Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduWilliam & Mary Special Collections Research Center staff
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
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
Renick Family papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Biographical / Historical
Dewey Campbell Renick was a farmer, lumberman, appraiser and developer from Calloway, Va. (Franklin County). He was born on February 17, 1898 and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia to attend the William and Mary Academy and work at the Williamsburg Female Institute. Renick was a member of the James City County Planning Commission from 1954-1971, a member of the James City County School Board for 25 years (chair for 15 years) and a member of the county school trustee electoral board. Renick was also a rent control administrator in Williamsburg during World War II and was involved with establishing the Tidewater Mental Health Clinic and Williamsburg Memorial Park. He was a member of the board of Williamsburg Community Hospital and a director of the United Virginia Bank. He died 1 August 1976. The Renick farm was at the intersection of News Road and Ironbound.
Fern Amelia Cooley Renick was born in South Dakota on July 7, 1897 and came to Williamsburg with her family at the age of two. She attended Farmville State Teacher's College (now Longwood University). She and her husband were active in the Jamestown Presbyterian Church.
Along with George Tayloe Ross, she established the Dewey C. Renick Memorial Scholarship at the College of William and Mary. She died on June 18, 1992.
Content Description
The Renick Family papers include farm account books, newspaper clippings, obituaries, genealogical materials, photographs, correspondence, and artificats documenting the lives of the Renick Family. Family members documented include Dewey Campbell Renick, Fern Cooley Renick, Jean Renick, and Dewey C. Renick Jr.
The farm account book, circa 1942-1962, includes accounts of Kings Mill Farm (Thomas M. Brooks), Carter's Grove Farm, Evelynton Plantation, Kings Mill Dairy Farm (operated by David and E. E. Falk; later Anheuser-Busch's Kingsmill development), and P. M. Greisenauer. The entries are in alphabetical order.
The collection also includes papers concerning the organization of the Dewey C. Renick Endowment for scholarships at William & Mary. Clippings concern the Renick family including Dewey C. Renick's civic career as well as his involvement in negotiations to bring Anheuser-Busch to Williamsburg and the giving of a Clydesdale horse to the Renick farm.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into six series including: Series I. Dewey Campbell Renick papers, 1923-1981, Series II. Fern Amelia Cooley Renick papers, 1950-1992, Series III. Dewey C. Renick Jr. papers, Circa 1930-1945, Series IV. Jean Renick papers, 1933-1953, Series V. Personal papers, Circa 1900-2006 and Series VI. Printed materials, 1939-2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Account books
- Anheuser-Bush, Inc.
- Business records
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- College of William and Mary
- Diaries
- Europe -- Description and travel
- Farming
- Genealogies
- Photographic prints
- Post World War II Europe--Description and travel
- Purple Heart
- Renick, Dewey C. , Jr., d. 1945
- Renick, Tim (Tim Renick)
Other Finding Aids
Finding aid formerly identified as Mss. Acc. 2010.308.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Renick, Dewey C. , Jr., d. 1945
- Renick, Dewey Campbell, 1898 February 7-1976 August 1
- Renick, Fern Amelia Cooley , 1897 July 7-1992 June 18
- Renick, Tim (Tim Renick)
- Ross, George Tayloe
Container List
Dewey C. Renick worked in the timber and lumber buisness from 1928 until his retirement in 1954. Post retirement he was a member of the James City County planning commision from 1954-1971 and was instrumental in establishing a zoning ordinance for the county. Renick was an appraiser and purchaser of the Newport News reservoir and pipeline property for the Diascund Reservoir water system. He also acted as the as the Busch Properties agent for the Lightfoot and Kingsmill properties as well as serving as the superintendent of the James City County School Board for 15 years and its chairman for 15 years. Renick died on August 1, 1976.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1
Correspondence of Dewey C. Renick1932-1970English.Scope and Contents
Concerns business, politics, his service on the Virginia Air Pollution Commission and an illness. Includes letter from Virginia Governor J. Lindsay Almond. Correspondence concerns a memorial window to Charles J. Renick (1866-1935) and Sarah Prillaman Renick (1867-1915). Letters concerning treatment of undulant fever possibly contracted from drinking unpasteurized milk in Maine from a herd which later tested positive for brucellosis "Bang's Fever."
