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Martin Family Papers

Diaries and correspondence, 1847-1945

Manuscript collection MC 859

• Information about the Martin Family
• Information about the Collection
• Contents of Collection (2 boxes)

THE MARTIN FAMILY

Benjamin's youngest son, Gilbert H. Martin, married May Prigmore in 1891. May was the daughter of George W. Prigmore, a Union Army captain from Illinois who settled in Pine Bluff following the Civil War, and Annie Elizabeth Elliott. One of the commonplace books in Series 2 was kept by Annie during the Civil War when she was a schoolgirl in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Many of the photographs in Series 6 are of the Gilbert Martin family.

THE COLLECTION

The Martin family papers have been arranged in seven series by document type. Materials in Series 3, Literary Productions, include research notes pertaining to the Martin family papers created by the donors, Barkley Eddins and Jo Ann Pugh. Fragile originals have been restricted, replaced by positive photocopies, and indicated within the finding aid with an asterisk.

Processed by Kim Allen Scott, June 1988. Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

• Series 1. Correspondence, 1858-1945. Box 1.
• Series 2. Diaries, ca. 1830s-1872. Box 1.
• Series 3. Literary Productions, ca. 1850s-1970s. Box 2.
• Series 4. Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials, ca. 1870s-1880s. Box 2.
• Series 5. Legal Documents, 1852-1877. Box 2.
• Series 6. Printed Materials, 1876-1920. Box 2.
• Series 7. Photographs, ca. 1860s-1920s. Box 2.

Series 1. Correspondence, 1858-1945. Box 1, Folders 1-7.

Familial and business correspondence written to or received by the Benjamin W. Martin family. The early correspondence is between Benjamin and Martha or his business associates in New Orleans. Postwar correspondence includes letters from the Martin girls while attending college in Kentucky, letters from Benjamin during his final illness in Hot Springs, and letters from other Martin children to their mother, Martha E. Martin.

