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Special Collections Research Center
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Collection is open to all researchers. 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.
Farrar Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Purchase.
Daniel James Farrar was born in Richmond on October 17, 1862. He joined his father in business after attending public schools in Richmond until he was 18 years old. He completed training by his father in three years. The 1910 United States census lists his occupation as a contractor and homebuilder.
Daniel married Leah Belle Holmes on May 17, 1888. She was the daughter of George Washington Holmes and Mildred Holmes. He died in March, 1923 leaving his wife, two sons Joseph H. (b. 1892) and Daniel J, Jr. (b. 1897) and two daughters, Leah Belle (b. 1894) Alma R.M. Lucas (b. 1890) and one grandchild, Yvonne Lucas.
He designed, remodeled and built the Smallwood Memorial Institute in Claremont VA, the Mechanics Bank Building (where he maintained his office), the Second Street Bank as well as a number of dwellings, apartments, businesses, schools and churches. He was prominently connected with the Masons, IBPOE, Lincoln Republican League and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Evergreen Cemetery Association. Daniel died in March 1923.
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The collection includes letters, contracts, deeds, wills, St. Luke Penny Bank medallions, cemetery plot receipts, plans, blueprints, photographs, birth and death certificates relating to members of the Farrar family of Richmond, Virginia. Daniel James Farrar (1862-1925) had a profound effect on the architecture of the city of Richmond. Daniel followed the example of his father, Joseph who was the son of a free black. Farrar was involved with at least 14 buildings in the 1890's as designer, builder or both. Daniel's siblings included Leah Farrar, and Alma Rachel Margaret Lucas who are represented in the collection. The collection is divided into seven folders containing 90 pieces of ephemera relating to one or another Farrar family member, family real estate transactions, a folder of miscellaneous documents, and 236 photographs of family members and friends, scenes and groups of people.
Includes: Biographical description of Joseph E. Farrar, born 1830, written upon his death; legal opinion as to the distribution of property of Joseph E. Farrar. Original and copy; copy of Will of Joseph Farrar on letterhead of D.J. Farrar; copy of Will of Joseph Farrar; deed from the Cooperative Land and Improvement Company to Rachel Farrar, 1892; letter from Joseph E. Farrar at Richmond on the occasion of the birth of his first granddaughter, Rachel Margaret, dated October 10, 1889.
Includes: "Last Will and Testament of Daniel J. Farrar, dec'd. A Copy". March 10, 1923; contract (bill of sale for stock and colt) between Rosa Smallwood and D.J. Farrar, 1915; letter to D.J. Farrar at Richmond from Rev. Dr. John J. Smallwood, President of Temperance, Industrial & Collegiate Institute, Claremont, Virginia, dated July 12, 1912; contract between Daniel J. Farrar and John J. Smallwood of the Temperance , Industrial and Collegiate Institute for the construction of Lincoln Hall, a "four story and basement brick structure", dated 1911; D.J. Farrar illustrated letterhead. Resolutions of the Independent Beneficial Club -testimonial on the death of D.J. Farrar by the Committee, ca. 1920; "Copy" of last will and testament of Daniel J. Farrar, dated March 10, 1923; cemetery plot for D.J. Farrar, Evergreen Association, 1908; death notice, biography and accomplishment of Daniel J. Farrar, 1923; manuscript copy of D.J. Farrar will on illustrated letterhead, December 31,1921. Gives "all my estate and personal property" to his wife and that she look after his dear friend Mrs. Martha Braxton and children; abstract of Title to Lewis Braxton Estate at Richmond Virginia, dated November 12, 1919; souvenir program, Daniel J. Farrar Lodge No. 458, Elks Lodge, Winchester, Virginia, 1949; letter to D. J Farrar at Richmond from Trustees of Swansboro Baptist Church, South Richmond dated March 10, 1920; letter to "D.J." at Richmond, Virginia from Dr. D. A. Ferguson, DDS at Richmond, Virginia, dated July 20, 1921; letter to D. J. Farrar at Richmond, Virginia from B.L. Jordan, Secretary-Manager of Southern Aid Society of Virginia at Richmond, Virginia, dated March 11, 1920; copy of last Will and Testament of Lewis Braxton, deceased, dated July 23, 1916; two sheets/blueprints - location of home between Baker and Duval Streets, Richmond, Virginia, 1930 and title to the property; abstract of Title for the Lewis Braxton