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Preferred Citation:

Burton-Alston Letters, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Acquisition Information:

Unknown, received prior to 1950.

Scope and Contents

Letter to Elizabeth Burton in Williamsboro, Granville County, North Carolina from her Aunt Adeline Alston, dated 1850 and letter to niece Margaret Burton in Williamsboro, Granville County, North Carolina from Aunt M. P. Alston, dated 1863.  Family news, particularly health of family members.

Per an Alston researcher: "Marina Priscilla Williams Alston (1810-1897) was married to George Washington Alston (1801-1849) in 1829. They had 3 sons, Philip, William, and George Jr. After George Sr. died, the widow Marina had a fine house built that still stands, Cherry Hill, in Warren County NC.

Marina had numerous kinfolk including several siblings from her father William Williams's two marriages and their children. Among these are people evidently mentioned or implied in the finding guide, including Adeline Alston and Margaret, who married Horace Burton of Granville County."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Free blacks
• Smallpox