Oscar Newton Maxwell and Annie Sarah Coombs letters, 1895-2001, bulk 1896-1918

Summary

Creator:
Maxwell, Oscar Newton, 1878-1933 and Coombs, Annie Sarah, 1881-1918
Date:
1895-2001, bulk 1896-1918
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet 1 box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Oscar Newton Maxwell and Annie Sarah Coombs letters, ms3716, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of correspondence and receipts. The correspondence begins in 1895 when Annie Coombs is fourteen years old and writing to her friend Oscar Maxwell. She goes away to school at Georgia Normal and Industrial College in Milledgeville and writes him about her studies, activities and friends. Apparently they used the nicknames Sun Flower (Oscar) and Hyacinth (Annie) in their early letters to conceal the identity of the writers, since their parents did not approve of the letter writing. They planned to marry in December 1897, even though her parents objected. But Oscar's December 17 letter states that Annie has backed out. By 1900 Oscar and Annie are married with a son Newton. Letters in 1918 tell of the sickness and death of Newton, probably of influenza. There are a few letters from other family members. Transcripts of the letters are included.

Biographical / historical:

Oscar Newton Maxwell (1878-1933), son of Isaac Newton Maxwell (1847-1914) and Mary Jane Kitchens Maxwell (1844-1913), lived in Danville, Georgia. Annie Sarah Coombs (1881-1918), daughter of Ashley Boothe Coombs and Charlotte Elizabeth Plane Coombs, was born in Twiggs County, Georgia. Oscar Maxwell was warden of the women's department of the State Prison Farm in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

Oscar Newton Maxwell and Annie Sarah Coombs letters, ms3716, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.