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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Sonnyboy to Pauline Smith; September 30, 1943

Sam Ellard Smith

Letter from Sonnyboy to Pauline Smith; September 30, 1943. Sonnyboy is roughing it in the army now that he is finished driving tanks. He complains to his mother about the bivouac and says that the place is crawling with skunks, but is cheered by the fact that he is gaining weight and has $26 to buy a watch.
Letter from Robert Young to Bernice Smith; November 15, 1943.

Robert Young

Robert tells Bernice about his travels and the conditions of the different locations he's traveled to. He tells her stories about visiting family, and recalls a story about a man in his company who fathered a child with a woman who was unfaithful to him.
Letter from Robert Young to Martha Smith; November 17, 1943

Robert Young

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Robert Young to Martha Smith; November 17, 1943 Robert tells Martha about traveling, and includes a story about helping a sargeant escort two drunken "girls" home. Furthermore, besides reflecting on the miserable frigid weather he experiences as a soldier, Robert describes his experience riding in the train.
Letter from Foss Ellard to Pauline Smith; January 10, 1942

Jack Foster Ellard

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Foss Ellard to Pauline Smith, expressing concern about the health of Chess Smith and Sam Smith and sharing opinion about a recent heart attack Chess Smith experienced.
Letter from Foss Ellard to Pauline Smith; January 1, 1942

Jack Foster Ellard

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Foss Ellard to Pauline Smith, giving updates on the holidays and requesting information for family tree research.
Letter from Jack Foster Ellard to Pauline Smith; February 23, 1942

Jack Foster Ellard

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Jack Foster Ellard to Pauline Smith; February 23, 1942. Foss tells Pauline about his military life, updating her on his work and sharing that he has been recommended to be a Commander, as well as a deacon at his church. He has a new renter at his house who he is trying to set up with Christine, and expresses his worry about John Allen Jr., who is still a prisoner of war.
Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; August 22, 1942

Edith Christine Faust

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; August 22, 1942. Christine updates her mother on Martha's trip to see her and expresses that she is feeling homesick. She shares that she and Phil are planning on getting married and hope to do so before he gets shipped out.
Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; August 31, 1942

Edith Christine Faust

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; August 31, 1942. Christine shares stories about her dating life with her mother. She expresses how physically and mentally exhausting her job is.
Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; September 30, 1942

Edith Christine Faust

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Christine Smith to Pauline Smith; September 30, 1942. Christine writes to her mother about her dating life, work, and plans to move soon.
Letter from William Bruce Feigley to Martha Smith; August 30, 1942

William Bruce Feigley

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from William Bruce Feigley to Martha Smith; August 30, 1942. William shares with Martha about going sailing on a motorboat with friends. He expresses that he hopes she did not dye her hair blonde or accept a teaching job somewhere other than Jackson.