Seldon Longley Papers,
Scope and Content
The correspondence in this collection deals with varied subjects, such as credit accounts at a mercantile store in Nashville, Tennessee–Terrass & Yarbrough. While two of the other letters appear to be personal correspondence, a telegram sent to Longley as a member of the House of Delegates in 1873 addressed the Farmer's Bank of Abingdon (Virginia). This telegram and the bank note from the Bank of Abingdon suggest that Longley may have been involved with the institution. Also, in a letter sent to Longley in 1878, the author requests that Longley focus his attention on the "Civil Rights Bill." This was likely a reference to the Civil Rights Act of 1875 which entitled all individuals to the same use of "public accommodations," such as theaters and inns. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was, however, declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1883.
Dates
- Creation: 1871-1893, n.d.
Creator
- Longley, Seldon, b.1846 (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Seldon Longley Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
Seldon Longley was born February 7, 1846, in Virginia. Although he attended Emory & Henry College in Washington County, Virginia, for some time, he left school to fight in the Civil War, enlisting on April 3, 1864. Longley achieved the rank of Sergeant later that year; however, he returned to school at Emory & Henry College, earning his Bachelor's Degree in 1868 and Master's Degree in 1869. Upon receiving his Master's Degree, Longley went to study law at the University of Virginia until 1870. He began practicing law and, in 1873, was elected to the House of Delegates to represent Washington County, Virginia. On December 24, 1873, Longley married Leona "Lennie" Howard Jordan. He lived in Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia, with his wife and child. In 1891, Longley moved to Pulaski County, Virginia, and was appointed as judge of the county court in 1897.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains six pieces of personal correspondence addressed to Seldon Longley, as well as a bank note and leather case.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Acquisition Information
This collection was acquired by Special Collections before 2009.
General Physical Description note
1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Seldon Longley Papers commenced and was completed in August 2009.
- Title
- A Guide to the Seldon Longley Papers, 1871-1893, n.d.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lora Settle
- Date
- © 2009 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu