Appalachian Collection

Kirby and Eller Family Letters, 1826-1938

Summary Information

Title:
 Kirby and Eller Family Letters, 1826-1938
Collection:
 AC.495, W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection
Extent:
 0.25 linear feet
Abstract:
 The Kirby and Eller Family Letters contain correspondence between the Kirby and Eller families of Ashe County, North Carolina. The letters focus mainly on day-to-day events such as planting and harvesting crops, health and illness, and household tasks, but also include references to the Civil War.
Creator:
 Kirby family; Eller family.

Biographical Note

Elizabeth “Bettie” Kirby (1851-1925) was born on February 15th, 1851 in Meadow Creek, Virginia, to parents Joel Kirby and Frances Roberts. Millard F. Kirby, Samuel J. Kirby, Emory T. Kirby, and Ada B. Kirby were her siblings. She married Joseph Lafayette Eller on September 22nd, 1875 in Ashe County, NC, where she lived until her death on December 9th, 1925.

Luke Eller (1806-1883) was born on June 8th, 1806 in Ashe Co., NC. He was married to Sarah King on March 27th, 1829 in Ashe Co. He is the father of Joseph Lafayette Eller (Elizabeth’s husband), Hansford Eller, and Aswell Eller. Luke Eller lived in Ashe Co. until his death on December 6th, 1883.

Scope and Contents

The Kirby and Eller Family Letters contain correspondence between the Kirby and Eller family. These focus mainly on life’s day-to-day events, including items such as planting and harvesting crops, health and illness, marriages, traveling, and household tasks. The Civil War (of which Hansford Eller and Aswell Eller fought on the Southern side) is a very significant topic in the letters. The letters also include grocery and estate receipts and one postcard.

Arrangement

The Kirby and Eller Letters are arranged chronologically, spanning 1826-1938.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for use in the Dougherty Reading Room without restrictions.

Acquisitions Information

The Kirby and Eller Family Letters (AC.2011.053) were donated by Kenneth Jackson in 2011.

Processing Information

Processed by Katie Cooper, 2011.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], AC.495: Kirby and Eller Family Letters, W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C., USA.

Container List

Letters, 1826-1828, 1832-1833, 1841-1842 Box 1.1
Letters, 1850-1859 Box 1.2
Letters, 1860-1862 Box 1.3
Letters, 1863-1865 Box 1.4
Letters, 1867-1869 Box 1.5
Letters, 1870-1876 Box 1.6
Letters, 1881-1884 Box 1.7
Letters, 1885-1886 Box 1.8
Letters, 1887-1889 Box 1.9
Letters, 1890-1892 Box 1.10
Letters, 1895-1899 Box 1.11
Letters, 1908-1938 Box 1.12
Letters, undated Box 1.13
Letters, undated Box 1.14

Subject Headings

  • Ashe County (N.C.)
  • Edgewater (Va.)
  • Eller, Aswell P., 1834-1906
  • Eller, Elizabeth "Bettie" Kirby, 1851-1925
  • Eller, Hansford, 1841-1912
  • Eller, Joseph L., 1851-1911
  • Eller, Luke, 1806-1883
  • Helton (N.C.)
  • Kingsville (Kan.)
  • Kirby, Ada B., 1859-1887
  • Kirby, Emory T., 1843-1915
  • Kirby, Millard F., 1854-1878
  • Kirby, Samuel J., b. 1838
  • Meadow Creek (Va.)
  • Measles
  • Rural Retreat (Va.)
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.