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Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material
is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information
pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
George Frederick Holmes Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchased from Miss Constance Moore (1/26/1942) and a gift of J. D. Carneal (Sept. 1952)
George Frederick Holmes was born August 2, 1820 at Straebrock, Demerara, British Guiana, the son of Mary Anne Pemberton Holmes
and Joseph Henry Herndon Holmes. He married Eliza Lavalette Floyd, sister of John Buchanan Floyd. He was appointed professor
of ancient languages at Richmond College in 1845 and in 1847, he was appointed professor of history and political economy
at the College of William and Mary. In 1848, he was chosen the first president of the University of Mississippi. He was recalled
to Virginia due to the illness of a family member, suffered an accident, and never returned to Oxford, Mississippi. Holmes
was called to the University of Virginia and spent the rest of his life there until his death November 4, 1897.
The papers of the Holmes family. Chiefly letters, 1842-1887, received by George Frederick Holmes, educator, concerning the
College of William and Mary, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Virginia. Correspondents include William
Campbell Preston, Andrew Steele Fulton, Robert Saunders and Charles Minnigerode. The collection also includes papers of the
Floyd and Preston families; an album kept by Eliza Lavalette Floyd Holmes consisting of plant leaves, newspapers and memorials
to her son and a drawing by Thomas C. Milington of the grave-site of John Floyd Holmes; and papers, concerning the estate
of George Frederick Holmes.
John Preston to his brother Franky (Francis Preston), Smithfield, Va.
1790 June 24
Scope and Contents
Comments on leaving his purse at home and asks Francis to retrieve it and bring it to Botetourt Co., Va.; and discusses his
trip, notes that there have been no accidents.
John Preston to his brother Franky (Francis Preston), Abington, Va.
1793 April 22
Scope and Contents
Discusses Francis' plan to sell a portion of his land known as "mouth of Kentucky", and informs Francis of a letter from "the
governor" regarding a memorial battle for General William Campbell in which Francis is to participate.
Lewis Williams, Washington, D.C., to Gov. John Floyd
1832 April 16
Scope and Contents
Comments on Mr. Bryant's application for bounty land; discusses the Stansberry case, noting his displeasure at the House's
actions and criticizing Andrew Jackson.
Joel Roberts Poinsett, Department of War, Washington, D.C., to George Washington Hopkins, House of Representatives, Washington,
D.C.
1838 March 10
Scope and Contents
Concerning "young Mr. Johnston's" appointment to the military academy; notes that he can do nothing at present, but promises
"an impartial and as favorable consideration as circumstances will permit when a vacancy shall happen."
Louissa P. Preston, Columbia, S.C., to her cousin Mrs. George Frederick Holmes (Eliza Lavalette Floyd), Orangeburg, S.C.
1840 May 2
Scope and Contents
An invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes for a visit and congratulating Eliza on her marriage; asks for "particulars" of Letitia
Preston Floyd's son; and comments on the welfare of Eliza's brother and the dry weather.
Professor C.J. Hardemann, Charleston, S.C., to George Frederick Homes, Orangeburg, S.C.
1844 February 1
Scope and Contents
Explains Hardemann's busy schedule; broaches the idea of creating, with Holmes, a "seminary of a high order"; asks about Holmes'
German studies and comments on Hardemann's new child.
Cotesworth Pickney, Walterborough, S.C., to George Frederick Holmes, Orangeburg, S.C.
1844 October 19
Scope and Contents
States that he has never dissected Negroes and whites to determine the differences between the races; informs Holmes that
others who have researched the question "do not class the negro in the lowest scale of moral and intellectual beings."
Cornelius Matthews, New York, N.Y., to George Frederick Holmes, Orangeburg, S.C.
1844 November 15
Scope and Contents
Praises Holmes' work and advocates nationality in literature; expresses his belief that "America has always imitated the minor
English writers and has always been ready to fly at the latest prevailing English poet"; and further laments the inadequacies
of the American public mind.
William Campbell Preston, Columbia, S.C., to George Frederick Holmes, Richmond, Va.
1846 November 25
Scope and Contents
Requests certain testimonials which Holmes had secured from Preston; notifies Holmes that the election to the chair (at the
College of William and Mary)] "will take place in 10 days or two weeks"; and assures Holmes that he is still being considered.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 9
Correspondence
1847 October 8English
Scope and Contents
Letter from General. David Flavel Jamison, Orangeburg, S.C., to Professor George Frederick Holmes, Williamsburg, Va. Lists
his reasons for not writing sooner; notes that cotton in Orangeburg is "not worth gathering"; informs Holmes that William
Campbell Preston is not well' and news of other friends.
Andrew Steele Fulton, Washington, D.C. to George Frederick Holmes, Williamsburg, Va.
1848 May 23
Scope and Contents
Informs Holmes that he will not visit Williamsburg in the near future: regrets "the occurrances of difficulties at William
and Mary which induced you to resign your professorship in that institution"; and expresses his high opinion of the College
of William and Mary.
Andrew Steele Fulton, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. to George Frederick Holmes
1848 June 27
Scope and Contents
Comments that, in his opinion, Congress will not adjourn before August; regrets that he cannot commit himself to take Mrs.
Holmes to the mountains; notes that he is tired of the life of a Congressman and "should like to be free once more."