Estate, Richmond, Virginia, 1919; plans and specifications for the erection of brick residence and apartments for lawyer J. Thomas Hewin, to be located on Lot # 1412, N. 1st Street, Richmond, Virginia, C.T. Russell, Architect, circa 1920; affidavit from the Lincoln Republican League of America, Richmond Branch, 1921, signed by the various officers; small leather portfolio entitled "Valuable Papers," gold-stamped with "D.J. Farrar"; copy of letter from Ordway Puller attorney for Daniel J. Farrar acting as executor for the estate of his mother, dated September 20, 1915, disputing erroneous tax assessment; wedding invitation for the marriage of D.J. Farrar to Leah Holmes on May 17, 1888; place cards (2) for Daniel J. Farrar and Leah B. Holmes; monthly statement of D.J. Farrar in account with Warner Moore & Co., Richmond, dated November 1, 1922; letter "To Whom it May Concern" from Vern H. Bolling at Richmond, Virginia, dated November 22, 1918, testifying to the "first class and satisfactory" workmanship in the building of his home at 716 N. 5th St Richmond, Virginia by D.J. Farrar; receipt of premium of policy by The Standard Accident Insurance Company from Daniel J. Farrar, dated January 23, 1917; receipt for $150 accepted as full payment to Daniel J. Farrar for interest in property at 808 4th Street, Richmond dated July 9, 1930 from Alma R.M. Lucas; promissory note for $675.00 made to the Lincoln Republican League by St. Luke Penny Savings Bank dated January , 1921. Signatures of League officers on back.
Includes: Two memorial medallions – Image of Mary Prout, Founder of the Independent Order of St. Luke to identify the wearer as a commissioned officer of the R. W. G. Council of I.O. of St. Luke; image of Maggie Lena Walker, for the 68th Annual Convention, 1935 of the R.W.G. Council of I.O. of St Luke; photostatic copy birth certificate of Leah Belle Farrar issued by the Virginia Department of Health, dated October 26, 1956, listing the date and time of birth as "April 10, 1894, on Monday night ten minutes past on o'clock"; copy of marriage certificate of James Finley Wilson and Leah Belle Farrar dated October, 1956, listing date of marriage as July 23, 1924; program of the 23rd Anniversary of Queen Esther Temple, No. 70 of the I.B.P.O.E of W. held at the first Baptist Church, Richmond Virginia, July 19, 1938; letter to Mrs. J. Finley Wilson at Washington, DC from Ruth Gray, postmarked March 3, 1952, indicating location of the grave of J. Finley Wilson; letter to Leah Wilson at Washington DC from "Cousin Irene" at Richmond dated June 22, 1964 wishing Leah well after the operation; "Obituary of Leah Belle Farrar Wilson"; death notice and biography of Leah Belle Farrar Wilson; "A Letter from the Family" read at the funeral of Leah Belle Farrar Finley; "Order of Funeral Services." Funeral program for Leah Belle Farrar Finley; newspaper clipping of obituary titled "J. Finley Wilson's widow dead at 70"; documents relating to the funeral of Leah Farrar Wilson, including lists of cards and telegrams received in condolence, those paying condolence calls and automobile arrangements for the funeral procession; telegram of sympathy on the passing of Leah F Wilson from Cherrie Smith, Secretary of the Illinois Wisconsin States Association Women's Auxiliary IBPOEFW, dated June 29, 1964; card of sympathy to the family of Leah Wilson at Washington DC from Dorothy A. Hedges, president and Harriet R, Brown, secretary of the Civil Liberties League #54 at Indianapolis, Indiana, dated July 17, 1964; card of sympathy to the family of Leah Wilson at Washington DC from "The Panlen (?) and All P.G.D.R. of La Calif" at Los Angeles, California, dated July 8 1964; letter to Mrs. J. Finely Wilson and Janett at Washington DC. Sender unidentified at St. Louis, Missouri, dated Jun 24, 1964; letter from George E.C. Hayes of Cobb, Howard, Hayes & Windsor, attorneys at Washington, DC to Roland Ealey, attorney at Richmond, dated December 26, 1961, requesting a copy of the deed vesting title to Leah Wilson to 2912 Moss Side Avenue, Richmond; newspaper death notice of Leah Farrar Wilson; photostatic copy of "Appraisal under the Estate Tax Law of the Estate of J. Finley Wilson, deceased" issued by the Surrogates Court, County of New York dated April 22, 1954; eulogy of Leah Wilson, dated June 28, 1964, from Helen O. White and Frances Henderson, Columbia Temple, I.B.P.O.E of W. Envelope attached inscribed "Eulogy for P.G.D. Ruler and Executive Board Member, Daughter Leah F. Wilson" containing newspaper clipping of death notice of Mrs. Leah Wilson; certificate of probate execution issued to Leah F. Wilson as executrix of the estate of J. Finley Wilson by the Probate Court, District of Columbia, dated July 16, 1952.
