Inventory of Dew Family Papers

Descriptive Summary
Dew Papers
1828-1895

Source: Mary Sue Dew and Jacob Kisner
Number of items: 162
Letters and papers of the Dew Family of Virginia

161 items of the Dew Family Papers were a gift of Mary Sue Dew, Richmond, Va. 1 item was purchased from Jacob Kisner, New York, N.Y.

Scope and Content Note

Form of material and dates: Letters and papers of Thomas Roderick Dew, President of the College of William and Mary, 1836-1846, and of his brother, Benjamin Franklin Dew, an attorney of Newtown, King and Queen county, Virginia, 1794-1895.

Container List and Descriptions
Dew Family Letters

Folder 1: Letters, 1828-1843
Descriptions of Letters

12 December 1828

FR[?] Fred[dricks]b[ur]g., [Va.], to Rob[er]t Hand [?]. Vielleboro, Caroline C[oun]t[y], [Va.]. Brief letter about a bond. 1p. ALS. Including AMsS, n.d., by Tho[mas] Dew, n.p., detailing his experiences during the American Revolution, mentioning the defeat of Gen[era]l Gates, his serving under Capt. Henry Lumpkin, and Gen[era]l Weedon, and later Lafayette, and volunteering to serve at Yorktown. 3pp. Incomplete.

15 Sept[embe]r 1834

J[ames] Madison, Montp[elie]r, [Va.], to Professor [Thomas R.] Dew, New Town, King and Queen C[oun]ty, Virginia. Thanks him for sending him a copy of his "Essay on Usury." 1p. ALS. Including PST. 1p.

11 Nov. 1836

T[homas] R. Dew, W[illia]m and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to the "Editor of the American Q[uarterly] Review," Philadelphia, [Pa.]. Review of Nathaniel Beverly Tucker's George Balcombe, differing with the author on attitudes towards the education of women. [Apparently not published in the American Quarterly Review]. 11pp. ALS.

9 Jan. [18]37

W[illiam] C[abell] Rives, Washington, [D.C.], to President [Thomas R.] Dew, [College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.]. Agrees with his views on currency and finance, and recommends that he publish them. 4pp. ALS. Including typescript. 4pp.

10 May 1841

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B[enjamin] F[ranklin] Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co.], Va. Advice to a beginning lawyer; studies being undertaken by their brother , Calvin. Comments on the new term of [President John] Tyler; inquiries about Aunt Boulware's return from Washington, D.C.; states that "our college [William and Mary] is going quite smoothly... we shall have quite a respectable graduation in the A.M. [sic] [M.A.] Department [with] the two Jones' [Alexander and James B. Jones]. [B.F.] Garrett, [W.M.] Overton, and [James A.C.] Clopton [graduating]." 3pp. ALS.

24 June 1841

License for Benjamin F. Dew to practice law in Virginia. Signed by W[illia]m H. Cabell, John Robertson, P.N. Nicholas. 1p. ADS.

3 Dec. 1841

T[homas] R. D[ew], William and Mary College [sic], Williamsburg, [Va.], to his brother, B[enjamin] Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co.], Va. Discusses setting up a law practice, and capital required for the collection of bonds, "by far the most lucrative part of the profession with their lawyers who have the capital"; has heard that he is to marry Mis M[ary] S[usan] shortly, but hopes that she puts him off for a year or two, so that he may get settled in his new profession; [?] Overton married Rebecca McCandlish recently; [Dabney] Browne, [Professor of Humanities], has resigned, effective in January, to accept the position of President of an academy in Brunswick [Co., Va.]; states that "we shall be able to supply his place in the manner very much calculated to benefit the College [of William and Mary]." 4pp. ALS.

20 Feb. 1842

W[illia]m Boulware, Naples [Italy], to Molly [?]. Tells of his visit to Italy, including a call on Don Sebastian, one of the Infantas of Spain who is married to the sister of the King in Naples. 8pp. ALS.

12 July 1842

T[homas] R. Dew, W[illia]m and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to his brother Benjamin Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen Co., Virginia. Describes a new Professor, Charles Minnegerode, who has arrived from Germany; the 4th [of July] speeches went well, one by [Littleton Wailen ?] Tazewell, and another by [Rob] Ould; [William Archer] Leigh was appointed orator for the next meeting. 2pp. ALS. Including typescript. 1p.

