Digital Durham

Browse Collection › Personal Papers › James Southgate Collection › 43 records found
	Letter from Bettie Ann Cunningham to Thomas Decatur Jones , September 08, 1885 Writing from Greensboro, North Carolina, Bettie Ann Cunningham asks her brother Thomas Decatur Jones about his expectant wife Mattie Logan. "I hope she is not uneasy and bears her trouble bravely. I believe all the ladies this year have gone a month over their time and all of them have had girls so be prepared for such a calamity as you men regard it." She also describes her brother John K. Jones' accident and how poor communication between his siblings and their mother Nancy Harriet Keen Jones delayed his medical care. In closing, Bettie advises Thomas to attend Mrs. Chapin's temperance speech when the lecturer travels to Durham.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, January 04, 1880 Mattie Southgate writes her mother Delia Haywood Wynne Southgate with news from her boarding school, Wesleyan Female Institute. Mattie celebrated Christmas with her sisters Annie Moore Southgate and Lessie Muse Southgate during the two-day school holiday provided by principal William A. Harris. The girls send their mother bills for instruction with their music teachers Lizzie Daniels, Anna Boyd and Professor Ide. In addition, they report that they must purchase more sheet music for their lessons, because their music is "out of style." Mattie provides news of an upcoming school performance and a defense of her progress in Miss Williams' history class. She closes with a request that her mother send a box with "cocoanut cake," preserves, mince pies, nuts, and ground peas.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to Annie Moore Southgate, November 24, 1881 Mattie Logan Southgate tells her sister Annie Southgate about her Wesleyan Female Institute roommates, Leland Sneed, Mettie Ricketts, and Mollie Page. Mattie refers to Minnie Moore, another school friend from Durham. She mentions the Methodist Episcopal Church, South Annual Conference, which was held in Durham, North Carolina in November 1881, and asks that her family send her a care package for Christmas.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to James Southgate, January 29, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate acknowledges receipt of five dollars from her father, James Southgate. She shares news from Cordelia Hunter Southgate (Aunt Hunter) and tells of writing her sister, Lessie. She has lots of news to report from the Wesleyan Female Institute. The principal, William A. Harris had each student immunized and Mattie jokes that "her scab will vaccinate most all of Durham." She comments on her grades and compares her progress in penmanship to that of her friend Leland Sneed. In closing, she requests more money to pay for additional practice time on the piano. The session with Professor Ide, she claims, is insufficient.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, February 27, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate explains her concern for her father's health and the rationale behind her telegraphing home for news of his condition. The stationery is embellished with hand-drawn birds modeled on those drawn by her friend Minnie. Mattie asks her mother to send a box of water colors from Dike's book shop in Durham, so she can study art on her own. She describes the dress she will wear at the upcoming soiree at Wesleyan Female Institute and closes with a promise to write her sister Lessie.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to Celestia Muse Southgate, March 26, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate writes her sister Lessie (Celestia Muse) Southgate with news of festive and somber events at the Wesleyan Female Institute. She provides a vivid description of Alma Ivey's death from "tiphoid and brain fever," the visit of Alma's mother to school, and the funeral procession from school to the railroad depot. Mattie tells Lessie about her new interest in drawing and her lessons with Reverend Harris' daughter, Mattie. She discusses her coursework with Lizzie Daniels in vocal music and her plans to study art and musical elocution in the next year. Mattie notes that she visited Edmund Berkeley's studio and she promises to send her sister a photograph.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to James Southgate, September 23, 1883 Mattie Logan Southgate sends news concerning Minnie Moore's death to her father, James Southgate, who has traveled to Richmond, Virginia. She further describes the ill health that afflicts little Mary Blackwell and Mrs. Lockhart. Mattie refers to the letter Kate Sanborn sent to her father. She describes her visits with different Asheville friends and relatives and the poor quality of vocal and instrumental music that she heard there.
