Floyd Gray Papers , 1895-1908, Ms.1989.085

Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson, Archivist

Abstract

This collection includes the papers of Floyd Gray, Bedford County Republican Committee chairman and distillery general storekeeper-gauger for the Internal Revenue Service. It includes correspondence and notes relating both to Gray's political activities and his civil service work. Also includes personal correspondence and financial records.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Floyd Gray Papers, 1895-1908, Ms1989-085, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Floyd Gray Papers were purchased by Special Collections in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of Floyd Gray Papers commenced and was completed in October 2003.

Biographical Note

Floyd Gray, civil servant and Bedford County Republican Committee chairman, was born in Bedford County, Virginia on September 25, 1867. The son of Mercer H. and Ann Jane W. Robertson Gray, Floyd Gray played an active role in local politics and became chairman of the county's Republican Party committee in 1896. Around 1903, Gray was appointed a general storekeeper-gauger, charged with overseeing the operation and taxation of distilleries in Virginia's sixth internal revenue district. Because his civil service position forbade an active role in politics, Gray resigned from the chairmanship of the county's Republican organization in 1904. He was succeeded as chairman by his brother, W. B. Gray, but apparently continued to be the driving force behind the party's county organization. Floyd Gray died in Bedford County on December 5, 1941 and is buried in Gray Cemetery.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the papers of Floyd Gray, a local Republican Party official and civil servant from Bedford County, Virginia. The collection contains correspondence and notes relating to Gray's work as chairman of the Bedford County Republican Party Committee, including many letters regarding party organization and appeals for assistance in obtaining local civil service positions. (A number of letters to W. B. Gray, who succeeded his brother as chair of the committee, are included as well.) The collection also contains correspondence, duty assignments and reports from Gray's general storekeeper-gauger civil service position. A small number of Gray's personal correspondence and financial records (including receipts, account statements, deeds, etc.) completes the collection.