7 Oct. 1842

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to his "sister [in-law," Mary Susan (Garnett) Dew], n.p. Congratulates the new bride of his brother, [Benjamin] Franklin [Dew]; states, "Our college is not full as last session but the course will be a respectable one for the times." 2pp. ALS.

[Feb. 1843]

T[homas] R. Dew, [Williamsburg, Va.], to his brother, [B.] Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co.], Va. Concerning business in bonds; details about matter connected with Thomas and [Willia]m Hudgins; inquires about Aunt Boulware. 4pp. ALS.

27 March [18]43

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B[enjamin] Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co., Va.]. Concerning legal handling of bond collections; and election campaigns in Williamsburg involving [Henry A.] Wise vs. [?] Carter, and elsewhere, [Robert M.T.] Hunter vs. [Willoughby] Newton. 4 pp. ALS.

17 Apr[il] 1843

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B[enjamin] Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co., Va.]. Discusses the collection of bonds by lawyers, usual practices, etc.; more about the Wise/Carter election. 3pp. ALS.

24 Apr[il] 1843

T[homas] R. Dew, n.p., to his brother [B. Franklin Dew], n.p. Discusses business with bonds, and conversations with Col. McClandish. 1p. ALS.

29 June 1843

Pitts & Sale, L[l]oyds, Essex Co., Virginia, and Rylands & Graham, New Town, [King and Queen Co., Va.]. Recommendation of Benjamin F. Dew to the merchants of Balitmore, [Md.]. 2pp ADsS.

3 August 1843

W[illia]m Boulware, Legation of U.S., Naples [Italy], to [Benjamin Franklin] Dew, n.p. Describes his adventures in a quarantine prison in Egypt, drawing six barreled pistol to hold off robbers at the Jordan River and in visiting the Sea of Galilee; also states "I regret to see you sustaining a bank of the U.S. and incidentally protection to Manufacture. This is certainly not the doctrine that William and Mary taught you." 8pp. ALS.

6 Nov. 1843

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to Luther Calvin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co., Va.]. Discusses the College of William and Mary stating: "Our number is 72, I expect to go beyond the number of last year. I suppose you have read the most unprincipled attack on the Whig on the College and myself... There has been a desperate effort to run down this old College... I am suddenly pounced on for doctrines which I have been teaching for the last 26 years..." 3 pp. ALS.

22 November 1843

Trust deed from James C. Spotts and wife Martha L. Spotts, Richmond, Virginia, to Thomas R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.] for the sale of a parcel of land called Seaford, Mathews County, Virginia. 3pp. Ds. Including Cy of DS. 4pp.

Folder 2: Letters, 1844-1849
Descriptions of Letters

13 Feb[ruar]y 1844

T[homas] R. D[ew], William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B. Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co.], Va. Discusses bond collection and the Whig Convention in Richmond stating "I go for [Henry] Clay, but with a most decided opposition to his two great measures, a tariff and the Bank"; also discusses affairs in Williamsburg, mentioning the Peachy Family; sends love to Aunt Boulware. 4pp. ALS.

27 May 1844

T[homas] R. D[ew], William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B[enjamin] Franklin Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co.], Va. Comments on a romantic affair of his [TRD] with Miss [Matilia] Hay; opinions on [Thomas Hart] Benton, [Martin] V[an] B[aron], and [Henry] Clay in Washington. 4pp. ALS.

[ante Nov. 1844]

Testimonial by [Benjamin F. Dew] supporting H[enry] Clay [for President of the United States] rather than James K. Polk [by B. F. Dew]. 1p. DF.

4 Nov. 1844

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B[enjamin] Franklin Dew, "Expected at K[ing] and Q[ueen] court," [Va.]. More about the election campaigns of Clay and Polk; and about William and Mary, "I am afraid our course will not quite equal that of the last year. The course of the Whig ... has somewhat injured the College ..." 3pp. ALS.

2 Dec. 1845

W[illia]m Boulware, "Nov. Rest[?]" to benjamin F. Dew, Miller's Tavern, Essex [Co., Va.]. Left an umbrella at Dew's home, and asks for its return. 4pp. ALS.

12 Dec. 1845

T[homas] R. Dew, William and Mary College [sic], [Williamsburg, Va.], to B[enjamin] Franklin Dew, Tappahannock Essex Co., Va. Comments on Polk's message in regard to the Oregon question, recommendations on the Subtreasury, tariff motions, and possibility of war with England. 2pp. ALS.

