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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 1, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy updates his mother on his whereabouts in France after being moved to a different outfit. He reflects on the scenery on the way back from Germany into France and discusses how the roads look different from when they were fighting. He tells her not to write anymore.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 30, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy discusses his stay at Camp Detroit while he waits to be sent home from Europe. He mentions a string band in the camp and muses about celebrations in the United States while many solders are still overseas. He also anticipates needing to stay in the army once at home in order to afford treatment for his back injury.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 9, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy responds to letters from home and discusses his activities in France as he waits to be discharged. He mentions entertainments, the weather, European crops, and his plans for when he leaves Europe.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; September 18, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy says he is trying to take it easy, waiting for his notice to be sent home. He describes the general landscape in Bavaria
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; September 20, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy writes about a recent stay in the Bavarian Alps and discusses his upcoming move to a different outfit. He went deer hunting.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; September 8, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy explains his points (or Adjusted Service Rating Score) and his likelihood of coming home by Christmas. All of the men he began serving with have been transferred, and he isn't friends with any of the existing men in his battalion. He also talks about listening to music and how his pain is subsiding.
V-mail letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; April 3, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy says the weather has improved, and that Americans have liberated French Prisoners of War. He says Germany, which is where he's writing from, could have been a great country under different circumstances.
V-mail letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; March 1, 1945

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy writes his mother about letters he's received and that he's doing ok.
Letter from Theodore Bilbo to Sam H. Smith; September 2, 1944

Theodore Gilmore Bilbo

Senator Bilbo writes Sam to tell him thank you for him for his support and correspondence during an illness.
Letter from Edgar Easley to Pauline Smith; April 11, 1944

Edgar Easley

Edgar writes Pauline from Columbus about his work and family. He mentions his farming, the flooding of the Tombigbee, his work on the Army base, and tending to his garden.