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”.
catalog #
date
abstract
2007.32.151
March 15, 1868
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at school in Charlottesville, Virginia, praising him for continued improvement in his schoolwork and sending bits of news of the family and the farm
2007.32.152
May 10, 1868
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at school in Charlottesville, Virginia, scolding him for poor grades in his schoolwork and deportment, and for trying to hide the fact, and sending bits of news of the family and the farm
2007.32.153
May 27, 1868
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at school in Charlottesville, Virginia, commenting on his improved report card and giving news of the farm and family visitors
2007.32.154
June 20, 1868
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at school in Charlottesville, Virginia, sending money and a train ticket for his return home, with some step-cousins from the Robertson family, and giving a little news of the farm and family
2007.32.155
November 25, 1868
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at school in Charlottesville, Virginia, apologizing for not writing but also scolding his son for not writing and urging him to study, sending lots of news about the farm, crops, horses, poultry, neighbors, and relatives, urging his son to bring friends home for Christmas, and including a bit of news about the railroad at the end
2007.32.156
December 15, 1868
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at school in Charlottesville, Virginia, making plans for his return home for the Christmas holidays with several cousins
2007.32.157
May 17, 1866
United States Internal Revenue income tax receipt to William Watts for the year 1864, listing taxable income of $2486.00 and five taxable articles, with a total tax paid of $146.40
2007.32.158
September 3, 1872
Letter from William Watts, at Warm Springs, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at home near Big Lick (Roanoke), Virginia, denying his request not to return to Bellevue School and preaching about the importance of education
2007.32.159
September 7, 1872
Letter from William Watts, at Warm Springs, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, at home near Big Lick (Roanoke), Virginia, refuting his objection to attending the school run by his uncle, James Philemon Holcombe, and urging him to associate more intimately with the Holcombe family, and ending with some news about his own plans to return home and the other guests at Warm Springs
2007.32.160
July 5, 1873
Letter from William Gordon Robertson at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his step-cousin John Allen Watts at his home at Oaklands in Roanoke County, Virginia, regretting that he will not be able to visit in the summer, giving news of friends in Charlottesville, discussing social life and plans for the coming year, and reporting on the ill health of James Philemon Holcombe
2007.32.160
Coln. Carr came down to day and went immediately out in the country to see some of his fond relations. I remain with thanks for your kindness, Your affectionate friend, Wm G. Robertson
2007.32.161
December 7, 1873
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, lecturing him about the loss of some money but sending some more, sending his report card with exhortations to work harder, and ending with a few bits of news of the farm
2007.32.162
December 24, 1873
Report of the Scholarship and Attendance of John Allen Watts at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia,, showing passing grades in eight subjects, with a note from William Watts to John Allen Watts on the back
2007.32.162
William & Mary College report on John Allen Watts
2007.32.163
February 12, 1874
Letter from William Watts at his home at Oaklands in Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia,, sending money for board, commenting on his plan to stop studying Greek, and approving his friendship with James Lynos Taliaferro, son of General William Booth Taliaferro
2007.32.164
January 6, 1904
Letter from Eppa Hunton in Richmond, Virginia, to Gertrude (Lee) Watts, in Roanoke, Virginia, expressing condolences on the death of her husband, John Allen Watts
2007.32.165
February 28, 1874
Letter from Letitia Gamble (Watts) Sorrel at the Watts family home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to her nephew John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia,, urging him to work hard and giving news of her health, the weather, and the poor situation of the writer's sister Anne (Watts) Holcombe, whose husband James Philemon Holcombe had died leaving large debts
2007.32.166
May 20, 1874
Letter from William Watts at home at Oaklands in Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College, in Williamsburg, Virginia, asking about a draft for $50 he had recently sent and sending news of the Sorrels and of the horses
2007.32.167
January 30, 1904
Letter from Eppa Hunton from his law office in Richmond, Virginia, to Gertrude Lee Watts, widow of his friend John Allen Watts, in Roanoke, Virginia, thanking her for a picture and promising to send her one, inviting her to visit him, and expressing sympathy for the recent death of her husband
2007.32.167
It is very hard for me to realize that dear Allen has gone. I have seen so little of him recently. I have certainly lost one of the dearest friends I ever had. With a great deal of love, Your true friend, Eppa Hunton Jr
2007.32.168
June 18, 1874
Letter from Beverley Bland Munford at Amsterdam, Virginia, to John Allen Watts, probably at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, describing in detail the commencement exercises at Fincastle High School, and his plans to attend commencements at Roanoke College and at Hollins Institute, an invitation to study law with Judge J. D. Coles in Pittsylvania County, and other news from Fincastle
2007.32.168
I noticed she had ten young ladies for her pall bearers. Repeating the hope that we may meet soon. I remain yours truly, Beverley Bland Munford
2007.32.169
June 20, 1874
Letter from William Gordon Robertson, a student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to his stepmother’s nephew, John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, discussing summer plans, their own recent activities, and those of several friends
2007.32.170
June 24, 1874
Letter from Thomas Lewis Preston at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his brother-in-law William Watts at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, sending advice about using salt to eradicate weeds, and other methods for killing ox eye, with a brief mention of the law case involving the Saltworks
2007.32.171
December 1, 1874
Letter from Letitia Gamble (Watts) Sorrel at home in Roanoke County, Virginia, to her nephew, John Allen Watts, at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, giving news of home and family, slaughtering hogs, making sausage, few visitors, work ceasing on the Valley Rail Road
2007.32.172
April 10, 1875