21 March 1846

G.B. Taliaferro, Baltimore, [Md.], to B[enjamin] F. Dew, near Tappahannock, Va. Informed him of prices for commodities in Liverpool, [Eng.]. 1p. ALS.

15 May [1846]

Dan[ie]l Webster, [Washington, D.C.], to Professor [Thomas R.] Dew, William and Mary College [sic], Williamsburg, Va. Enclosing a letter of introduction for Mr. [?] McCauley, "Professor Senior ... literary gentleman," [letter not included]. 1p. ALS.

20 May 1846

Edward Everett, Cambridge, [Mass.], to President [Thomas R.] Dew, [Williamsburg, Va.]. Includes letters of introduction for Dew on his upcoming trip to England. 3pp. ALS. Including ALS, 20 May 1846, from Edward Everett, Cambridge, [Mass.], to Rev. Dr. Whewell, [Eng?], introducing Thomas R. Dew of William and Mary, "the second college in age in the United States, and [which] has been raised by President Dew to a very respectable rank ... It is under the patronage of the Protestant Episcopal church." 2pp.

28 May 1846

A[ndrew] Stevenson, Virginia, to Will[ia]m Napall Senior, London, [England]. Introducing [Thomas R.] Dew, who will be coming to London. 1p. ALS.

29 May 1846

A[ndrew] Stevenson, "The Retreat," to T[homas] R. Dew, n.p. Advice regarding the visit of Dew to England. ALS.

7 June 1846

A[ndrew] Stevenson, "The Retreat," to Professor T[homas] R. Dew, "expected in Richmond," [Va.]. Advice regarding routes in England and Scotland and things to see when Dew visits there. 2pp. ALS.

15 June 1846

W[illia]m Boulware, "Naucleias [?] Rest," to the Hon. Edward Ellis, n.p. Introducing [Thomas R.] Dew, "President of William and Mary College in Virginia, one of the oldest and most respectable colleges in the United States." 1p. ALS.

15 August 1846

[R.] Baylor Semple, King W[illia]m C[our]t House, [Va.], to Benj[amin] F. Dew, Essex [Co., Va.]. Introducing an overseer, Ro[bert] Read. 1p. ALS.

10 Sep[tember] 1846

James Hay, Farnley, to [Thomas] Dew, "Dewsville," New Town P.O., King and Queen County, Va. Has heard through his daughter, Natillia, of the death of his son [Thomas Dew], and extends condolences. 1p. ALS.

9 Oct. 1846

Invitation to a "Cotillion Party" in honor of triumph of the American arms at Monter[r]ey, [Mexico], to be held at the Planter's Hotel in Selma, Alabama. 1p. PM.

28 Oct. 1846

James Hay, Farnley, to Benj[amin] F. Dew, New Town P.O., King and Queen County, Va. Regarding the estate of his brother [Thomas R. Dew]. 3pp. ALS.

15 Jan[uar]y 1847

Arch[ibald] C. Peachy, Williamsburg, [Va.], to Benj[amin] F. Dew, Tappahannock, Essex County, Va. Offers himself for the chair at William and Mary "vacated by the death of my lamented friend, you Brother, [Thomas R. Dew]." ALS.

25 February 1847

Benj[amin] F. Dew, La Grange, [Culpeper Co., Va.], to J.H. Wallace, Norborne E. Lutton, R. Baylor Semple, n.p. Declines an offer to present his name for the candidacy of State Senator, because he is too young to be eligible. 2 pp. Cy of ALS.

8 April 1847

T[heta] X[i] Fraternity, Williamsburg, [Va.], to Benjamin [F.] Dew, New Town, King and Queen C[oun]ty, Virginia. Concerning the threat of the suspension of college societies at the College of William and Mary by the Board [of Visitors]; requests his attendance, [as an alumnus] at the annual meeting on July 4th. 1p. ALS.

24 December 1847

J[ames] Brown, Jr. Second Auditor's Office, [Richmond, Va.], to Benj[amin] F. Dew, Co. Sup[erintendent] of Essex Co., Tappahannock, [Va.]. Discussion about the payment of school quotas for Essex County. 1p. ALS.

11 April 1848

G.B. Taliaferro, Baltimore, [Md.], to B[enjamin] F. Dew, LaGrange, near Tappahannock, Va. Gives commodity prices of bacon, and describes money situation as being "very tight." 1p. ALS.