Box 1

• Folder 1. Correspondence, 1858-1867.
  1. February 27, 1858*
     Foster, Groves, & Co. (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  2. November 25, 1859*
     Edith D. Martin (Pennsboro, Virginia) to Henry Martin [Bradley County, Arkansas?].
  3. April 10, 1860*
     Benjamin W. Martin (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  4. December 2, 1863*
     John Phelps (Henderson, Louisiana) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  5. January 16, 1866*
     Benjamin W. Martin (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  6. November 3, 1866*
     Benjamin W. Martin (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  7. November 8, 1866*
     Benjamin W. Martin (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  8. June 7, 1867*
     Benjamin W. Martin (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  9. December 16, 1867
     Edith D. Martin (Pennsboro, West Virginia) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  10. December 22, 1867*
      Benjamin W. Martin (New Orleans, Louisiana) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
• Folder 2. Correspondence, 1869-1870.
  1. January 12, 1869
     Edith D. Martin (Pennsboro, West Virginia) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  2. June 22, 1869
     Virginia Martin (Pennsboro, West Virginia) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  3. July 10, [1869]
     Virginia Martin (Pennsboro, West Virginia) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  4. July 10, 1869*
     Benjamin W. Martin (Camden, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  5. February 11, 1870*
     Henry G. Martin (Gaines Landing, Arkansas) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  6. February 18, 1870
     Benjamin W. Martin (Camden, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  7. March 23, 1870
     Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  8. May 20, 1870
     "Mattie" [Martha Washington] Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  9. September 16, 1870
     "Mollie" [Mary Clay] Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  10. November 10, 1870
      M.E. Hughey (Vassar College, New York) to Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky).
• Folder 3. Correspondence, 1871-1872.
  1. January 22, 1871
     M.E. Hughey (Vassar College, New York) to Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky).
  2. [ca. February 1, 1871]
     M.E. Hughey (Vassar College, New York) to Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky).
  3. February 4, 1871
     M.E. Hughey (Vassar College, New York) to Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky).
  4. February 15, 1871
     Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  5. February 18, 1871
     "Mattie" [Martha Washington] Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  6. March 29, 1871
     Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  7. November 7, 1871
     Benjamin W. Martin (Collins Depot, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  8. [ca. 1871]
     M.E. Hughey (Vassar College, New York) to Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) [fragment].
  9. February 26, 1872
     Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  10. November 25, 1872*
      Mary Clay Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Benjamin W. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
• Folder 4. Correspondence, 1873-1876.
  1. January 20, 1873*
     Mary Clay Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  2. January 31, 1873
     "Lizzie" [Elizabeth] Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  3. [ca. 1873]
     Virginia Martin (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas) [fragment].
  4. November 4, 1875
     Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  5. November 13, 1875
     Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  6. December 7, 1875
     Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to "Dear Daughter" [Mary or Elizabeth Martin, Shelbyville, Kentucky].
  7. December 9, 1875
     Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Henry Gaines Martin (Cut Off, Arkansas).
  8. December 16, 1875
     Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  9. December 21, 1875
     Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  10. January 8, 1876
      Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Henry Gaines Martin (Cut Off, Arkansas).
  11. January 14, 1876
      Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  12. February 6, 1876
      Benjamin W. Martin (Hot Springs, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
• Folder 5. Correspondence, 1877-1886.
  1. July 27, 1877
     George C. Wilson (Warren, Arkansas) to Virginia Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  2. September 24, [1883]
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Benjamin W. Martin, Jr. (Warren, Arkansas).
  3. December 14, 1884
     James Lou Martin (Evansville, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  4. January 8, 1885
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Benjamin W. Martin, Jr. (Warren, Arkansas).
  5. February 8, 1885
     Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas) to [?].
  6. February 10, 1885
     James Lou Martin (Evansville, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  7. July 6, 1885
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Benjamin W. Martin, Jr. (Warren, Arkansas).
  8. December 21, 1885
     Ollie [?] (Rockford, Illinois) to Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas).
  9. February 2, 1886
     Anna B. McCabe (Woodford County, [?]) to Elizabeth Martin Elliot (Pine Bluff, Arkansas).
  10. September 9, 1886
      James Lou Martin (Collins, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
• Folder 6. Correspondence, 1888-1899.
  1. March 15, 1888
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Catherine Bulloch Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  2. May 15, 1888
     George C. Wilson (Martin, Tennessee) to Virginia Wilson Martin (Hamburg, Arkansas).
  3. [ca. 1880s]
     Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas) to Henry G. Martin [?].
  4. [ca. 1880s]
     Elizabeth Martin Elliot (Pine Bluff, Arkansas) to Benjamin W. Martin, Jr. (Warren, Arkansas).
  5. April 16, 1890
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Catherine Bulloch Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  6. May 6, 1890
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Catherine Bulloch Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  7. September 18, 1892
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Hamburg, Arkansas) to Catherine Bulloch Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  8. November 10, 1898
     Fannie B. Martin (Hamburg, Arkansas) to "Dear Friend."
  9. January 16, [1899?]
     Virginia Martin Wilson (Searcy, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  10. April 19, [1899?]
      Virginia Martin Wilson (Searcy, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  11. September 29, [1899?]
      Virginia Martin Wilson (Searcy, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  12. October 26, [1899?]
      Virginia Martin Wilson (Searcy, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
• Folder 7. Correspondence, 1907-1945.
  1. June 6, 1907
     Louis H. Bond (Crockett, Texas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  2. March 10, 1910
     Louis H. Bond (Crockett, Texas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  3. September 8, 1912
     Gilbert Hamilton Martin (Pine Bluff, Arkansas) to Martha E. Martin (Warren, Arkansas).
  4. March 16, 1918
     Nettie Logan (Shelbyville, Kentucky) to "Dear Friend."
  5. February 23, 1945
     Mrs. W.B. Eddins (Pine Bluff, Arkansas) to Gilbert H. Martin (Port Hueneme, California).

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  Series 2. Diaries, ca. 1830s-1872. Box 1, Folders 8-13.

  Diaries and commonplace books kept by Mary Bacon Bond, Martha Elizabeth Bond Martin, Benjamin Wilson Martin, Virginia (Jennie) Martin, and Annie Elizabeth Elliott.

  Box 1 (cont.)

