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Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Special Collections© 2000 By the College of William and Mary
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Special Collections Staff
Collection is open to all researchers.
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Director of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Harrison Holt Riddleberger Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Gift: 576 items, 1950.
Purchased: 1 item, 07/28/1977.
Gift: 110 items 2003.
Harrison Holt Riddleberger Papers were maintained by the staff of Duke University Library, North Carolina, until they were transferred, at the family's request, to Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary in ca. 1950. An addition to the collection was made in 2003.
Harrison Holt Riddleberger was born in Edinburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia in October 1844. He served in the Confederate cavalry. Riddleberger was a newspaper editor, studied law and practiced in Woodstock, Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1871-1875; Commonwealth's attorney of Shenandoah County; a Democratic Party elector; and was elected as a Readjuster to the United States Senate where he served from 1883-1889. Riddleberger died 24 January 1890.
This collection contains letters and other papers, 1872-1902, of H. H. Riddleberger (1844-1890) of Woodstock, Virginia who retained the titles of member of the House of Delegates, 1871-1875; State Senator, 1879- 1882; and U.S. Senator, 1883-l889. Among the correspondents are: William Mahone, William E. Cameron, Winfield S. Hancock, Roscoe Conkling, Robert Toombs, Fitz-John Porter, John W. Daniel, and John Goode. There are letters from Riddleberger to his wife Emma Belew Riddleberger and to their children.
This collection has been organized into two Series: 1. Letters and 2. Miscellaneous Material.
ArrangementSeries 1, containing the bulk of the collection, are a series of letters arranged in chronological order by date. Those items with no date or an unknown date are placed at the end of the series. Series 1, Subseries are separated by year. Everything else remaining in the inventory was then classified as miscellaneous papers and sorted into various Sub-series, found at the end of the finding aid.
Items concern H.H. Riddleberger's challenge to a newspaper editor.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Item concerns the Henry C. Hoar Memorial Fund.
Item concerns the death of Harrison Holt Riddleberger.
Sub-series contains letters, memos, and drafts including a number of William Mahone letters.
Cards used while papers were on deposit at Duke University.
Badge described as gold on blue silk, with inscription reading "Inauguration 1885 Reception Committee".
Badge described as gold on green silk, with inscription reading "I.N. League Bazaar 1886 Chairman, Committee of Arrangements".
Item describes the account of four Civil War battles - Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, and Spottsylvania.
Item concerns the extradition of persons charged with crime.
Item was signed P. McCahey, M.D., Philadelphia, Jan. 21, 1889.
Item was signed signed at Tokyo, on the 29th April 1886.
Item includes quotes of newspapers opposed to fishery treaty with Britain
Item was printed at the Landmark book and job office, Norfolk, Va. 1876, and signed on the cover by T.A. Williams
Harrison Holt Riddleberger and wife, appellants, against E. D. Newman, et als. Valley Virginian Power Press, Staunton, Va.
Three hour visit from Gov. Walker. Poverty requires rigid economy. Hailstorm relief bill. Church property at Columbia furnace.
Asks her to tell Mrs. John [Keller?] to send his code of '73 to him immediately.
Senate letterhead. Passed the debt bill and reported it to the House. Meets with Gen. Bolling, who sends historical gun to Riddleberger's residence in Va.
Missed traveling connection and is 200 miles from where he ought to be. Friends are insisting that he give a speech.
Senate letterhead. Gen. M. [General Mahone]. enjoyed his time and sends his thanks.
Senate letterhead. Meets a 13 year old girl from South Carolina who is canvassing for the Hurricane .
Senate letterhead. He is going to speak on Monday (court day), giving a "send off" to a new scheme.
Has been working on his speech and is almost "too nervous to write." Invites her up to D.C. because he cannot come home.
Senate letterhead. Sends $20 to supply "your wants." Also sends check for $28, and asks for $15 to be sent to Dr. Campbell.
Senate letterhead. Working on the Debt bill. Will attend the meeting on the new Revenue bill.
Senate letterhead.
Working on the debt bill and claims that they are "filibustering all around." Encloses $20.
Senate letterhead. Writes letter while the senators are talking about a railroad bill.
Senate letterhead. Explains that money is being used to defeat the debt bill.
Senate letterhead. (Debt?) Bill is passed, creating great excitement. Anticipates a veto.
Reports that he is giving speeches in Suffolk and Portsmouth to audiences of 1500-3000. Claims that the trip is a tremendous strain and great success.
Reports that he is giving speeches in Suffolk, Norfolk and Portsmouth.
"Whig" Building letterhead. Has returned from the "third discussion of the week." Makes reference to telegram in Whig . Visited with Gen. M. [General Mahone].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Enclosed check for $175.
Delegates have arrived from Virginia for a committee meeting.
Gen. M. [General Mahone] is compelled to postpone his appointment. Will return home Friday and Saturday. Will meet some friends in Norfolk.
Has received letters about a small pox threat. Hopes that his wife and children will be vaccinated. He was vaccinated on Sunday night, because there have been 100 cases in the city.
He is sending ribbons for his daughters and is preparing to go home.
He has been nominated for the position of Sargent at Arms and there has been debate about this position. Debate directed against the debt bill.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Debates in the Senate continue.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Senate has adjourned and he believes that the controversy will end soon. Claims that he is preparing his indictment for the grand jury and the "men now in jail."
