Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill and Mary Brinker Bryan papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill and Mary Brinker Bryan papers
- Date
- 1876-1981
- Creator
- Bryan, Mary Brinker
- Extent
- 4.5 Cubic feet
- Subjects
- Families--Photographs.
- Genealogy.
- Journalism--Social aspects--Kentucky.
- Politicians--Correspondence.
- Politicians--Kentucky.
- Public policy and politics
- Women in journalism--Kentucky--Lexington.
- Women's and gender history
- Women--Political activity--Kentucky--Societies, etc.
- Women--Political activity--Kentucky.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by format.
- Preferred Citation
- 2012ms407: [identification of item], Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill and Mary Brinker Bryan papers, 1876-1981, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill (1888-1981), a prominant female politician, was the daughter of Wallace and Margaret (Bryan) Shelby and a descendant of many prominant Kentucky families, including the Bryans, Boones, Shelbys, and McDowells. On her mother's side, Mary Boone, the sister of Daniel Boone, married William Bryan the founder of Bryan Station. Their son Daniel Bryan built Waveland, an antebellum historic mansion. and Mary Brinker Bryan were descendants of the Boones and the Bryans. Isaac Shelby, Kentucky's first governor, and Dr. Ephraim McDowell, pioneer surgeon, were Florence Cantrill's great-great-grandfathers on her father's side.
- Florence Cantrill was elected as a delegate to Kentucky's Democratic Convention in 1920. The convention was a landmark meeting as the first time women participated in the election process. In 1933 Cantrill won a seat in the Kentucky Legislature, becoming the first woman elected to represent Fayette county. As a legislator, she encouraged Kentucky's representatives to ratify the Child Labor Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In order to reinforce backing for the bill, Cantrill invited Frances Perkins, President Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor, to speak to the Kentucky Legislature. Despite her speech, the bill died in committee. Additionally, starting in 1935, Cantrill served two terms as the first woman Lexington City Commissioner, served as acting mayor, and as Fayette County's chair directing the activities of the women of the Democratic Party. In 1938, Alben Barkley personally requested Florence Cantrill to head the Woman's Division of the Democratic party in Kentucky working on his reelection campaign. Her unstinting efforts were instrumental in Senator Barkley's return to Washington, D.C.
- Florence Cantrill was also an active clubwoman, belonging to the Woman's Club of Central Kentucky and The Monday Club. She served as the President of the Woman's Club and chaired the current events and citizenship departments for many years. Her interest in church affairs led her to write an epic poem as part of the golden anniversary celebration, 1896-1946, of the Woman's Auxiliary in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington. Ten years later, she wrote an article to mark its sixtieth year. In addition, for several years she served on the Vestry of Christ Church.
- Margaret Shelby Cantrill Worsham, only daughter of Florence and Cecil Cantrill, was the assistant Director of the University of Kentucky Student Center and associated with the Dean of Students Office for twenty years before her retirement in 1979. In 1982, the theater in the Student Center addition was named the Worsham Theater to honor Margaret Worsham's contributions to the University of Kentucky.
- Mary "Mamie" Brinker Bryan (1863-1933), Florence Cantrill's aunt, lived with the Cantrills for many years until her death in 1933. In 1894, Mary Bryan became the first woman member of a Lexington newspaper when she joined the staff of the Republican newspaper, the Lexington Leader, at the invitation of Samuel Roberts, the editor. In September 1919, after working as the society editor for 25 years, she shifted her allegiance to the Lexington Herald, the Democratic paper published by Desha Breckinridge.
- Scope and Content
- The Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill and Mary Brinker Bryan papers consist of correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, genealogical material, writings, and photographs, which document the careers and family life of Florence Cantrill and her aunt Mary Brinker Bryan. The collection reflects Florence Cantrill's career as a Democratic politician in Kentucky as well as her social and familial commitments. The papers include family and political correspondence as well as articles and other compositions written by Florence Cantrill. Additionally, they contain a large amount of material from her involvement with the United States Democratic Party and the Kentucky Democratic Party. Mary "Mamie" Brinker Bryan's papers include family correspondence and letters from former newspaper colleagues who wrote to their "Miss Mary" with affection and admiration. In addition, there is a July 4, 1921 speech which she delivered at a Daughters of the American Revolution picnic at Bryan Station. Additionally, the papers contain a large collection of genealogical materials, including genealogical charts, newspaper clippings, and family photographs.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment. Access to "Among My Souvenirs" is restricted, requiring donor permission.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections. Several photographs are stamped with use restrictions and credit line requests.
