Checklist of documents in the collection Watts Letters at the Historical Society of Western Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia. To consult these documents, go to http://www.vahistorymuseum.org/ and click on “Visit HMWV's Virtual Collection!” The documents can be found by a keyword search, or by catalog number using “Click and Search”. For more information on this collection and on accessing the documents, see my page “Virtual Collections at the Historical Society of Western Virginia” at the right.
catalog #
date
abstract
2007.32.101
May 18, 1855
Letter from Edward Watts, at his residence at Oaklands in Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son William Watts, at Beaverdam in Botetourt County, Virginia, residence of the family of his wife Mary Jane (Allen) Watts; he expresses his alarm about the news of her failing health after giving birth to their son, John Allen Watts, and indicates his intention of going to Beaverdam with other members of the Watts family
2007.32.102
June 1, 1855
Letter from Edward Watts, at his residence at Oaklands in Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son William Watts at Beaverdam in Botetourt County, Virginia, residence of the family of his just deceased wife Mary Jane (Allen) Watts, sending condolences on hearing the news of her death
2007.32.103
June 3, 1855
Letter from William Watts Gwathmey in Richmond, Virginia, to his cousin William Watts at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, expressing condolences for the death of his wife, Mary Jane (Allen) Watts
2007.32.103
I am still suffering very much and am unfitted for business at times, consequently I am now working as much as possible so as to leave at the earliest possible moment. With my best love to one and all at Oaklands, I am yr frd and cousin, Wm W. Gwathmey
2007.32.104
August 8, 1855
Letter from Peter Saunders, at his residence at Bleak Hill in Franklin County, Virginia, to his cousin William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, reporting that he has taken measures to resolve several business matters at William’s request, mainly involving debts
2007.32.105
October 13, 1855
Letter from James Breckinridge Gamble, in New York City, to his uncle and father-in-law Edward Watts at his residence at Oaklands, in Roanoke County, Virginia, concerning a carriage which James had ordered for his uncle and had shipped, with some incidental news of the family
2007.32.105
Ren would join me in love to Mother, the girls, Wm and yourself if she knew I was writing. She, Cora and Louis are well. The latter we place at school 1st Nov. Your affect. Nephew, James B. Gamble
2007.32.106
November 17, 1855
Letter from Peter Saunders, at his residence at Bleak Hill in Franklin County, Virginia, to his cousin William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, asking about the possibility of a loan for a friend and relative, Dr. William Hairston
2007.32.107
November 3, 1856
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston, at his residence in Abingdon, Virginia, to his first wife’s brother, William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, apologizing for not having stopped by Oaklands on his return to Abingdon, and explaining the commitments that prevented his visit
2007.32.108
November 14, 1856
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston, at Norvell House, Lynchburg, Virginia, to his first wife’s brother, William Watts, at his residence in Roanoke County, Virginia, trying to arrange a meeting
2007.32.109
November 26, 1856
Letter from James Philemon Holcombe, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his brother-in-law William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, accepting his offer to endorse a loan, discussing his concerns and plans regarding his son's education, and sending bits of news about his family and his situation
2007.32.110
December 13-15, 1856
Deed between Edward Watts and Elizabeth (Breckinridge) Watts, transferring a piece of property to their son William Watts and their son-in-law James Philemon Holcombe as trustees, to be managed by the trustees for the benefit of their daughter Letitia Gamble (Watts) Rives
2007.32.111
May 9, 1857
Letter from James Philemon Holcombe at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his brother-in-law William Watts, at his home in Roanoke County, Virginia, expressing regret over his inability to go to Richmond to support William's recently widowed sister Alice (Watts) Morris, and also notifying William that he had drawn on a credit William had provided him
2007.32.112
June 17, 1857
Letter from William Ballard Preston at his residence at Smithfield, Montgomery County, Virginia, to William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, concerning a request for a loan
2007.32.113
July 17, 1857
