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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterWilliam & Mary Special Collections Research Center staff
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Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). 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.
Renick Family papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Dewey Campbell Renick was a farmer, lumberman, appraiser and developer from Calloway, Va. (Franklin County). He was born on February 17, 1898 and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia to attend the William and Mary Academy and work at the Williamsburg Female Institute. Renick was a member of the James City County Planning Commission from 1954-1971, a member of the James City County School Board for 25 years (chair for 15 years) and a member of the county school trustee electoral board. Renick was also a rent control administrator in Williamsburg during World War II and was involved with establishing the Tidewater Mental Health Clinic and Williamsburg Memorial Park. He was a member of the board of Williamsburg Community Hospital and a director of the United Virginia Bank. He died 1 August 1976. The Renick farm was at the intersection of News Road and Ironbound.
Fern Amelia Cooley Renick was born in South Dakota on July 7, 1897 and came to Williamsburg with her family at the age of two. She attended Farmville State Teacher's College (now Longwood University). She and her husband were active in the Jamestown Presbyterian Church.
Along with George Tayloe Ross, she established the Dewey C. Renick Memorial Scholarship at the College of William and Mary. She died on June 18, 1992.
The Renick Family papers include farm account books, newspaper clippings, obituaries, genealogical materials, photographs, correspondence, and artificats documenting the lives of the Renick Family. Family members documented include Dewey Campbell Renick, Fern Cooley Renick, Jean Renick, and Dewey C. Renick Jr.
The farm account book, circa 1942-1962, includes accounts of Kings Mill Farm (Thomas M. Brooks), Carter's Grove Farm, Evelynton Plantation, Kings Mill Dairy Farm (operated by David and E. E. Falk; later Anheuser-Busch's Kingsmill development), and P. M. Greisenauer. The entries are in alphabetical order.
The collection also includes papers concerning the organization of the Dewey C. Renick Endowment for scholarships at William & Mary. Clippings concern the Renick family including Dewey C. Renick's civic career as well as his involvement in negotiations to bring Anheuser-Busch to Williamsburg and the giving of a Clydesdale horse to the Renick farm.
The collection is arranged into six series including: Series I. Dewey Campbell Renick papers, 1923-1981, Series II. Fern Amelia Cooley Renick papers, 1950-1992, Series III. Dewey C. Renick Jr. papers, Circa 1930-1945, Series IV. Jean Renick papers, 1933-1953, Series V. Personal papers, Circa 1900-2006 and Series VI. Printed materials, 1939-2007.
Finding aid formerly identified as Mss. Acc. 2010.308.
Dewey C. Renick worked in the timber and lumber buisness from 1928 until his retirement in 1954. Post retirement he was a member of the James City County planning commision from 1954-1971 and was instrumental in establishing a zoning ordinance for the county. Renick was an appraiser and purchaser of the Newport News reservoir and pipeline property for the Diascund Reservoir water system. He also acted as the as the Busch Properties agent for the Lightfoot and Kingsmill properties as well as serving as the superintendent of the James City County School Board for 15 years and its chairman for 15 years. Renick died on August 1, 1976.
Concerns business, politics, his service on the Virginia Air Pollution Commission and an illness. Includes letter from Virginia Governor J. Lindsay Almond. Correspondence concerns a memorial window to Charles J. Renick (1866-1935) and Sarah Prillaman Renick (1867-1915). Letters concerning treatment of undulant fever possibly contracted from drinking unpasteurized milk in Maine from a herd which later tested positive for brucellosis "Bang's Fever."
Newspaper clippings concerning the bringing to Williamsburg of the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Includes newspaper clippings about, photographs of, and a letter of thanks written to August Busch by Renick thanking him for the Clydesdale mare, (Belau Golden Maid) "Goldie."
Farm Account book of "Crofton," James City County, Va. owned by Dewey C. Renick and Fern Amelia Cooley Renick. Accounts are in alphabetical order. The farm was at the corner of News Road and Monticello Road, where the Veterans Park is. Concerns logs, feed, grass seed and pullets (chickens) Includes accounts with "Carter's Grove," James City County, Va., Chesapeake Corporation, King's Mill Dairy Farm, Lombardy Farm, Jamestown Corporation, Virginia Jack Farm, and T. W. Wood.
Clippings and documents concerning the establishment of the Dewey C. Renick Endowment at William & Mary by George Tayloe Ross
Paper placemats and a brochure for Longmeadow, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Calling card of Elsie Hunter
Fern Cooley Renick was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia at a young age. In 1915 she graduated from Williamsburg Female Institute. Renick was a homemaker and civic leader instrumental in bringing Anheuser-Busch to James City County. Fern Renick married Dewey Renick in 1918 and had three children. Fern Renick died on June 18, 1992.
Materials mostly concern the settlement of the estate of Fern Amelia (Cooley) Renick by her daughter Jean Renick. Includes record relating to estate of Bernard W. Griffey.
Papers relating to Fern Amelia Cooley Renick. Biography of Fern Cooley Renick compiled by women of Jamestown Presbyterian Church, her marriage announcement, endowment set up to give scholarships to students who are from the area of the church, obituary and her will.
Handwritten and typed copy of a diary on a trip to England, Scotland, Paris, Zurich, and Italy. Writer is on a trip with Ginny. Writer of diary may have been Fern Amelia Cooley Renick. Includes notes on Presbyterianism.
Dewey C. Renick Jr. was born on October 28, 1921 in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was the son of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Renick. He attented Virginia Tech and served as Lieutenant during World War II. Renick was a pilot who served with the Fifth Air Force Fighter Command. Dewey C. Renick Jr. was killed in action on March 27, 1945 over the Luzon mountains in the Phillipines. Renick received multiple medals in recognition of his service including the Purple Heart.
Photocopies of official and unofficial correspondence concerning the death of Dewey C. Renick, Jr. whose plane was lost in 1945 in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Jean C. Renick was born on August 1, 1933 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She attended Whaley High School and Duke University where she studied nursing. Jean Renick also had a career as an architect.
File includes undated corresponce such as a letter to Santa Claus.
Series includes genealogical materials, photographs, and scrapbooks documenting the lives of the Renick family.
Birth, marriage and death certificates of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Amelia (Cooley) Renick. Includes will of Dewey C. Renick.
Extremely fragile. Handle with staff member present.
Formal Photographs of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Cooley Renick. 1918 photograph of cutting cake at wedding. 50th wedding anniversary invitation. . Color photograph of Fern Cooley Renick at age 90.
Hinged double photograph of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Cooley Renick (From the Studio of Douglas B. Green, II, 761 Scotland St, Williamsburg, Va.). Cased photograph of Fern Cooley Renick as a child (ca. 1900-1910).
General Renick family photographs
Henry Alaska Cooley & Sarah Griffith Cooley families
General family photographs
Jean Renick's travel scrapbook
Jean Renick photographs and papers compiled in scrapbook.
Photographs related to Jean Renick
Cooley Family Genealogy notebook compiled by Sara Nell Gilley Richards Taft. Loose pages of Cooley Family Genealogy.
Series included printed materials such as yearbooks from Whaley Highschool in Williamsburg, Virginia, as well as William & Mary's Colonial Echo. Texts related to World War II are also included.
Tall tales and true of James City County : [Excerpts from oral taped narratives made during the Bicentennial year by some of our senior citizens / transcribed by Mildred Matier].By Matier, Mildred Bienfait, 1908- s.l. : s.n. 1976?