Letter from William Watts, at his residence at Oaklands, in Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, giving news of home, the writer's occupation with preparing important papers, a circuit court session, his solitude and reading, his hopes for his son, the good wheat crop, an ailing horse, a neighbor's new son, and a local religious excitement
2007.32.173
April 16, 1875
Letter from William Watts, at his home at Oaklands, in Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, agreeing to send a book, offering advice on public speaking, giving a few bits of news from home, and announcing a plan to go to Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, on business
2007.32.174
March 11, 1876
Letter from Francis M. Sorrel at the Watts family residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his wife's nephew, John Allen Watts, a student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, giving news and gossip about many friends and neighbors, especially about plans to build a new Saint John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia
2007.32.174
Please present my regards to your friend Mr Maverick, and to George and Gordon: and believe me, dear Allen, always Very truly yrs, F. Sorrel. [To] Mr J. A. Watts
2007.32.175
June 9, 1875
Letter from William Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, sending money with a comment on economy, clarifying his recent criticism of his son's report, and sending news of the neighborhood
2007.32.176
June 13, 1875
Letter from William Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, expressing concern about his son's health following an attack of chills, and urging him to come home if there is a recurrence, and also inquiring about the bank draft he sent in a previous letter
2007.32.177
June 26, 1875
Letter from William Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, to his son John Allen Watts, a student at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, mainly concerning arrangements for a friend, Pears Harrison, to find a job on the railroad, with some discussion of the addressee's plans for the summer and some news of the family
2007.32.178
July 16, 1875
Letter from George Watts Morris at his family's residence in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his cousin John Allen Watts, at his family's residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, discussing plans for visits in the summer, and their sweethearts and friends
2007.32.178
You must prepare yourself to go to the Blue Ridge Springs with me frequently this summer, I will introduce you to the sweetest girl in Creation and the fact of your being my Cousin will give you favor in her eyes. Come to meet me Tuesday. Your true Friend, Geo. W. Morris
2007.32.179
January 9, 1876
Letter from William Watts, in Richmond, Virginia, for a session of the state legislature, to his son John Allen Watts at the Watts family residence at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, mainly concerned with the addressee's health because of a recent attack, with some news of acquaintances in Richmond and comments on the legislature's agenda at the end
2007.32.179
These Eastern Virginia people are always croaking about their poverty and taxation and yet they are crazy to waste $10,000, in this centennial tom-foolery. With affectionate remembrances to your Aunt Letty and Dr Sorrel, I am your Father, Wm. Watts
2007.32.180
August 18, 1876
Letter from William Gordon Robertson, at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his stepmother's nephew John Allen Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, trying to make plans to attend the Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia together, complaining of boredom in Charlottesville, and describing a flattering letter from Julia (Anthony) Breckinridge
2007.32.181
August 24, 1876
Letter from William Gordon Robertson, at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, to his stepmother's nephew John Allen Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, trying to make plans to attend the Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia together, sending droll descriptions of his activities and of their friends and family
2007.32.182
June 28, 1877
Certificate from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, to John Allen Watts for passing the intermediate examination in the School of History, Literature and Rhetoric
2007.32.182
University of Virginia certificate for John Allen Watts
2007.32.183
July 6, 1877
Letter from William McCauley, clerk of the Roanoke County Court, to John Allen Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, transmitting the memorial resolution of the Roanoke County Bar following the death of the addressee's father William Watts
2007.32.184
June 1877
Resolutions of the Roanoke County Bar, Roanoke, Virginia, on the death of William Watts, praising his character and ability, and regretting his death
2007.32.185
February 4, 1878
Letter from Letitia Gamble (Watts) Sorrel, at her residence at The Barrens, in Roanoke County, Virginia, to her nephew John Allen Watts, a student at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, sending news about the Episcopal church in Roanoke County, an accident suffered by the addressee's uncle Robert Allen, neighbors and the farm, the Holcombe family trust, the Arthur Watts family of Ohio, and a petition over a tax dispute between Roanoke County and the Town of Big Lick
2007.32.186
1881
Notes for a speech to voters in Craig and Roanoke Counties in Virginia by John Allen Watts, announcing his candidacy for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, running as an independent, and outlining his position on the divisive issue of paying Virginia's debt
2007.32.187
June 27, 1878
Certificate from the University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, to John Allen Watts for passing the intermediate and final examinations in the Department of Common and Statute Law
2007.32.188
June 27, 1878
Certificate from the University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, to John Allen Watts for passing the intermediate and final examinations in the Department of Equity, Mercantile Law, Etc
2007.32.189
February 29, 1878
Letter from Malinda Langhorn, at home in Big Lick, Virginia, to John Allen Watts, at home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, asking him as the son of her former master and as the infant she had once raised, to give her some financial assistance to buy wedding clothes for her daughter Rose
2007.32.189
Big Lick, Feb the 29th 1878
My Esteemed Young Master, After reading my letter I trust you will give due consideration to the contents. Having full confidence in your kind and generous heart, I beseech of you to give me some assistance at this my time of need. I know you remember my daughter Rose who was an infant with yourself. She is to be or expects to be married the first of April. I will be more than thankful to you for some assistance if it is ever so little it will be a great help.
