Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
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Preferred Citation
Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Elsie Ball Wright Bowley Papers, WLU Coll. 0242, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Tad Thompson in 1998
Processing Information
Blue sheet prepared by Betty Kondayan (7/20/99)
Biographical / Historical
Elsie Ball Wright Bowley was the wife of General Albert J. Bowley, and the sister of Jessie Ball du Pont, a benefactor and Trustee of Washington and Lee.
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence (4 folders) by and about Elsie Bowley's sister, Jessie Ball du Pont, and her brother-in-law, A. I. du Pont, as well as letters and correspondence from Elsie's son, Thomas Ball Wright, Ball family members of the Northern Neck of Virginia and other members of the du Pont family. Also contains papers of General Albert J. Bowley, along with Elsie Bowley's business papers regarding her benefactions. Includes ca. 175 photographs (mainly family photos), most of which are not identified.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Ball family
- Correspondence
- Du Pont Family
- Photographs
- Thompson, Tad
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Adams, Edna
- Anderson, Mary Morris
- Baker, Isabel Ball
- Baker, N. Addison
- Ball, Betrand R.
- Ball, Edward
- Ball, Emma A.
- Ball, Helen
- Ball, Ruth
- Ball, Thomas
- Barron, Sallie H.
- Battle, John Stewart
- Bertram, Laura
- Black, Elizabeth H.
- Bland, Minnie
- Bowley, Albert J. (Albert Jesse)
- Bowley, Bobbie
- Bowley, D. Gould
- Bowley, Elsie Ball Wright, 1886-1972
- Bowley, Virginia
- Brown, Thomas R., Dr.
- Bumgardner, Eleanor
- Butzner, William W.
- Campbell, Alice R.
- Cauthorne, William
- Cralle, A. A.
- DeShields, Henry C.
- Dew, J. Bland
- Dew, Sarah Ford
- Dickey, Sadie Crane
- Doty, Margaret
- Doty, William K.
- Du Pont, Alfred I. (Alfred Irénée), 1864-1935
- Du Pont, Jessie Ball, 1884-1970
- Du Pont, Marianna
- Du Pont, Maurice (1866-1941)
- Dudley, Albert H., Jr., Dr.
- Edwards, Minnie
- Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David)
- England, G. A.
- Glenn, Thelma H.
- Gouldin, Bessie
- Graig, Malin
- Greble, Edwin St. John, Mrs.
- Gresham, Eva
- Gresham, Katherine
- Gresham, Louis B.
- Gresham, Mary
- Gresham, Nannie
- Gresham, Nellie
- Gresham, Philip
- Gresham, Sadie
- Gresham, William D.
- Haile, Ella Gresham
- Hall, Basil Wise
- Hart, Charles Edward, Lieutenant General
- Hart, Charles Edward, Mrs.
- Heath, W. D.
- Heflin, Charles W.
- Hoffman, Flora Bowley
- Hoffman, Jane
- Huidekoper, Bessie
- Jesse, Eoline Ball
- Jesse, James D.
- Johnston, Elizabeth Nash
- Kenned, John T., Brigadier General
- Kent, Alicia
- Lauer, Nellie
- Lawrence, Shirley
- Lee, Dorothy Vandegrift
- Lee, Marguerite du Pont
- Lee, Mary Middleton Wilkerson
- Lee, Maurice Du Pont
- Lewis, Ellen
- Lewis, James M.
- Lincoln, Bertie
- Lundgren, Ralph O.
- Magsaysay, Ramon
- Marshall, Katherine
- Marter, Beatrice
- Martin, Charles
- Mason, Alice
- Mathe, Robert E.
- Matlack, J. M.
- May, Marjorie
- McAuliffe, Anthony C., General
- McAuliffe, Helen Whitman
- McKnew, Thomas W.
- McPherson, Martha E.
- Mordin, Florence
- Nice, Edna V.
- Norris, Robert Opie, Jr.
- Orbison, Thomas J. (Thomas James)
- Palmer, Bruce, Jr.
- Palmer, Williston B.
- Parker, Katherine L.
- Patterson, Charles H.
- Percy, Richard, Lord
- Petersen, Jargine
- Pollard, Grace
- Pollard, John Garland
- Pollard, Violet Elizabeth McDougall
- Pratt, Sadie
- Ralston, Betty
- Read, Mary B.
- Rehe, A. J., Major
- Reid, Mina
- Rhodes, Charles D.
- Rhodes, Fred Burnett, Jr.
- Rhodes, Winona Henderson
- Riely, Jean Roy
- Ruoff, Hermann
- Ruoff, Madeline du Pont
- Sadler, Mary
- Saunders, John R.
- Shannon, John T.
- Thompson, Tad
- Truman, Harry S.
- Tucker, Beverley R. (Beverley Randolph)
- Tucker, Elsie B.
- Ware, Catherine E.
- Wharton, Henry M.
- Whitman, Ann C.
- Williams, Hazel
- Wilson, F. B., Mrs.
- Wright, Edgar
- Wright, Marjorie
- Wright, Rhonda M.
- Wright, Sadie
- Wright, Thomas Ball
- Yerby, Emma S.
