Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert R. Lewis papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert R. Lewis papers
- Date
- 1883-1915, undated (inclusive)
- Creator
- Lewis, Robert R., 1850-1930
- Extent
- 0.45 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Agriculture.
- Correspondence.
- Family.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged alphabetically by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
- Preferred Citation
- 2009ms132.0289: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert R. Lewis papers, 1883-1915, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Robert R. Lewis (1850-1930) was born in Vanceburg, Kentucky to Stephen S. Lewis, Jr. (1814-1873) and Anna Morgan (1815-1879). He was one of thirteen children, and part of the only set of twins in the family, his twin being John A.B. Lewis (1850-1913). Lewis worked as a farmer and laborer. In 1873, Lewis married Gertrude Temperance Mott (1854-1882), with whom he had three children: Robert Henry (1874-1951), Anna (1877-1931), and Cora Alma (1880-1955). After Gertrude's passing, he married again in 1886 to Sarah Alice Lewis (1866-1945). Together they had at least five children: Gilbert (1887-1966), John Brady (1890-1979), Clarence (1895-1980), Homer (1897-1990), and Etta Mae (1900-1989).
- 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 Robert R. Lewis papers (dated 1883-1915, undated; 0.45 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise letters, papers, and advertisements that document the work and life of Robert Lewis in Kentucky at the turn of the twentieth century. The letters to Robert come from his twin brother, daughter, and friends. Robert's twin brother, John, writes about their shared birthday, living apart from each other, finding work, moving between Ohio, Texas, and Oklahoma; and their families. Letters from his daughter and friends discuss visiting family, Robert's farm, purchasing goods, and updates on personal health. The papers include personal notes and directions for making goods. The advertisements include advertisements from a variety of merchants and companies, along with materials from the companies Robert worked as an agent for, including the United States Medicine Company, S.A. Russ Company, and National Remedy Company.
- The Robert R. Lewis papers 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 Robert R. Lewis, 1883-1902, undated
Cora Lewis letters to Robert R. Lewis, 1897-1904
John A.B. Lewis letters to Robert R. Lewis, 1887-1897
Personal papers and notes, 1884, 1905, undated
Negatives, undated
A. Coulter & Company receipts, 1891-1894
National Remedy Company, 1895-1898, undated
Real Pen-Work Publishing Company, undated
S.A. Russ Company, 1891, undated
United States Medicine Company, 1886-1893, undated
Agent advertisements, undated
Book and magazine advertisements, 1887-1903, undated
Clothing advertisements, undated
Home goods and furnishings advertisements, 1885-1891, 1915, undated
Land and agriculture advertisements, 1889, undated
Machinery advertisements, 1890, undated
Medical advertisements, 1888, 1902, undated
Music advertisements, 1891, undated
Receipts and order forms, 1885, undated
Stationery and writing advertisements, undated
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.
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.