2007.32.190
June 25, 1874
Letter from Eppa Hunton, at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, to John Allen Watts, probably at home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, declining an invitation to go on a trip, and sending a little news of himself and friends
2007.32.191
September 23, 1873
Letter from Eppa Hunton, at home in Warrenton, Virginia, to his friend John Allen Watts, probably at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, asking about a lost letter, describing an incident where he got drunk, saying that he will leave soon for the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and hopes that the addressee will like his “out of the way place”, presumably William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia
2007.32.192
August 5, 1873
Letter from Eppa Hunton, at the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, to his friend John Allen Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, describing his drunken escapades at home and hoping to see the addressee at the springs
2007.32.193
November 21, 1877
Letter from Eppa Hunton, at home in Warrenton, Virginia, to his friend John Allen Watts, a student at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, describing his life after college, and thanking the addressee for sending news of friends and events at the university
2007.32.194
Dec. 26, 1877
Letter from Eppa Hunton, at home in Warrenton, Virginia, to his friend John Allen Watts, a student at the University of Virginia, sending Christmas greetings, describing the slow start to his law career and the dullness of the social life, and passing along a few bits of news about friends
2007.32.195
September 22, 1893
Letter from Eppa Hunton, at his law office in Warrenton, Virginia, to his friend John Allen Watts, at his home at Oaklands, Roanoke County, Virginia, praising him for his conduct trying to stop a lynch mob and expressing pleasure that he survived unharmed
2007.32.196
1880 or 1881
Fragment of a draft of a speech to voters by John Allen Watts, containing only a rather formulaic conclusion
2007.32.196
In conclusion, if it shall be my fortune to receive a majority of your votes on the 4th day of November next, it will be my aim and desire so to act as to be the exponent of the wishes interests of the people whom I have to honor to represent. I remain Gentlemen with feelings of profound consideration.
2007.32.196
Letterhead on the reverse of J. Allen Watts’s notes for a speech
2007.32.197
Unknown; between 1881 and 1906, soon after Easter
Incomplete draft of a speech by John Allen Watts, an alumnus, for William and Mary College students, invoking a romanticized view of the past as quiet, dignified and virtuous; using portraits and famous buildings of Williamsburg, Virginia, as stimulants to memory; citing a variety of literary quotations; recalling humorously the rowdy behavior of students; and leading toward a conclusion urging a revival of some of the manners of the good old days
2007.32.198
January 22, 1903
Copy of a letter from John Allen Watts, in Roanoke, Virginia, to R. H. Angel, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in Richmond, Virginia, describing the plight of crippled and destitute children in Virginia, and requesting the addressee's active support for a bill to appropriate $5000 for the Home for Incurables
2007.32.199
February 3, 1903
Copy of a letter from John Allen Watts, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Edward Lyle, a member of the Virginia State Senate in Richmond, Virginia, acknowledging his letter expressing support for the appropriation for the Home for Incurables, but insisting that he speak out on the matter
2007.32.200
September 24, 1828; February 25, 1829
Copy of the will, with codicil, of John Watts, leaving his property in Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio to his wife, children, grandchildren and nephew, and naming his sons and nephew as executors
2007.32.201
December 6, 1807
Indenture from Adam and Margaret Britz to Elisha Betts for a land purchase, with a description of the property in Botetourt County, Virginia, which once belonged to William Watts, its price, and documents attesting to the agreement of Margaret Britz who was unable to be present
2007.32.201
This Indenture made this 6th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven between Adam Britt and Margaret his wife of the one part and Elisha Betts of the other part, each party of the County of Botetourt and State of Virginia. Witnesseth that the said Adam Britts and Margaret
Conclusion of the "Watts Letters" collection; other lists to follow.
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