Contents of the Collection
Diaries, scrapbooks, and Hamilton College Bulletin, 1876-1961
Scope and Contents note
The Diaries, scrapbooks, and Hamilton College Bulletin series contains diaries, scrapbooks, memory books, and a copy of the Hamilton College Bulletin listing of graduates from 1870 to 1927. The diaries include Florence Cantrill's diaries; her journals from her European trips; and her mother, Margaret Bryan's, diary written while a student at Hocker College. Additionally the series consists of Florence Cantrill's aunt, Willie I. Shelby's, scrapbook; Florence Cantrill's scrapbooks and memory books; and her daughter's scrapbook.
Maltha (Mallie) Bryan diary. Written while she was a student at Hocker (later Hamilton) College, Lexington, Ky., 1876 September 25 - 1877 April 7
Margaret (Maggie) C. Bryan diary. Written while a student at Hocker College, Lexington, Ky. Margaret was Florence Cantrill's mother., 1876 October 6 - [1877] April 9
Willie I. Shelby scrapbook. Miss Willie was Florence Cantrill's aunt., Bulk, 1914-1953, 1887-1961
Clippings from Miss Willie's scrapbook, undated
Florence McDowell Shelby diary. Diary was begun when she was nine years old., 1897 September 20 - 1898 February 28
Florence McDowell Shelby scrapbook, 1894-1903
Florence McDowell Shelby memory book, Hamilton College, Lexington, Ky., 1906
Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill "My Trip Abroad". Mrs. Cantrill and Willie I. Shelby left Montreal on May 24 as passengers on the ship Ascania arriving in London June 2. They toured various points of interest in England, Scotland, and Wales returning to Quebec July 3 onboard the ship Carinthia., [1956] May 24 - July 3
Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill Daily Scribblings from My Trip Abroad. Typescript of manuscript diary of Florence Cantrill from her trip to England, Scotland, and Wales., [1956]
Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill diary. Florence Cantrill and her brother Joe and sister-in-law Miriam sailed from New York City onboard the ship Christoforo Colombo on March 3, 1959 and spent several weeks touring Italy and France until Mrs. Cantrill returned by airplane to the United States., 1959 March 3 - 1959 April 29
Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill pieces relating to her 1956 and 1959 trips, 1956, 1959
Margaret Shelby Cantrill Worsham scrapbook, 1932-1942
Hamilton College Bulletin includes a list of graduates from 1870 to 1927, 1928 May
Mary Brinker Bryan papers, 1897-1933
Scope and Contents note
Mary Brinker Bryan's papers primarily consist of family correspondence and letters from her former newspaper colleagues. Additionally, the papers include a speech given at a DAR picnic, pledges to Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky, newspaper clippings, obituaries, and a Transylvania Student Body petition to the Board of Curators requesting Dr. A. D. Hammon's resignation.
Letters to Mary Brinker Bryan, 1897 November 21 - 1926 July 25
Letters to Mary Brinker Bryan, 1927
Letters to Mary Brinker Bryan, 1928 January 5 - [1929] March 11
Letters to Mary Brinker Bryan, undated
Letters, miscellaneous, 1926 February 13, undated
Cards and notes, undated
Louisville Male High School commencement, 1929
Assorted material, undated
Obituaries, 1906, 1933
Pledges to Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky, 1923
Postcard depicting street car which ran into C. & O. train at #22, Lexington, Ky., undated
Postcards, 1920-1929
Postcards, undated
DAR Picnic at Bryan Station speech, 1921 July 4
Transylvania Student Body petition to the Board of Curators requesting Dr. A. D. Hammon's resignation, 1928 April 1
Newspaper clippings, 1903-1930
Florence McDowell Shelby Cantrill papers, 1893-1979
Scope and Contents note
The Florence McDowell Shelby papers consist of personal and political correspondence, compositions, articles, and political material from her campaigns and campaigns she helped run. Her personal correspondence includes many of her own letters plus letters from her husband, Cecil, when she and their sons, Shelby and Cecil, were at Bay View, Michigan, in the summer of 1913. Letters from their children, Cecil and Margaret, various family members and friends are also present. Her political papers include materials from her campaign for the Kentucky State Legislature in 1933, papers associated with the inaugural activities of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, Democratic party papers, newspaper clippings, and material dealing with the reelection campaign of Alben Barkley.
