James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveMSC 1704
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Tiffany Cole
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Access Restrictions
Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], [Identifier, box/container]. Betty Brown Clemmer and Willis Clemmer papers, SC 0280. James Madison University Libraries Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Betty Brown Clemmer and Willis Clemmer Papers, 1920-2015 (bulk 1943-1949), SC 0280, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by Betty Brown Clemmer in August 2018.
Processing Information
The Seawright Springs (Augusta County, Virginia) history compiled by Ralph Coffman was originally housed in a three-ring binder with each page in a plastic sleeve. The history was disbound and the plastic sleeves discarded. The pages were foldered together and in their orginal order in an acid-free folder. All pieces of correspondence were removed from their respective envelopes. The letters and envelopes were joined with a slip of acid-free paper and a stainless steel paper clip.
Bio/Historical Note
Betty Brown Clemmer was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia to Ruth Leigh Moseley Brown (1905-1998) and Henry Brown (1906-1985). After graduating as valedictorian from Buckhorn High School, Betty enrolled at Madison College in the fall of 1947 to pursue her studies in home economics education. Betty was a member of the German Club and Granddaughters' Club as her mother also attended the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. While in Harrisonburg, Betty met Willis Clemmer of Staunton, Virginia and they were engaged in March 1948. She decided to postpone her college career in January 1949 in preparation for marrying Willis in April 1949. She returned to Madison College and graduated in 1966 with a bachelor's degree. Betty went on to teach elementary school for 29 years and volunteered at the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Museum and Augusta Health Center.
Willis Clemmer (1926-2013) was born near Fairfield, Virginia to Viola Ralston Clemmer and Alva Lewis Clemmer. During WWII, while attending Lee High School in Staunton, Willis enlisted as a cadet pilot in the Army Air Forces, returning after the war to complete his high school degree. For a short period of time in 1946, Willis also enrolled in Shenandoah College in Dayton, Virginia. After graduating from Dunsmore Business College, Willis worked for Smith's Transfer, Westinghouse, and Staunton's Public Work Department. He had a particular fascination with automobiles and was a member of the Model A Ford Club of American and the Antique Automobile Club of America.
Scope and Content
The Betty Brown Clemmer and Willis Clemmer Papers, 1920-2015 (bulk 1943-1949), largely comprise correspondence between Betty Brown Clemmer and Willis Clemmer during their courtship while Betty was a student at Madison College. Other papers relate to Betty's coursework at Madison College including art drawings and program cards, Willis' service in the Army Air Forces including a patch and correspondence from the Veterans Administration, and family biographies and histories related to Augusta County.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series. Series 1: Correspondence is arranged into subseries according to recipient. Each series is arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, 1943-1949 Personal and Biographical Papers, 1920-2015Separated Material
Two self-published local history publications were removed from the collection and cataloged separately.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Augusta County (Va.) -- History
- Biographical sketches
- Clemmer, Betty Brown
- Drawings (visual works)
- Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
- James Madison University -- History
- Letters (correspondence)
- Love letters
- Madison College -- Alumni and alumnae
- Madison College -- History
- Madison College -- Students
- Madison College -- Students -- Social life and customs
- Photographs
Bibliography
Obituary of Willis Lee Clemmer, The News Leader , July 12, 2013.The Schoolma'am , 1948. Harrisonburg (Va.): Madison College.
The Schoolma'am , 1949. Harrisonburg (Va.): Madison College.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Clemmer, Betty Brown
- Clemmer, Willis, 1926-2013
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Augusta County (Va.) -- History
- Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
Container List
Series 1: Correspondence, 1943-1949, largely comprises love letters between Betty Brown Clemmer and Willis Clemmer during their courtship and subsequent engagement when Betty was a student at Madison College. They are sentimental and endearing overall, but are also gossipy and newsy in nature, providing updates on family members, community happenings, and each other's social life.
Correspondence to Betty primarily comprises letters from Willis written during their courtship and are, as a result, affectionate and longing in nature. In writing to Betty, Willis also describes his daily activities of playing sports, driving cars, and seeing movies, in addition to providing updates on family and neighbors. Letters to Betty also include early love letters from gentleman callers other than Willis. She received letters from boys who were attending Virginia Tech, Randolph Macon, and Fork Union Military Academy. Letters presumably from high school beaus are also included. Other correspondents include Betty's mother Ruth Moseley Brown, Betty's grandmother Nannie Clay Brown, and fellow Madison College students. A March 15, 1949 from one of Betty's former classmates, Bunny Maifield, describes the goings-on at Madison College including girls getting caught by the watchmen "night riding" as well as a "bunch of drunk Virginia boys came over and took over the place."
Willis' letters are primarily from Betty, but also include letters from friends and family. A selection of 1945 letters were written to Willis while he was stationed at Keesler Field in Mississippi. The content of these letters describe tales of escapades back home and friends going to Madison College on dates. While Betty's letters to Willis are mostly affectionate and playful in nature, they also document her school and home life. Of particular interest is an August 11, 1948 letter from Betty to Willis while she is home in Baskerville for the summer. She describes an incident with an African-American child stepping on a nail and not receiving proper medical care. In describing this incident, Betty uses racist language and characterizations of the child's family.
