Conditions Governing Use

There are no known restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. The VMI Archives must be cited as the source of the content in publication. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions

Preferred Citation

William P. Tams notebook, 1871-1873. MS 0023. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

William Purviance Tams was born on March 11, 1852 in Harrisonburg, Virginia to William Henry Tams and Marie Antoinette Smith. Following his graduation from VMI in 1873, Tams taught for one year at VMI and then spent his career as a banker in Staunton, Virginia. He married Sue Lewis Frazier of Staunton on November 17, 1870 and the couple had two sons, William Frazier and William P., Jr. Tams died in Staunton on January 30, 1920.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of one notebook that belonged to Cadet William P. Tams (VMI Class of 1873). The notebook includes: Class notes for courses in mineralogy, civil and military engineering, and chemistry A copy of a lecture by Superintendent Francis H. Smith ("Lecture to the 1st Class on Moral Sense, November 5, 1872") Grade reports in chemistry, physiology, Latin, and astronomy

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Notebooks
• Speeches, Addresses, etc.
• Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1870-1879
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1873
• Virginia Military Institute—Curricula
• Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century