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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterWilliam and Mary Special Collections and Research Center Staff
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The 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.
Elizabeth Schooley Dutton signed autograph book collection, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Purchased with the assistance of the Forsyth Special Collections Fund.
The collection received container level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions and acquisitions to the collection.
Elizabeth Schooley Dutton (1839-1927) and her sister, Mary F. Dutton established a literacy society in Waterford, VA before the start of the American Civil War (1861-1865). Empowered by parents who believed in the education of girls, encouraged free-thinking, and Quaker precepts, they started a political newspaper to express their views on the Civila War. While in their early twenties, they were forced to smuggle their writings over the Potomac River to Baltimore, where a friend of their father's printed The Waterford News. They published eight issues of the paper between May 28, 1864 and April 1865. In the issues they expressed their opinions of the Civil War including their dismay of General Ulysses S. Grant's (1822-1885) attack of Waterford, Virginia.
This collection contains two autograph books documenting short verses and signatures from various individuals. The autograph books have different owners including one identified only as Thamison and another as Mary. The books have different cover styles and contain autographs from Elizabeth Schooley Dutton (1839-1927) and her family.
This autograph book belonged to a person named Thamison. The book is smaller and has limp speckled paper covers. This book has autographs from the Steer cousins, Mary & Frances, the Dutton family, and other members of the Waterford, Virginia community.
This autograph book was owned by someone only identified as Mary or "Mollie." Signature pages of the book include Lizzie Dutton's signature and also includes those of her sister, Mary F. Dutton, her brother, James B. Dutton, and two Steer cousins, Mary and Frances. The book also includes the autographs and messages and other residents of Loudoun county. This book cover is in full gilt-stamped period brown morocco, rubbed.