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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Finding Aid Authors: Special Collections Staff.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
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:
John Turner Henley Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Processing Information:
Collection processed and inventory created in January 2016.
Biographical / Historical
John Turner Henley was a student at the College of William and Mary until 1919. He went to the University of Virginia Law School in 1920. He was a businessman in Richmond, Virginia. He father was Norvell L. Henley, a Virginia Congressman for New Kent, Charles City, James City, York, Warwick, and Williamsburg and Commonwealth Attorney.Administrative History:
.Biographical Information:
John Turner Henley was a student at the College of William and Mary until 1919. He went to the University of Virginia Law School in 1920. He was a businessman in Richmond, Virginia. He father was Norvell L. Henley, a Virginia Congressman for New Kent, Charles City, James City, York, Warwick, and Williamsburg and Commonwealth Attorney.
Scope and Contents
Chiefly letters, 1916-1921, received by John Turner Henley, while a student at the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia Law School. The letters are from female and male friends from Williamsburg, The College of William and Mary, and The University of Virginia. They write about their studies, student life, fraternity activities, work, and social life. Other correspondents include Turner Henley's father, Novell L. Henley, Virginia Congressman and Williamsburg, Virginia lawyer, and his brother, Richardson Henley. Richardson Henley, who graduated from William and Mary in 1920, writes about his engineering training with the War Department and his social life while working for Dupont and others in Georgia. Letters written to Rich Henley and others are also included.
The collection includes Turner Henley's grades, exams. financial papers, and emphemera from William and Mary and The University of Virginia, advertisement ephemera, bank statements/checks, and life insurance statements. A small group of papers are from Richardson Leonard Henley's law practice in the Williamsburg, Virginia area. Most of the papers concern the estate of Mrs. William (Lavinia) L. McCaw and use the letterhead of Eastern Lunatic Asylum where Lavinia McCaw was possibly a patient.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- College of William and Mary--Alumni and alumnae
- College of William and Mary--History--20th century
- Correspondence
- Financial records
- Fraternities--Social--Kappa Sigma
- Legal documents
- Printed ephemera
- University of Virginia
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History--20th century
- World War, 1914-1918
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History--20th century
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id295498
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends1916-1918Scope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, college activities, sports, work activities, and future plans. Turner Henley was attending the College of William and Mary during these years. Names of some of the girls are Doris, Louise Seal, Martha Minge and Billie.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id294238
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends1919 January-SeptemberScope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, college activities, sports, work activities, and future plans. During the summer, Turner Henley has appendicitis and is hospitalized. Katherine Allen writes many letters from State Normal School for Women (Longwood College) in Farmville, Virginia. Turner Henley was attending the College of William and Mary during these months. The names of some of the girls are Martha Minge, Billie, Sara, Florence C. Taylor, Judie, Marian, Bess Jeffreys, Esther W. Wainwright, and Katherine Allen.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id294242
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends1919 October-DecemberScope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, college activities, sports, work activities, and future plans. He was dating Esther W. Wainwright of Portsmouth who was working and not in college. He was attending the College of William and Mary during these months. The names of some of the girls are Martha Minge, Billie, Sara, Florence C. Taylor, Judie, Marian, Bess Jeffreys, Esther W. Wainwright, and Katherine Allen.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4 id294246
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends1920 January-MayScope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, college activities, sports, work activities, and future plans. He breaks up with Esther Wainwright in February, but it takes a few months for the relationship to end. He was attending the College of William and Mary during these months. The names of some of the girls are Esther W. Wainwright, Katherine Allen, Pollie, Doris, Polly Taylor (Lynchburg), Marion Portlock, and Cookie.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5 id294250
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends1920 June-DecemberScope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, college activities, sports, work activities, and future plans. Turner Henley begins Law School at the University of Virginia in September. He joins Kappa Sigma and rooms in the fraternity house.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6 id294254
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends1921 January-AugustScope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, sports, college activities, work activities, and future plans. Names of some of the girls are Gretchen, Katherine Allen, Dorothy, Marion, Cookie, Sue, Frances Lynn (at Swarthmore), and Louise. Katherine Allen is teaching in Kenbridge, Virginia and Louise is teaching in Danville, Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7 id294258