• Folder 8. Commonplace book, ca. 1836-1852, kept by Mary Bacon Bond, a resident of Drew County, Arkansas, and mother of Martha Elizabeth Bond Martin.*
• Folder 9. Diary, June 12, 1847-July 8, 1848, kept by Benjamin Wilson Martin following his marriage to Martha. This diary records the couple's wedding trip to New York in 1847 and Benjamin's workaday activities following their return.*
• Folder 10. Diary, May 12, 1847-January 19, 1851, kept by Martha Elizabeth Martin following her marriage to Benjamin. This diary records the couple's wedding trip to New York in 1847 and Martha's home life following their return.*
• Folder 11. Diary, February 1, 1851-circa 1857, kept by Martha Elizabeth Martin after completing the diary above. Sometime in the latter part of the nineteenth century, Martha covered almost every page in this diary with newspaper clippings. Prior to their removal during processing, these clippings were photocopied and have been placed in Series 4, Scrapbooks.*
• Folder 12. Commonplace book, ca. 1860-1865, kept by Annie E. Elliott, Baton Rouge, Lousiana. This book contains manuscript essays and poetry, newspaper clippings, and some laid-in memorabilia.
• Folder 13. Diary, September 23, 1870-May 3, 1872, kept by Virginia (Jennie) Martin while attending school in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

Series 3. Literary Productions, ca. 1850s-1970s. Box 2, Folders 1-3.

Recipes and formulas written or collected by Benjamin W. Martin or Martha E. Martin, ca. 1850-1870s; genealogy notes and essays on the Martin family collected by donors Barkley Eddins or Jo Ann Pugh; research notes by Jo Ann Pugh concerning the correspondence in Series 1.

Box 2

1. Recipes and formulas, ca. 1850s.
2. Genealogy notes, ca. 1970s.
3. Research notes, ca. 1970s.

   Series 4. Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials, ca. 1870s-1880s. Box 2, Folders 4-6.

   Positive photocopy of the clippings pasted over the diary entries kept by Martha E. Martin placed in series 2; memorandum book containing locks of hair, class notes, and laid-in materials kept by Virginia (Jennie) Martin, ca. 1870s; autograph album kept by May Prigmore, ca. 1880s; three pages from a scrapbook with prayer cards, newspaper clippings dealing with the Martin family. (The scrapbook pages have been removed to the Manuscript Collec- tions Oversize Box 5.)

   Box 2 (cont.)

4. Martha Martin scrapbook, ca 1880s.
5. Jennie Martin memorandum book, ca. 1870s.
6. May Prigmore autograph album, ca. 1880s.

   Series 5. Legal Documents, 1852-1877. Box 2, Folder 7.

   Parchment land warrant, Bradley County, Arkansas, made out to James J. Black, May 15, 1852 (removed to Manuscript Collections Oversize Box 5); deed for town lot, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, purchased by Lizzie Elliott from George W. Prigmore, November 10, 1877.

   Box 2 (cont.)

7. Legal documents, 1852-1877.

   Series 6. Printed Materials, 1876-1920. Box 2, Folders 8-9.

   Newspaper clippings pertaining to the Martin or Prigmore families collected by donors Barkley Eddins or Jo Ann Pugh; miscellaneous printed materials.

   Box 2 (cont.)

8. Newspaper clippings, ca. 1890s-1970s.
9. Miscellaneous printed items, 1876-1920s.
   1. March 8, 1876
      Report card for James S. Martin, Warren, Arkansas.
   2. April 24, 1887
      Funeral notice for George W. Prigmore, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
   3. January 25, 1888
      Receipt for goods purchased by May Prigmore, Staunton, Virginia.
   4. January, 1888
      Report card for May Prigmore, Staunton, Virginia.
   5. September 5, 1901
      Funeral notice for Lex Raymond Brown, Searcy, Arkansas.
   6. May 1, 1902
      Receipt for goods purchased by Virginia Martin Wilson, Searcy, Arkansas.
   7. ca. 1902
      Receipt for goods purchased by Virginia Martin Wilson, Searcy, Arkansas.
   8. December, 1920
      Prayer card signed by Nettie Logan.
   9. no date
      Calling card for Mrs. J. M. Wilson.

   Series 7. Photographs, ca. 1860s-1920s. Box 2, Folders 10-16.

