Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990

Collection Number: 03847B

Collection Title: Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990

This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.

Expand/collapse Collection Overview

Size	40,350 items (63.0 linear feet)
Abstract	Samuel James Ervin, Jr., was a Burke County, N.C., attorney, North Carolina legislator, judge, United States senator, and long-time champion of civil liberties. Ervin was first appointed to the North Carolina General Assembly in 1923, where he also served in 1925 and 1931. After the death of his brother Joseph W. Ervin (1901-1945), Ervin was appointed to the House of Representatives. In 1954, Ervin was appointed to the United States Senate, where he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Rackets Committee (Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor Management), and the Watergate Committee (Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. The Private Papers Subgroup contains letters, subject files, financial material, and writings chiefly of Ervin and his wife Margaret. The bulk of the material is dated after his Senate appointment in 1954. Earlier items include letters from Ervin while he was stationed in France during World War I, 1917-1919; collegiate material from the University of North Carolina, 1913-1917, and Harvard University Law School, 1919-1922; and letters relating to Ervin's judicial appointments, 1930s-1954. Post-1954 items include letters from colleagues, family members, and others; subject files documenting his chief interests, including constitutional law, Watergate, the Equal Rights Amendment, and school desegregation; and speeches, articles, and books by and about Ervin. Also included are Ervin family history materials; biographical materials; items relating to the estates of Ervin family members; photographs of Ervin; films, videos, and audio tapes he recorded; and items relating to trips the Ervins made and to organizations in which they were active, especially the North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C.
Creator	Ervin, Sam J. (Samuel James), 1896-1985.
Curatorial Unit	Southern Historical Collection
Language	English.

Expand/collapse Information For Users

Restrictions to Access: Access to audio or moving image materials may require production of listening or viewing copies.

Copyright Notice: Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], in the Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers #3847B, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Provenance: Received from Samuel James Ervin, Jr., 1979-1984; the estate of Samuel James Ervin, Jr., 1985-1989; and Jean Conyers Ervin, 1987.

Sensitive Materials Statement: 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, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

Expand/collapse Processing Information

Sam Ervin's Senate papers have been filed and described as Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup A: Senate Records (#3847A).

Series 16 is not used.

Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

Expand/collapse Biographical Information

See biographical note in Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup A: Senate Records (#3847A).

Expand/collapse Scope and Content

Subgroup B contains the letters, subject files, financial material, and writings of Sam J. Ervin and his family. The bulk of the material dates after his Senate appointment in 1954.

Early items include letters from Ervin while he was stationed in France during World War I (1917-1919), collegiate material from the University of North Carolina (1913-1917) and Harvard University Law School (1919-1922), and letters relating to Ervin's judicial appointments (1930s-1954). The post-1954 items include letters, subject files, collected material, and writings. Files on Ervin's financial dealings with the William Morris Agency of New York City highlight his contracts with ABC News and American Express.

Writing show that Ervin was a prolific writer. He wrote numerous articles on the United States Constitution. He was the author of three books: The Whole Truth (a work on Watergate), Preserving the Constitution (autobiography); and Humor of a Country Lawyer. Ervin was also the subject of many books. The most acrimonious correspondence surrounds Richard L. Dabney's A Good Man: The Life of Sam J. Ervin (1975).

Ervin and his wife Margaret Bell Ervin maintained memberships in several historical and genealogical organizations, such as the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the Confederacy. There are also family histories and genealogical materials about the Ervin family.

