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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Martha Smith; December 6, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; December 6, 1943. Sonny Boy starts off saying he's made it to Maryland, noting he has new equipment. Sonny Boy mentions "going on a tank problem tomorrow." He mentions crossing the Patomac via a bridge that may not hold up the tank. He also mentions being shipped out in two weeks to a port then overseas. Sonny Boy points out they got paid on the 6th, he mentions having a good co-commander. He mentions when he was home, having gone hunting for squirrel. He also mentions food from when he was home as well.
Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Martha Smith; November 15, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Martha Smith; November 15, 1943. Sonny Boy is writing just after returning from battle training. He recounts volunteering to unload trucks which causes him to miss chow for the day but was allowed a ride back to camp (14 miles) as compensation. The soldiers had another boxing match that Sunday. Sonny Boy shares the location of "the boys" that have been transferred and expects furlough in the upcoming weeks.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; October 18, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; October 18, 1943. Sonny Boy's army training has intensified as it draws to an end, he shares with Martha that he has taken part in simulated "village fighting", close combat firing, and bombings. He reports that he excelled at shooting various kinds of machine guns and shares an unfavorable view of a U.S.O. show he recently attended
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; September 5, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

Sonny Boy describes to Martha his basic training courses that he has undergone at Fort Knox.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 14, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy tells his mother about driving a tank down a highway and receiving a note from Martha. He wants go to Baltimore to see if he can find someone who can fix his watch.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 15, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 15, 1943. Sonny Boy updates Pauline on the mail he's received from the family, including a package she sent. He says he is about to leave the camp he's in.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 16, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; December 16, 1943. Sonny Boy thanks Martha for the Christmas present she sent him and updates her on what other family members have recently sent. He tells her that he recenly got his watch fixed and lets her know that he is about to leave camp.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 6, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 6, 1943. Sonny Boy starts off letting Pauline know that he has been moved to Fort Meade, Maryland and notes that he hasn't been shipped out to Japan just yet. He notes that he recieved new clothes(new pants, coat, shoes), stating that they are "perfect." He briefly dicusses guard duty from the night before and guard duty during the day. He also states that he doesn't know when she should send "the Santa Claus" as they don't know when they'll be shipped out or how long they'll be at Fort Meade. Notes the good food as well. The second letter starts off with saying it's okay to send the Christmas packages, as he spoke with the commander and got the go ahead. He mentions a "tank problem." Afterwards, it's hard to read what he states, most likely in a hurry.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; November 3, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; November 3, 1943. Sonny Boy has finally begun battle training. He reports to his mother that he walked 15-20 miles on the day he wrote to her and 13 over the weekend. He is getting to sleep in a tent and other men in his group have gotten packages of food delivered to them.
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 19, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 19, 1943. Sonny Boy's army training has intensified as it draws to an end, he shares with Pauline that he has taken part in simulated "village fighting", close combat firing and bombings. He reports he excelled at shooting various kinds of machine guns and shares an unfavorable view of a U.S.O. show he recently attended. This letter is nearly idetical to the letter he sent his Martha, Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; October 18, 1943.