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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Martha Smith to Pauline Smith; October 23, 1944

Martha Josephine Womble

Martha writes to her mother about her early evening and repairing her worn out uniforms. Martha also says she went dancing with friends and that a First Lt. she met was nice but had grammatical errors, and went to eat at Eleanor's house.
Letter from Martha Smith to Pauline Smith; October 27, 1944

Martha Josephine Womble

Letter from Martha to her mother. She shares her annoyance at her mother, is talking about getting by. She describes a special dinner at the hospital. Martha also expresses curiousity to where Sonny Boy is stationed at the moment.
Letter from Martha Smith to Pauline Smith; September 1, 1944

Martha Josephine Womble

Martha and her roommate are moving. She provides some stories about when she lost some items, and recounts her day-to-day.
Letter from Martha Smith to Robert Young; July 25, 1944

Martha Josephine Womble

Martha recounts the events of the last few days, including listening to the Democratic Convention on the radio and attending a party for a young man joining the army. She talks about reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and how she hopes that things "let up" in the war soon.
Letter from Martha Smith to Robert Young; July 6, 1944

Martha Josephine Womble

Martha Smith shares about what is going on with her Sunday School community. Furthermore, Martha expresses bitterness towards African American employees who desire to benefit from Independance Day as a holiday.
Letter from Robert Young to Bernice Smith; April 25, 1944

Robert Young

Robert tells Bernice about his time in England, learning about their customs. He shares stories about how locals interact with American soldiers and offers sympathy about Foss' wife.
Letter from Robert Young to Bernice Smith; June 7, 1944

Robert Young

Robert Young seems to allude to Christine Faust's wedding and mentions a wedding he did not end up attending. He provides insight on his time at a pub turned into an informal worship service with some Methodists.
Letter from Robert Young to Bernice Smith; March 4, 1944

Robert Young

Bob responds to a letter from Bernice and explains the circumstances around why he did not pay her money he owed her. He discusses a prisoner escape leading to his transfer, his pay schedule, and gambling.
Letter from Robert Young to Martha Smith; February 16, 1944

Robert Young

Bob asks Martha if she is still single and tells her about the upcoming divorce of someone in his company. He updates her on his daily tasks and discusses new arrivals to the camps and the weather.
Letter from Robert Young to Martha Smith; June 7, 1944

Robert Young

Robert Young expresses his opinions on women in England. He comments on how a woman from Australia is hurt by the racism in Alabama, which makes her desire to break up her marriage.