	Letter from Kate Sanborn to Mattie Logan Southgate, October 12, 1884 In this letter, from Kate Sanborn to Mattie Southgate, Kate reacts with surprise to Mattie Southgate's announcement of her upcoming wedding. She berates Mattie for setting a date for the wedding while neglecting to inform her of the groom's name. Kate wonders whether the groom is Capt. Wahab or Mr. Duke.
	Letter from James Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, circa 1885 In this fragment of a letter, James Southgate takes his daughter on an imaginary walking tour of Durham where he visits with her friends, neighbors and town luminaries. Southgate reports on the news and gossip of the day: Durham's tobacco entrepreneurs, Blackwell & Goodson dissolved their partnership, Dr. A.G. Carr sold his stock of medicines to the druggists Vaughan & Tenny, Mrs. Battle struggles while her husband Dr. Lee W. Battle seeks treatment for his opium habit at the Asylum, and the Lehman family purchases a new piano. Additionally, Southgate supplies his daughter with tidbits of news concerning the Halliburton, Lyon, Smith, Perry, Phillips, Lockhart, Watts, Howerton, Farthing, Angier, McCabe, Thomas, Walker, Betts, Burton, Cooper, Rowland, Miller, Fuller, Gammon, Hopkins, Day, Mohsberg, Levy, Fawcett, Wilkerson, and Dalby families.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate Jones to Annie Southgate, March 1885 Mattie Southgate Jones writes, her sister, Annie Southgate with news of illnesses and happenings in the Durham community. "Tomato" (a pet name that she uses for her husband, Thomas Decatur Jones) and A.S. DeVlarming, her husband's book-keeper have battled fever and measles, respectively. Mrs. Bob Jones experienced a miscarriage, Kate Conrad battles pneumonia and DeVlarming copes with measles. She reports that her sister Lessie will work together with Mrs. George Watts, Dora Fanning, Minnie Carter, and, Marion Fuller to organize a concert. Mattie shares news of her visitors. She mentions her garden, quilt making, and embroidery.
	Letter from Mollie Page to Mattie Logan Southgate, December 31, 1881 Mollie Page, school friend from Wesleyan Female Institute, writes Mattie about the festivities surrounding Christmas at her home in Batesville, Virginia. She attends a series of parties and writes of her conversation with Ed Martin and her correspondence with Leland Sneed (Lela) and Mettie Ricketts, fellow W. F. I. students.
	Letter from Mollie Page to Mattie Logan Southgate, September 12, 1882 Under her nickname, "Mary Eddie," Mollie Page writes her school friend, Mattie Logan Southgate "Tom" to ask if she will come back to school. Mollie has planned to room with Mattie at the Wesleyan Female Institute. Mollie sends news of Leland Sneed and Mettie Ricketts and some other friends.
	Letter from Mollie Page to Mattie Logan Southgate, January 23, 1883 Mollie Page writes her friend Mattie Logan Southgate about an outbreak of scarlet fever at the Wesleyan Female Institute. After the principal William A. Harris informs his students of the disease, the young women flee school. Mollie describes the mass exodus of the girls as they sought refuge with their friends, relatives, and in the hotels in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia. Mollie reports that their friends Pattie, Cora, Cherry, Dean, and Eddie are safe but the fever took the life of Nannie Jordan. She relates her own story of illness while at the Wesleyan Female Institute, the visit of Dr. Henkle, and her subsequent recovery from dropsy at her home in Batesville, Virginia.
	Letter from Mollie Page to Mattie Logan Southgate, January 29, 1883 Writing under her nickname "Mary Eddie," Mollie Page sends her friend Mattie Logan Southgate ("Tom") news about principal William A. Harris' plan for resuming classes at the Wesleyan Female Institute. Mollie reports that Dr. Harris sent her father a letter with his proposal to start school in February, but she doubts that she will be able to attend. Mollie tells Mattie of her plans to travel to Charlottesville with her father and promises to send a photograph of herself. She shares news of their friends Lela, "Dean," Pattie, Cherry and her brother Bob. Mollie closes with a discussion of men, marriage, and tobacco.
