Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for use.

Preferred Citation

E. W. Bosworth Letter to his Nephew (WLU Coll. 0133), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased March 2025

Biographical Note

Both men were known as "Tom."

The elder Tom was born on December 11, 1867 to Elam and Margaret Bosworth in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He taught Latin at McGuire's University School in Richmond, Va. from 1891 until it closed in 1942. Afterwards, he moved to Brownsburg, Va. and taught Latin at a girls' school. He died on March 19, 1955 in Lexington, Va.

The younger Tom was born on April 22, 1921 in Brownsburg, Va. to James and Grace Bosworth. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1943 and soon attended Columbia University for officer's training in the U. S. Navy. He served in the Pacific on the USS Windsor and was honorably discharged in 1945. He graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1952 and practiced general medicine in Lexington, Va. for many years. He died on January 10, 2008.

Content Description

This collection consists of a letter written by E. W. Bosworth of Brownsburg, Va. to his nephew and namesake, E. W. Bosworth. Both men were known as "Tom" to their friends and family. The letter begins by updating the younger Tom on property news and how the younger Tom's mother has been granted his power of attorney. The elder Tom then mentions attending the funeral of a local African American man named Sam Franklin (1855-1945). He wrote, "A good many white people were there, but not many colored people. The fact is there are not many left here." The elder Tom continues to describe the weather (snow on the ground) and shares family news. He mentions that Billy Sterrett has been missing for 3 weeks and that he belonged to the air service on the Western Front. Says he hasn't heard anything from the "old McGuire boys for a long time." He continues the letter by commenting about the Russians on the Eastern Front and says "Those Nazi heads will hold out as long as they can find troops to die for them." Tom finishes his letter by mentioning the girls he's teaching, "The girls are scared, but I'd rather have them that way than over confident," and noting the location of the Big and Little Dipper and other stars. The letter is dated January 21, 1945.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Bosworth, Elam Withrow, 1921-2008
• Virginia -- Brownsburg