Folder 3: Letters, 1850-1895
Descriptions of Letters

25 June 1850

Indenture made between James M. Jeffries and John Pollard, King and Queen County, Virginia, Philip B. Jones, Sheriff of Henrico County, [Va.], and Chancy G. Griswold, Richmond, [Va.] for indebtedness of $2,533.56. 3pp. Cy of DS.

June 1851

Invitation to [Benjamin F. Dew?] to join the American Legal Association. 1p. PM.

14 June 1851

Membership certificate of Benjamin B.[sic] [F.] Dew, New Town, Virginia, in the American Legal Association; signed by John Livingston, Secretary, with elaborate engravings. 1p. PDS.

17 Oc[tobe]r 1856

Th[omas] W. Tyler, Carlton's Store, King and Queen County, [Va.], to Messrs. Jno. Tompkins, B[enjamin] F. Dew. and Christopher T. Bates, King and Queen County, Va. Acceptance of notification to surperintend the election of Electors of the President and Vice-President of the United States. 1p. ALS. Including a NCL, 27 Sept. 1856, concerning the Commissioners in the Presidential Election. 1p.

8 January 1858

J.Wright, Richmond, [Va.] to B[enjamin] F. Dew, New Town, Va. An account for sales of stock. 1p. ALS.

16 March 1858

Jno. A. Lancaster & Son, Richmond [Va.] to B[enjamin] F. Dew, New Town, King and Queen [Co., Va.]. Has deposited $1157.00 in the Bank of Virginia. 1p. LS.

2 March 1863

Treasury note of Confederate States of America for $500.00 owed to B[enjamin] F. Dew signed by Ro[bert] Tyler [Treasurer], C.S.A. and with engraved border and ship. 1p. PDS.

1 January 1865

R.M. Garnett, n.p., to B[enjamin] F. Dew, n.p. Receipt for payment for supplies to soldiers' families in King and Queen County, Va. 1p. ALS.

10 May 1865

Certificate of the Provost Marshall's Office, District of Rappahannock, Bowling Green, Va., stating that B[enjamin] F. Dew signed the oath of allegiance to the United States. 1p. PDS.

29 June 1865

Amnesty Oath of the Office of Provost Marshall, Richmond, Va., sworn by B[enjamin] F. Dew. 1p. PDS.

31 July 1865

Certificate of pardon to Benjamin F. Dew, with surrogate signature of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States and signed by Will[ia]m H. Seward, Secretary of State. 2 pp. PDS. Including PDS, 29 June 1865, from the Provost Marshall's Office, Bowling Green, Va., stating that B[enjamin] F. Dew, took the prescribed oath of allegiance. 1p. See medium oversize file.

8 November 1865

W[illiam] P. Hudgin, Marshall, Texas, to "Uncle Frank," B[enjamin] F. Dew, New Town P.O., King and Queen County, Virginia. Describes Texas situation in the post-war period, including the overabundance of teachers, the close proximity of the railroad, the meeting of the legislature and the laws being enacted. 3pp. ALS.

2 May 1866

Broadside entitled "Rate of Lawyer's Fees," listing fees charged by member of the Bar in Matthews [sic], Gloucester, Middlesex, Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties. 1p PM.

13 Jan[uar]y 1869

Certificate states that B[enjamin] F. Dew is a life member of the Virginia Agricultural Society. 1p. PDS.

20 Sept. 1869

W[illiam] P. Hudgins, Marshall, Texas, to "Uncle Frank," B[enjamin] F. Dew, New Town, P.O., King and Queen County, Virginia Tells of his life as a teacher in Texas. Incomplete. 4pp. ALS.

13 Dec[embe]r 1869.

W[illiam] P. Hudgins, Marshall, Texas, to "Uncle Frank", [Benjamin F. Dew], n.p. Detailed description of life in Texas, including land prices, climate, shopping and the population. 5 pp. ALS

July 1870

"A Brief Sketch of the Life of Thomas Roderick, Dew, Late President of William and Mary College... Copied from the American Encyclopedia, 1859-1862," by [?], New York, [N.Y.]. 6pp. Ms.

11 Feb[ruar]y. 1872

Anthoney Butler, [former slave], Washington, D.C., to Franklin Benjamin Due[sic], n.p. Would like to know when he was born and his age; urges him to write back. 2pp. ALS.

13 Feb. 1872

"List of scholars in attendance on the 1st day that school commenced." 4pp. Adf.

