Vaughn-Clark family papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Vaughn-Clark family papers
Creator: Clark, Bess Vaughn
Inclusive Dates: 1842-1968
Language(s): English
Extent: 7 Linear Feet 4 boxes, 1 document box, 2 oversize boxes
Collection Number: ms4190
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

Bess Vaughn Clark (1913-2007) was a genealogical researcher specializing in Twiggs County, Georgia history. She authored books and lectured extensively on the subject and earned an honorary degree for her work from Mercer University in 2001. Her parents were Herschel Johnson Vaughn (1880-1968) and Bessie Julia Read (1884-1967) of Twiggs County, GA. Russell Floyd Read, a veteran with the 48th Georgia Infantry Regiment who was wounded at Gettysburg, was her grandfather.

Francis Goulding Clark (1909-1978) was a graduate from Mercer University and worked for Georgia Power Company for 40 years. His parents were Edgar Holt Clark (1873-1937), a teacher and Baptist minister, and Lillie Goulding, who married in Oglethorpe County in 1894. Edgar's parents were Adoniram Judson Clark and Abi A. Morris Clark.

Francis Clark, Jr. served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Ability in the 1960s.

Scope and Content

This collection contains genealogical research materials on the Vaughn, Clark, Read, and associated families, and that of other Twiggs and Oglethorpe County families. It has correspondence between Francis G. Clark and Bessie Vaughn Clark during their college courtship and through the first few years of their marriage, often referencing employment difficulties during the Depression. Other correspondence includes letters to and from Francis Clark, Jr. during his time aboard the USS Abiity in the early 1960s. There are a number of Civil War letters from members of the Read family as well. Also included are notes, copies, photographs, legal documents, and narratives.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Vaughn-Clark family papers, ms4190, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Correspondence
box	folder
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1	1	Bessie Vaughn
1	2-8	Bessie Vaughn Clark from Francis G. Clark, 1931-1936
1	9	Bessie Vaughn Clark from Francis G. Clark
1	10	Bessie Vaughn Clark
1	11	Bessie Vaughn Clark - Prosperity Club chain letter, 1935
1	12	Francis Goulding Clark
1	13-16	Francis G. Clark from Bessie Vaughn Clark, 1931-1934
1	17	Francis G. Clark - employment , 1932-1935
1	18	Bessie and Francis Clark from Francis Clark, Jr., 1963-1964
box	folder
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2	1-4	Bessie and Francis Clark from Francis Clark, Jr., 1964-1966
2	5-7	Francis Clark, Jr. from Bessie Vaughn Clark, 1964-1966
2	8	Francis Clark, Jr. from Francis G. Clark, 1963-1966
2	9	Francis Clark, Jr. from Mrs. Herschel J. "Mammy" Vaughn, 1964
2	10-11	Francis Clark, Jr. from Mr. Herschel J. "Da" Vaughn, 1964-1967
2	12	Francis Clark, Jr. from Ellen Edenfield and family, 1963-1965
2	13	Francis Clark, Jr., 1964-1968
2	14-15	Mr. and Mrs. Herschel J. Vaughn from Francis Clark, Jr., 1956-1966
2	16	Mr. and Mrs. Herschel J. Vaughn - postcards
2	17	Alpheus L. Read - Civil War letters
2	18	John F. Read - Civil War letters
2	19	Benjamin F. Read - Civil War letters
2	20	Joseph A. Read - Civil War letters
2	21	Russell Floyd Read - Civil War letters
2	22	Read family
2	23	Envelopes
box	folder
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3	1	James Oliver - business and legal documents
				Inventory of enslaved persons
			Contains inventory of enslaved persons named: Solomon; Sally; Jordan; Mat; Baggy [?]; John; Louisa, a girl; John, a boy; Sutton; Aggy, a woman; Bejo, a woman; January; Mary; Hiram Jr., a boy; Malida; Suckey, boy; Harry; Hardy; Caty, a woman; Henry, a boy; Evalin; Potter; Dick; Buck; Malisa, a woman; Abraham; [indiscernable name]; Billy; Betty, a woman
3	2	Martha Oliver, Mrs. James Oliver
3	3	Shelton Oliver
3	4	Martha Thompson - estate of J.S. Thompson, 1869
3	5	W.S. Oliver - estate of R.R. Winfry, 1869
3	6	Estate of Richard R. Winfry, 1868-1869
3	7	Dr. W.M. Willingham
oversized_box
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2		Whitfield Amason correspondence to sister Abi Goolsby in Goose Pond, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1842 June 17

 

2. Genealogy and county history
box	folder
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3	8	Bessie Vaughn Clark - Lanier High School, 1931
3	9	Bessie Vaughn - memory book, 1931
3	10	Bessie Vaughn and Francis Clark - marriage certificate, 1932 May 14
3	11	Bessie Vaughn Clark - ephemera
3	12	Bessie Vaughn Clark - dance cards
3	13	Bessie Vaughn Clark - bridge cards
3	14	Bessie Vaughn and Francis Clark - photographs
3	15	Francis G. Clark - Mercer University, 1932
3	16	Francis G. Clark - Military induction and classification, 1941-1945
3	17	Francis G. Clark - education, military
3	18	Genealogy notes and copies including Elias J. Denson correspondence concerning the return of Tilman Denson's 48th Georgia Infantry flag
3	19	Bessie Read Vaughn - memoirs, 1962
3	20	Mary Read Rice - poem, ode to her father R.F. Read, 1904 December 24
3	21	Mrs. E.H. Clark - Uncle Zach's Tale of Happenings "Befo de Wah"
3	22	B.D. Tharpe - H.H. Phillips estate
3	23	Jabez M. and Sarah E. Poyner - indenture, will, 1867, 1885
3	24	Bethel Male College - Southwest Georgia Agricultural College - Cuthbert, Georgia - Adoniram J. Clark, president - photograph, 1888
3	25	Twiggs County and Reynolds family photographs - Janice Hearne Mitchener
3	26	Southern Family Ties - Bowden, DeFore, Latson, Smith - printed copy with notes
3	27	Charles Cork - accounting ledger, 1907-1916
oversized_box
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1		Odd Fellows group photograph, 1902
box
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5		Read family Bible
oversized_box
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2		English legal documents, 1849-1881

 

3. Printed material
box	folder
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3	28	Commencement Address - Madison Female College, 1852
3	29	United Confederate Veterans Reunion brochure - Georgia Southern and Florida Railway, 1912
3	30	Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, United Daughters of the Confederacy
3	31	World War II ration books
3	32	Georgia History Series - Kilowatt News
3	33	Historic booklets
3	34	Newspaper clippings
box
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4		Winifred Roper - The Aztec - Montezuma High School yearbook, 1959
4		James Roper - The Bridge - Macon County High School yearbook, 1961
4		James Roper - Cyclops - North Georgia College yearbooks, 1962-1965
4		Arlene Roper - The Bridge - Macon County High School yearbook, 1967
oversized_box
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1		Snap Shots, vol. 10, No. 9 - Georgia Power Company newsletter, 1936 September
1		The Citizen - Georgia Power Company newsletter - bound, 1974