Catlett Conway Correspondence, 1892-1920 (Ms2012-039)

Catlett Conway Correspondence, 1892-1920 (Ms2012-039)

Virginia--History

Local/Regional History and Appalachian South

The collection consists of 65 letters written between Catlett Conway and family members during the years 1892-1920. The majority of the letters are written by Catlett to his half-brother, Dr. William Buchanan Conway, but he also wrote to other siblings and his children. One letter is written by John C. Conway and addressed to Catlett. In addition to contemporary content (family news, employment, social critiques, politics, and literature), Catlett also writes of his Civil War experiences and discussions with other Civil War veterans.

Catlett Conway was born to Battaile Fitzhugh Taliaferro Conway and his first wife Mary Ann Wallace on January 5, 1840. Dr. William Buchanan Conway was born to Battaile's second wife Cornelia Sapphira Buchanan on January 3, 1845. Both men grew up on the family homestead, Ellerslie, in Madison County, VA before joining the Confederate Army in the Civil War. After the war, Catlett lived in Richmond, VA where he worked for Richmond Granite Company, and later a Richmond based coal company. In 1871, William became the Physician and Surgeon for Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (later known as Virginia Tech), but moved to Athens, GA in 1891 for medical reasons.

For more information on Catlett and William see: The Brothers Conway of Madison County, Virginia, Autobiographies of Catlett Conway and William Buchanan Conway, Compiled and edited by Anne H. (Price) Yates. The book is available for use in Special Collections: CT275 C767 A3 1998 Spec Large.

Conway, Catlett, 1840-1920

1892/1920

Ms2012-039

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Catlett Conway Correspondence, Ms2012-039, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.