Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

Papers of the Carpenter and White Families, Accession # 11613, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was a gift to the Library by Ms. Billie Lewis Barnes of 1705 Solomon Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901 on April 10, 2000.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of ca. 280 items, ca. 1836-1965, primarily personal correspondence of Frances Ann (White) and Alfred Carpenter. There are also financial and legal papers of the Carpenters and their children, Amanda, Stephen Alfred, and William L. Carpenter. Other material includes genealogical data on the Carpenter, White, Teel and related Anderson, Ellis, and Johnson families.

Financial and legal papers, 1844-1876, of Alfred Carpenter include various accounts for the sale of cotton (1863), tobacco (1858), and oats, wheat and tobacco (1876); and, tax in kind estimates and assessments of agricultural products (1864) and bacon (1865), including one oversize (1865). There is an account of visits by William H. Pitts to "woman Betsy" and "boy Jack" for medicine and quinine, and to his wife for venesection. Legal papers include an appointment of a Court of Enquiry and Appeal (1847), an appointment as surveyor of roads (1864), and an Amnesty Oath signed by Alfred Carpenter. Other items of interest include settlement receipts on the estate of John Carpenter (1853, 1855) and a receipt for the exchange of a black mare heavy in foal (1862). There are miscellaneous accounts of Frances Ann (White) Carpenter and her children as well as a few miscellaneous accounts pertaining to John A. Brown and Fielding and Dabney Sprouse.

Letters of Amanda Carpenter include a letter, March 16, n.y., to her brothers referring to their being anxious to join the army and letters, November-December 1880, concerning the love affair of Amanda and Captain John A. Jones.

Letters between Frances Ann (White) and Alfred Carpenter range from December 1842 to September 1844. The main themes discussed between Frances and Alfred are their relationship, engagement, and marriage. Alfred's letters are usually lengthy and detailed, covering various subjects. Alfred writes chiefly from the Post Office in Richmond where he works, commenting on the work occasionally. A December 10, 1842 letter indicates that they have been busy since the meeting of legislation with a great deal of extra work and comments on the Democrats having everything in their own hands, hoping they will set an example by making this a short session, not hanging on until corn planting time according to custom. A December 28, 1842 letter mentions news of a mail mishap in the canal involving the driver, horse and mail.

There are various topics and comments of note or interest in the letters between Frances and Alfred. January 1843: everything going on "just as Parson [Samuel] Miller had never predicted the end of the world in April 1843"; revival commencing at the Methodist Church; eloquent discourse delivered by Reverend John Johns (1796-1876); exhibit of the "Mermaid" at the Exchange; temperance folks holding numerous meetings; weddings being quite in fashion; and, an expected revival and protracted meeting. February 1843: the "Orphan's fair" at the Exchange. March 1843: description of the wedding of Amanda M. Anderson and Benjamin F. Peters. April 1843: Richmond area flood and the suspension of navigation on the canal; revival at the Baptist churches with Elder Knapp holding forth every night, many turning from darkness unto light, and being the last warning to the "Sinners of Richmond." May 1843: Episcopal convention and several fairs being in preparation; a Mr. Pierre being baptized in the Campbellite faith. June 1843: the death of Fanny's aunt and inquiries as to the care of her little boy; the "General Baptist Association" in Richmond; new Methodist church being dedicated; the arrival of President   John Tyler (1790-1862) accompanied by Postmaster General Charles Anderson Wickliffe (1788-1869), his attendance of worship at the Monumental, and his being a spry widower and probable candidate for matrimony; setting a wedding date; Reverend Moffitt expected at the new Methodist Church early July; her preference for the country and his for the city; their marriage not being romantic as "such never turn out well, when romance ceases love will too." July 1843: Alfred's birthday; plans for the 4th of July by the military companies and the teetotalers and oddfellows; opposition to her marriage and reservations about marrying someone not so close to home; and, Garnett Piper's wedding on the 27th. September and October 1843: the course of true love. November and December 1843: wedding being cancelled by Fanny and her family due to malicious rumors circulating about Alfred and poor no account relations in Greene, and the resolution upon realization that the reports were false. January and February 1844: previous engagement renewed, marriage arrangements, and marriage on February 20th. August 1844: news from North Garden - father ill with rheumatism or shingles, local death from consumption; Richmond news - citizens with time and money have gone to the country or springs while the merchants have gone north for their fall purchases; and a humorous story about a lady who lost her bustle in the street; camp meeting in Chesterfield.

