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:

William Henry Gwathney Letters, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase

Accruals:

1840 letter purchased March, 1965, 1838 letter purchased April, 1965

Administrative History:

William Henry Gwathney attended the College of William & Mary from 1837-1840.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two letters written by Gwathney while he was a student at William and Mary.  Both letters were written to his cousin, Benjamin T. Taylor of Petersburg, Virginia. In the letter dated Oct. 21, 1838.  Gwathney mentions improvements to the College [Wren] building, including an improved Natural Philosophy lecture room and a comfortable chemical laboratory.  He further mentions 100 students matriculated with others "coming in almost daily."  In the letter dated April 4, 1840, he mentions returning to school and states "I do not dread the examinations I think so much as I do the preparation for them." He also writes "if I do not succeed this time I will throw my books into the fire and never more look inside of one of the like kind."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• College of William and Mary--Alumni and alumnae
• College of William and Mary--History--19th century
• College of William and Mary--Students