Correspondence - Letters from Female FriendsundatedScope and Contents
Letters from hometown and college female friends. Most letters are about the social activities of college students: dances, parties, mutual friends, sports, college activities, work activities, and future plans.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 1 id295502
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends - Rena "Lucky" & Luck1920-1921Scope and Contents
Rena "Lucky" Luck begins writing Turner Henley when she first goes to the State Normal School for Women (Longwood) in 1918. Her friends often write notes on the letters and envelopes. Rena is from Williamsburg, Virginia and knows the Henley family. She writes about mutual friends, her activities, her school work and her trips to Williamsburg.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 2 id295506
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends - Polly Taylor1919Scope and Contents
Polly Taylor writes Turner Henley from Lynchburg and Farmville. She appears to be a high school student throughout their correspondence, writing about high school football schedules and classes.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 3 id295510
Correspondence - Letters from Female Friends - Polly Taylor1920-1921Scope and Contents
Polly Taylor writes Turner Henley from Lynchburg and Farmville. She appears to be a high school student throughout their correspondence, writing about high school football schedules and classes, though she becomes more knowledgeable of college sports in 1921.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 4 id295514
Correspondence - Letters from Male Friends1916-1920Scope and Contents
Letters written by hometown friends and college friends. When Turner Henley goes to The University of Virginia in 1920, many of his friends from William and Mary write him. Letters written during the school year center on social activities, sports, fraternities, and girls. Those written during the summer months are about vacations and plans for the coming year. George S. Ferguson writes from France and Allen W. Callis from Berlin; both in the military. The names of some of the friends are Chet (Kappa Sigma in Williamsburg), Flicky Harwood, W.R. Carter, "Judie" (Martinsville), Vernon [Geddy] (Williamsburg), Herbert Field, Tom Peyton, and Tyler Willis.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 5 id295518
Correspondence - Letters from Male Friends1921, undatedScope and Contents
Letters written by hometown friends and college friends. The names of some of the friends are Chet (Kappa Sigma in Williamsburg), Flicky Harwood, W.R. Carter, "Judie" (Martinsville), Vernon [Geddy] (Williamsburg), Herbert Field, Tom Peyton, and Tyler Willis.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6 id295522
Correspondence - Letters from Father, Norvell L. Henley1920Scope and Contents
Norvel L.Henley was a lawyer from Williamsburg, Virginia and a Virginia Congressmann for New Kent, Charles City, James City, York, Warwick, and Williamsburg. He writes weekly letters to Turner Henley, often enclosing letters from Turner's brother, Richardson (Rich) who is working in Georgia and Florida. He writes about the activities of himself and Turner's Mother, family news, and local news. He often travels to his congressional districts and Richmond for business and describes some of his work. Some letters include checks for fraternity and college fees. He gives advice about various topics and asks questions about Turner's activities and plans.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7 id295526
Correspondence - Letters from Father, Norvell L. Henley1921Scope and Contents
Norvel L.Henley was a lawyer from Williamsburg, Virginia and a Virginia Congressmann for New Kent, Charles City, James City, York, Warwick, and Williamsburg. He writes weekly letters to Turner Henley, often enclosing letters from Turner's brother, Richard who is working in Georgia and Florida. He writes about the activities of himself and Turner's Mother, family news, and local news. He often travels to his congressional districts and Richmond for business and describes some of his work. Some letters included checks for fraternity and college fees. He gives advice about various topics and asks questions about Turner's activities and plans.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 8 id295530
Correspondence - Letters from Mother, Edmonia Turner Henley1920-1921Scope and Contents
Turner Henley's Mother gives advice ranging from how to spell "bareheaded" to how to arrange his clothes. She writes about family friends and local activities, but most of the letters center around motherly advice giving.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9 id295534
Correspondence - Letters from Brother, Richardson L. Henley1918-1921Scope and Contents
Rich Henley is a student at William and Mary when he begins writing his brother. He later works as an engineer, possibly with DuPont Engineering who were associated with the War Department. In late 1918 and early 1919, he describes living in a barrack, 5 am mornings, and study hall. He is injured and recuperates at Ft. Lee, Virginia and hopes to be discharged when he leaves the hospital. By 1921 he is working and living in Georgia and Florida. He comments that Georgia and Florida girls cannot dance as well as Virginia girls and their parties are not as much fun. Later In 1921, Rich is going to engineering classes. Turner and Rich's Uncle, Spencer Henley, lives in Savannah, Georgia and is mentioned in several letters.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 10 id295538
Correspondence - Letters from Friends1920-1921Scope and Contents
Letters from adult family friends, Carrie Cole and Vernon Geddy from Williamsburg, Virginia and Mamie (Nanie?) Montague from Richmond, Virgina. Includes invitations to social events, including a postcard invitation, postmarked Norge, Virginia, for a dance at the Colonial Hall with the band "Richmond Colored Jazz."