Contents list

Expand/collapse Series Quick Links

17. Correspondence, 1898-1987.
17.1. General Correspondence, 1921-1985.
17.2. Family Correspondence, 1898-1987 and undated.
17.3. Greeting Cards and Notes, 1950-1983.
17.4. Invitations Accepted and Declined, 1923-1985.
18. Writings, 1920s-1985.
18.1. Speeches and Statements, 1917-1983.
18.2. Articles, 1917-1985.
18.3. Books, 1964-1985.
18.4. Notes, 1920s-1980s.
19. Subject Files, 1915-1985.
19.1. General Subject Files, 1918-1985.
19.2. North Carolina Courts, 1932-1954.
19.3. North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., 1930s-1974.
20. Financial and Legal Materials, 1927-1985.
20.1. Income Tax Returns, 1927-1984.
20.2. Advertising Contracts, 1971; 1975-1984.
20.3. Insurance Policies and Claims, 1969; 1981-1986.
20.4. Banking Information, 1965; 1986.
20.5. Property, 1962; 1979.
20.6. Ledger Books, 1927-1985.
20.7. Estate of Laura Powe Ervin, 1944-1958.
20.8. Estate of Margaret J. Bell, 1924; 1937-1947.
20.9. Travel, 1958-1977.
20.10. Organizations, 1979-1985.
20.11. Social Security Benefits, 1965-1983.
21. Biographical Material, 1918-1987.
21.1. Books, 1970s-1980.
21.2. Articles, ca. 1967-1974.
21.3. Clippings, 1920s-1987 and undated.
21.4. Awards and Citations, 1918-1987.
21.5. Calendars, 1956-1983.
21.6. Interviews, 1970-1977.
21.7. Editorials, 1954-1979.
21.8. Programs from Speaking Engagements, 1923-1983.
21.9. Death of Sam J. Ervin, 1985.
21.10. Biographical Sketches, undated.
21.11. Miscellaneous, 1958-1982 and undated.
22. Margaret Bell Ervin, 1948-1990.
22.1. Calendars, 1960-1964, 1971, 1985.
22.2. Financial and Legal Materials, 1948-1985.
22.3. Correspondence, 1948-1984.
22.4. Printed Material, 1950-1978.
22.5. Presbyterian Church, 1948-1970s.
22.6. Converse College, 1950-1964.
22.7. Funeral Documents, 1956, 1986.
23. Collected Material, 1914-1986 and undated.
23.1. Newsletters, 1974-1975.
23.2. Printed Materials, 1914-1981 and undated.
23.3. Watergate Materials, 1972-1973 and undated.
23.4. Ruth Kramer Materials, 1973-1986.
23.5. Family History, undated.
24. Audio-Visual Materials, 1940s-1980s.
24.1. Pictures, 1940s-1980s.
24.2. Film, 1956 and undated.
24.3. Videotape, 1982.
24.4. Audiotape, 1973-1983.
25. Museum Items, undated.
26. Oversize materials.

Expand/collapse Series 17. Correspondence, 1898-1987.

About 18,400 items.

Letters, cards, and invitations relating to Sam Ervin and his wife, Margaret Bell Ervin. It is divided into four subseries. The general correspondence consists primarily of letters written to Ervin by his friends, political colleagues, and admirers across the country. The subjects covered by the letters changed as Ervin became more well known. Family correspondence includes letters written by Ervin's children, as well as more distantly related relatives and close friends. The third subseries contains greeting cards and notes from family members, friends, and political associates. The final subseries includes invitations, accepted and declined, for some of the political and private social functions the Ervins were asked to attend.

Expand/collapse Subseries 17.1. General Correspondence, 1921-1985.

About 9,600 items.

Arrangement: chronological and alphabetical by last name.

Letters written to Sam Ervin on various subjects and copies of his replies. Topics changed over time as Ervin moved from the local political scene to the national arena. The earliest letters discuss the Ervins' upcoming marriage. On 24 May 1924, Edwin Bridges wrote, "I congratulate you and extend to her my sympathy." As Ervin became more widely known in North Carolina as an able lawyer, the letters shifted from personal matters to political ones. On 10 November 1936, P. Cleveland Gardner wrote to Ervin that he would make a fine North Carolina Supreme Court justice: "[Y]our friends know and admit that your age, training, learning and all around qualifications point to you alone as the most logical man for an able judge--one that would be progressive, liberal minded, and a representative of our age and generation, and not a `moss back' type of the stone age."

The letters jump very quickly from discussions of North Carolina politics and Kiwanis Club activities to the post-Watergate era. After his retirement, Ervin received large amounts of mail. Because of the fame Ervin gained as a result of his Watergate hearing activities, the bulk of the letters in the 1970s are requests for assistance. Correspondents asked for Ervin's advice on their own legal problems, appointments to the service academies, and money. One letter, dated 5 February 1975, asked Ervin to help start a movement to pardon Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Some of the correspondents wrote Ervin just to tell him what a fine job he had done on the Watergate Committee and to wish him happy retirement. On 4 April 1975, the sixth grade class of Shiply Elementary School in Wilmington, Del., sent Ervin a copy of the class constitution. Ervin responded by telling the class, "This is a tremendous document and the writers are to be commended for the diligent efforts in behalf of the Sixth Grade." Ervin also received a few letters from people who were obviously emotionally and mentally troubled.

Ervin's fellow legislators in Congress frequently wrote to him. folder 19 contains copies of letters from President Gerald Ford thanking Ervin for his work on bills that passed after his retirement. Other letter writers were senators Thurmond, Kennedy, Baker, Dole, Inouye, and Helms. Ervin gave advice and, when asked, spoke for or against various pieces of legislation his former colleagues were working on.

By the early 1980s and until his death, Ervin's correspondence became more involved in subjects that interested him personally. He wrote many letters urging North Carolinians not to amend the state constitution to allow governors successive terms. He also wrote in favor of a balanced budget amendment to the United States constitution. Letters from admirers still arrived, but most of these writers asked for autographs (many filed as "Requests") rather than personal assistance. Despite the large volume of mail, Ervin answered every letter.

