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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; December 20, 1943

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; December 20, 1943. Pauline reviews her recent letter from Sonny Boy with Martha and tells her he is ready to leave where he's stationed. She shares that she recently cooked a meal for Brother McKee, who had been in Memphis and attempted to visit Martha.
Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; November 30, 1943

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Pauline Smith to Martha Smith. Pauline starts off with saying thank you. She continues on to mention a miniature had made for $25. Notes she went and showed Miss Leila that afternoon. Pauline notes that Miss Leila thought it was Martha and not herself, noting that she didn't look anything like herself now but rather the picture she gave. She notes that the miniature is all correct aside from the hair, saying it isn't dark enough, saying they made it brown not black. Otherwise, she says the miniature is 'beautiful work.' Mentions that Sonny Boy went hunting that morning and caught a squirrel, having ate it for supper with a couple other items. Notes that Leon is going to catch the train Wednesday morning and was thinking about going to get Sonny Boy a set of gloves. Afterwards, she states that she doesn't want the pictures back, saying she has several prints. She mentions recieving a Christmas card and notes that she went to funeral as well for "Effie Clark's girl." Notes a family friend, Mrs. Courtney is in the hospital, she suspects it's kidney stones as she's had problems with them before. Finishes the letter by saying Sonny Boy will be gone by the time Martha receives this letter, says that it may be a long time before they all hear from him and notes that he's a sweet boy and "too precious to be killed."
Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; November 8, 1943

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; November 8, 1943. Pauline writes that she hasn't been feeling well lately and wishes her girls would come home, but her illness has brought other friends and family to the house. She is continuing to make clothing for herself and other people in town, and shares with Martha that she and Sam are paying off their debts and she was able to buy a new pair of shoes. Christine writes Pauline about the military men she's seeing in Miami, going on many dates with soldiers from around the world. She has been transferred to another airport and is very busy at work, sick, and worried about the state of the world and Martha's social life in Memphis.
Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; October 1943

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Pauline tells Martha about sewing, a visit from Allen, who's managing an illness, some of her day-to-day activities, and tells of a story of Cecil running over a dog as he tries to learn how to drive. Enclosed is a letter from Bernice to her mother about her health, meeting new friends, and buying war bonds.
Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; October 6, 1943

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; October 6, 1943. Pauline updates Martha on all the local gossip and tells her about her sewing projects.
Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; September 22, 1943

Edith Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Pauline Smith to Martha Smith; September 22, 1943. Pauline wishes she would hear from her children more frequently and asks Martha to visit. She shares details on the health of family friends and talks about war bonds, and the financial state of the family.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 26, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 26, 1943. Sonny Boy tells Pauline about how he dislikes his current camp, mostly because of how cold it is. He assures his mother that he is eating well and looks forward to moving to the next place.
Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Pauline Smith; September 20, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonnyboy shares his discomfort with the recent cold and rainy weather. He talks about driving a tank and the soldiers putting on a show for the high officers.
Letter from Sonny Boy to Christine Smith; September 7, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy to Christine Smith; September 7, 1943. Sonny Boys describes his experiences in basic training.
Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith and S.H. Smith; September 13, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith and Sam H. Smith; September 13, 1943. Sonny Boy describes recent events in basic training. He is in the midst of learning to drive tanks and was yelled at by a Sergeant during training.