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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveKori Martinolich, Kate Morris
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. Accession file contains photocopies of nine of the letters from January 16, 1888 – February 1, 1888. Use these copies for reproduction. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], L. R. Milbourne Papers, 1886 - 1906, SC 0108, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
The collection was purchased by Carrier Library in March of 1994 from Bookworm and Silverfish, Wyethville, Virginia.
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 2088 .
Lodowic Ralph Milbourne was born in Somerset, Maryland on January 18, 1855 and died in 1906. His wife Virginia Ann Strickler was born in Page County, Virginia in 1867 and died in 1948. Lodowic began his life in the Baptist church at an early age; he was the grandson and nephew of Baptist preachers on the Eastern Shore in Maryland, and he entered Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania in 1871 to prepare for the Baptist Ministry. He first preached in Newport News, Virginia, where he was ordained on July 14, 1881 and went on to organize the First Baptist Church in Newport News. In 1884 Lodowic began preaching at the Luray Baptist Church in Luray, Virginia where he remained until 1889. During his time in Luray he married Virginia Ann Strickler. While living and working in Luray, Lodowic also acted as the pastor of a new church in Marksville, (now Stanley) Virginia and helped to organize a church in Rileyville, Virginia. In addition to his pastoral duties, he contributed to missionary work across the state and was involved in the Shenandoah Association. In 1889 Lodowic returned to Maryland and worked as a pastor at churches in Rockville and Barnesville.
This collection consists of 14 items; thirteen letters from 1886 – 1888 between Lodowic Ralph Milbourne and his fiancée Virginia Ann Strickler, and small notebook belonging to Strickler that lists the wardrobe expenses for her family from 1893 – 1906 while she is traveling and attending Hollins College. All letters are from Milbourne with the exception of one response from Strickler. In many of the letters, Lodowic comments on Virginia's location; in one she is at Hollins College and in others she is traveling in Chicago, Illinois and St. Paul, Minnesota. Lodowic's commentary on Virginia's activities, particularly his disapproval at her attending the theater in Chicago, provides insight into gender relations during the time.
The letters show the workings of the Luray Baptist Church community in Luray, Virginia. Milbourne primarily discusses religious topics through his interpretation of various passages in the Bible and relates day-to-day news of his activities as a preacher in Luray and the surrounding area. Milbourne writes about strictures for a proper Christian life, sermon topics, visits to members of the town, activities of the missionary Sunbeam Society, his interactions as a preacher with various townspeople, and his upcoming marriage to Virginia. Strickler's letter to Milbourne addresses religious topics and a petition for a prohibition amendment.
The thirteen letters and one notebook are arranged within one folder.
Contains lists of Strickler's wardrobe expenses for herself and her children and husband Lodowic.
The letter relates the events of Milbourne's birthday dinner, his visit to a 19 year old woman who died of consumption, and church events.
The letter discusses religious topics and a petition for a prohibition amendment.
The letter relates the news that his sister has died from epilepsy.
Milbourne relates numerous speeches from various professors and reverends, and mentions talking with a reverend that remembered him from seminary school. He relates that there has been a proposal for a new board composed to women to be located in Richmond to control women's missionary societies in Virginia, and states that he is opposed it and to the appointment of women delegates.
Milbourne discusses religious topics and a sermon he is preparing and relates his sadness that Strickler is so far away in Chicago.
Milbourne relates visits to various townspeople and mentions the Sunbeam Society's intent to send a package to Brazil. He discusses at length the way he believes Christ saves a sinner and mentions his upcoming trip to preach at a church in Rileyville.
Discusses religious topics and includes an essay on the topic Was Saint Paul Married?
Milbourne discusses news from the town and admonishes Strickler for attending the theater in Chicago. He attacks the theater as an enemy to religion.
Milbourne again discusses the vices of theater, and his looking forward to the upcoming marriage.
Discusses the trip to Bentonville and the sermons heard there.
Milbourne discusses the religious environment of Luray, calling it a time of revival.
Milbourne teases Strickler about getting scalped by Indians and discusses the texts he plans to preach on for upcoming sermons. He also relates the charges of the discipline committee against some of the brethren regarding the use of money in elections.