- Young, Gordon R.
- Zapffe, Carl A.
- Zapffe, Denise
- du Pont, Alfred Victor
- du Pont, Henry C.
- du Pont, Margery
- du Pont, Nesta
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- California -- Alameda
- Florida -- Miami
- Philippines -- Manila
Container List
Letters from Edward Ball, April 24, 1929 William K. Doty, April 21, 1929 William W. Butzner, Apil 23, 1929 John R. Saunders, May 9, 1929 Marguerite du Pont Lee Minnie Edwards, April 29, 1929 Maurice DuPont Basil Wise Hall Ella G. Haile Emma S. Yerby, April 19, 1929 Thomas 'Tom' Ball Wright, April 25, 1929 Eoline Ball Jesse (2 letters) James M. Lewis, May 4, 1929 'Bessie' most likely Bessie Huidekoper Mrs. F. B. Wilson, April 24, 1929 Ellen Lewis, May 9, 1929 J. Dew Bland (most likely), April 20, 1929 Nannie Gresham Clift (2 letters), May 18, 1929
Letters from: Marguerite du Pont Lee, May 8, 1929 Thomas Ball Wright ('Mother's Day Greeting', 4 cards, 4 letters. Many signed 'Tucker') A. A. Calle, May 4, 1929 Edna Adams Margaret Doty, Apil 25, 1929 Isabelle Baker (telegraph), April 29, 1929 Mary Sadler, April 23, 1929 William D. Gresham, April 24, 1929 Sarah Ford Dew, April 26, 1929 Elsie B. Tucker Sadie Crane Dickey, May 4, 1929 Nellie Lauer James M. Lewis, April 24, 1929 Emma S. Yerby, May 8, 1929 Sallie H. Baron Catherine E. Ware, May 21, 1929 Mina Reid, June 19, 1929 'Sue' (4 letters) 'Alice,' April 26, 1929 'Hazel,' May 16, 1929 'Anne,' May 11, 1929 'Elsie'
Letters from: Henry M. Wharton, April 21, 1928 'Sadie,' August 19, 1931 Elizabeth H. Black, December 10, 1931 Grace Pollard, May 6, 1930 and December 26, 1931 Beverley R. Tucker, August 22, 1931 'Cousin Gillie' (2 letters- August 27 & December 10, 1931 Thos. J. Orbison, May 25, 1933 Eleanor Bumgardner, October 4, 1933 Margaret Teahaw, October 8, 1933 Violet 'Mac' McDougall Pollard, December 5, 1933 Mrs. Dern (invitation), December 6, 1933 Beatrice Marter (7 letters), October 10, 1933, March 2, April 19, 1934, December 24, 1936, February 4, 1937, November 22, 1937 John Garland Pollard, August 23, 1934 Edward Ball, September 20, 1934 Dorothy Vandegrift Lee (2 letters, 1 card), September 3, 1931, November 3, 1936 Clyde Garrett (telegraph about symphony concert), January 14, 1953 Martha E. McPherson, March 26, 1937 Wm. W. Butzner, July 13, 1939 Edna V. Nice, November 4, 1937 Governor John Garland Pollard (Christmas Card most likely when Elsie was in the hospital in 1929) Katherine Marshall Florence Mordin Hattie Belle Gresham Charles H. Patterson 'Mary' Mrs. E. St. John Greble Gordon R. Young, December 4, 1947 Malin Craig, December 28, 1942
Letters from: Winona and Fred Rhodes, December, 15, 1959 Lizzie Nash Johnston, December 3, 1959 Ann C. Whitman, January 31, 1953 John S. Battle (telegram), January 14, 1953 G. A. England, August 13, 1959 Gordan R. Young (2 letters), May 16, 1950, November 24, 1950 Williston B. Palmer (6 letters), December 31, 1959, March 24, 1961, November 21, 1961, May 16, 1963, ebruary 19, 1968, April 28, 1868 Charles W. Heflin (3 letters), February 9, 1961, February 23, 1962, February 18, 1963 Bruce Palmer, Jr., February 15, 1966 Robert E. Mathe, June 1, 1967 John T. Shannon, October 17, 1960 General and Mrs. Anthony McAuliffe, December 8, 1949 Louis B. Gresham, May 4, 1967 Lieutenant General and Mrs. Charles Edward Hart, September 10, 1967 W. D. Heath, April 10, 1968 Secretary of Lord Richard Percy, September 29, 1965 Jargine Peterson, July 8, 1968 'Gladys,' December 14, 1962 Marjorie May (telegram), April 25, 1962 Laura Bertram (4 letters), September 17, 1967 'Marge,' July 22, 1968 'Bessie,' most likely Bessie Huidekoper J. M. Matlack, Jr., July 12, 1968 Dr. Albert H. Dudley, Jr., July 15, 1968 Mary Morris Anderson, January 5, 1968
Many cards letters from friends and family, including Laura Bertram, Bessie, and 'Pit,' to Elsie. Also included are sympathy notes when Jessie died.
Several letters and cards written to Mrs. Bowley by friends and family, many from neices and nephews. Some of the letters are notes of sympathy after Jessie's death.
