Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Fulks and Robinson family letters
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Fulks and Robinson family letters
- Date
- 1891-1969, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 0.19 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Correspondence.
- Domestic Life -- United States -- 20th century
- Farm life -- Illinois
- Genealogy.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
- Preferred Citation
- 2009ms132.0544: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Fulks and Robinson family letters, 1891-1969, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The Fulks family, of Illinois, was the combination of Felix Martin Fulks (1853-1941) and Sarah Eliza Robinson (1858-1928); Felix was the son of Levi (1824-1915) and Rachel (1826-1899), and Sarah was the daughter of David (1833-1914) and Lydia (1835-1915). Together Felix and Sarah had ten children: Andrew (1878-1904), Laura (b. 1881), Henry (b. 1883), Elmer (b. 1884), Orrin (1887-1963), Lydia (1889-1973), Edwin (1892-1977), Edith (1892-1931), Lewis (1895-1962), and Oliver (1897-1969). The Fulks family owned and operated their own farm in Illinois, however between 1883 and 1891 the family lived in Melvern, Kansas. Out of the ten children, six married; Elmer to Shara, Orrin to Alta, Edwin to May, Edith to John, Lewis to 1) Margaret and 2) Josephine, and Oliver to Ellen, producing a documented nineteen grandchildren.
- American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
- Scope and Content
- The Fulks and Robinson family letters (dated 1891-1969, undated; 0.19 cubic feet; 9 folders) comprise letters and papers that document the lives of the members of the Fulks and Robinson families in Illinois and Washington in the first half of the twentieth century. The letters were mainly sent to the Fulks family from relatives and friends; however, there are also letters sent to the Robinson family from their Fulks relatives. The majority of the letters were sent to Sarah Fulks and Lydia Fulks, who wrote about their daily lives, the weather in Washington, her sister having another child, personal health, and visits from family and friends. There is one letter to Sarah from her son informing her of his health after a stint in the hospital. The letters to Lydia came from her siblings and cousins, who wrote about updates on their personal lives and families, personal health, trips taken, hospital stays, family genealogy, sympathy for the loss of family members, and thanks for helping take care of the family home. Letters to other members of the Fulks family discuss farming, personal health, and updates on daily life. The letters to David Robinson came from his wife and daughter, updating him on their health and about financial matters. Letters to Lydia Robinson were sent from her children, grandchildren, and friends, and discuss their daily lives, personal health, and the weather. Also included in the collection is a pack of checks written by Orrin, short poems and sayings, a genealogical record of Sarah Robinson Fulks, an affidavit for the age of Lydia Fulks, and calling cards.
- The Fulks and Robinson family letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Letters to Felix Fulks, 1903, 1919, 1935-1941, undated
Letters to Sarah Robinson Fulks, 1903-1924
Letters to Edith Fulks, 1918-1920
Letters to Lydia Fulks, 1959-1969
Letters to Lydia Robinson, 1891-1904
Letters to David Robinson, 1905
Fulks family letters, 1891, 1917-1919, 1944-1969, undated
Checks written by Orrin Fulks, 1914-1915
Fulks family papers, 1953-1965, undated
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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
