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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterFinding Aid Authors: David Clark
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John P. Taliaferro Papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries
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Processed by David Clark in 1985.
John P. Taliaferro lived in Gloucester County and Ware Neck, Virginia. He was married to Eleanora W. Anderson. He is buried at the Ware Church Cemetery.
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Letters, 1846-1849, written to John P. Taliaferro, while a student at the College of William and Mary from his guardian, George B. Taliaferro of Baltimore, Md. and from William Lawson Fauntleroy and other friends and relatives. The letters are primarily concerned with John's future plans, the cost of his education, the activities of his friends, and the affairs of his relatives in Gloucester county, Va. Also included are three 1834 orders of the York County, Va. court.
2009.609 Taliaferro Family Papers
Item 1: 1834 May 20 Order by the York County Court that the sheriff shall furnish proper food to those confined in jail, signed by Samuel Sheild.
Item 2: 1834 May 20 Order for summoning of justices to dispose of county funds at the York County Court. Signed by Samuel Sheild.
Item 3: 1834 May 20 York County Court order to summon sheriff to show cause why he should not be fined for not executing a subpoena for witnesses in a case involving John F. Bryan, John W. Green and Mary Monett. Signed by Samuel Sheild.
Item 4: 1845 October 15 William Taliaferro to Richard Taliaferro Requests Richard to send the paper he enclosed in his last letter to W. Mann; tells Richard to go see Mr. Robinson, in case he has not done so, and to draw up an abstract for him.
Item 5: 1846 March 1 E.M. Marshall, Mont Blanc, to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester, Virginia. Reports all the gossip from home; regrets John is not at the high school and reports several of the boys became pious; warns him not to go to Lexington; relates the news of a smallpox scare; tells of several family members planning to move to Cumberland.
Item 6: 1846 March 18 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester Relates how pleased he is that John is at "Church Hill"; hopes he will study hard; mentions John's entering V.M.I. in July; admonishes John to study and not indulge in the Dancing school, parties, balls, and tournaments, though he admits the decision to go there has probably already been made; notes John's spending and tells him he can ask Cousin Thomas for money if his demands were more moderate; tells John to buy a new pen before he writes back; says he is doing well.
Item 7: 1846 April 10 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester Notes that since school does not start until May, John can come to Baltimore to get "rigged out" for school; says he must economize and that Mr. Abbott will soon be in town; mentions that his time is much occupied.
Item 8: 1846 June 24 E. Mann to "cousin" Regrets his not coming up Friday, mentions a ball and the fact that tickets are out; tells of visits and impending visits (Eliza Hill, M. Hughes, Lucy Ann Lee); all his mother's family is doing fine, everyone sends their love; apologizes for bad writing and mistakes; mentions the ball is on Friday, July 3 and a barbecue on July 4.
Item 9: 1846 July 8 John R. Taliaferro, Howard. A poem which mentions changing jobs (soldier to merchant) and asks why Jove should hear their prayers, be they unwilling to change; asks what prohibits a man from speaking the truth, laughing; says one should study the serious subjects, laying sport aside; ends with the thought that those who work will not make enough to be provided for in old age.
Item 1: 1847 January 12 Unknown, Mathews County, Va. to Cynthia Describes the life of Mr. Saunders, the overseer of "Auburn" Mathews Co., Va. and Miss Betsy Thomas, the housekeeper; describes what Saunders owns; describes Betsy's temper and work duties; says that overseers and housekeepers are "upper servants" and have "not much more intercourse with the families of the proprietors than have the slaves themselves'. Incomplete.
Item 2: 1847 January John Marshall, Howard, to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester Writes during class; hopes he will not get caught and how good it is to hear from John; states the winter has been bad for him except for the time in town during Christmas spent drinking eggnog, etc.; mentions that Aunt Elisabeth died; saw letter from and is afraid their Cumberland friends will not return to Fauquier, states his opinion in the Mexican War (favors completion); mentions that John's tailor, Jennison, cut his throat over a love affair and advises him to keep away from that "passion" of he may follow that "illustrious esample"; asks who the young lady John is "plighted" with is.
Item 3: 1847 March 6 John Marshall, Howard, to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester Tells how delighted he is in the punctuality of John's letter; reports Posey Whittle's expulsion from Concord Academy and Dick Henderson's punishment by "Dr. Birch" as an "inducement" to get him to stay; invites John to Richmond to help him escort Mary and Maria Marshall to Richmond instead of Marshall coming down to Gloucester; advises John to go to the University rather than study in Williamsburg since Marshall plans to do so, if his father will let him; says he would rather be in the "black hole of Calcutta" than in his study.