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 11 id295542
Correspondence - Letters to Richardson L. Henley1919-1921Scope and Contents
Letters written to Richardson L. Henley, John Turner Henley's brother. Correspondents include "Cookie" Cooke, Rich's Father, Catherine Cunningham Allen (graduation invitation) and Anna Murken. Included is a completed "Application Blank for Courses Given by the Co-operative Plan, Georgia School of Technology," dated July 26, 1921, where he notes his education, job history, engineering interests and references.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 1 id295546
Correspondence - Letters to and from Others1919-1921Scope and Contents
July 1919 letters between Catharine H. Smith (Burton H. Smith), Norfolk, Virginia and her brother, Spencer Henley about Turner's appendicitis. July 20, 1920 letter from "your Little Friend" Florence Saunders in Williamsburg, Virginia to Lula Morris in Newport News, Virginia. March 18, 1921 letter from Spencer Henley, Savannah, Georgia to his brother Norvell L. Henley in Williamsburg, Virginia about the process of obtaining palms for Palm Sunday church services. August 21, 1921 letter from Lawrence, Blake & Jewell of New York to George R. Allen of Roanoke, Virginia about a loan on a new building for Ouachita National Bank.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 2 id294326
Advertisement Ephemera1920-1921, undatedScope and Contents
Small day calendar booklet from O.H. Berry & Co. of Richmond, Virginia; Two envelopes of "Art Corners" for mounting photographs; form letter to Miss Carrie Lane of Williamsburg from Miller and Rhoads of Richmond, Virginia; two sample cards of hosiery silk from "Better Sox Mills" in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and a postcard size political advertisement for Bob Hatcher and Bill Dunn in the G.A.A. Election in 1921.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 3 id294330
Employment1921Scope and Contents
Letter from J.D. Henley, Engineer of State Aid of the State Highway Commission, to J. Turner Henley informing him of his transfer to Inspector on bituminous surface treatment, July 14, 1921. Letter from the Virginia State Highway Commission to Turner Henley with salary and expense checks, August 19, 1921.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 4 id294338
Finances and Insurance1919-1921Scope and Contents
Invoices, receipts, war risk insurance statements and correspondence, bank books, and bank statements with canceled checks belonging to John Turner Henley.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 5 id294334
R.L. Henley Law Practice Papers1856-1890, undatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Mostly law practice papers of Richardson Leonard Henley. Clients include Capt. Wright "Folly;" Mary L. Taylor family (lawsuit over sale of land); William L. Spencer; and S.C. Barlett (sale of the Hopkins Bartlett land tract). Many letters, receipts, accounts, and legal documents concern the estate of Lavinia J. McCaw (Mrs. William R. McCaw) from 1887-1890. Dr. James D. Moncure, of Eastern Lunatic Asylum, is the administrator of the estate. Includes personal receipts of Dr. James D. Moncure for shares in "Newport News Land and Development Company" and 1897 property taxes. Draft of a judgment by Judge R.L. Henley on allegations of election fraud, undated.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 6 id294342
Higher Education1919-1921Scope and Contents
Correspondence regarding John Turner Henley's entrance into William and Mary and the University of Virginia Law School. Correspondence and other communcations in regard to Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Financial material for college and fraternity.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 7 id294346
Higher Education - Classwork1920-1921Scope and Contents
John Turner Henley's grade notifications, examination booklets, class bibliographies, and handwritten notes.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1 id295894
Prints - Advertising, Invitations, Programs, Menus and Greeting Cardscirca 1880-1920Scope and Contents
Commercial prints and engravings used on various media such as advertising pamphlets, invitations, menus, programs and greeting cards. Late 19th to early 20th century.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 2 id295898
Prints - Calendars1899-1910Scope and Contents
Advertising calendars with a print or engraving on the upper portion. All have tear-off calendars on lower half. The calendars vary in size from 10.5"x14" to 4" x 6.5".
