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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterFinding Aid Authors: Lisa Sparks Carpenter, American Studies Intern and Benjamin Bromley, Public Services Archives Specialist.
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Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Ball Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of Wililam and Mary
Accessioned and minimally processed by Benjamin Bromley in November 2010. Finding aid completed by Lisa Sparks Carpenter in December 2010.
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Papers, 1887-1976, of the Ball family, chiefly Hugh Ball and Mary Pierce Ball who operated a dairy farm in Vergennes, Vermont. Dairy farming account books and receipts are included in the collection. Mary Ball (née Mary Lucy Pierce) grew up in Shelbourne, Vermont and her eleven diaries, written between the ages of eighteen and thirty-two, detail the weather, social engagements, sewing projects, books read, school, and in the last diary, baby care.
Also in the collection are correspondence, mainly between members of the Ball family; portraits and snapshots; artwork; and other related materials.
Artifacts received with Acc 2010.674 are described in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection (Mss 1.03), including Snow Farm Scene Painting on Canvas Wrapped Board (2010.674.01)
Artifacts received with Acc 2010.674 are described in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection (Mss 1.03), including Snow Farm Scene Painting on Canvas Wrapped Board (2010.674.01)
The photographs in this series are mainly unidentified portraits. Labeled photographs include a 1910 photograph of the Ball home (1910); a portrait of Mary Griffin Chawfeliu, "Ezra Ball's grandmother" (1897); portrait of "Elinor" (1933); an undated portrait of Mary Pierce; and a photograph of the Shelbourne Creamery workers.
This series includes eleven diaries and one Bible study book of Mary Lucy Pierce of Shelbourne, Vermont between 1905 and 1919. Pierce wrote the diaries between the ages of eighteen and thirty-two. Subjects include the weather, social engagements, sewing projects, books read, school, and in the last diary, baby care. Pierce married Hugh C. Ball in 1918. Seven farm account books and milk sales receipts detail the expenses and profits of Hugh C. and Mary L. Ball's dairy farm in Vergennes, Vermont, covering the years 1917-1942. Also included are Gertrude Ball's autograph book (1887-1929) and Edna Ball's scrapbook of poems and clippings (1902).
Ephemera includes Hugh Ball papers regarding death of Edna A. Ball, various newspaper clippings, Mary Pierce's report card at Shelburne Public Schools (winter 1904), Shelburne House dance cards 1904-1911; Richmondville Ladies Literary Circle guide for series on Germany (1909-1910); Barbara Ball booklets made during childhood (c. 1929); hand-made animal cutouts, Shelburne, Vermont alumni banquet program( 1940); and Edna Ball's account book at the Burlington Savings Bank (1938-1954).
Letters in this series are mainly to Mary Ball from relatives and friends regarding family, sickness, death, and spiritual life. Of note are letters from Hugh Ball to Mary Ball during their separation due to her sickness in 1918 and a hand-painted card from Cora Avery to Mary Ball from 1947.