Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], C. L. Porcher Letter, Ms1988-072, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The C. L. Porcher Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the C. L. Porter Letter commenced and was completed in April, 2021.

Biographical Note

C. L. Porcher, a woman living in Charleston, South Carolina in 1876, may possibly be more fully identified as Clelia Lightwood Porcher, daughter of Frederick A. and Emma Caroline Gough Porcher. Born in Charleston on March 8, 1847, she grew up in the home of her father and his second and third wives, Emma Carolina Gough Porcher and Caroline S. Parker Porcher. By 1870, Clelia Porcher was employed as a teacher. Porter continued to live in Charleston throughout her life and never married. She died October 7, 1924, and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by C. L. Porcher, a woman living in Charleston, South Carolina in 1876. Writing to her sister on September 12, Porter discusses a recent riot in Charleston, likely referring to the King Street riot that occurred on the night of September 6, following a meeting of the "Colored Democratic Club." She continues by noting that a number of men have been standing guard outside the various clubs at night and that a meeting of Charleston women had voted to provide the guards with refreshments during the night. Porter then discusses family news, including a recent death, and describes the heightened tensions among friends and family due to the riot and surrounding events.

The letter is accompanied by an envelope addressed to Miss Celia L. Porcher, in care of J. Richardson, Waverly Mills, Georgetown County, and postmarked at Charleston on September 5.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the C. L. Porcher Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).