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 3 id295902
Prints - People - Men, Children and CouplesundatedScope and Contents
Commercial prints and engravings, many printed on card stock. Print of William Taft included.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 4 id295906
Prints - People - WomenundatedScope and Contents
Commercial prints and engravings, many printed on card stock. Includes depictions of women in gardens but mainly women modeling different hats.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 5 id295910
Prints - Scenic and AnimalsundatedScope and Contents
Commercial prints and engravings, many printed on card stock. Includes landscape scenes, water scenes, cats, dogs, horses, and tigers.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 6 id295914
Prints - Colleges and Universities1913Scope and Contents
Leather bound program for the "Class Supper of the Class of 1915, VSNA" on September 29, 1913 at the Raleigh Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each page includes a small print reflecting the event described, such as music.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 1 id295918
Prints - Colleges and Universities1909-1913Scope and Contents
Banquet menus and programs for various colleges, fraternities with engravings and prints on the cover and within the program. Some programs are leather bound. Occasions include Sigma Alpha Epsion National Convention on December 28, 1912 in Nashville, Tennessee; Fourteenth Annual Banquet, The Daily Princetonian, May 2, 1912; Pennsylvannia Freshman Banquet, March 4, 1913; Annual Banquet of Tau Chapter, Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity of Randolph Macon at the Henry Clay Inn, June 9, 1913; Initiation Banquet at Dartmouth College in 1909; Delta Kappa Epsilon Initiation and Founders Night on December 15, 1913; Stay-Back Banquet in 1910; Furman Commencement in 1914, and New York University Senior Banquet in 1911.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 2 id295922
Prints - Colleges and Universities1910-1914Scope and Contents
Banquet menus and programs for various colleges, fraternities with engravings and prints on the cover and with the program. Some programs are leather bound. Occasions include Founders Day Banquet of the North Carolina Theta Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Davidson College on February 21, 1913; Fifth Annual Banquet of Phi Sigma Kappa on March 19, 1910 at Bellevue-Stratford; 131st Commencement at Washington and Lee University in June 1914; Williams College Senior Banquet on June 24, 1914; University of Vermont Commencement in June 1914; Commencement for Columbia Military Academy on May 25, 1912; Commencement Week Exercises for Swarthmore College in May 1912; Annual Banquet for Kappa Alpha Beta Chapter at the Virginia Military Institute in 1911, and the 3rd Annual Banquet of New York University in 1914.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 3 id295926
Prints - Colleges and Universities1910-1914, undatedScope and Contents
Banquet menus and programs for various colleges and fraternities with engravings and prints on the cover and within the program. Some programs are leather bound. Occasions include Initiation Banquet of the New Hampshire Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Episilon at Dartmouth in 1910; University of Pennsylvania Junior Banquet in 1911; Freshman Banquet at LeHigh University in 1914; cover for the Beta Theta Pi Initiation Banquet at Amherst, and cover for the Initiation Banquet for Kappa Theta of Amherst College.