Vaughn-Clark family papers

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

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.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

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


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Correspondence

boxfolder
11Bessie Vaughn
12-8Bessie Vaughn Clark from Francis G. Clark, 1931-1936
19Bessie Vaughn Clark from Francis G. Clark
110Bessie Vaughn Clark
111Bessie Vaughn Clark - Prosperity Club chain letter, 1935
112Francis Goulding Clark
113-16Francis G. Clark from Bessie Vaughn Clark, 1931-1934
117Francis G. Clark - employment , 1932-1935
118Bessie and Francis Clark from Francis Clark, Jr., 1963-1964
boxfolder
21-4Bessie and Francis Clark from Francis Clark, Jr., 1964-1966
25-7Francis Clark, Jr. from Bessie Vaughn Clark, 1964-1966
28Francis Clark, Jr. from Francis G. Clark, 1963-1966
29Francis Clark, Jr. from Mrs. Herschel J. "Mammy" Vaughn, 1964
210-11Francis Clark, Jr. from Mr. Herschel J. "Da" Vaughn, 1964-1967
212Francis Clark, Jr. from Ellen Edenfield and family, 1963-1965
213Francis Clark, Jr., 1964-1968
214-15Mr. and Mrs. Herschel J. Vaughn from Francis Clark, Jr., 1956-1966
216Mr. and Mrs. Herschel J. Vaughn - postcards
217Alpheus L. Read - Civil War letters
218John F. Read - Civil War letters
219Benjamin F. Read - Civil War letters
220Joseph A. Read - Civil War letters
221Russell Floyd Read - Civil War letters
222Read family
223Envelopes
boxfolder
31James Oliver - business and legal documents - includes list of enslaved people
32Martha Oliver, Mrs. James Oliver
33Shelton Oliver
34Martha Thompson - estate of J.S. Thompson, 1869
35W.S. Oliver - estate of R.R. Winfry, 1869
36Estate of Richard R. Winfry, 1868-1869
37Dr. W.M. Willingham
oversized_box
2Whitfield Amason correspondence to sister Abi Goolsby in Goose Pond, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1842 June 17
 

2. Genealogy and county history

boxfolder
38Bessie Vaughn Clark - Lanier High School, 1931
39Bessie Vaughn - memory book, 1931
310Bessie Vaughn and Francis Clark - marriage certificate, 1932 May 14
311Bessie Vaughn Clark - ephemera
312Bessie Vaughn Clark - dance cards
313Bessie Vaughn Clark - bridge cards
314Bessie Vaughn and Francis Clark - photographs
315Francis G. Clark - Mercer University, 1932
316Francis G. Clark - Military induction and classification, 1941-1945
317Francis G. Clark - education, military
318Genealogy notes and copies including Elias J. Denson correspondence concerning the return of Tilman Denson's 48th Georgia Infantry flag
319Bessie Read Vaughn - memoirs, 1962
320Mary Read Rice - poem, ode to her father R.F. Read, 1904 December 24
321Mrs. E.H. Clark - Uncle Zach's Tale of Happenings "Befo de Wah"
322B.D. Tharpe - H.H. Phillips estate
323Jabez M. and Sarah E. Poyner - indenture, will, 1867, 1885
324Bethel Male College - Southwest Georgia Agricultural College - Cuthbert, Georgia - Adoniram J. Clark, president - photograph, 1888
325Twiggs County and Reynolds family photographs - Janice Hearne Mitchener
326Southern Family Ties - Bowden, DeFore, Latson, Smith - printed copy with notes
327Charles Cork - accounting ledger, 1907-1916
oversized_box
1Odd Fellows group photograph, 1902
box
5Read family Bible
oversized_box
2English legal documents, 1849-1881
 

3. Printed material

boxfolder
328Commencement Address - Madison Female College, 1852
329United Confederate Veterans Reunion brochure - Georgia Southern and Florida Railway, 1912
330Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, United Daughters of the Confederacy
331World War II ration books
332Georgia History Series - Kilowatt News
333Historic booklets
334Newspaper clippings
box
4Winifred Roper - The Aztec - Montezuma High School yearbook, 1959
4James Roper - The Bridge - Macon County High School yearbook, 1961
4James Roper - Cyclops - North Georgia College yearbooks, 1962-1965
4Arlene Roper - The Bridge - Macon County High School yearbook, 1967
oversized_box
1Snap Shots, vol. 10, No. 9 - Georgia Power Company newsletter, 1936 September
1The Citizen - Georgia Power Company newsletter - bound, 1974

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641