By Kyle Beeler
Collection Overview
Title: Lester Family Papers, 1864-1934
Predominant Dates:1905-1913
Creator: Lester, Mildred A. (1855-1934)
Extent: 0.23 Cubic Feet
Date Acquired: 04/05/2012
Languages: English [eng]
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Lester Family Papers are comprised mostly of correspondence to Mildred Ann McAlexander Lester, of Mason County, Kentucky. She was the widow of Edras Lester and the letters are from her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, friends, and account holders. There is also correspondence addressed to others beside Mrs. Lester. In addition to the letters are many documents relating to a land dispute over Mrs. Lester's father's estate in Patrick County, VA. There is a sketch of property boundaries, a copy of his will, and correspondence between various people that were working on the case. Included are various forms of financial documentation from banks, personal account holders, etc. There are also documents from the Civil War, including two savings bond certificates as well as an Oath of Allegiance for a prisoner of war. Keepsakes, holiday cards, log books, memorabilia, and other items are also a part of the collection.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Source:
Kathleen Moats
Acquisition Method:
Gift
Box and Folder Listing
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Civil War Documents, 1864-1865
- Contains 2 savings bond certificates from the Confederate States of America as well as a certificate of release of a prisoner of war from the U.S. government for Daniel McAlexander.
- Folder 2: Correspondence, 1868-1906
- Contains letters from various family members, physicians, and friends addressed to Mrs. Lester.
- Folder 3: Correspondence from S.W. McAlexander to M.A. Lester, 1911-1912
- Contains numerous letters to Mrs. Lester from her son-in-law in which he relates news of the death of his family, weather impacts on farming, the hiring of help on the farm, etc. Also enclosed are locks of hair from the deceased family.
- Folder 4: Correspondence to M.A. Lester, 1906-1934
- Contains letters from various family members, physicians, and friends addressed to Mrs. Lester.
- Folder 5: Ephemeral Items, 1869-1917
- Contains a manuscript hymn, certificate of membership for the Fine Arts Institute of Omaha, business solicitations/advertisements, recipes, holiday cards to Mrs. Lester, and other personal keepsakes/memorabilia such as a lock of hair, and scraps of fabric with an obituary notice. One item appears to be a charted knitting pattern called Spot and Diamond, by Jennie Peterman.
- Folder 6: Financial Records, 1900-1933
- Includes various financial statements from banks, doctors, county clerks, and personal account holders.
- Folder 7: Land Dispute Documents, 1884-1920
- Contains multiple types of documents to include a will in testament, diagram of property, correspondence, advertisements, and other items pertaining to the disputed estate of Samuel McAlexander.