	Letter from Mollie Page to Mattie Logan Southgate, March 01, 1883 Mollie Page reminisces about her school days with Mattie Southgate at the Wesleyan Female Institute. She notes that school is in session and reports that the fever is still raging. Her father, she reports, "thinks the people are crazy to send their daughters back." Mollie refers to the March 1st Resolution and the pledge to correspond with her school friends. She tells Mattie that she has already written their friends "Dean" and "Eddie" and that she expects to receive a letter from Mattie. Mollie tells Mattie about social events in Batesville, complains that she missed Lela's birthday celebration, and notes that she will turn eighteen later in the month.
	Letter from Mollie Page to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, November 08, 1889 Upon reading a death notice for Thomas Decatur Jones (1852-1889) in the Durham Daily Globe, Mollie Page writes her friend Mattie Logan Southgate Jones to express her condolences. Mollie Page and Mattie Southgate Jones roomed together at the Wesleyan Female Institute in Staunton, Virginia.
	Letter from Mettie Ricketts to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, November 11, 1889 Mettie Ricketts sends her friend, Mattie Southgate Jones a letter of sympathy on the death of her husband Thomas Decatur Jones (1852-1889). Mettie Ricketts and Mattie Southgate attended the Wesleyan Female Institute in Staunton, Virginia during the early 1880s.
	Letter from Kate Christine Sanborn to James Southgate, September 27, 1883 Kate Christine Sanborn expresses her grief to James Southgate about the recent loss of her mother, Susan Sanborn. Kate notes that her father and seven of her siblings have already died.
	Letter from Kate Christine Sanborn to James Southgate , July 17, 1884 Kate Christine Sanborn tells James Southgate, that she has heard rumors that his daughter Mattie is spending time with a buyer of bright leaf tobacco. She wants Mattie's father to reveal the identity of this man who keeps her friend "in the parlor till 1 a.m. three nights a week." Kate comments on the nomination of Grover Cleveland and the placement of Thomas A. Hendricks on the Democratic ticket. She notes that the Durham papers have suggested that the younger James Southgate might be a suitable legislative candidate. She closes with a discussion of her unmarried status.
	Letter from Kate Christine Sanborn to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, December 06, 1889 Kate Christine Sanborn expresses her sympathy to her friend Mattie Logan Southgate Jones on the death of Thomas Decatur Jones (1852-1889).
	Letter from Leland Sneed to Mattie Logan Southgate, March 01 1883 Leland Sneed, whose nickname is "Sammie Eddie," writes her school friend Mattie Southgate ( "Son Tom" ) about her recent birthday party. Leland mentions the gifts from her parents, particularly the bracelets she received from her father. She refers to the March 1st resolution to which she and her Wesleyan Female Institute school friends, Mettie Ricketts, Mattie Southgate, and Mollie Page, subscribed.
	Letter from Leland Sneed to Mattie Logan Southgate, April 04, 1883 Writing under her nickname "S. Eddie," Leland Sneed sends news to her friend Mattie Southgate ("Old Tom') about the parties and dances that she attends near her home in Bellevue, Virginia. She tells Mattie about the boys--Will Page, Jim White, and Steve Carpenter-- who traveled from Red Hill for the dances and reports on Mettie Rickett's courting. Leland reveals that she and her friend Byrdie Townley spied on Mettie and her beaux. In response to the eavesdropping, the courting couple whipped their friends with a cowhide.
	Letter from Lessie Southgate to James Southgate, Delia Southgate, James Haywood Southgate, Annie Southgate, Mattie Southgate, December 25, 1881 Lessie Southgate writes her family in Durham from Goliad, Texas where she is teaching music. She vividly recollects her illness and recovery in the winter of 1880, the visits of doctors Carr, Battle, and Knox, as well as the rich "Christmas eatings," her spare diet of "tea-eggs, toast and mush" and the gifts of her family and friends. Lessie tells her family about the benefit concerts she has organized and gives news of a concert she will give in Victoria, Texas. She writes about a fashionable dress that she will wear at Annie Bradshaw's wedding, a garment that she purchased with her earnings.
