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Preferred Citation

John S. Spencer Letter, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries

Biographical / Historical

Jonathan S. Spencer graduated from William & Mary in 1858.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a letter, dated November 24, 1857, written by Spencer to someone whose name may be "Buck." In it, Spencer states that there are 80 students at the College and expects there to be more by February 22, 1858. He mentions he is rooming with William Davis, a "very quiet and studious boy," and that Thomas Mason "sends his respects to you and we visit the colored Girls together." He also mentions an incident in which Tom was "in the garden the other night after one" [colored girl] and was chased by a dog. Spencer also states that it is "very often the case that young men get shot at here in the night," that he's only been hunting once in the College yard and killed four chickens. He goes on to discuss a future hunting trip, possible going home for Christmas, and going to Petersburg where "we will fly around extensively with Petersburg fancy Ladies. We have not any in Williamsburg but the colored ones which is better than none as you may know." He ends the letter talking about his cousin Mary.

Related Material

University Archives Faculty-Alumni File Collection

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

General

This item was removed from the Faculty-Alumni File Collection in 2016.