Item 4: 1847 May 3 William L. Fauntleroy, Concord Academy, Caroline Co., Va., to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester C.H., Va. Says he is taking the initative to start a correspondence with John (his old school mate); says Concord suits him well; mentions is leaving Concord in November, going to Gloucester and then probably Norfolk; says John must study medicine with him so the two can go to Philadelphia together; asks for news about the county and expresses his happiness at Gloucester for voting for the Whigs and not the Democrats.
Item 5: 1847 May 23 William Lawson Fauntleroy, Concord Academy Caroline County, Va. to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester C.H., Va. Thanks John for the letter, reports on his trip to Richmond, and Norfolk where he stayed with Dick Baker; saw in Richmond a dance troupe (Danseuses Viennoises); comments on girl John likes and gives a description of his girl; asks for time when John is in Fredericksburg; asks about colleges; states he is going to go to the University of Virginia; asks John to do the same so they can both go to Philadelphia to study medicine; says everything is monotonous here.
Item 6: 1847 May John Marshall, Howard, to John P. Taliaferro, Gloucester C.H., Va. Describes vacation; a week in Richmond, escorted cousins from Leeds to Fauquier; stayed at Carrington, visited relations; says school is monotonous; mentions latest victory in Mexican War; mentions a book of John's that was almost lost (a gift of late Aunt Elizabeth's); says there are 36 boys at school (including Tom Ambler).
Item 7: 1847 June 14 John Marshall, Howard, to John P. Taliaferro Reports how glad he is to hear about John spending so much time with girls and how ansious he is; expresses surprise at Miss Susan McAndlish's engagement and offers condolences to John (hopes her husband will attend "to the duties of the marriage chamber"; is glad to hear William Lawson Fauntleroy plans to go to the University of Virginia as he is, too, along with Tom and Jack Ambler and James Edward; mention wedding of John Ambler to take place in August and invites John to Carrington; mentions John Chever's entering the seminary and was a student at William and Mary; mentions Mr. Abbot's new son; tells of arrangements for fourth of July party; mentions horse company being raised in Fauquier Co.
Item 8: 1847 August 19 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, Warrenton Springs, Fauquier Co., Va. Reports that he sent John's coat to urbana to be forwarded to him; says he did not tell any of John's secrets to Mr. Curtis, may have mentioned his extravagances (if he had he would have said nothing more than John is contemplating marriage); says he is enclosing some advice on matrimony; says how poor he is, is going to be hard to raise money to send him to Williamsburg and he cannot stay at the Springs; tells John again to economize.
Item 9: 1847 August 30 Chester Pomeroy Dewey, Rochester N.Y., to John P. Taliaferro, Oak Hill P.O., Fauquier Co., Va. Relates journey home from Norfolk to Pittsfield, Mass.; saw John's cousin George; visited him "Alma mater" (Williams College); saw old collegemates at the College anniversary; went to visit family; met schoolmate of Phil Taliaferro's.
Item 10: 1847 October 21 William Lawson Fauntleroy, Concord Academy Caroline County, Va. to John P. Taliaferro, William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va. Tells how happy he is to hear from John: tells of a spell of dysentery forcing him out of school; tells of his plans to become a doctor; expresses his regret that John was turned down in his marriage proposal and is happy for John that he found another girl so quickly; asks him to be in Gloucester for Christmas so they can get together.
Item 11: 1847 November 3 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, Williamsburg, Va. Says he is pleased to find John is planning to study hard at W[illia]m and Mary but hopes he will refrain from the use of ardent spirits; says he is pained to see that his mind is still on "vanities"-- love, etc.; asks how much money Cousin Warner gave him (since board was only $80); sent him clothes but cannot send him $150 until he knows what it is for; George will send books if given a list; is pleased to find John is planning to be a doctor, but warns him about drinking, gambling and "too frequent visiting"; generally tells him to be good ("lay aside all idea of love except love of information").
Item 12: 1847 November 9 Robert B. Taliaferro, Gloucester C.H. Va. to John P. Taliaferro, William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va. Excuse short letter because business is good; sends John some handkerchiefs and shirts; mentions impending marriage of James Dabney and Miss Emmy Tabb; admonishes John to be temperate and to seek "glory and honour" to "raise the Taliaferro family"
Item 13: 1847 November 22 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore, Md., to John P. Taliaferro, Williamsburg, Va.]. State he is startled by the amount of payments John made for supplies at school; John has asked for $150 more and George asks if he is going to pay for the next semester in advance and asks if he cannot pay in February; asks for the purpose of the $150 and tells John to economize.