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 2
Anheuser-Busch Brewery (related clippings)1969-1976English.Scope and Contents
Newspaper clippings concerning the bringing to Williamsburg of the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Includes newspaper clippings about, photographs of, and a letter of thanks written to August Busch by Renick thanking him for the Clydesdale mare, (Belau Golden Maid) "Goldie."
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 3
Crofton Farm account book1956-1962English.Scope and Contents
Farm Account book of "Crofton," James City County, Va. owned by Dewey C. Renick and Fern Amelia Cooley Renick. Accounts are in alphabetical order. The farm was at the corner of News Road and Monticello Road, where the Veterans Park is. Concerns logs, feed, grass seed and pullets (chickens) Includes accounts with "Carter's Grove," James City County, Va., Chesapeake Corporation, King's Mill Dairy Farm, Lombardy Farm, Jamestown Corporation, Virginia Jack Farm, and T. W. Wood.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 4
Crofton Farm account book related materials1923-1976English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5
Dewey C. Renick Endowment at William & MaryRoss, George Tayloe1981-1991English.Scope and Contents
Clippings and documents concerning the establishment of the Dewey C. Renick Endowment at William & Mary by George Tayloe Ross
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 6
Dewey C. Renick Endowment at William & Mary (oversize)1981
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7
Longmeadow, Hampden County, MassachusettsCirca 1968English.Scope and Contents
Paper placemats and a brochure for Longmeadow, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Calling card of Elsie Hunter
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8
Newspaper clipping10 July 1966
Fern Cooley Renick was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia at a young age. In 1915 she graduated from Williamsburg Female Institute. Renick was a homemaker and civic leader instrumental in bringing Anheuser-Busch to James City County. Fern Renick married Dewey Renick in 1918 and had three children. Fern Renick died on June 18, 1992.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 9
Financial records of Fern Amelia Cooley Renick1979-1992English.Scope and Contents
Materials mostly concern the settlement of the estate of Fern Amelia (Cooley) Renick by her daughter Jean Renick. Includes record relating to estate of Bernard W. Griffey.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 10
General papers relating to Fern Amelia Cooley Renick1918-1992English.Scope and Contents
Papers relating to Fern Amelia Cooley Renick. Biography of Fern Cooley Renick compiled by women of Jamestown Presbyterian Church, her marriage announcement, endowment set up to give scholarships to students who are from the area of the church, obituary and her will.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 11
Travel diary (Europe)ca. 1950-1960English.Scope and Contents
Handwritten and typed copy of a diary on a trip to England, Scotland, Paris, Zurich, and Italy. Writer is on a trip with Ginny. Writer of diary may have been Fern Amelia Cooley Renick. Includes notes on Presbyterianism.
Dewey C. Renick Jr. was born on October 28, 1921 in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was the son of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Renick. He attented Virginia Tech and served as Lieutenant during World War II. Renick was a pilot who served with the Fifth Air Force Fighter Command. Dewey C. Renick Jr. was killed in action on March 27, 1945 over the Luzon mountains in the Phillipines. Renick received multiple medals in recognition of his service including the Purple Heart.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 12
7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group papers1944-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 13
General papers belonging to Dewey C. Renick, Jr.1945-1949English.Scope and Contents
Photocopies of official and unofficial correspondence concerning the death of Dewey C. Renick, Jr. whose plane was lost in 1945 in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 14
"Gold Dust Renick" ephemera (oversize)Circa 1930-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 15
The Techgram1945
- Mixed Materials box: 4
World War II artifacts and awardsCirca 1939-1945
Jean C. Renick was born on August 1, 1933 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She attended Whaley High School and Duke University where she studied nursing. Jean Renick also had a career as an architect.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 16
Correspondence to and from Jean Renick1953-1968Scope and Contents
File includes undated corresponce such as a letter to Santa Claus.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 17
Baby book1933
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 18
Duke University papers1951-1956