Personal letters, 1894-1979
Bay View, Michigan, letters, 1913
Letters and material relating to the Cantrills, family, and friend, 1894-1974
Florence McDowell Shelby and Cecil Edwards Cantrill wedding album, 1910 February 16
Letters, 1895 January 24 - 1935 February 1
Letters, [1936] September 2 - 1949 June 20
Letters, 1958 January 17 - 1974 May 30
Volney Bryan's letters, 1918 October 24 - 1933 November 15
Letters from Mary Bryan, Kathleen Bryan Hopson, and Elliott Shanklin, 1918 February 19 - 1933 December 15
Letters, undated
Legal papers, 1900 November 7 - 1970 April 21
Greeting cards, undated
Assorted material, undated
Postcards: Rockefeller Hall, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY; Tableau on Treasury Steps, Washington, D.C.; and Woman's Suffrage Procession, March 3, 1913 with police protection, undated
Letters of sympathy and related materials, 1935-1979
Expressions of sympathy upon the death of Cecil Cantrill, 1935 January 30, February 11
Expressions of sympathy upon the death of Wallace McDowell Shelby, 1937 June 14-18
Expressions of sympathy upon the death of Wallace McDowell Shelby, 1937 June 19 - July 12
John Worsham's obituary and memorial record, 1979 July 19-20
Letters to Margaret Cantrill Worsham, 1979 May 1 - September 23
Expressions of sympathy regarding Margaret Cantrill Worsham's illness and death, 1979 October 12 - November 11
Margaret Worsham's obituary and memorial record, 1979 November 4-5
Expressions of sympathy after the death of Margaret Cantrill Worsham, 1979 November 12 - December 5
General articles, speeches, and compositions, 1893-1956
"An Imaginary Journey at 9 Years", circa 1897
Notes on "Pursuit of Happiness" by Herbert Agar, circa 1938
Epic poem written to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the Woman's Auxiliary in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington at the Church of Good Shepherd. Typed and published versions, 1946
"Sixty Years and Ten Women; The Woman's Auxiliary in the Diocese of Lexington: 1896-1956", 1956
Christ Church historical sketch, undated
"A Few Neglected Places of Northern Italy and France", undated
Notes about various Lexington personalities, basis for a lecture, undated
Article for the Monday Club, undated
"La Scala, Milan, Italy, Opera House" Monday Club, undated
"Two Early Kentucky Travelers", undated
"Where Does the Money Go?" article with comments, 1936 August 30
Woman's Club of Central Kentucky Installation of officers, undated
Assorted material, undated
Among My Souvenirs, 1944
Among My Souvenirs photocopy, 1944
Liberty Loan Committee ephemera, 1918
Albrecht Durer and His City by Jennie Ellis Keysor, 1899
"The American Scholar"; "Self Reliance"; "Compensation" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1893
Political papers, 1915-1964
General, 1915-1964
Campaign for Kentucky State Legislature, 1933 August 4 - October 25
Campaign for Kentucky State Legislature, 1933 November 15 - December 8
Inaugural activities, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John N. Garner, 1933 March
Inaugural activities, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Henry A. Wallace, 1941
Inaugural activities, Harry S. Truman and Alben W. Barkley, 1949
Letters, 1920 October 27 - 1933 August 5
Letters, 1934 May 7 - 1947 November 12
Letters, 1949 January 27 - 1955 July 12
Lexington, Ky. Financial report, 1938 June
Democratic party, 1933-1962
Newspaper clippings, 1915-1964
Family photographs, 1878-1981
Scope and Contents note
The Family photographs series consists of family photographs and albums dating from the 1870s to the 1980s the photographs span large period of family history and include several photographs from Florence Cantrill's political career. Notable photographs include photograph of Elliott or Budgie on a camel in front on the Sphinx in Egypt; photograph of Florence Cantrill greeting Lady Bird Johnson; photograph of Florence Cantrill with Franklin D. Roosevelt; photographs of Florence Cantrill in Venice and Milan; photographs of flooded Lexington streets; and Joseph Shelby and Miriam Rhorer's wedding album.