Beyond their overall sentiments of affection, Betty's letters to Willis provide insight into her life as a student at Madison College. Betty comments on her schoolwork, exams, studying, social life, entertainment, going downtown (buying food, going to the movies, going to Friddles), and rules and regulations (March 23, 1948: "All my plans for going home have gone 'hay-wire.' Dr. Duke said today that we had to have a chaperone and at this late date we can't find anyone. I could cuss him - wonder what he thinks a busload of girls are going to do in broad open daylight - must think we are terrible"). Betty frequently mentions her dissatisfaction with school and refers to Madison College as Hell or a hell-hole. Additionally, in several letters to Willis (December 4, 1947; September 28, 1948; etc.), Betty describes her presumed struggles with an apparent eating disorder.
A selection of "special letters" (as designated by the donor) concern Betty's engagement announcement, upcoming wedding, and Ruth Moseley Brown's visit to Chicago, etc. These letters are interfiled according to date and include Betty to Willis, April 13, 1949; Ruth Brown to Betty, September 17, 1947; Ruth Brown to Betty, September 15, 1947; Ruth Brown to Betty, April 8, 1948 ("hoping you'd set the world on fire before getting married"); Willis to Betty, April 11, 1949; Nannie Clay Brown to Betty, January 14, 1949 (letter after quitting school to get married); Nannie Clay Brown to Betty, May 3, 1948; Rev. Claude Moseley (uncle) to Betty, March 31, 1949; Ruth Brown to Betty, March 9, 1948.
- 1.1
Betty Brown Clemmer Correspondence1943-1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 1
Betty Brown Clemmer Correspondence1943
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 2
Betty Brown Clemmer Correspondence1944
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 3
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 4
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceFebruary 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 5
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 6
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 7
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMay 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 8
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJune 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 9
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJuly 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 10
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceAugust 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 11
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceSeptember-November 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 12
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary-September 1946
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 13
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceOctober 1946
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 14
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceNovember 1946
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 15
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceDecember 1946
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 16
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 17
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceFebruary 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 18
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 1
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 2
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMay 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 3
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJuly-August 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 4
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceSeptember 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 5
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceOctober 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 6
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceNovember 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 7
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceDecember 1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 8
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 9
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceFebruary 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 10
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 11
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 12
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMay 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886402] box: 2 folder: 13
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJune 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 1
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJuly 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 2
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceAugust 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 3
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceSeptember 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 4
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceOctober-November 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 5
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceDecember 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 6
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 7
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceFebruary 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 8
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 9
Betty Brown Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 10
Betty Brown Clemmer Correspondence (folder 1 of 2)undated
- Mixed Materials [1000886403] box: 3 folder: 11
Betty Brown Clemmer Correspondence (folder 2 of 2)undated
- Mixed Materials [1000886401] box: 1 folder: 1
- 1.2
Willis Clemmer Correspondence1944-1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 1
Willis Clemmer Correspondence1944
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 2
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 3
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 4
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceMay-August 1945
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 5
Willis Clemmer Correspondence1946
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 6
Willis Clemmer Correspondence1947
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 7
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 8
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceFebruary 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 9
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 10
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 11
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceMay 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 12
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceJune 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 13
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceJuly 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 1
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceAugust 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 2
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceSeptember 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 3
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceOctober-December 1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 4
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceJanuary 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 5
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceFebruary 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 6
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceMarch 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 7
Willis Clemmer CorrespondenceApril 1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 8
Willis Clemmer Correspondenceundated
- Mixed Materials [1000886404] box: 4 folder: 1
Series 2: Personal and Biographical Papers, 1920-2015, comprise personal papers belonging to Betty and Willis Clemmer as well as personal and family biographies. Materials also relate to Augusta County history.
This series includes photographs - originals and facsimiles - of the Clemmers as well as Ruth Moseley Brown during her high school and college years.
The Clemmers' personal papers include materials and coursework from Betty's time at Madison College, specifically drawings from Basic Art 2 in which she was assigned to draw home furnishings and clothing. Alimae Aiken was Betty's instructor. Willis' transcripts from Lee High School and documents from the Veterans Administration are included.
The series also comprises several Clemmer family biographies, autobiographies, and histories related to Augusta County, Virginia. Willis' reminiscences, written in 1993-1994, document his memories of growing up in Augusta County. A history of Seawright Springs (Mt. Solon) compiled by Augusta County historian Ralph Coffman includes photographs and other materials related to the resort. The Seawright Springs history includes a partial transcript of Alexander Stuart Coffman's 1864 diary and a transcript of a March 26, 1907 letter from Charles Curry (a lawyer in Staunton) to an A. C. Gorden regarding the geography and folklore of specific Augusta County locations.
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 9
Photographs1920-2013
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 10
Willis Clemmer personal papers1944-1948
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 11
Betty Brown Clemmer Madison College Art 2 drawingscirca 1947-1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 12
Betty Brown Clemmer Madison College grade report, program cards, and The Breeze clipping1948-1949
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 13
"I Remember" by Willis Clemmer1993-1994
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 14
Betty Brown Clemmer biographies19972015
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 15
Seawright Springs (Augusta County, Virginia) history compiled by Ralph CoffmanMarch 2002
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 16
"The Big Depression" Remembered by Betty Brown Clemmer, Willis Clemmer, and Nancy Brown Latham. Told to Susan WayneSeptember 2005
- Mixed Materials [1000886405] box: 5 folder: 17
Ruth Leigh Moseley Brown biographyundated