	Letter from Lessie Muse Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, April 02, 1882 Lessie Muse Southgate sends her sister Mattie Logan Southgate $10 for a train trip to Washington, D.C. from Staunton, Virginia. She also promises to send a dress in time for the trip. Lessie Southgate notes that Ida Seate, an alumnae of Wesleyan Female Institute (class of 1879), lives in Goliad, Texas at the same boarding house where Lessie resides.
	Letter from Celestia Muse Southgate to Annie Moore Southgate, February 08, 1885 In this letter, from Lessie Southgate to, her sister, Annie Moore Southgate, Lessie (Celestia Muse) Southgate describes events occurring in Durham: a sermon, "musicale," and an upcoming Valentine's Day party. Lessie shares news about the Duke family, Lipscomb family, Blackwell family, Carr family, and Lockhart family. Lessie depicts a horseback outing with Emma Lockhart, Julian S. Carr, and others. While riding through Hayti, she stopped to to see Adaline, one of the family's domestic servants, who is ill. Lessie mentions the arrival of the "Wizzard Oil Band of Singers," a group that performs open air concerts. She concludes her note with humorous news of Annie's dog, Zoe.
	Letter from Delia H. Southgate to Annie Moore Southgate, February 09, 1885 Delia Southgate writes her daughter, Annie Moore Southgate, who has traveled to Richmond for medical care at Dr. Frank D. Cunningham's Retreat of the Sick.
	Letter from Delia Haywood Southgate to James Southgate, March 05, 1885 Delia Southgate writes her husband, James Southgate, that their son-in-law Thomas Decatur Jones is unwell and their daughter Mattie Logan Southgate Jones is full of anxiety. In addition, she notes that Jones's book keeper A.S. DeVlarming suffers from measles and pneumonia. Delia gives news about the health of every one at home: Lessie has recovered from a cold and sleeps with the dog, Zoe. Aunt Sarah Raboteau sleeps with Delia. She mentions Aunt Sarah's squabbles with the cook Neomie. Delia closes with a request that her husband purchase some artwork.
	Letter from James Haywood Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, March 20, 1878 James Haywood Southgate compliments his sister, Mattie Southgate, on her improvement in penmanship. He tells her of his visit with Dr. Le Doux and his wife and remarks that he feels "like getting a wife myself." James confides that he will not marry until he has $10,000 in the bank. This letter is written on stationery from the Citizen's Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey.
	Broadside from James Southgate, July 01, 1881 In an effort to help his daughter obtain a teaching position, James Southgate distributes a broadside describing Lessie Muse Southgate's qualifications in vocal and instrumental music. The broadside gives an overview of Lessie's education at the Wesleyan Female Institute in Staunton, Virginia and the Grand Conservatory of Music in New York. Mr. Southgate gives Professor Ernst Eberhard of the Grand Conservatory and E. Louis Ide of the Wesleyan Female Institute as references. The broadside notes that Lessie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is willing to work as music instructor for any denomination.