Margaret Bryan (Shelby) and Mary B. Bryan. Taken in graduation dress at Hocker College (later Hamilton College) Lexington, 1878
Daughters of Florence McDowell Shelby (Mrs. Thomas Hart Shelby) - Mary Cosby Shelby; Elizabeth Shelby Post; Fanny Shelby Mathews; Florence M. Shelby; Katherine S. Scott; Rosa Clay Shelby (Richardson); Alice Shelby (Riddell); Willie I. Shelby. On porch of what is now 720 Central Ave., 1897 October
Tour with Franklin Roosevelt and Alben Barkley - Chandler Campaign. Florence Cantrill in rear, 1938 October
Tour with Franklin Roosevelt, Barkley - Chandler campaign. Florence Cantrill wearing hat (2 copies), 1938 October
Alben Barkley, circa 1949
Mrs. Barckley Storey. E. Reed Wilson receiving a Certificate of Recognition from Mrs. Barckley Storey as part of the Red Feather Campaign. Lexington Herald-Leader photograph, 1955 February 10
Lexington airport. Kennedy Campaign, Florence Cantrill greeting Lady Bird Johnson. President Kennedy's mother, Rose, with white hat behind Lady Bird. Keen Johnson greeting Rose Kennedy, 1960 October
Keen Johnson with Florence Cantrill and friends, Democrats coffee. Lexington Herald-Leader photograph, 1960 October 2
Leaders in drive for feminine vote. Lexington Herald-Leader photograph, 1960 October 3
Voters greet wife and mother of candidates Lady Bird Johnson and Rose Kennedy. Lexington Herald-Leader photograph, 1960 October 3
91st birthday celebration of Willie I. Shelby given by William C. Scott at the Phoenix Hotel, 1967
4th from left standing - Margaret Worsham, undated
Willie I. Shelby and Florence Cantrill, McDowell House, Danville, 1969 July
Left to Right: John and Margaret Worsham; Florence Cantrill; Joe and Miriam Shelby. Willie I. Shelby's birthday. Wehle's Studio, Lexington, 1969
Group of four photographs in files of Mary Brinker Bryan, undated
Margaret Cantrill Worsham at the Student Center, undated
Alben Barkley, Leon Perskie photographer, undated
Rogers; Nisbet; Wiley; Terrell; Smith; Wendt; Duvall; Kemper; Cartwright, undated
Mrs. Wallace Shelby and daughter Florence, Mullen photographer, Lexington, circa 1888
Florence M. Shelby, Mullen photographer, Lexington, circa 1898
Florence M. Shelby dancing in minuet at civic entertainment, 1898
Florence Cantrill onboard the S.S. Christoforo Columbo, 1959
Onboard the S.S. Christoforo Columbo Florence Cantrill right and Miriam Shelby middle, 1959 March
Miriam and Joseph B. Shelby (right) onboard the S.S. Christoforo Columbo, 1959 March
Florence Cantrill with Joseph Bryan Shelby, Milan, 1959
Florence Cantrill, the Cathedral, Milan, 1959
Florence Cantrill and Miriam Shelby, Venice, 1959
Florence Cantrill and Joseph Shelby, European trip, 1959
Joseph Henry Bryan, b. 1836 at Waveland, undated
Mary Gist Bryan, wife of Joseph H. Bryan, b. 1839 Newcastle, Ky., undated
Mary Brinker Bryan, photograph on postcard, undated
Elks band, Thomas A. Knight photographer, Lexington, undated
Flood picture showing Lexington on a postcard at Rosenberg's corner, undated
Flood pictures, showing Main Street at Phoenix Hotel, undated
Florence M. Shelby at Hamilton College, undated
Wallace McDowell Shelby, Mullen photographer, Lexington, undated
Willie I. Shelby, undated
Lily S. Williamson, friend of Florence Cantrill, undated
Mother, undated
Riverton, Ky., Sturgis Bates; Mr. Shelby; Gray Falconer; Garrett Wall; Louise Goodloe; M. Goodloe; Alice Bates, 1904 May 5
Girls on lawn and porch, undated
Family on porch, undated
Florence M. Shelby at 2 years, Mullen photographer, Lexington, circa 1890
Clay House, Forest Ave., Florence M. Shelby 3rd from left, circa 1892
Some Bryan family in parlor of Clay Villa, Forest Ave., Lexington, Ky, their home for several years after moving from Waveland, 1894
In front of House (Clay Villa now on Forest Ave.): Grandpa, Maye, Rob Bryan; wife and baby Jack; Mr. and Mrs. Shanklin; Mamie; Kathleen; Joe; Florence. Philip Bettage photographer, Louisville, circa 1900