There are personal letters, 1844-1869, to Alfred Carpenter from family and friends. There is a letter, April 13, 1844, from S. L. Moore of Locust Grove who is mortified to hear that she acted so imprudently, giving the appearance of being overly friendly, while in Richmond and that it caused an improper opinion of her. A letter, May 14, 1844, from John B. Carpenter to his brother, says that his father requests his presence at the sale and comments that "the Negroes will sell very high." On February 4, 1869, D. F. Slaughter negatively describes an event that took place on Christmas eve in Harrisonburg, writing that there was no official excursion, it was a badly managed and mangled affair with no time notice for the farmers to prepare for attendance without neglect and injury to his crops. This may refer to tobacco farmers during reconstruction. An August 18, n.y. letter from S. A. Webb, Glenmore, concerns Carpenter's school being broken up, his boarders leaving, and his delay in paying debts.

There are various topics and comments of note or interest in the letters to Frances (White) Carpenter. A letter of November 1, 1842 gives a humorous account of the infare of Julia A. J. Elsom and William Brown the evening following their marriage. Letters of October and November 1842 offer lengthy and detailed and often witty descriptions of the revival at North Garden. On October 25th, Susan A. Durrett, North Garden, writes about the different converts and moaners. On November 9, John M. Carr, Garlands, discusses the great revival amongst the Methodist and the great number who have professed religion and joined the church. He also mentions the infare and fandango of the Browns and gives a discourse on love and marriage and his feelings for his loved one, Sally Brown. There is a November 9 letter from Pat Haskell, University of Virginia, his just having "returned from the North Garden, otherwise Holy land..." where nearly everyone was converted; he shares amusing stories of the revival and gives a very comical narrative of the revival. On November 16, S. L. Woods, Apple Grove, gives a lighthearted view of the revival and everybody getting religion and shares a humorous story about him mistaking another woman for his wife at the revival. January 1843 letters discuss relatives possibly being descendants of Miles Cary and claims on the Cary estate and encourage Fannie to accept Alfred Carpenter's attention. On August 1, 1843, Pat Haskell writes from Memphis, Tennessee about deer and bear being plentiful for hunting and Colonel Virginius Leake's hound dog, Caleb. A November 18, 1843 letter from Benjamin C. Burnete, Bowling Green, discusses the character of Pat Haskell. There is a very spiritual letter, September 2, 1844, praising Fannie for being born again and getting religion. On August 24, 1861, there is a letter from Alfred in Lewisburg giving news of some of the soldiers and recent skirmishes. On April 21, 1862, Sallie writes from Ridgway, Albemarle that she wishes she could do something for the comfort of the soldiers; she expresses sympathy for the soldiers and their hardships. A letter, May 20, 1863, from Richard Carson Triplett, laments the loss of Stonewall Jackson as irreparable and favorably comments on General Ambrose Powell Hill being in charge of his corps. Triplett also writes on December 3, 1865 from Round Hill that he joined Colonel [John Singleton] Mosby where he remained until February 18, 1864 when he was captured and taken to the 'Old Capitol' for four months and then to Fort Delaware for the remainder of the war. Triplett also comments on the surrender of the South, loss of "Negro labor" and the death of Dr. Martin of Albemarle. There is a letter, March 15, 1866, from Fannie's nephew, Allensville, Kentucky, discussing his dry goods and groceries store and business. There are two letters, 1879 and 1880, from Louis T. Hanckel, Charlottesville attorney, concerning some property of the Carpenters.

There are also letters to Frances Carpenter from her relatives, chiefly concerning personal and local news. Two letters, November 1842, from cousins relate more lively comments about the revival held in North Garden and the wedding and post-party of William Brown. There is also a letter, July 1, 1844, concerning another revival held in North Garden, which relates some of the stories of the participants.

There are a few miscellaneous items such as poetry, notes, a recipe, an advertisement, social cards, and an oversize silk printing of " President Jackson's Farewell Address to the People of the United States."