Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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 for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Edward B. Hicks Letter, Ms2010-081, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2010.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Edward B. Hicks Letter was completed in November 2010.

Biographical Note

Edward B. Hicks was an attorney based in Lawrenceville, Virginia. He was born on July 11, 1789 and died on November 27, 1858 at the age of 69. Edward was the eldest son of Daniel (d. November 1857 at age 99) and Fanny Hicks (d. April 12, 1840).

On November 3, 1822, Edward married Elizabeth Stone, the daughter of Governor and Senator David Stone of North Carolina. The couple had many children together, but unfortunately Edward survived most of them. However, one son named David Stone Hicks, who was born on May 11, 1826, attended the University of Virginia and became a lawyer and judge. Edward also survived his wife, who died on Febuary 12, 1837 after a long illness; in the Hicks family diary, he describes her as, "my most affectionate and devoted wife."

Sources:

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter from Edward B. Hicks in Lawrenceville, Virginia, to William Townes in Clarksville, Virginia. The last page serves as the letter's envelope and contains a postage mark, sending address, and the remnants of a red wax seal.

The letter's contents rant against President Polk's presidential administration, blaming him for not helping Virginia's debt as well as for having the audacity to try to go to war with Britain over the Oregon Territory. The following quote is indicative of Hicks' contempt for Polk: "Does he believe that he can bully England, when Napoleon with Europe at his back, could neither alarm or conquer her."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Townes, William (Clarksville, VA)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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