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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 to Martha Smith; May 7, 1941

Sam Ellard Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy to Martha Smith; May 7, 1941. Sonny Boy tells Martha about his new job working in a woodshop and the classes he is taking as part of the National Youth Administration. He shares that he is working on fixing up a car and enjoys driving and racing it.
Telegram from Sam H. Smith to Christine Smith; December 16, 1941

Sam Hawkins Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Telegraph about the death of Aunt Ollie and the upcoming funeral.
Letter from Harold Yeagersky to Martha Smith; December 25, 1941

Harold Yeagersky

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Harold Yeagersky to Martha Smith about missing her company and the holidays.
Letter from B to Christine Smith; February 23, 1940.

B

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from B to Christine Smith; February 23, 1940. B shares that he has officially been furloughed and reminisces on the path he took to the job he just lost, including details about his and Christine's first date. He provides his own review of "Gone with the Wind".
Letter from B to Christine Smith; February 28, 1940.

B

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. B talks about the snowy weather, films he has seen, returning to school, and says he misses Christine.
Letter from B to Christine Smith; January 20, 1940.

B

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. from B to Christine Smith; January 20, 1940. B is writing to commiserate with Christine about their respective unemployment. He explores the possibility of going back to school and explains that he hasn't had any luck in applying his junior college education to his chosen field of work. B ends the letter by talking about a dance he attended at the Georgia State College for Women (GSCW).
Letter from B to Christine Smith; January 29, 1940.

B

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. B discusses the weather and missing Christine. B also discusses their opinion of the film, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex starring Bette Davis whenther or not they should take part in "Go Back To School Movement".
Letter from Theodore Bilbo to Sam H. Smith; April 6, 1940.

Theodore Gilmore Bilbo

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Theodore to Sam, explaining his endorsement to Governor Johnson on Sam's behalf. Letter to the Governor enclosed.
Letter from Theodore Bilbo to Sam H. Smith; May 1, 1940.

Theodore Gilmore Bilbo

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Second etter from Theodore to Sam, explaining his endorsement to Governor Johnson on Sam's behalf. Letter to the Governor enclosed.
Letter from Christine Smith to Martha Smith; March 7, 1940.

Edith Christine Faust

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Christine Smith to Martha Smith March 7, 1940. Christine thanks Martha for the birthday present she sent and shares details about time she recently spent with James, who gave her a new radio. Martha appears to have physically lost money and Christine advises her to carry money in check form and deposit it immediately.