17 July 1876

W[illiam] P. Hudgins, Marshall, [Tex.], to "Uncle Frank" [Benjamin F. Dew], n.p. Discusses planned visit to Virginia; his son, 17 yrs. old, attends Richmond College preparatory for a "course at the University"; talk of Reconstruction and the absence of a chartered bank in Virginia; the crops in Texas will be heavy this year; is renting a cotton farm to a "freedman"; is also managing the Freight and Ticket office of the Railroad Co. for $1500.00 a year. 3pp. ALS.

9 Aug. 1876.

W[illiam] P. Hudgins, Marshall, [Tex.], to "Uncle Frank" [Benjamin F. Dew], n.p. Gives itinerary for a visit to Virginia; crop reports for corn, wheat, and oats in Texas, but the price is so low that the farmers will not make much profit; immigration is expected to be immense since there are two railroad lines and two steamers into Texas, that the population may soon rival New York. 2pp. ALS.

5 July 1895

R.C. Ballard Thurston, Louisville, Ky., to John G. Dew, New Town, King and Queen Co., Va. Requests information on the location of the Old Park Church, as ancestors are buried there; gives some genealogical information on the Rogers family. 1p. TLS.

15 July 1895

R.C. Ballard Thurston, Louisville, Ky., to John G. Dew, New Town, Va. Inquiry regarding "Old Park Church" near New Town. 2pp. TLS.

n.d.

Tho[ma]s [R.] Dew, n.p., to B[enjamin] F. Dew. Concerning interest on a bond. 1p. ANS.
 

Folder 4: Miscellaneous manuscripts, articles, and poem

by Benjamin F. Dew

n.d.

"Free Banking System." 15pp. AmsS.

n.d.

"Responsibility and Dignity of the Teacher's Profession." 10pp. AMs.

n.d.

"Wether [sic] There is a Moral Sense or not." 4pp. AMsS. Includes corrections by T[homas] R. Dew.

by Thomas R. Dew

n.d.

Remarks concerning his declining an appointment as Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Virginia. 4pp. AMs.

by Unknown authors

n.d.

Poem entitled "Mr. Booker" addressed to Miss Fanny Betty Claybrook. 2pp. Ms.

n.d.

Poem entitled "The Buffaloe [sic] Hunt" addressed to Miss Fanny B[etty?] Claybrook. 1p. Ms.

Folder 5: Legal Papers

1806-1839, n.d.

Documents, letters and printed material relating to land on Paropotank Creek, King and Queen Co., Va., inherited by Wilson Jefferson Cary and Sarah (Cary) Newsum, and sold by them and by William Newsum, Jr. to Peter Thorton Pollard and including a broadside, n.d. regarding the use of "Patricks," the landing on the creek. 19 items.

1850-1991

Documents, printed legal briefs, and a letter centering on the sale of "Malvern Hills," Henrico Co., Va., to Benjamin F. Dew by James M. Jeffries and John Pollard. 4 items.
 

Folder 6: Estate Settlements

1839-1858

Documents relating to the estate of Thomas Dew, Benjamin F. Dew, executor, including copies of his will, lists of bonds owned by him, accounts and inventories of his personal property, court decrees involving his heirs and their guardians, and receipts and accounts of property sales. 26 items.

1855-1859

Documents relating to the estate of Lucy (Gatewood) Dew, widow of Thomas Dew, Benjamin F. Dew, executor, including copies of her will, lists of bonds, receipts to Edward Gresham, and papers concerning legacies due her grandsons Thomas P. and William P. Hudgins. 23 items.

Folder 7: Miscellaneous

[ca. 4 November] 1856

Democratic tickets connected with the 1856 Presidential election candidacy of James Buchanan and John C. Breckinridge, with engraving of Buchanan and Breckinridge, and list of electors from the state. 7 items. PM. (A1-A7)

[ca. 4 November 1856]

Printed handbills giving the Whig, Union, American Ticket Nominees, Millard Fillmore and Andrew Jackson Donelson, and listing the electors for the state of Virginia. 4 items. PM. (A8-A11)

1862

Richmond, Va. Currency, 30 cents and 60 cents. 2 items. PM (A12-A13)

1863

Confederate money, 50 cents. 3 items. PM. (A14-A16)
 

Folder 8: Manuscript Volumes

1845-1846

Diary and account book of B[enjamin] F. Dew. 21pp. MsV.
 

Folder 9: Manuscript Volumes