Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection

The majority of the contents of the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Collection (referred to as the “Smith Family Papers”) includes letters and diaries among family members and friends, with most letters from members of the Smith Family--Pauline and Sam H, and their children, Bernice, Christine, Martha, and Sam E (or “Sonny Boy.”). The geographic center of the collection is Pittsboro (or Calhoun County) Mississippi, where the family maintained their home since 1914, and where Pauline wrote most of her letters. Several letters from Jackson, MS are from Sam H. Smith, who was a state senator between 1932 and 1936. Letters to and from Columbus, MS are from Bernice, Christine, and Martha, who each attended the Mississippi State College for Women between approximately 1931 and 1938. As Pauline and Sam H. grow older and continue to write from Mississippi, the children move around the country, and with a few military appointments, around the world. The letters reflect this.

Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language. Unless otherwise noted, this is the language used by the record creator(s) and not imposed by the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections. Visit our website to read our harmful language policy.

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Letter from "Jo" to Martha Smith

Jo Unknown
Letter from Bernice Smith to Martha Smith; January 6, 1944

Annie Bernice Smith

Letter from Bernice to Martha describing her Christmas presents, plans to get her hair done, and a double date that she went on.
Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; Feburary 1, 1944

Edith Christine Smith

Christine updates her mother about a new lieutenant she's dating, who has intentions of marrying her, and how her previous boyfriend, Phil, says he's too busy with the war. She also tells about donating blood, letters she's receiving, including one from a previous boyfriend, Wade Horn, and a visit from Don Cunningham, a naval aide to the Governor of the Virgin Islands.
Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; January 23, 1944

Edith Christine Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Letters Collection. Christine tells Pauline about her social life.
Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; January 24, 1944

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Pauline informs Martha that Daddy has been injured.
Letter from Sam E. Smith to Pauline Smith; March 28, 1944

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy informs Pauline of conditions at camp and asks her to send him some candy.
Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith; January 8, 1944

Sonny Boy Smith

Letter from Sonny Boy to his mother describing how he made a watch and gifts he got from his mother and sister.
Letter from Dot Ellard to Martha Smith; October 23, 1943

Dot Ellard

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Dot Ellard to Martha Smith; October 23, 1943. Dot tells Martha that she is taking typing classes and practices by writing this letter. Most of the letter is spent gently chastizing Martha for not writing sooner and asking her to do better, while also summarizing a letter from Sonny Boy that sounds identical to those he wrote his mother and sisters.
Letter from Victor Ellard to Pauline Smith; December 8, 1943

Victor Ellard

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Victor Ellard to Pauline Smith; December 8, 1943. Victor asks Pauline about buying some hens from her and tells her about how he has been getting eggs despite shortages. He also discusses some of the other chores that he does on his farm and updates Pauline about other family members.
Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; November 28, 1943

Edith Christine Faust

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; November 28, 1943. Christine writes of how her Sunday went, noting they all woke up early that morning. Christine also mentions Betty and Loretta 'dressed up' and went to church, saying she would have joined if she didn't have work. She mentions a house with a 'somewhat scraggly front yard' that has a poinsetta bush with several flowers on blooming, notes that one of her roomates picked a number of them and put them in one of their floor vases on either side of their fireplace afterward. Christine mentioned a Mrs. Walsh called her and asked her to go out with a friend of both her and her husband, Lt. Kenneth States, on a double date. Noted that a friend of Kenneth's called and told her Kenneth had died in a plane crash and killed himself and seventeen others that were with him, just outside of Rio. Mentions Marine activity in recent weeks in the South Pacific and the heavy casuality numbers. Notes she got the money from Leon, made note that she recieved received the pictures that had been sent. Also mentions the fruit cake that was sent.