Edward B. Hicks Letter,
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single letter from Edward B. Hicks in Lawrenceville, VA to William Townes in Clarksville, VA. The last page serves as the letter’s envelope and contains a postage mark, sending address, and the remnants of a red wax seal.
The letter’s contents rant against President Polk’s presidential administration, blaming him for not helping Virginia's debt as well as for having the audacity to try to go to war with Britain over the Oregon Territory. The following quote is indicative of Hicks' contempt for Polk: “Does he believe that he can bully England, when Napoleon with Europe at his back, could neither alarm or conquer her.”
Dates
- Creation: 1845
Creator
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Edward B. Hicks Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
Edward B. Hicks was an attorney based in Lawrenceville, VA. He was born on July 11, 1789 and died on November 27, 1858 at the age of 69. Edward was the eldest son of Daniel (died in November of 1857 at age 99) and Fanny Hicks (died on April 12, 1840).
On November 3, 1822, Edward married Elizabeth Stone, the daughter of Governor and Senator David Stone of North Carolina. The couple had many children together, but unfortunately Edward survived most of them. However, one son named David Stone Hicks, who was born on May 11, 1826, attended the University of Virginia and became a lawyer and judge. Edward also survived his wife, who died on Febuary 12, 1837 after a long illness; in the Hicks family diary, he describes her as, “my most affectionate and devoted wife.”
Barringer, Paul, James Mercer, and Rosewell Page. University of Virginia: Its History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics, with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Founders, Benefactors, Officers and Alumni. Vol. 2. New York: Lewis, 1904. Print.
"Hicks Family Bible (1788-1861)." RootsWeb. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vabrunsw/bibles/hicks1.htm>.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains a letter dated December 16, 1845, postmarked in Lawrenceville, VA. It is written by Edward B. Hicks to fellow attorney, William Townes and laments about Polk’s mismanagement of Virginia’s debt and eagerness to go to war with Britain over the Oregon Territory.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by material type.
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased by Special Collections in 2010.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Edward B. Hicks Letter was completed in November 2010.
Subject
- Townes, William (Clarksville, VA) (Correspondent, Person)
- Title
- A Guide to the Edward B. Hicks Letter,1845
- Status
- Completed
- Subtitle
- A Collection in Special Collections
- Author
- Julia Viets
- Date
- ©2010 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All Rights Reserved.
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- 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