Military

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This collection contains letters, correspondence, and financial records that were once part of John B. Nicholson’s estate in Charlotte, NC. Nicholson was a Civil War Infantryman from the 37th Regiment Co. I who fought under the leadership of General Daniel Harvey (DH) Hill.

Abstract The American War Mothers organization was founded in September 1917, developed a constitution and by-laws in August 1918, and was granted a Congressional charter on February 24, 1925. The purpose of this organization was for mothers of young men and women at risk during World War I to engage in patriotic service to those serving their country. At the time, their membership was strictly limited to mothers whose sons and daughters served between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. Among their...

Abstract

This collection contains two ledgers belonging to the Borden family, who kept detailed account of transactions made 1932-1970. Examples of transactions include farm equipment/machinery, gravel, labor, plumbing supplies, gasoline, food and beverage, sales tax, personal business/family matters, and other miscellaneous goods and services. Also included in this collection are deeds tracking the ownership and sale of the property. Materials are dated 1932-1975.

Abstract Charles W. Allison was a Charlotte, North Carolina, resident who collected materials, spoke on, and assisted in erecting a plaque on the mausoleum of Peter Ney. Peter Stuart Ney lived in Rowan County, North Carolina, and was a teacher, first in Cheraw, South Carolina, and later a professor at Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina. On his deathbed in 1846, he proclaimed that he was actually Marshal Michel Ney, a French soldier and military commander during the French Revolutionary and...

Abstract Donald Ralph Martin was born to Otis R. and Eva Lena Griffey Martin on September 16, 1917, in Malvern, Iowa. Martin was an Army photographer during World War II and served as a staff photographer in Camp Butner, North Carolina. Following the war’s end, Martin moved to Charlotte, and began working for the Tom Franklin Studio, which also served as the photographers for the Charlotte News. This collection contains Martin's photographs, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. Materials are in...

Abstract The Downs/McCachren and Cappiello/Piscitelli Collection contains a variety of materials for the Downs, McCachren, Cappiello, and Piscitelli families. The Downs and McCachren families have been longtime residents of Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties, while the Cappiello and Piscitelli families came from Italy and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. Anthony Piscitelli settled in Charlotte after marrying Alice McCachren in 1947. Members of these families for whom materials may be...

Abstract The American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold, mother of deceased soldier George Vaughn, and later incorporated on January 5, 1929 in Washington, DC. As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts. Materials in this collection include three scrapbooks with histories of the group and its...

Abstract This collection contains materials relating to the Guion family of Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the items in the collection pertain to military service, including the Spanish-American War and World War I. Clyde Doyle Guion served in US Army from 1918-19 and in the American Expeditionary Forces for 3 months. C.D. Guion was also a pharmacist in Cornelius. Several items are related to the USS Relief, a hospital ship in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War, confined to...

Abstract Camp Greene was a training camp for American soldiers during World War I, 1917-1918. Located about three miles west of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, it quickly grew to surpass the size of the city, reaching 60,000 troops at its height. The majority of soldiers came from the northern states, in particular Massachusetts, and although segregated, included both black and white troops. The first troops arrived in September 1917, and continued until the armistice was signed on November 11,...

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Julia McNinch (1891-1975) was born in 1891 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Samuel Sylvanus McNinch and Julia Magill McNinch. Julia was a schoolteacher and married John Klump Slear of Pennsylvania, who had been a soldier training at Camp Greene. This collection includes one scrapbook with documents, photographs, postcards, songs, stamps, and textiles relating to Camp Greene. The scrapbook is dated 1918 and in good condition.

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The "Ruth M. Kilgo and Ray E. Hall WWII Letter Collection, 1943-1946" is an extensive collection of V-Mail correspondence between Ensign Ruth M. Kilgo and Private Ray E. Hall. (By the time they were discharged, Kilgo rose in rank to Lieutenant Junior Grade, and Hall rose to Second Lieutenant.) Their letters discussed daily life, military happenings, their love for one another, and a variety of other topics. Collection materials are in good condition and dated 1943-1946.

Abstract William Erskine Ardrey (1839-1907) was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He enlisted in the Confederate Army as a Private in Company K, 30th North Carolina Infantry, later advanced to Captain, and served for the duration of the war. Following the war’s end, he was a farmer and served as a representative in the State Legislature. Captain Ardrey was buried in the Harrison United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pineville. This collection contains a typewritten copy of William Erskine...