Mamie, Florence, Kathleen, Bryan, and Joe with visitor at Old Pepper House, South Limestone. Philip Bettage photographer, Louisville (Patterson Hall built on site in 1900), circa 1900
Mary B. Bryan (Mamie) with babe and Elliott Shanklin, circa 1905
Mr. Cecil Cantrill, Sr. and daughter Margaret, circa 1920s
Margaret Cantrill (Worsham) at Park Ave. house, circa 1930
Lida, Kempy, Rosie, Margaret Cantrill at UK Graduation, 1942 May 29
Florence Worsham (Tabeling) with grandmother Florence Cantrill, living room at Park Ave., Lexington, 1951 February
From left: Florence Cantrill and her brother Joseph B. Shelby with his wife, Miriam, and Aunt Willie I. Shelby. Chester, England, 1956 June
Florence Cantrill, hotel bacony, Palace Hotel, Milan, 1959
Florence Cantrill, Staff photograph, Lexington Herald-Leader photograph, 1981 November 4
Family reunion, enclosed in February 12, 1984 letter of Mary Sydney Pierson, undated
Joseph B. Shelby as child in angel wings, undated
Cecil Cantrill, Sr. at river property later bought by Garvice Kincaid, undated
Florence Cantrill as a young woman, undated
Florence Cantrill, Adam Pepiot Studio, undated
Cantrill children, Margaret and Wallace, undated
Chi Omega 50 years and over, Florence Cantrill 2nd from left, undated
Florence and Joseph Shelby as children, undated
Isaac Shelby portrait owned by Albert Shelby, Short Hills, N.J., undated
Thomas H. Shelby, Carpenter and Mullen, Magnolia Galler, Lexington, Ky., undated
Wallace M. Shelby and Margaret Shelby, undated
Wallace Shelby possibly at Bryan Station Reenactment, undated
Lily S. Williamson friend of Florence Cantrill, Humphrey's Studio, Lexington, undated
Hamilton College, undated
Sweeping, Hamilton College, undated
John and his Esquimo princesses and their chaperone, undated
Sister and Uncle, undated
Man on porch, undated
Man in rocker on porch, undated
Wedding album of Joseph Shelby to Miriam Rhorer, circa 1920s
Cantrill photograph album, circa 1920s
Cantrill photograph album, undated
Budgie or Elliott Shanklin on camel with Sphinx, undated
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Sam Rayburn, and Alben W. Barkley at Roosevelt's second inauguration, autographed, 1937
Willie I. Shelby portrait, undated
Group of three picture: people on porch; people with horse; horse and buggy, undated
Genealogical material, 1891-1985
Scope and Contents note
The Genealogical material series contains genealogical information, memoirs, articles, newspaper clippings, and genealogical charts relating to Florence Cantrill's family history. Families represented in the series include the Boones, Bryans, Shelbys, McDowells, Cantrills, and Worshams.
Bettye Lee Mastin newspaper articles, 1985, undated
Boone family, 1926, 1963-1979
Boone family, 1926
"Brianiana" by Edward A. Bryan, undated
"The Bryan Families" newspaper article series, 1927
Bryan family, 1966-1968
Bryan family genealogical charts, undated
Bryan family general, 1919-1926, 1962
Bullock family, undated
Cantrill family, 1923-1932
Cecil family, undated
DAR invitation and ribbon, 1891, 1901
James E. Cantrill's likeness and outline of life, undated
Jane Todd Crawford program, 1948 December 13
McDowell family, 1929-1930, undated
McDowell family, 1917-1929
Patricia Anne Headley's genealogical chart, including Bryans and Boones, undated
Shelby family "Record of Ancestry", undated
Shelby family "My Great-Aunt Susan (Fishback)" by Willie Irvine Shelby, undated
Shelby family "Florence McDowell Shelby" by Willie Irvine Shelby, undated
Thomas H. Shelby oath of office, 1893 September 30
Shelby family, 1942
Shelby family, 1927-1930
"A Tale of Truth from the Journal of Mrs. S...", undated
Shelby memoirs, 1923, 1957, 1962
Waveland newspaper article, 1960
Willie I. Shelby material, 1961-1968
Worsham family genealogical chart, undated
Assorted genealogical material, undated
General genealogical newspaper clippings, 1897-1933
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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.