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The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Curry Family Letters, Ms1992-009, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Curry Family Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1992.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Curry Family Letters commenced and was completed in September, 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Joseph Kaiser Newton, son of William and Anne Moorehead Newton, was born in Fort Spring (Greenbrier County), (West) Virginia on March 2, 1796. He married Phebe Paxton (1794-1831) in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1818, and the couple had three children. Following Phebe's death, he married Jane M. McVey (1810-1889) in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia in 1832. They had nine children together. By 1851, The Newtons were living in Stark County, Illinois. Joseph K. Newton died in Stark County on June 27, 1861, and was buried in Toulon Cemetery, Stark County.

Nancy Newton, daughter of Joseph K. and Anne Moorehead Newtown, was born in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia in 1823. She married Anderson D. Perry (1815-1887) in Greenbrier County in 1846; the couple had seven children. By 1850, the Perrys were living in Stark County, Illinois. They continued to live in Stark County as late as 1870. By 1880, the family had moved to Newport (Barton County), Missouri.

The 1850 federal census lists "Cathren" McHaney, 25, as a Virginia-born resident of Montgomery County, Missouri. Also listed in the home are four young McHaney girls, ranging in age from one to five and presumably Catherine's children. She seems likely to be the same Rainey Catharine Berger (McHaney) Jefferson (1825-1892) buried in Nowlin Burial Ground, Bellflower (Montgomery County), Missouri.

Isaac A. Curry, son of James and Elizabeth N. Curry, was born in Monroe County, (West) Virginia on August 21, 1827, and was reared in neighboring Greenbrier County. He married Margaret K. Youel (1829-1906) in 1853, and they had five children. The Currys moved to Atchison County, Missouri, establishing a farm there in 1856. In 1887, the Currys relocated to Texas; in 1894, to Oklahoma. Isaac A. Curry died on December 23, 1907, and was buried in English Grove Cemetery, Fairfax (Atchison County).

James Harvey Curry was born in Monroe County, (West) Virginia on April 16, 1847. He married Rachel Madora "Dora" Burdette (1854-1913), and the couple had four children. By 1880, the Currys had moved to Missouri. The federal census of that year shows the Currys living in Atchison County with three young children. James H. Curry died on October 5, 1923, and was buried in English Grove Cemetery, Fairfax (Atchison County), Missouri.

Lena R. Bell, daughter of James R. and Mary Brownlee Bell, was born in Augusta County, Virginia on October 6, 1861. She married James Arthur Fulton in Greenville (Augusta County), Virginia on December 18, 1888; they had three children. Lena R. Bell Fulton died in Staunton, Virginia on December 21, 1946, and was buried in Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 11 letters, all seemingly addressed to members of the Curry family of Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia, and written by relatives in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Virginia. Correspondents include Joseph K. Newton and Nancy Perry of Stark County, Illinois; Catherine R. McHaney of Kings Mills [Montgomery County], Missouri; Isaac A. Curry, M. K. Curry, and J. H. Curry of Atchison County, Missouri; and Lena R. Bell of Long Glade [Augusta County, Virginia]; together with three letters from partially identified correspondents. The letters focus on news of family members and mutual acquaintances, with frequent mentions of relocations and deaths. Other areas of focus include crops (particularly wheat), the weather (including a description of a devastating 1851 flood in Illinois), and church activities. An undated letter from Ruth Perry of Stark County, Illinois, discusses high taxes and an epidemic of measles. In an 1856 letter, I. A. Curry of Atchison County, Missouri, mentions having heard rumors of the pending sale of the White Sulphur Springs hoping that he will receive his share of the proceeds. Lena R. Bell, writing from Long Glade [Augusta County, Virginia] in 1881 notes that "boys are a great big humbug" and mentions having recently received an anonymous Valentine card. The letters are accompanied by a lock of hair and swatch of fabric, most likely from the Nancy Perry letter.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• West Virginia
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Curry Family Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).