Presslor, Maude M. Papers Guide to the Maude M. Presslor Papers Mss. Acc. 2009.593

Guide to the Maude M. Presslor Papers Mss. Acc. 2009.593


[logo]

Special Collections Research Center

William & Mary Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections

SCRC staff

Repository
Special Collections Research Center
Identification
Mss. Acc. 2009.593
Title
Maude M. Presslor Papers, 1913-1972 1913-1972 1943-1972
Quantity
1.40 Linear Feet
Creator
Presslor, Maude M., 1898-1972
Language
English

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

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.

Preferred Citation:

Maude M. Presslor Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase.


Biographical Information:

Maude Marie Presslor (1898-1972) was born Maude M. Mathas, and lived with her husband, John Dee Mathas (1898-1972) a fire chief, and three children in Montezuma, Indiana. She was a member of the WSCS, the Women's Society of Christian Service.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the diaries, correspondence, and biographic material of Maude M. (Mathas) Presslor (1898-1972) of Montezuma, Indiana from 1913-1970. Earlier papers and material relate to Presslor's life as a teenager and young adult during the World War I period. Letters from friends serving in France and a baby book detailing the early years of her three children, Betty Jean (Presslor) Montgomery, Frank Richard Presslor, and David Lowell Presslor, date from this period. Later papers and material from the World War II period include letters from her sons serving in the armed services as well as diary entries and newspaper clippings concerning major events of the conflict, such as the first use of atomic weapons. Post-war papers and material focus more on her family life and the activities of her children and grandchildren. Presslor's diaries from this era include references to and newspaper clippings concerning major events of the Cold War period, such as political assassinations and military engagements in southeast Asia. The collection also includes ephemera, such as bills, brochures, and tickets from Presslor's travels with her husband, John Dee Presslor.

Arrangement of Materials:

Organized into three series: Series 1: Diaries; Series 2: Correspondence; and Series 3: Biographic Material.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Clippings (information artifacts)
  • Correspondence
  • Diaries
  • Greeting cards
  • Indiana--Social life and customs--20th century
  • Photographs
  • United States--Description and travel
  • Women--Diaries
  • World War, 1939-1945--Women--United States

Physical Characteristics or Technical Requirements:

The fragile nature of this material may limit handling: brittle clippings and notes are inserted between diary pages and fastened with rusting clips and needles.


Significant Places Associated With the Collection

  • Indiana--Social life and customs--20th century
  • United States--Description and travel

Container List

id65624
Series 1: Diaries
1913-1915, 1943-1970
Scope and Contents

This series contains over thirty diaries written and maintained by Maude Presslor through various periods of her life. Earlier diaries center on her social, family, and school life as a teenager (then Maude Mathas) in Montezuma, Indiana. She frequently discusses her interactions with friends, including her future husband John Dee Presslor. Later diaries from the World War II era focus on her family life and the participation of her sons, Richard Frank and David Lowell, in the armed services. Presslor also mentions major geopolitical events in her entries, such as the Allied invasion of Normandy, the death of President Franklin Roosevelt, and the surrenders of Germany and Japan. In addition to her written entries, Presslor's diaries include newspaper clippings detailing similar events. Diaries from the decades following World War II focus more on Presslor's daily activities, such as her participation in Women's Society of Christian Services social functions. She also writes at length about the activities of her children and grandchildren. As with the World War II period, these diaries include references and newspaper clippings concerning major news stories. Topics include presidential elections, political assassinations, and U.S. engagements in Southeast Asia.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 id64967
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 1 id65628
      Diaries
      1913-1915, 1943-1945
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 2 id65629
      Diaries
      1946-1948
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 3 id65630
      Diaries
      1949-1951
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 4 id65631
      Diaries
      1952-1953
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5 id65632
      Diaries
      1954-1957
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 6 id65633
      Diaries
      1958, 1960
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 7 id65634
      Diaries
      1961-1965
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 8 id65635
      Diaries
      1966-1968
    • Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 9 id65636
      Diaries
      1969-1970
id65625
Series 2: Correspondence
1918-1921, 1934, 1943-1969
Scope and Contents

This series contains written exchanges between Maude Presslor and her friends and family. Earlier correspondents from the World War I period include frequent letters from her friend, James "Jim" L. Carson, serving in France. Other letters from this period include congratulatory notes from her mother, Mrs. George Mathas, and aunt, Mrs. M.J. Mathas, on the birth of her first child, Betty Jeane Presslor. During the World War II period, Presslor exchanged frequent letters with her sons, Frank serving in the Army Air Forces and David serving in the Navy. In addition to their letters, Presslor's sons also sent telegrams detailing their travels and activities throughout the war. Post-World War II correspondence centers more on family life and the activities of Presslor's children and grandchildren. In addition to formal letters, the series also contains personal notes, greeting cards, postcards, and invitations sent to Presslor by her friends and family.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 id65637
    Box 2
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 1 id65638
      Correspondence
      1918-1921, 1934
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 2 id65639
      Correspondence
      1943-1944
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 3 id65640
      Correspondence
      1944-1945
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 4 id65641
      Correspondence
      1952-1959
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 5 id65642
      Western Union Telegrams
      1944-1945
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 6 id65643
      Postcards
      1944-1957
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 7 id65644
      Greeting Cards and Invitations
      1950-1969
id65626
Series 3: Biographic Material
1921-1928, 1944-1972
Scope and Contents

This series contains biographic material collected by Maude Presslor throughout various periods of her life. Items include thirteen black and white photographs of family members and local events. A baby book maintained from 1921 to 1928 provides information on the birth and early years of Presslor's three children, Betty Jean, Richard Frank, and David Lowell. The book also includes several black and white photographs as well as locks of hair. Later material focuses on Presslor's travels with her husband in states such as Florida, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Related items includes expenditure books, pamphlets, brochures, bills, and tickets. The series also contains various ephemera, such as magazine subscription slips. The series and the collection concludes with materials related to the 1972 deaths and funerals of Presslor's husband, John Dee, and her son, Richard Frank.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 id65645
    Box 2
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 8 id65646
      Photographs
      undated
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 9 id65647
      Baby Book
      1921-1928
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 10 id65648
      Religious Material
      1944, 1956, 1968
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 11 id65649
      Travel Material
      1946-1961
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 12 id65650
      Ephemera
      1947-1969
    • Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 13 id65651
      Presslor Family Funerals
      1972