Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from William P. Eliason Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: William P. Eliason Letter, Ms2011-096, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

Special Collection purchased the William P. Eliason Letter in October 2011.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William P. Eliason Letter was completed in October 2011.

Biographical Note

Little information is known about Eliason, but he was likely born in Washington, DC, about 1807. In 1850, he lived in Madison County, Virginia. In 1860, he lived in Orange County, Virginia, with various family members.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of one letter from Eliason in Raccoon Ford, Culpeper County, VA to Mrs. Ann Hodgson. The letter, dated January 15, 1860, details the death of Hodgson's brother William. Eliason describes writing the letter as an "unpleasant duty." Nevertheless, he offers Ann his condolences and instructs her to visit her mother and father "as soon as [she] can." At the bottom of the letter, William wrote a series of equations, the purpose of which is unknown.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South