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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 Christine Smith; September 13, 1937

Martha Josephine Womble

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Martha Smith to Christine Smith; September 13, 1937
Letter from Martha Smith to Christine Smith; September 25, 1937

Martha Josephine Womble

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Martha Smith to Christine Smith; September 25, 1937
Letter from Theodore G. Bilbo to Dennis Murphree; June 10, 1936

Theodore G. Bilbo

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from John H. Culkin to Howard Dyer; April 21, 1936

John H. Culkin

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from John H. Culkin to Hugh L. White; April 11, 1936

John H. Culkin

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from Garland Lyell to Hugh L. White; April 10, 1936

Garland Lyell

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from Office of the Registrar at Mississippi State College for Women to Pauline Smith; November 20, 1936

Mississippi University for Women

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from Dennis Murphree to John L. Taylor; August 11, 1936

Dennis Murphree

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from George R. Nobles to Hugh L. White; April 10, 1936

George R. Nobles

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Letter from Pauline Smith to Christine Smith and Martha Smith; October 5, 1936

Pauline Smith

From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection