Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Zella Pelley Jarvis letters

Abstract

The Zella Pelley Jarvis letters (dated 1912-1919, 1944-1945; 0.04 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprises letters and two papers that document the experiences of Zella in college and later as a mother in the early twentieth century through World War II.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Zella Pelley Jarvis letters
Date
1912-1919, 1944-1945 (inclusive)
Creator
Jarvis, Zella Pelley
Extent
0.04 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Letters of recommendation.
Family.
Teachers.
Women in education.
Women in higher education
World War, 1939-1945.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American.
Health
Motherhood.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0629: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Zella Pelley Jarvis letters, 1912-1919, 1944-1945, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Zella Pelley Jarvis (1882-1977) was born in Kentucky to James Pelley (1845-1931) and Ann Allen (1859-1931). About 1921, she married James D. Jarvis (1885-1947) and together they had one child, James A. (1921-1992). Zella worked as a school teacher. No other biographical information available.
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 Zella Pelley Jarvis letters (dated 1912-1919, 1944-1945; 0.04 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprises letters and two papers that document the experiences of Zella in college and later as a mother in the early twentieth century through World War II. The majority of the letters are from her son, he writes about his experiences as a soldier deployed in Europe during World War II. In his letters, he discusses life in England, France, and Germany over the course of two years, exploring towns near his camps, receiving packages from his family, his desire to return to school after the war, and his happiness at Zella's cancer not returning. The other two letters come from a friend and a colleague, the friend writes about his availability to see her and the colleague writes a letter of recommendation for her. The papers include a class roll from the 1912 class at Georgetown College and a program from a banquet she attended while at Georgetown College.
The Zella Pelley Jarvis letters collection is 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 Zella Pelley Jarvis, 1916-1919, 1944-1945

  • Box WH-62, folder 24
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Georgetown College class roll and banquet program, 1912

  • Box WH-62, folder 25
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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.

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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.