Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

M.C.B. to Harriet Anna Yancey, undated
M.C.B. tells Harriet Yancey about her ordeal with breast cancer.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, Undated
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, about bills and visitors.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, Undated
William Eason leave May Yancey a letter after he goes to visit and does not find her at home.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, September 10,
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, to tell her the news from Esmont, Virginia

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, September 10,
Harriet Yancey sends a postcard informing her daughter, May, of her safe arrival.

M.C.B. to Harriet Anna Yancey, December 16,
M.C.B. tells Harriet Yancey about her summer in Captiva, Florida.

Emma to Harriet Anna Yancey, July 20, 1915
Emma writes a letter of condolence following the death of Harriet Yancey's husband, Benjamin Franklin Yancey.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, June 1, 1919
Roger Yancey requests his mother, Harriet, to buy him a new military style suit.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, April 14, 1920
Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, about happenings at the Hampton Institute, including rifle practice. He suggests that his sister, May Yancey, should attend school in Petersburg.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, April 21, 1920
Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, about rifle practice at school and plans to leave Virginia for the summer.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, April 28, 1920
Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, about end of school year activities at the Hampton Institute. He wants to get out of Virginia for the summer and go to either Washington, D.C. or New Jersey.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, May 29, 1920
Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, about his summer job in Hampton. He regrets not going north for the summer where he could have made more money. Roger passed all of his final exams.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 5, 1920
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, to tell her the news from home. She plans to send her daughter some clothing items.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 11, 1920
Harriet Yancey writes to tell her daughter, May, all the news from Esmont, Virginia.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 2, 1920
Harriet Yancey tells he daughter, may, about the clothes she is sending her as well as various gossip from Esmont, Virginia.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 15, 1921
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter. May, to tell her the happenings at home in Esmont, Virginia. She ordered her daughter a new pair of shoes.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 17, 1921
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, about a new pair of shoes she ordered her as well as community happenings in Esmont, Virginia.

Roger McKinley Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 17, 1921
Roger Yancey tells his sister, May, about recent inoculations as well as various other news from the Hampton Institute.

Roger McKinley Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, May 1, 1921
Roger Yancey writes his sister, May, to discuss his and her summer plans.

Henry Goodwin to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 7, 1922
Henry Goodwin writes May Yancey a note of greetings

Henry Goodwin to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 21, 1922
Henry Goodwin writes a note of greetings to May Yancey. He hopes she will come to New Jersey that summer.

Hanry Goodwin to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 8, 1922
Henry Goodwin apologizes to May Yancey for his delay in writing. He tells May about his Thanksgiving.

Henry Goodwin to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 17, 1923
Henry Goodwin writes a letter of greetings to May Yancey. He discusses the weather and Christmas holidays.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, August 7, 1923
William Eason confides to May Yancey that he thinks he can love her. He plans to go to his brother's wedding.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 7, 1923
William Eason writes May Yancey to question why she has stopped writing him.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 26, 1924
William Eason thanks May Yancey for her loving letter.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, May 10, 1924
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he wants to see her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, July 6, 1924
William Eason tells May Yancey that he understands if their relationship is over after what happened last Sunday evening.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 7, 1924
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her about social happenings in New Jersey.

B.M. Buck to Harriet Anna Yancey, November 8, 1924.
B.M. Buck denies Harriet Yancey's claim to additional insurance benefits following the death of her son, Benjamin Franklin Yancey, Jr.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, November 16, 1924
Roger Yancey writes his mother, Harriet, a note of greetings. He discusses the family's failure to collect the full amount of his brother, Benjamin Franklin Yancey, Jr.'s death benefits. Clothing and fashion Health, illness and death

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 19, 1924
William Eason writes May Yancey concerning an argument they had the previous Monday.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, November 24, 1924
Roger Yancey discusses his financial difficulties with his mother, Harriet. He tells her of his desire to spend Christmas with her and May.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 5, 1924
William Eason asks May Yancey to come to Elizabeth, New Jersey to visit him on Sunday.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 18, 1924
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her about his health problems and upcoming basketball games.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 17, 1925
William Eason writes May Yancey to lament the painful nature of his love for her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 5, 1925
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her about activities at his school.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 18, 1925
William Eason tells May Yancey about his experiences boxing.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 26, 1925
Wiliam Eason confides to May Yancey that he is tired of his busy social life.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 11, 1925
William Eason tells May Yancey about his latest fight. He is angry over someone stealing his money the evening before.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, May 12, 1925
Roger Yancey confides to his mother how much he loves her and appreciates her work in raising him. He is waiting to hear whether he will be accepted into Law School.