	Letter from James Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, December 03, 1881 James Southgate sends his daughter, Mattie Logan Southgate spending money so that she can pay her bills and purchase winter flannel. He plans to have C. B. Green and G. E. Webb forward Durham's main newspapers--the Daily Tobacco Plant and Durham Recorder-- so that she might read about the proceedings of the North Carolina Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South's Annual Conference . The Southgate family hosts a number of Conference attendees who travel to Durham for the event. This letter is written on stationery from the Office of James Southgate, General, Fire, Insurance an Commission Agent.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, Annie Moore Southgate, Mattie Logan Southgate, Celestia Muse Southgate, and Sallie Raboteau, September 07, 1883 James Southgate, together with his son James H. Southgate, sends news to his Durham household from Richmond, Virginia where the elder Southgate seeks medical care for his ailments. James describes the visits with friends, and the medical treatment he is receiving from his physician. James H. Southgate closes the letter with a postscript that describes the "Retreat for the Sick" and its costs. This letter was written on J. Southgate and Son, General Life, Fire, and Accident Insurance Agents stationery.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, September 12, 1883 James Southgate sends news to his wife, Delia H. Southgate, from the "Retreat for the Sick" in Richmond, Virginia. James describes the medicines--Blue Mass, Chlorate of Potash and calomel--that he has taken for his ailments and the effects these have had on his mouth and stomach. He notes the prices of fruits in the Richmond market, visits from the Mohsberg family, and advises Delia to make arrangements in Chapel Hill and Hillsboro to purchase peaches and pears for canning. Southgate asks for news about Mattie who is traveling, his niece Undine and expresses concern for Mrs. Lipscomb and Minnie Moore who are ill. He offers his family dietary advice and requests that Delia send him the family's newspapers after they have been read at home.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, September 18, 1883 James Southgate writes his wife Delia Southgate about his medical regimen at the Retreat of the Sick, in Richmond and the news he has heard about illnesses in Durham. Responding to reports from Durham of the Whitaker family's illness, Southgate advises that Mr. Whitaker eliminate his hogs, dismantle the hog pen, and put in a layer of lime on the top of the soil. He advises his family to clean their property and use lime to purify the grounds and sleeping rooms. He expresses his concern about the ill health of his Durham friends Mrs. Blackwell, her daughter Mary Blackwell and his daughter's school mate Minnie. He notes his correspondence with Grandma Zach about the Richmond fruit market and makes plans with Delia purchase peaches and pears from Chapel Hill for canning. He describes the mischievous antics of sailors at the Retreat who baptize a brood of kittens. In closing, Southgate mentions his correspondence and visits with friends and relatives including Kate Sanborn, Cousin Aug...
	Letter from James Southgate to James Haywood Southgate, September 20, 1883 James Southgate reflects on the death of Minnie Moore and the extreme illness of Mrs. Blackwell's child, in this letter to his son, James Haywood Southgate. The elder Southgate recounts the losses that Minnie's family recently experienced and prays that Minnie's mother will find consolation in her religious faith. He describes his medical regimen in Richmond, Virginia, especially the diet of boiled eggs and meat juice that he eats. He mentions several meetings with different insurance representatives. In a postscript, he notes that the doctor recommends the addition of oysters to his diet.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia Haywood Southgate, Annie Moore Southgate, Mattie Logan Southgate, James Haywood Southgate, Celestia Muse Southgate, and Sarah Anne Wynne Raboteau, September 23, 1883 James Southgate writes his wife, children and sister, about the inclement weather in Richmond and the medical treatment he receives there. He remarks about his weight loss and relates the different theories that his physicians, his sister Sarah Raboteau and his cousin Augusta Christian have about treating "feeble digestion" or "Dyspepsia." He shares details of his medical regimen and the effects of the medications on his mouth. While watching church goers in the rainy streets of Richmond, James ruminates on the weather's effect on religious practice. James expresses his wish to visit his relations in eastern Virginia with his physician's approval. He responds to news from his family about Grandma Zack and Ed Sym and notes that he dined on oysters.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, July 31, 1884 James Southgate writes his wife, Delia Southgate with news of their daughter Lessie's performance in Goldsboro: "Rah for Durham! Cats out did herself last night and carried the crowd." James reports on their train travel through Raleigh to Goldsboro.
	Letter from James Southgate to James Haywood Southgate, September 01, 1887 In this letter to his son James H. Southgate, James Southgate discusses his medical condition diagnosed by Dr. A.G. Carr, Dr. Bartholow, and Dr. Frank D. Cunningham. James Southgate worries about Eugene Morehead's health and the future of the Durham bank should Morehead die. Southgate describes his diet at his hotel in Saratoga Springs and gives a report on a prayer meeting held by Reverend Dr. Simpson of t he New York Tabernacle. He anticipates his journey home and wonders if he will, upon his return, feel like Rip Van Winkle.