   Primarily formal studio portraits of Martin family members and their friends. Photographs 13-20 in Folder 12 are members of the Prigmore and Elliott families. Photographs 35-40 in Folder 15 are of the Benjamin Wilson Martin home in Warren, Arkansas, and three identified portraits of persons unrelated to the Martins. Photographs 41-55 in Folder 16 are unidentified.

   Box 2 (cont.)

10. Photographs 1-7.
    • 1. Mary Bacon Bond, ca. 1860s.
    • 2. Martha Elizabeth Martin, ca. 1880s.
    • 3. Martha Elizabeth Martin, ca. 1890s (two copies).
    • 4. Henry Gaines Martin, ca. 1880s.
    • 5. Gilbert H. Martin, ca. 1870s.
    • 6. Gilbert H. Martin, ca. 1880s (three copies).
    • 7. Gilbert H. Martin, ca. 1890s.
11. Photographs 8-12.
    • 8. Martha Martin Elliott, ca. 1880s.
    • 9. [Mary Clay Martin Strickland?], ca. 1880s.
    • 10. Martha Martin Elliott and Bert Strickland, ca. 1880s.
    • 11. Benjamin Wilson Strickland and Bert Strickland, ca. 1880s (two copies).
    • 12. Benjamin Wilson Strickland, ca. 1880s.
12. Photographs 13-20.
    • 13. Thomas A. Elliott, ca. 1860s (two copies).
    • 14. Annie Elliott Prigmore and George W. Prigmore, ca. 1860s.
    • 15. George W. Prigmore, ca. 1880s.
    • 16. Clarence Prigmore, ca. 1870s.
    • 17. J.W. Prigmore, ca. 1870s.
    • 18. Lillian and May Prigmore, ca. 1870s.
    • 19. "Old Emma" Wilkerson and an unidentified woman, November 1898. Informal outdoor snapshot of two black women standing on the back porch of the Prigmore home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
    • 20. "Old Emma" Wilkerson, November 1898. Informal outdoor snapshot of Wilkerson standing behind the Prigmore home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
13. Photographs 21-28.
    • 21. May Prigmore Martin, Josephene Martin, and unidentified children, ca. 1900. Informal outdoor group portrait of Martin and children seated on some steps.
    • 22. Annie Elizabeth Martin and Josephene Elliott Martin, ca. 1900. Informal outdoor snapshot of an infant Josephene in a baby carriage and Annie standing alongside.
    • 23. Josephene Elliott Martin, ca. 1900. Infant Josephene in same baby carriage shown in photograph #22.
    • 24. Josephene Elliott Martin, ca. 1902.
    • 25. Josephene Elliott Martin, ca. 1903.
    • 26. Josephene Elliott Martin, ca. 1903 (3 copies).
    • 27. Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., ca. 1903.
    • 28. Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., ca. 1903 (2 copies).
14. Photographs 29-34.
    • 29. May Prigmore Martin, Annie Elizabeth Martin, Josephene Elliott Martin, Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., ca. 1905. Informal outdoor snapshot of the Martins standing alongside a residential street.
    • 30. Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., and nurse, ca. 1905. Informal outdoor snapshot taken from the same place as photograph #29.
    • 31. Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., ca. 1910. Informal outdoor snapshot of Gilbert holding a parasol.
    • 32. Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., ca. 1910. Informal outdoor snapshot of Gilbert leaning against a tree and wearing a rain coat and hat.
    • 33. Gilbert H. Martin, Jr., ca. 1920.
    • 34. Josephene Elliott Martin, ca. 1920s.
15. Photographs 35-40.
    • 35. Benjamin W. Martin home, Warren, Arkansas, ca. 1900.
    • 36. Benjamin W. Martin home, Warren, Arkansas, ca. 1900.
    • 37. Group of unidentified people at the Benjamin W. Martin home, ca. 1900. Informal outdoor group portrait of people sitting on the front steps of the Martin home.
    • 38. Melvin Parse, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, ca. 1870.
    • 39. Mary A.P. Shuff, Belin, Illinios, ca. 1870s.
    • 40. Mrs. E.D. Russ, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, ca. 1870s.
16. Photographs 41-52.
    • 41-52. Unidentified people, ca. 1850s-1890s.