N.F. Roberts to Harriet Anna Yancey, May 19, 1925
N.F. Roberts thanks Harriet Yancey for her payment and gives her instructions on how to make future payments.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, May 24, 1925
Roger writes home to his mother, Harriet, about commencement week, financial difficulties, campus scandals, and law school preparations.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, June 30, 1925
Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, that he will arrive in Plainfield, New Jersey the following week.

Mr. and Mrs. Saunders to May Elizabeth Yancey, July, 1925
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders invite May Yancey to a birthday party for their daughter, Hester.

Maris P. Wesley to May Elizabeth Yancey, July 31, 1925
Maris Wesley tells May Yancey about a recent trip as well as events in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Amos C. Clark to Harriet Anna Yancey, September 24, 1925
Amos Clark writes Harriet Yancey concerning the financial delinquency of her fold of the Improved Order Shepherds and Daughters of Bethlehem.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 22, 1925
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he misses her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 13, 1925
William Eason tells May Yancey about the dances and shows he has attended in New Jersey.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 23, 1925
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he misses her when she is away at school. He includes a poem with a secret message.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 24, 1925
William Eason writes to tell May Yancey how lonely his Christmas is without her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 26, 1925
William Eason tells May Yancey how he is spending Christmas.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 20, 1926
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, to tell her not to worry about having to ask for money.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 6, 1926
William Eason asks May Yancey to send him a photo so he can see her face again. He tells hey how much he loves and misses her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 25, 1926
William Eason gives May Yancey all the details concerning his latest boxing match. He discusses May's graduation.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 22, 1926
William Eason tells May Yancey about his tiring boxing schedule.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, May 19, 1926
William Eason questions why May Yancey is not answering his letters. He tells her about some of his recent boxing matches.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, June 7, 1926
William Eason wishes May Yancey good luck on her examinations. He tells her about a wedding he plans to attend.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, June 18, 1926
William Eason asks May Yancey if it suits her to meet him the following Sunday.

May Elizabeth Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, July 11, 1926.
May Yancey tells her mother, Harriet, about her trip to Maine.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, August 17, 1926
William Eason writes May Yancey that he cannot come visit her that evening because of rain.

Frank Brown to May Elizabeth Yancey, July 20, 1926
Frank Brown writes May Yancey a note of greetings. He asks when May will be returning to New Jersey.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, July 21, 1926
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he misses her. He complains about the unbearably hot weather.

C.E. Loizeaux to Harriet Anna Yancey, August 4, 1926
C.E. Loizeaux writes Harriet Yancey to thank her for opening an account with the Mid-City Trust Company.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, September 27, 1926
In his letter, William Eason evaluates his and May Yancey's relationship. He hopes that they will always be friends.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, October 5, 1926
Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, about his new job and living situation in Newark, New Jersey.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 26, 1926
William Eason informs May Yancey that he will not come to visit her until she forgives him.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 21, 1926
William Eason writes May Yancey a note of greeting. He plans to see her soon.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 3, 1927
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he misses her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 10, 1927
William Eason writes May Yancey to smooth over an argument that they had the previous evening.

Helen Jackson to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 1, 1927.
Helen Jackson accepts an invitation to a party given by May Yancey.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodson to Harriet Anna Yancey, February 1927
Mr. and Mrs. Woodson accept Harriet Yancey's invitation to a party in honor of her daughter May.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March, 4, 1927
William L. Eason tells May Yancey that he will arrive on Sunday.

to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 8, 1927
Letter concerning payments due to May Yancey.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March, 9, 1927,
William Eason writes May Yancey to discuss an upcoming visit.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March. 23, 1927.
William Eason writes May Yancey to try to reconcile differences with her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, April. 26, 1927.
William Eason informs May Yancey that he will be late arriving, because of an unexpected opportunity to fight at a dinner held in honor of the mayor of New York City.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, July, 12, 1927
William Eason writes May Yancey that he can not stand being apart from her. He plans to visit her that evening.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, September 5, 1927
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he enjoyed their last visit.

Mr. W.F. Anderson to May Elizabeth Yancey, September 8, 1927
Mr. W.F. Anderson announces the marriage of his daughter, Willie Frankye, to Royal Noble Fitchette.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 5, 1927
William Eason writes his girlfriend, May Yancey, concerning some photos.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 13, 1927
William Eason tells May Yancey about a dance he recently attended.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, October 25, 1927
William Eason writes his girlfriend, May Yancey, after returning from a trip to Esmont, Virginia.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 18, 1927
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he misses her and sends her the lyrics to a song.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 9, 1928
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how much he enjoyed spending Christmas together. He tells her that he saw her brother, Roger.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, January 26, 1928
William Eason tries to smooth over an ongoing fight with his girlfriend, May Yancey. He discusses employment difficulties.

Adele Smith to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 5, 1928
Adele Smith writes a letter of greetings to May Yancey. She congratulates May on the diamond she received from William for Christmas.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 23, 1928
William Eason writes May Yancey to let her know how much he misses and loves her.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 15, 1928
William Eason discusses with May Yancey a possible leap year wedding.

