on my part… we can keep the deed in Rolfe’s safety deposit box, where your bonds are kept….”, (11) 1934 ALS to sister Mary “… had a… cordial note from the President, thanking me for my birthday greeting! As he had announced over the radio that he would be unable to write to the thousands of well-wishers, I certainly did not expect this honor. I told Rolfe that my relatives might not care to give me a personal introduction to the Roosevelts, but I had ways of reaching the President! He has added much to my happiness and… self-importance… I started out to pay cabinet calls Wednesday & was picked up by Mrs. Conger (who was piloting Mrs. Schley, wife of Governor of Canal Zone)…we have no direct word as to the situation in Panama, but the papers told of three prominent citizens being arrested… they manipulated a narcotic ring. The air mail scandals have filled the papers & today the President has cancelled all contracts, except those for foreign mail & will turn over the work to the Army planes for the present. McCalkens has defied the Senate order to appear for trial…“, (12) ALS “… had a letter from Flora Stuart this morning, actually answering one I wrote her! She must have been quite sick. She said her condition had been serious from dangerous anemia & she had had to give up her position- is better now, but still under treatment- has a woman doctor. Dr. Boughman… Rolfe joins in lots of love…; ALS, 1893, Wytheville, VA. by Sally W. Bolling (mother-in-law President Woodrow Wilson) to Geo. V. Litchfield re his wife’s death (his wife, Lizzie, was a niece of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart); 3 TLSs, 1930, by William A. Stuart (nephew Govr. Henry C/ Stuart and grandnephew of Genl. J.E.B. Stuart) to cousin Annie [sister-in-law to First Lady Wilson] re cousin Annie & family business affairs; 1902 ALS by Elizabeth Bolling to aunt “Isshie” Litchfield (Elizabeth Bolling (1891-1923) was the niece of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson & daughter of Annie Stuart Litchfield and Rolfe E. Bolling) re bringing baby and Alex to visit. Included is an ALS from Lizzie to her brother, Dr. George V. Litchfield, mentioning Elizabeth, that Mrs. Bolling and baby are at Buena Vista. She and cousin Flora [J.E.B. Stuart’s wife?] don’t seem to hit it off too well. Little Bolling is the most splendid child I ever saw… She encloses the letter from Elizabeth Bolling. Wants cousin Flora to come up for Thanksgiving; 1930 ALS from Lizzie to Mary… re an Oscar Seagle concert…I gave Edith’s [First Lady Wilson] name and they are on tip toe of hope that she will attend… concert will be in the Chinese room of the Mayflower… I gave Edith, Randolph, Mr. & Mrs. Galt & Bolling, Annie & Brother, Rolfe, cousin Ed… all who seemed most pleasing to Mrs. King Smith… X-Rays of Annie’s abdomen… Dr. told her to take codeine… has lost weight and is very much weakened… of course she is nervous and querulous and brother Rolfe has a pretty wearing time too… glad to see John Flanagan did so well in the 9th… All of the house mothers are Southern women and Democrats, but Miss Elliott is a Republican- we do not discuss politics much and never acidly…[more family news]… Governor Manning (SC) found that only S.C. men were to be employed, and the places were all filled, but W.T. had not been notified… Mr. Carson is going to arrange for the school to go to the President’s camp next week…. and Edith [Wilson] has accepted her invitation to the concert….”; 1916 ALS, Fort Totten, NY, 58th Coast Artillery, by Capt. George V. Litchfield, III (1877-1922- son of George V. Litchfield, Jr.., Great Nephew J.E.B. Stuart, physician. During WW1 he volunteered in the AEF (although over age) and trained Red Cross nurses before serving 2 years in France operating on the wounded)-- describes base, that he went to dinner and then a show in NYC with Rolfe [Bolling] & Annie; 1919 ALS, by Lizzie Stuart (wife Alexander Stuart), re death of uncle Abram Trigg Litchfield, whether their side of family left out of will (a family fight brewing—), extended family news “cousin Kate says Bolling is dreadfully dissatisfied and has written to the Secretary of War asking for his release—stating that he offered his services to his country in her hour of need—that she does not need him now and his place is at home, that his son is ready to go to college and he cannot send him with his present salary, etc. Cousin Flora said Bolling had been very badly treated by his C.O.- had written to Waller to now if there was anything he could do about it… “he and his Colonel did not get on” and he had not gotten his promotion, for which he thought his Colonel Responsible. He is still 1st Lt…”; 1934 ALS, Texas, from “Bell” (possibly Gertrude Bolling Galt) to Rolfe Bolling, informing that Mary told her that “Willie” has slipped away peacefully… that he is such a loving and generous brother to them all, etc. Then goes into financial affairs, money problems, etc. [William Armstrong Bolling (1867-1934) was an older brother of First Lady Edith Wilson. The lot includes other misc. letters, documents, including a few WW1 letters from a man in Capt. G.V. Litchfield III’s Company [AEF in France], advertising letters, etc. A group of 23 signed checks with rev. stamps by Alexander Stuart (nephew J.E.B. Stuart, brother Govr. Henry C. Stuart), group of appx. 75 checks (1870s-80s, most with printed U.S. Revenues) signed by George V. Litchfield, Jr..; VA Bureau of Immigration circular w/ to W. A. Stuart & Litchfield , filled in for land in Johnson TN. Silk campaign ribbon, “Fitz Lee—Massey—Ayers” picturing Genl. Fitzhugh Lee in uniform (probably for his Gubernatorial campaign), an 1845 document assigning a lease to Isaac R. Trimble; an 1870 stock certificate from the Virginia & Tennessee RR Co., signed William Mahone as President (CSA Cavalry Genl.)- piece missing from left side, but signatures intact, an 1849 Mississippi legal docket slip entirely written and signed “Martin” by Wm. T. Martin (CSA Cavalry Maj. Genl. w/ J.E.B. Stuart and Genl. Wheeler); a sgd card by Henry Watterson (Chief of Scouts under Genl. Johnston, CSA); and signatures by John E. Cooke (Capt. CSA, on staff of J.E.B. Stuart, cousin of Flora Stuart, J.E.B’s wife), Jacob Thompson (Inspector General CSA, US Sec. Interior), Ben Fitzpatrick (Govr. Georgia, US Senate, Vice President running mate of Stephen Douglas), Charles James Faulkner (US Minister to France- recalled & arrested by Lincoln for attempts to influence Louis Napoleon to sympathize with the South, Asst. Adjt. Genl. On staff of Stonewall Jackson), J. M. Mason (Pres. Pro Tem US Senate, CSA Cmmsr. to U.K. resulting in Mason/Slidell Affair), A.O. P. Nicholson (USS Tenn, expelled from US Senate for Southern views, Chief Justice TN Sup. Ct.), John Smith Young (Lt. Col. 5th LA Cavalry, CSA), and a couple of others not identified. 
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