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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Jewell Hardin to Pauline Smith; June 8, 1944

Jewell Hardin

Jewell Hardin expresses her concerns about Sonnyboy as he fights in England and offers her sympathy to Pauline and Sam H.
Letter from Aylene Herring to Christine Smith; May 18, 1944

Aylene Herring

A typewritten letter from Aylene to Chris and Woody to congratualate them on their marriage and looking forward to seeing them in August, if circumstances permit.
Letter from Philip Mitchell to Christine Faust; September 3, 1944

Philip Mitchell

Philip tells how a bullet wound damaged his throat and how he was abe to handle the crisis. He appreciates the atmosphere of the hospital. He congratulates Christine on her marriage.
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 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 Bernice Smith to Pauline Smith: August 20, 1944

Annie Bernice Smith

Bernice and her roommates are hosting overnight guests, which has been an unpleasant experience for her, even though she considers her guests to be respectable. She shows how she has been connecting with her siblings, and talks about her experiences at work.
Letter from Bernice Smith to Pauline Smith; August 6, 1944

Annie Bernice Smith

Bernice describes her experiences at job. In order to appreciate her work better, Bernice says, she went to see the Miami Air Depot.
Letter from Bernice Smith to Pauline Smith; July 14, 1944

Annie Bernice Smith

Bernice tells her mother that she is working hard and tired all the time. She relays a story about a day she spent at the beach and a soldier from Mississippi she met there who returned from combat with "the jitters."
Letter from Bernice Smith to Pauline Smith; November 19, 1944

Annie Bernice Smith

Letter from Bernice to her mother telling her she has a ticket to come home but most likely can't come because of work. She is being promoted to assistant section lead.
Letter from Bernice Smith to Pauline Smith; October 19, 1944

Annie Bernice Smith

Bernice tells her mother that a hurricane is heading her way. She shares the ways she and her roommates prepared for the storm, and eventually lets her mother know that the winds were not strong enough for it to have been a hurricane.