Item 1: 1848 January 12 Chester Pomeroy Dewey, Rochester N.Y. to John P. Taliaferro Apologizes for not writing; is working as an engineer and in an insurance office; heard that Mr. Dabney and Miss Emma Tabb were married; describes Rochester and sleighing; compliments time he had at Bellville and Mrs. Taliaferro's hospitality; says he has seen in the papers about the "belligerent" times at William and Mary and warns him not to get in a duel; reminisces about oysters and says he has given up chewing tobacco; wishes him luck at school; comments on the "fair being you saw at the Springs;" invites him to Rochester.
Item 2: 1848 February 8 William Lawson Fauntleroy, Norfolk Va. to John P. Taliaferro, Williamsburg, Va. Wonders why John has not written (John promised he would at the wedding); is now in Norfolk studying medicine--likes it so far; has not met any girls but is afraid he will meet some, fall in love, and be "kicked out"; says city is all right but prefers the country life; adds a poem about friendship.
Item 3: 1848 March 3 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore, to John P. Taliaferro, William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va. Mentions he is suffering from cholera and hopes John is feeling better; admonishes John for gambling; is upset about John's bills in Gloucester (accounts with Tom Taliaferro and Frances Bridge); thought John was supposed to save money by being in Gloucester; says John will not get a dollar from him; is preparing for business in the spring; tells John to ask cousin William Taliaferro for a loan; is disappointed that John joined the Sons of Temperance then started drinking again; warns about the dangers of alcohol.
Item 4: 1848 March 23 Bettie to Ellennora Requests a short letter from her even though she will be entertaining gentlemen and will be "bewildered half of your time;" wants her to name the gentlemen who have courted her and whose hearts she had broken so the writer can take lessons; mentions the "society" meets today.
Item 5: 1848 March 26 William Lawson Fauntleroy, Norfolk to John P. Taliaferro Apologizes for not writing and comments on their friendship; says he dislikes city life; says someone was going to take him "around" but has not; says the study of medicine is interesting; mentions books he owns and that he had obtained medicines and examined cadavers; asks John to go to the University of Virginia in the fall with him; says he is sorry to hear John has been "disconnected" and hopes his "wounded heart" will recover.
Item 6: 1848 April 6 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, William and Mary College Williamsburg, Va. A receipt for sugar and flour bought for a Mrs. Bowers (mentioned in letter of March 3, 1848), mentions bill and that he could not get better for her, wishes John well at school and mentions John's change of board; asks if he got any money from cousin William Taliaferro
Item 7: 1848 May 12 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, Williamsburg, Va. Going to send summer clothes when they are ready; will send money when he can; tells him to arrange a loan from cousin William or else he does not know how John will make out at the end of the school year, mentions death of Richard Taliaferro, says Richard died of "his own imprudence" and hopes John is still a member of "The Sons of Temperance."
Item 8: 1848 May 18 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, Williamsburg, Va. Sends some clothes; sends ten dollars; hopes he can get a loan from Cousin William since he says he is poor in the way of money-- will try to help John in July; comments that never has a ward been treated worse by his son-- he has been creditor all along and now cannot advance.
Item 9: 1848 June 24 William Lawson Fauntleroy, White Hall, to "Friend" John P. Taliaferro Reports on trip to Fredericksburg; reports on a week he spent in Williamsburg "drunk the whole time;" reports case of smallpox in his neighborhood brought "by one of thoe confounded Yankey vessels;" reports Ned Tabb goes to Lexington; saw James Shackleford at the courthouse.
Item 10: 1848 July 3 George B. Taliaferro, Baltimore to John P. Taliaferro, William and Mary, Williamsburg Says he is writing William Taliaferro and Mr. Robinson to ask for money; says John should go to Gloucester to "accomplish in person, what you could not do by writing"; says he would help John but is unable to do so for "some weeks"; hopes John got at least two certificates and trusts that he has been a student "indeed and in truth" so he can receive full "recompense for the large outlay at Williamsburg."
Item 11: 1849 September 24 Geroge W. Smith to George B. Taliaferro, Guardian of John P. Taliaferro An account for doctor's visits from April 29-December 12, 1848. Mentions visits to Negro children; John P. Taliaferro pays his account on September 24, 1849 with three dollars and one yoke of oxen to settle his debt of $28.00.
Item 12: 1849 December 8 Philip A. Taliaferro, University of Virginia, to John P. Taliaferro, College of William and Mary Says John's last letter is "trashy," (devoid of any news "concerning the affairs of the nation, or yourself"); comments that he could have predicted John would be in love (as John said in his last letter) and says Mary Anna Saunders is worthy to "elicit so devine an emotion from so unsentimental a source"; comments on John's respect for Mr. Robert Saunders; comments on John liking Hugh Mercer Waller, James Barron Hope, and Murdaugh; says he cannot go home at Christmas.