Donald Taylor to May Elizabeth Yancey, March 16, 1928
Donald Taylor writes May Yancey a note of greetings. He compliments her on her ability to control her classrooms.

Howard Johnson to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 4, 1928
Howard Johnson writes May Yancey a note of greeting. He discusses the upcoming Easter holiday.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 13, 1928
William Eason confides to May Yancey about how much he misses her. He tells May that her constant sickness is a product of her accepting invitations to too many of her students' homes.

Howard Johnson to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 17, 1928
Howard Johnson writes May Yancey to tell her how much he is looking forward to seeing her within the next few weeks.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 26, 1928
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, about the ending of the school year. She tells May about the death of Adele Smith's sister.

Howard Johnson to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 28, 1928
Howard Johnson writes May Yancey a note of greetings and expresses his concern over not hearing from her.

Howard Johnson to May Elizabeth Yancey, May 3, 1928
Howard Johnson writes a note of greetings to May Yancey. He wishes to see her as soon as possible.

Howard Johnson to May Yancey, May 14, 1928
Howard Johnson writes May Yancey to tell her how much he loves and misses her

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, July 18, 1928
Roger Yancey tells his mother about his life in Newark, New Jersey. He reminisces about the legacy of his father, Benjamin Franklin Yancey.

Adele Smith to May Elizabeth Yancey, August 15, 1928
Adele Smith tells May Yancey about her job. She asks when May & William will be married.

Virginia to May Elizabeth Yancey, August 24, 1928
Virginia writes May Yancey that she has returned safely home to Esmont, Virginia.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, September 26, 1928
Roger Yancey asks his mother, Harriet Yancey, for advice about a new job and potential new residence. He describes his initiation into Omega Psi Phi.

Adele Smith to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 11, 1928
Adele Smith tells May Yancey that she and Roger, May's brother, are planning a secret wedding in the spring.

Roger McKinley Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 24, 1928
Roger Yancey discusses his upcoming wedding plans with his sister, May, as well as her career as a teacher.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, November 29, 1928
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, to instruct her on curing her cold and caring for the house in Esmont, Virginia.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 13, 1928
Harriet Yancey writes her daughter, May, concerning Christmas plans and repairs to their house in Esmont, Virginia

L.P. Harris to May Elizabeth Yancey, December 13, 1928
L.P. Harris writes to May Yancey concerning some photos May sent.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 7, 1929
William Eason writes May Yancey to tell her how muc he misses and loves her.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 14, 1929
Harriet Yancey tells her daughter, May, about events in Plainfield, New Jersey. She tells May that Aunt Joe will visit Esmont, Virginia soon.

William L. Eason to May Elizabeth Yancey, February 11, 1929
William Eason writes May Yancey to scold her for her argumentative last letter. He believes some one is intercepting their letters.

Harriet Anna Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, April, 1929
Harriet Yancey writes May, her daughter, about various friends and relatives. She instructs May to burn her letters.

Roger McKinley Yancey to May Elizabeth Yancey, April 15, 1929
Roger Yancey writes his sister, May, to wish her a speedy recovery.

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, March 8, 1932.
Roger Yancey writes his mother, Harriet, and wishes her well. He tells her how well her grandchildren doing.

Barbara Jenkins to Harriet Anna Yancey, December 19, 1940
Barbara Jenkins tells her friend Harriet Yancey about all the illnesses and deaths in Richmond, Virginia. Harriet recently left Plainfield, New Jersey and returned to Esmont, Virginia after the death of the woman she worked for.

Pollie Tunstall to Harriet Anna Yancey, September 3, 1945.
Pollie Tunstall tells her friend, Harriet Yancey, about her busy summer. She catches her up on happenings in Plainfield, New Jersey including sicknesses, deaths, and the upcoming Baptist national convention.

Sarah to Harriet Anna Yancey, December 19, 1947
Sarah sends Harriet Yancey newspaper clippings announcing the deaths of three friends: Bettie Pollard, Evelyn Whiting, and Mrs. Henry Walker.

Rose to Harriet Anna Yancey, November 6 1949
Rose tells Harriet Yancey about the events of her past summer.

William R. Eason to Harriet Anna Yancey, February 26, 1950
William Eason tells his grandmother, Harriet Yancey, about various happenings at Shaw University.

Mrs. Robinson to Harriet Anna Yancey, September 27, 1950
Mrs. Robinson tells Harriet Yancey about Mary's upcoming marriage and the Darsies' new house in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Louisa J. Steward to Harriet Anna Yancey, October 17, 1950
Louisa Steward tells Harriet Yancey about her move to Tucson, Arizona. She describes her experiences traveling across the country.

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