- Mixed Materials box: 5
Duke University yearbooks, handbooks, ephemera and diplomaCirca 1951-1956
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 19
Jamestown Presbyterian Daily Vacation Bible School certificates1939-1940
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 20
Luctor Et EmergoCirca 1953
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 21
Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (clipping)12 August 1953
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 22
Schouwen Duivland map1953
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 23
Travelers checks1953
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 24
Work camp papers1953
Series includes genealogical materials, photographs, and scrapbooks documenting the lives of the Renick family.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 25
Birth, death and marriage certificates of members of the Renick Family1898-1992English.Scope and Contents
Birth, marriage and death certificates of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Amelia (Cooley) Renick. Includes will of Dewey C. Renick.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 26
Certificates1942-1970
- Mixed Materials box: 6
Certificate and silver plate awardCirca 1945-2000
- Mixed Materials box: 7
Cooley Family genealogy, compiled papers
- Mixed Materials box: 8
The Cooley Genealogy by Mortimer Elwyn Cooley1941
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 27
Empty envelopesCirca 1945-1989
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 28
Genealogy of Renick and Cooley family, compiled1998-2006English.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 29
A Grandparent's Book
- Photographs and scrapbooks
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 38
Oversize unidentified photograph of two girlsCirca 1900Conditions Governing Access
Extremely fragile. Handle with staff member present.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 30
Renick family photographs1900-1985English.Scope and Contents
Formal Photographs of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Cooley Renick. 1918 photograph of cutting cake at wedding. 50th wedding anniversary invitation. . Color photograph of Fern Cooley Renick at age 90.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 31
Renick family photographsCirca 1900
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 32
Renick family photographsCirca 1900-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 33
Renick family photographs
- Mixed Materials box: 10
Renick family photographs (framed)English.Scope and Contents
Hinged double photograph of Dewey C. Renick and Fern Cooley Renick (From the Studio of Douglas B. Green, II, 761 Scotland St, Williamsburg, Va.). Cased photograph of Fern Cooley Renick as a child (ca. 1900-1910).
- Mixed Materials Map Case: 1 Drawer: 1
William & Mary class of 1915 photographEnglish.
- Mixed Materials Binder: 11
Scrapbook ICirca 1920-1945Scope and Contents
General Renick family photographs
- Mixed Materials Binder: 12
Scrapbook IICirca 1920-1970Scope and Contents
Henry Alaska Cooley & Sarah Griffith Cooley families
- Mixed Materials Binder: 13
Scrapbook IIICirca 1900-1985Scope and Contents
General family photographs
- Mixed Materials Binder: 14
Scrapbook IVCirca 1950-1960Scope and Contents
Jean Renick's travel scrapbook
- Mixed Materials Binder: 15
Scrapbook VCirca 1934-1970Scope and Contents
Jean Renick photographs and papers compiled in scrapbook.
- Mixed Materials Binder: 16
Scrapbook VICirca 1968-1972Scope and Contents
Photographs related to Jean Renick
- Mixed Materials Binder: 17
Scrapbook VIICirca 1939-1960
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 38
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 34
Renick family clippings and general papersCirca 1969-1997English.Scope and Contents
Cooley Family Genealogy notebook compiled by Sara Nell Gilley Richards Taft. Loose pages of Cooley Family Genealogy.
Series included printed materials such as yearbooks from Whaley Highschool in Williamsburg, Virginia, as well as William & Mary's Colonial Echo. Texts related to World War II are also included.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 35
49th Fighter Group (copy)1989
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 36
Cooley Communique2007
- Mixed Materials box: 18
Matthew Whaley High School yearbooks1946-1951
- Mixed Materials box: 18
The Menance From MoresbyCirca 1939-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 18
Pacific SweepCirca 1939-1945
- Mixed Materials box: 9 Folder: 37
Tall tales and true of James City County, by Mildred Bienfait Matier1976?English.Scope and Contents
Tall tales and true of James City County : [Excerpts from oral taped narratives made during the Bicentennial year by some of our senior citizens / transcribed by Mildred Matier].By Matier, Mildred Bienfait, 1908- s.l. : s.n. 1976?
- Mixed Materials box: 19
Traveler's guides, maps and other materialsCirca 1950-1960
- Mixed Materials box: 20
William & Mary Yearbook1944