"The Arlington" letterhead. Has been offered $200 to lecture for 25 nights.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Tensions in the senate continue. Mentions the possibility of being elected in December.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Doing work for Gen. M. [General Mahone] relating to the convention of June 2nd.
" The Whig " letterhead. Written onboard the C & O train.
"Purcell House" letterhead. Returned from visit to Pt. Anne with personal and political friends. Will depart (by rail) to see "Ocean View" with friends.
Has returned from Sussex, having completed his travels by rail. Asks her to "clip and preserve" all of the material published about his speeches.
Gen. M. [General Mahone] is trying to postpone the Fairfax barbeque and is very anxious that Riddleberger attend. Thursday morning he will speak for his friend Wilcox.
Will speak that evening in the Academy of Music and anticipates an immense audience.
Asks her to send any mail to the Whig office this week.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Senate contest is "very warm" and claims that all "batteries" seem directed against him.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Received a unanimous nomination.
Senate Chamber letterhead.
Will go to Washington to spend Sunday with Gen. M. [General Mahone].
Senate Chamber letterhead.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Wife will stay with him until Saturday.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Sick from eating roasted oysters.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Encloses check for $150, with detailed list of whom to send the money to.
Senate Chamber letterhead. All voted down a resolution to adjourn Saturday. Excitement in the Senate over three "readjusters who have gone away from us." Opposition to the "farmers law."
Trying to sell his horse.
Senate Chamber letterhead.
Unexpectedly called to Washington. Must take charge of a new tax bill, because he is chairman of finance. Will have a conference to determine how long they will remain in Richmond.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Visited with Frank and [Lallie?]. Has new quarters with excellent furnishings. Spent the day with Gen. M. [General Mahone] Preparations are being made for Thanksgiving. Mrs. M. is coming to visit. Will make calls to some of the older senators with Gen. M. [General Mahone].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Will vote on organization on December 10th. Gen. M. and family are at the Arlington and he is encouraging Riddleberger to "move up there," but Riddleberger has declined.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Written on a Sunday in 1884. Sends $10 for a birthday, $10 for debts. Went to see a play at the National. Gets sick and is treated by Dr. [Strayer?].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Letter written while in session, from his desk. Visits with Frank and [Lallie?].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Suddenly called to N.Y. Encloses $50, with $30 for Mr. Geary.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Family has measles. Mentions working through the Mississippi resolution, more quickly than expected, because the opposition changed their policy.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Mentions sending valentines to children [Lilia, Olive, and Ned?]
U.S. Senate letterhead. Plans to stay in NY a day longer to see "Big City." Visits St. James Hotel. Has sent valentines to family.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes letter while in executive session. Has called twice to see Mrs. A., but was unsuccessful. Asks his wife to tell Hugh that he "gave her the knife."
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Guest of the Potomac Boat Club.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Describes stomach ailment.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends groceries this morning. He is feeling better-recovering from an attack of dysentery that lasted for 4 days.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes about his hopes for his son's future.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes to tell his wife that he is assisting her father financially, but requests that she not disclose this to anyone.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Discusses dentistry in the city vs. country.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends son badge given to him at Newark. Encourages his son to study Revolutionary war period.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Only Virginian to support "Educational Bill." Expresses his dedication to the impoverished. Encourages Mrs. Riddleberger to come visit him.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Claims that the upcoming horse races will be the "best ever known in this country." Writes about family garden. Mentions adjustment of Hawkin's claim. Encourages his wife to send others to the horse races as visitors.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Gave speech at the Irish meeting, which will appear in the papers. Attempts to explain to his wife why he cannot come home. Tells her that he is chairman of a subcommittee "taking evidence on an executive appointment, pending in Executive session." Taking quinine for illness, although feeling better.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends check for $30 to meet wife's home obligations and to buy tickets. Had flower bulbs shipped to her.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes to her while a debate is going on. Claims that Gen M. [General Mahone] has not been "in his seat an average of half hour a day" and Virginia matters are piled up as a result. Wishes that he could be at the commencement.
Return trip from Mt. Vernon. Horse develops illness. Tells wife that he will inform her if he successfully sells the horse, when it is well enough to be exhibited.
Senate letterhead. Said to be the most "unhealthy June known here in years, the city is filled with sick."
E.E. White letterhead. "Broken promises" have kept him in DC for longer than intended. Wants the Herald issued before he returns home. Got a cold from "tramping through a Washington snow storm," but is in better health.
E.E. White letterhead. Has sent wife "three short cloaks (?)". Plans to go home in the following week.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Written on a Thursday, in the Committee Room of the District of Columbia. Bad weather and icy streets has lead to at least 2 deaths "from falling."
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends $30 and explains how the money should be spent, which includes getting a "quarter of beef" and a "barrel of flour." Plans to go to New York the following week.
Written on a Monday night. Expresses homesickness. Refers to Hunter's article, a man who he claims has a "special spite" for him.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Written on Thursday at 6 pm.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Children have the measles and inquires whether it is safe for him to return home.
Written on back of Re-Adjustment in Other Southern States. Has spent the day with Gen M [General Mahone].
Tells Mrs. Riddleberger that her birthday gift will be a piano cover.
Working on adjustment and trying to find a time to go home via train.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Mentions box of flowers for Ned's birthday.