William F. Graves Collection
Scope and Content
This collection contains materials relating to William F. Graves, a native of Pittsylvania County, Virginia and a major in the 2nd Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War. The collection contains biographical sketches of Graves and the typescript text of a speech made by Graves at the unveiling of the Bedford Confederate monument. The typescript text of another Confederate memorial speech is also included as is the handwritten text of a third, similar speech attributed to Graves. Also within the collection is a typescript roster for Company F of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry (also known as the Bedford Southside Dragoons), including notes on wounds, deaths, captures, and desertions. The collection also contains a single sheet of genealogical information on the family of Docie Johnson Garrett Wells.
Dates
- Creation: 1911 - 1914
Creator
- Graves, William F., 1832-1923 (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the William F. Graves Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
William F. Graves, the son of Peyton Graves, was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia on September 29, 1832. A few years after the death of his father, Graves moved with his family to Bedford County, Virginia, where he became a farmer. In 1858, he married Mary J. Johnson; the couple would have 11 children. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Graves enlisted as a sergeant in Company F of the Second Virginia Cavalry. In August 1861, he was promoted to lieutenant, and soon thereafter elected company captain. Later, he was promoted to major; and just before war's end, to lieutenant colonel. Following the war, Graves returned to Bedford County and resumed farming and milling. In 1871, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and continued to serve through five consecutive terms. In later years he would serve as mayor of Vinton, Virginia. He died on July 3, 1923.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Materials, including biographical sketches and speech texts, relating to William F. Graves, native of Pittsylvania County, Virginia and major in the 2nd Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by document type.
Acquisition Information
The William F. Graves Collection was donated to Special Collections in 2000.
General Physical Description note
1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the William F. Graves Collection commenced and was completed in June 2010.
- Title
- A Guide to the William F. Graves Collection, 1911-1914
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- © 2010 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