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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.

Preferred Citation:

Buford Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase.

Processing Information:

Accessioned and processed by Ute Schechter, March 2009. Further described by Gloria Oh, SCRC Staff in April 2009.

Biographical Information:

Captain Paschal Buford was lived from 1791 to 1875. He was the son of Henry and Mildred Blackburn Buford. He married Frances Ann Otey on October 31,1820.

Paschal Buford was a farmer and a horse breeder. Regarding his military career, he served as an officer in the War of 1812. During the Civil War, he supported the south and invited General Robert E. Lee's wife and daughter to spend the summer of 1863 at his home.

He died at "Locust Level", Bufordsville, Bedford County, Virginia, July 23, 1875.

Scope and Contents

Papers, 1840-1892, of the Buford family of Bedford County, Va., consisting of letters, mostly addressed to Capt. Paschal Buford (1791-1875). Other correspondents include his wife Frances Ann Otey Buford and his daughter Maggie (Margaret Letitia) Buford. Some letters to Paschal Buford were written by his daughter Bettie (Mildred Elizabeth) and her husband Edward C. Burks. Also includes financial records, wedding invitations, records relating to horse breeding and a note book, circa 1880.

The following description was provided by the seller:

"The letters are talking about travel, deaths, politics, some talk about the good and bad of having servants. Letter, 1845, from Edward Burks to Captain Buford notifying him that he is engaged to his daughter and asking about Buford's wishes and opinion in relation to it. Western Union Telegraph letting Mrs. T. N. Cobbs (Margaret Letitia Buford Cobbs) know that her husband, Captain Thomas N. Cobbes has died. 2 Wedding Invitations for the children of Captain Buford from the 1860s. Several letters and items dealing with Paschal Buford's raising of prize horses, mainly about the pedigree of a horse named Red Robin from the early 1870s, also about Knight of St George, Trustee and other horses."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Financial records
• Horses--Breeding--Virginia
• Virginia--Social life and customs--19th century