	Letter from James Haywood Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, November 20, 1881 James Haywood Southgate writes his sister Mattie Logan Southgate with news from home and advice for her studies at Wesleyan Female Institute James commends Mattie on the progress she made in her report card grades and counsels his sister on how to build a "superior intellectual edifice." He advises that she use her letter writing to "improve her mode of expression" and suggests that she abandon her habitual practice of underlining. James thanks for Mattie for sending a photograph. He details the foods that the Southgate family has brought to their Durham home in order to host visitors for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South's North Carolina Annual Conference. He describes his plans to travel to Atlanta for the Exhibition and notes that he may visit his Uncle Thomas Wynne and his family in Columbus, Georgia. He closes by inquiring after a parcel he sent Mattie. James writes his letter on stationery from the Office of James Southgate, General, Fire, Insurance and Commission Agent.
	Letter from James Haywood Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, April 06, 1882 James Haywood Southgate sends his sister Mattie Logan Southgate a humorous letter and photograph. James provides an immodest analysis of his physical features by comparing them with those of nineteenth-century luminaries. "You will doubtless note the appearance of that Classic brow, that Websterian mouth, that Clay cut ear, that Calhoun nasal organ . . . ." He commends Mattie on her academic progress at the Wesleyan Female Institute, particularly her improvement in painting, and offers that he might be able to visit her in Staunton, Virginia.
	Letter from James Haywood Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, November 26, 1889 In this letter, from James Haywood Southgate to, his sister, Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, James congratulates Mattie Southgate Jones on the birth of her son, Thomas Decatur Jones. Her brother prays to God for her speedy recovery from the pains of childbirth. He writes the letter on F. Fishbate Wholesale and Retail: Clothier, Hatter, and Furnisher's stationary, which was located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
	Letter from unknown author to Mattie Logan Southgate, September 08, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate ("Tom) received this letter from a schoolmate writing under the alias of "bed bug.". The author mentions hosting Mollie Page and Leland Sneed, two Wesleyan Female Institute friends who reside in Virginia. There is a strong likelihood that Mettie Ricketts, Mattie's friend from W.F.I. authored this letter. The author tells Mattie of a horseback ride with Jim White and the young man's expression of "undying love" for her. She describes her travels with Mollie Page and Leland Sneed to Red Hill and the picnic and dances they attended. She closes with her plans to commence teaching and asks Mattie if she intends to continue her studies at the Wesleyan Female Institute.
	Mattie's Report Card from Wesleyan Female Institute, December 1881 This December 1881 report card from the Wesleyan Female Institute at Staunton, Virginia assesses Mattie Southgate's progress in writing, natural philosophy, rhetoric, elocution, French, German, vocal music, instrumental music, calisthenics, and conduct. Directed by principal William A. Harris, the Wesleyan Female Institute offered a range of courses including those on Butler's Analogy, evidence of Christianity, Geometry -- plane and analytical, philosophy, mental and moral, and book keeping.
	Letter from N. O. Wilkinson to Mattie Logan Southgate, January 27, 1880 N. O. Wilkinson sends this letter to her young neighbor Mattie Logan Southgate, a student at the Wesleyan Female Institute in Staunton, Virginia. Mrs. Wilkinson sends news about her children, Willie, Minnie, and Tommie. Mattie's sister, Annie Southgate spent the day with Mrs. Wilkinson's daughter, Willie. N. O. Wilkinson reports the activities of Durham's young people over Christmas and notes the construction activity in town. She mentions her son's recent hunting trip and reminisces about her school days at Greensboro College. Mrs. Wilkinson closes with a request that Mattie's sister Lessie send her news from school.

The copyright interest in the material in this digital collection has not been transferred to the Digital Durham project. These text and images may not be used for any commercial purpose without the permission of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library and the Digital Durham Project. Copyright permission for subsequent uses is the responsibility of the user.