Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Sara Ann Graves Strickler Fife, Accession #5633-d, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was a gift of Anne E. H. Freudenberg, 1989 January 4.

Scope and Content

Four letters, 1918-1919, and two manuscripts of the Fife family make up the majority of this collection. These letters are from Sarah Ann Strickler Fife, wife of Robert Herndon Fife, to her daughter, Ella Katherine Fife, while stationed at American Base Hospital 41, St. Denis, France, during World War I. In general, the letters pertain to family life at home, news and rumors of the war, and concern over Ella's health and comfort in the hospital. Specific topics of interest include mention of a cable from Lewis Crenshaw (August 8, 1918); a visit by Aubrey Strode to obtain lawyer volunteers to go to France to be in the Judge Advocate's office for six months, and knitting for the Red Cross and French Wounded Society (September 23, 1918); a visit by Judge R. T. W. Duke and his wife, influenza in the community, and a bulletin announcing the acceptance of the armistice terms by the Germans (November 2, 1918); and, Judge Duke's precarious health (January 16, 1919). Also included are a list of books and translations of Psalms into French, both in Sarah Fife's hand.

In addition to these Fife family papers are two photographs, May 1985, of Jesse Jackson meeting the press at National Airport, Washington, D. C.