Includes: Cards recognizing honors in 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade grammar, awarded to Alma Farrar. 1901-1903; paid receipt from J. Temple Waddill, Inc., Civil Engineers and Surveyors, issued to Alma Lucas, August 4th 1930 for the staking of 808 N. 4th Street, Richmond, Virginia; agreement and payment receipts for a Singer sewing machine leased to Alma Lucas, dated November 2, 1911 at $2.00 per month; receipt for advertisement of death from Alma R.M. Lucas, dated March 16, 1923 to H. Curtis. Newspaper unidentified; certificate of death for Ashby Lucas. Date of death is January 26, 1948; 1957 Real Estate Sales Survey, U.S. Department of Commerce made for Alma F. Lucas with attached reply concerning sale of property at 2912 Moss Side Avenue, Richmond, Virginia; letter of honorary pallbearers for Mrs. Alma F. Lucas on letterhead of Richmond Public Schools, Woodville Elementary School; obituary of Mrs. Alma Farrar Lucas; letter to Reverend O.D. Brown, Second Baptist Church Richmond from "The Family" of Alma Farrar Lucas, dated May 18, 1958, requesting Dr. Brown preach at the funeral; "Programme for Funeral" of Mrs. Alma Farrar Lucas; paid receipt from A. D. Price, Jr. Funeral Home, Richmond to Farrar A. Lucas, dated May 22, 1958; copy of Last Will and Testament of Alma Farrar Lucas, dated December 6, 1957; photostatic copy of Last Will and Testament of Alma Farrar Lucas and Probate of Will and Qualification of Executor, dated August 11, 1958; inventory and Appraisal of the Estate of Alma Farrar Lucas filed with Chancery Court of Richmond, dated August 11, 1958; notice of Chancery Court of the City of Richmond qualifying Leah F. Wilson as executor of the last will and testament of Alma Farrar Lucas, deceased, dated August 11, 1958; paid in full receipt from J. T. Carter, Attorney from executor of estate of Alma Lucas dated May 29, 1959.
Includes: Deeds for properties in Richmond, Virginia, and letters from attorneys regarding properties.
Includes: Last will and restament of Yvonne Lucas Jackson, dated March 28, 1948; photostatic copy of death certificate of Yvonne Lucas Jackson, daughter of Alma R.M. Lucas, date of death January 26, 1953; deposit slip for $112.29 to be credited to the account bearing the name "Estate of Yvonne Lucas Jackson" at State-Planters band and Trust, Richmond VA; list of furnishings owned by Yvonne Lucas Jackson on July 1, 1952, October 11, 1952 and November 28, 1952; documents relating to disposition the inventory of the estate of Yvonne Lucas Jackson; and documents containing research to disqualify Leonidas Jackson, from custody of Janith Parks.
Includes: Packet of newspaper clippings and fragments from various newspapers, most undated; fragment of receipt; fragment of promissory note; and an envelope addressed to Handy Bros. Music Co, Inc. New York, NY.
Photographs of the Farrar family, friends, scenes and groups of people. Includes a photographic inventory and a master inventory list. Each photograph was given a number constructed by appending a PXXX to the collection's accession number, where XXX is a number starting at "001", as 2008.71.P001 etc. Two spreadsheets, ordered by envelope and by category, are filed in the front of Box 1.