Letter from William Ballard Preston at his residence at Smithfield, Montgomery County, Virginia, to William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, concerning a request for a loan which is no longer needed, and his plans for departure to France
2007.32.114
September 24, 1857
Letter from Robert Clotworthy Allen in Liberty, Virginia, to his cousin-by-mariage William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, asking about the possibility of forming a legal partnership
2007.32.114
In either case, if your business will permit, will you at as early date as possible, favour me with a reply to my embarrassing query. Allowing me to thank you for the invitation received through the Col, I remain in haste, Respectfully, Robt. C. Allen
2007.32.115
October 22, 1857
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston at his business near Saltville, Virginia, to his first wife’s brother (and second wife’s cousin) William Watts in Roanoke County, Virginia, describing an impending financial problem with a customer and asking William's legal advice, giving news of his own recent ill health, and discussing a larger financial crisis involving bank failures and oppressive taxes, in the hope that William will take the facts into consideration at his bank
2007.32.116
November 5, 1857
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston at his place of business in Saltville, Virginia, to his first wife’s brother (and second wife’s cousin) William Watts at his residence in Roanoke County, Virginia, describing his financial difficulties because his debtors cannot pay while his creditors are pursuing him, and asking for help; also sending some news of the family
2007.32.117
November 8, 1857
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston, at his place of business in Saltville, Virginia, to his first wife’s brother (and second wife’s cousin) William Watts at his residence in Roanoke County, Virginia, describing his financial problems, his problems with members of the board of his company, including his cousin William Ballard Preston, and his need for a loan, which he hopes the addressee's bank will provide; he also gives his planned itinerary for the next few days, and a bit of family news
2007.32.118
November 12, 1857
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston, at his place of business in Saltville, Virginia, to his first wife’s brother (and second wife’s cousin) William Watts at his residence in Roanoke County, Virginia, thanking him for his reply to earlier letters requesting a loan, and offering to stop on his return from Lynchburg, Virginia, if necessary for business, but regretting the lack of time to pay a social visit
2007.32.119
February 21, 1859
Letter from Peter Saunders at his residence at Bleak Hill in Franklin County, Virginia, to his cousin, William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands in Roanoke County, Virginia, reporting on progress in collecting a debt and sending a check for partial repayment, and sending some news of his family
2007.32.119
condition. We have had no intelligence either directly or indirectly from Oaklands for some time, but hope that you are all in usual health. Betty desires to be joined with me in love to all. Your attached cousin, Peter Saunders Jr. To William Watts Esqr
2007.32.120
December 1843; August 1859
Newspaper clippings relating to Edward Watts
2007.32.121
After 1870
Biographical sketch of General Edward Watts by Dr. R. M. Wiley, giving his family background, a summary of his education, his career in politics and the law, his retirement, with a long tribute to his character. This clipping is apparently from the Congressional Record, and is identical to 2007.32.122, which is apparently from the [Richmond] Times-Register
2007.32.122
After 1870
Biographical sketch of General Edward Watts by Dr. R. M. Wiley, giving his family background, a summary of his education, his career in politics and the law, his retirement, with a long tribute to his character. This clipping is apparently from the [Richmond] Times-Register, and is identical to 2007.32.121, which is apparently from the Congressional Record
2007.32.123
August 10, 1859
Funeral notice of General Edward Watts, hand written on a card through which is woven a piece of black cloth.
 |
| 2007.32.123: Funeral invitation for Edward Watts |
The funeral of Genl Edward Watts will take place from his late residence at 11 O.C. A.M. on Thursday 11th inst. Augt 10th 1859.
2007.32.124
August 1859
Death notice and obituary for General Edward Watts, in a black border, containing an abridged version of the biographical sketch in 2007.32.121 and 2007.32.122
2007.32.125
December 14, 1859
Letter from William Ballard Preston to William Watts, mainly concerning Preston’s desire to hire an overseer, but including comments on Union meetings in the North, including a speech by Edward Everett
To be continued.
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