Jacob Thompson, Oxford, Mississippi, to George Frederick Holmes
1848 September 2
Scope and Contents
Expresses his gratification at Holmes' acceptance of the apppointment as President of the University of Mississippi; requests
Holmes' presence at a meeting on the "3rd Mmonday of October" in order that Holmes may advise the trustees on the course of
study, text books, and the proper preparation for the admittance into the college; notes that he has dispelled rumors that
Holmes intended to accept his "late place at William and Mary and decline the Presidency of our College"; urges Holmes to
persuade Dr. Millington not to sell his apparatus cabinet of minerals to the College of William and Mary, but instead to bring
it to Mississippi.
A.G. Ellis, Oxford, Mississippi, to George Frederick Holmes, Sweet Springs, Va.
1849 August 18
Scope and Contents
Expresses his opinion that Holmes' return to Virginia will be beneficial; advises Holmes that he is packing Holmes' books
and possessions to send to him in Virginia.
George Frederick Holmes, Burke's Garden, Va., to Governor John Buchanan Floyd, Richmond, Va.
1850 April 20
Scope and Contents
Comments on the prospects of obtaining his remaining salary from Mississippi; asks about the possibility of being commissioned
as a Bearer of Dispatches so that he may go to England to visit his family; mentions a plan for writing a history of the Indian
War; notes the poor state of affairs at the College of William and Mary and the impact of the "d----d foreigners" upon the
College.
Robert Saunders, Williamsburg, Va., to George Frederick Holmes
1856 August 19
Scope and Contents
States that the election of professors was postponed until September and "a later period", discusses a letter of recommendation
for Holmes; comments on "an obituary of a poor old Judge Christian" and family news.
William Campbell Preston, Columbia, S.C., to Professor George Frederick Holmes, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
1860 January 4
Scope and Contents
Discusses his plan to purchase "Mr. Holcombe's house"; describes a commencement speech given at South Carolina College that
"was disgusting even to the fire-eaters."
Edward A. Holmes, Johnson's Island, Ohio (Prisoner of War Camp), to his brother George Frederick Holmes, University of Virginia,
Charlottesville, Va.
1865 July 5
Scope and Contents
Explains that Edward is well and in need of little except tobacco; relates his hope of being allowed to return to England
and describes the condition of several other prisoners.
John Cabell Breckinridge, Lexington, Kentucky, to George Frederick Holmes, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
1872 January 24
Scope and Contents
Accepts Holmes' offer of his home as a place of residence during Breckinridge's upcoming commencement address at the University
of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.; discusses his latest railroad project.
Charles Minnigerode, Richmond, Va., to George Frederick Holmes, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
1887 February 3
Scope and Contents
Comments on newspaper articles unfavorable to both Holmes and Minnigerode; notes that one of the articles quoted Holmes as
saying "I have learning enough for 3 men in this country."
Edward Warren, Paris, France, to William Howard Perkinson
1888 May 9
Scope and Contents
Requests certain testimonials; comments on a carriage accident that confined him to bed; expresses his bitterness over his
"defeat at the University"; discusses his book and its success.
Thomas Staples Martin, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., to Dr. George Ben Johnston, Richmond, Va.
1897 June 10
Scope and Contents
States that he will attempt to interest the board of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. in a salary increase
for William Howard] Perkinson.
Thomas Staples Martin, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., to William Howard Perkinson, University of Virginia, Charlottesville,
Va.
1898 May 11
Scope and Contents
Accepts an invitation to the inauguration of new buildings at the University on 14 June 14, 1898.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 18
Copies of indentures
1809English
Scope and Contents
Copies of two 1809 indentures between Richard Clay of Sunderland in the County of Palatine of Durham, England and George Anderson
of the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, George Pemberton, residing at number 2 Things Street, Portman Square,
concerning the marriage of Penelope Pemberton.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 19
Copy of list of charges against William Rough
1821English
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 20 id142964
Last will and testament of John Floyd
1822 November 20
Scope and Contents
Leaving his estate to his wife Letitia Preston Floyd for her to administer as "she thinks proper for her support and that
of the children"; witnessed by Cyrus Robinson and James H. Piper.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 21
"A Chapter of Improbabilities Being an Answer to a Certain Canvassing Baroker and His Friends"
1832 SeptemberEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 22
Adrian Woll Manuscript
1834Spanish; Castilian
Scope and Contents
Written in Spanish.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 23
"Latin Verse-hexameters" signed by George Frederick Holmes
1836English
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 24
Facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, signed by George Frederick Holmes
1839 JulyEnglish
Scope and Contents
Dated and signed by George Frederick Holmes, Fredericksburg, Va.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 25 id143548
Album of Eliza Lavalette (Floyd) Holmes, Sedley, South Carolina
1844-1849
Scope and Contents
The gilt-edged album contains the following: miscellaneous portrait and landscape engravings; leaves of various plants, some
indigenous to South Carolina, Virginia, and Mississippi, and some being from family members' graves, giving genealogical information;
poems; newspaper clippings; and a memorial inscription to her son, John Floyd Holmes (1847-1848) and an ink drawing of his
gravesite in the family burial grounds of Robert Saunders, President of the College of William and Mary, done by Thomas] C.
Millington.
Biographical / Historical
Eliza Lavalette (Floyd) Holmes is the wife of George Frederick Holmes.
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