Several letters to Elsie, Thomas, and General Bowley from different members of the Ball Family. There are many letters from Edward Ball and his wife Ruth.
This file contains many letters from Thomas Ball Wright to his mother, Elsie. Several of the letters are written during his times at Woodberry Forrest School and at the University of Virginia. Also included in the file are letters to Pit and Jessie.
This file consists of letters to Elsie and Thomas Ball Wright from members of the Ball family, including Minnie, 'Cousin Bland,' and Katherine Gresham.
This file consists of letters from Elsie's nieces and nephews, identified as such. Many of the letters are from 'Shirley' and 'Marge and John.'
This file contains letters from Williston B. Palmer (subject: Edgar Wright), Edgar Wright, 'George,' and Rhonda M. Wright.
This file contains letters and telegrams from an array of people. There are several letters from Mary Morris Anderson, Ella Haile, and Emma Yerby. There is also a letter from 'Bro. Barney' and letters from members of the Hoffman Family. Elsie often had folders marked 'family.'
This file consists of letters from A.I. Du Pont. to Elsie, Thomas Ball, A.J. Bowley, and Henry DeShields. There is also a 'suggested annual budget' for Alfred V. Du Pont.
The letters are mostly written to Elsie, but there are letters to Edward, Thomas Ball, Belle Baker and General Bowley as well. Many of the later letters to Elsie were written by Hazel Williams on behalf of Jessie.
This files consists of letters to or about Jessie Ball du Pont. Many of the letters are from the Alred I. du Pont Institute to Elsie. The file also consists of sympathy letters from family and friends to Elsie about Jessie's death.
The letters are from members of the du Pont Family to Elsie.
This file consists of two letters from James D. Jesse of Nuttsville, Va. and of a thank-you letter from the Woman's Club of Essex County.
This file consists of letters from the James Monroe Memorial Foundation thanking Elsie for gifts. Elsie later joined her sister Isabel in becoming a trustee of the foundation. Several meeting minutes and reports are included in the file.
This file includes letters and benefactions by several different societies and associations, including The Society of the Lees of Virgina, The National Mary Washington Memorial Association, The Eisenhower-Nixon Club, and The Northern Neck of Virginia Historial Society.
This file consists of benefactions and several progams from events such as the Dedication of the Victorine duPont Dent Memorial Clinic and the Dedication Ceremony of the Jessie Ball duPont Library at Sewanee. There are many letters rom the St. Margaret's School in Tapahannock, Virginia and the United States Military Academy.
This file consists of benefactions and letters from the United States Military Academy, Mary Washington College, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, and the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia.
This file consists of benefactions and documents rom the James Monroe Memorial Foundation.
This file consists of benefactions from several organizations, including the British Commonwealth Nurses War Memorial Fund, Mary Washington College, and personal letters from students receiving scholarships in memory of General Bowley.
This file consists of letters written to General Bowley and letters to Elsie about General Bowley. Most of the letters are from family and friends. General Bowley and Elsie's engagement accouncement and General Bowley's death certificate are included in this file.
Sympathy notes from friends of Elsie and General Bowley. There are also many cards from flower arrangements sent to Elsie.
More sympathy letters and cards from friends and family
Marriage announcements, cards, church programs, graduation invitations, Valentine cards, Christmas cards,
This file consists of newspaper and magazine clippings, progams, documents, invitations, and other miscellaneous realia.
This file consists of mostly poetry cut out from newspapers. There are also typed and hand written copies of poems. There is one poem written for 'My little friend Elsie Ball.'
This file consists of letters written to Elsie when her brother, Thomas Ball, died.
Miscellaneous documents, a few letters, and a few newspaper clippings
This file consists of photographs of places as identified on the back incluing early photographs of Miami Florida at the Everglades Hotel, likley taken by Isabel Ball Baker. It includes a photograph of Mary Ball Washington's grave and Ella Gresham Haile's grave. There are photographs dated 1931-1934 of the Bowley's home in Oahu, Hawaii, at the Schofield Barracks, and a photograph of Unity Church in Santa Ana, California.
This file consists of four photographs. Three photographs are of pocket watches and the other is of a chandelier. One of the pocket watches is inscripted with 'to George Washington from John Wentworth Stark.'
This file contains photographs ranging from 1923-1970. It includes portraits of Elsie and Thomas Ball Wright and a photograph from Palm Beach. Some of the square photographs are labled as Mrs. Du Pont's seventieth birthday in 1968.
There are eleven c. late 1920s-early 1930s era photographs of Alameda, California buildings, churchs, neiborhoods, parks, etc. There are 8 inch x 10 inch interior views of an unidentified mansion and five photographic images of Sequoya Park, Eureka, California by the Freeman Art Company.
Many of the photographs are taken in Asia
One photograph was a gift to Mr. and Mrs. Bowley from Alfred and Molly Psai.
This file consists of a photograph of President Magsaysay and Pedro Paguio given to Isabel Baker on June 23, 1959. There is also a print of President Magsaysay indicated that it was acquired during Mrs. Baker's visit to Manila, Philippines in 1959, and there is an itenerary of the trip.