Folder 1	1921-1944
Folder 2	1945-1966
Separated Folder SEP-3847/2	Birthday greeting from Lyndon B. Johnson to Sam Ervin, 27 September 1965 Restriction to Access: The original item is not available for immediate or same day access. Please contact staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu to discuss options.
Folder 3	1967-1974
Separated Folder SEP-3847/3	1970-1974: Nixon, Richard Includes correspondence regarding bills and resolutions, support for judges, and ending the war in Vietnam. Restriction to Access: The original item is not available for immediate or same day access. Please contact staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu to discuss options.
Separated Folder SEP-3847/4	1969-1981 Includes correspondence with Lyndon B. Johnson, J. Edgar Hoover, Lady Bird Johnson, and Eleanor McGovern. Restriction to Access: The original item is not available for immediate or same day access. Please contact staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu to discuss options.
Folder 4-5 Folder 4 Folder 5	1975: A
Folder 6-10 Folder 6 Folder 7 Folder 8 Folder 9 Folder 10	1975: B
Folder 11-14 Folder 11 Folder 12 Folder 13 Folder 14	1975: C
Folder 15-16 Folder 15 Folder 16	1975: D
Folder 17-18 Folder 17 Folder 18	1975: E
Folder 19-20 Folder 19 Folder 20	1975: F
Separated Folder SEP-3847/5	1975: Ford, Gerald Two letters from Gerald Ford to Sam Ervin regarding the signing of the Privacy Act of 1974 and H.R. 5463. Restriction to Access: The original item is not available for immediate or same day access. Please contact staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu to discuss options.
Folder 21-22 Folder 21 Folder 22	1975: G
Folder 23-25 Folder 23 Folder 24 Folder 25	1975: H
Folder 26	1975: I
Folder 27-28 Folder 27 Folder 28	1975: J
Folder 29-30 Folder 29 Folder 30	1975: K
Folder 31-33 Folder 31 Folder 32 Folder 33	1975: L
Folder 34-35 Folder 34 Folder 35	1975: Mc
Folder 36-39 Folder 36 Folder 37 Folder 38 Folder 39	1975: M
Folder 40-41 Folder 40 Folder 41	1975: N
Folder 42	1975: North: Carolina: Press: Association: Letters
Folder 43	1975: O
Folder 44-46 Folder 44 Folder 45 Folder 46	1975: P
Folder 47	1975: Q
Folder 48-49 Folder 48 Folder 49	1975: R
Folder 50-52 Folder 50 Folder 51 Folder 52	1975: Requests
Folder 53-56 Folder 53 Folder 54 Folder 55 Folder 56	1975: S
Folder 57-58 Folder 57 Folder 58	1975: T
Folder 59	1975: U
Folder 60	1975: V
Folder 61-62 Folder 61 Folder 62	1975: W
Folder 63	1975: X-Z
Folder 64	1976: A
Folder 65	1976: B
Folder 66	1976: C
Folder 67	1976: D
Folder 68	1976: E
Folder 69	1976: F
Folder 70	1976: G
Folder 71-72 Folder 71 Folder 72	1976: H
Folder 73	1976: I
Folder 74	1976: J
Folder 75	1976: K
Folder 76	1976: L
Folder 77	1976: M
Folder 78	1976: N
Folder 79	1976: O
Folder 80	1976: P
Folder 81	1976: R
Folder 82-83 Folder 82 Folder 83	1976: Requests
Folder 84	1976: S
Folder 85	1976: T
Folder 86	1976: V
Folder 87	1976: W
Folder 88	1976: X-Z
Folder 89	1977: A
Folder 90-91 Folder 90 Folder 91	1977: B
Folder 92	1977: C
Folder 93	1977: D
Folder 94	1977: E
Folder 95	1977: F
Folder 96	1977: G
Folder 97	1977: H-I
Folder 98	1977: J
Folder 99	1977: K
Folder 100	1977: L
Folder 101	1977: M
Folder 102	1977: N-P
Folder 103	1977: R
Folder 104-105 Folder 104 Folder 105	1977: Requests
Folder 106	1977: Succession Amendment
Folder 107	1977: S-V
Folder 108	1977: W-Z
Folder 109	1978: A
Folder 110-111 Folder 110 Folder 111	1978: B
Folder 112	1978: C
Folder 113	1978: D
Folder 114	1978: E-F
Folder 115	1978: G
Folder 116	1978: H
Folder 117	1978: I-K
Folder 118	1978: L
Folder 119-120 Folder 119 Folder 120	1978: M
Folder 121	1978: N-O
Folder 122	1978: P
Folder 123	1978: R
Folder 124-125 Folder 124 Folder 125	1978: Requests
Folder 126	1978: S
Folder 127	1978: T-V
Folder 128	1978: W-Z
Folder 129	1979: A
Folder 130-131 Folder 130 Folder 131	1979: B
Folder 132	1979: C
Folder 133-134 Folder 133 Folder 134	1979: Constitutional Convention
Folder 135	1979: D
Folder 136	1979: E
Folder 137	1979: F
Folder 138	1979: G
Folder 139	1979: H
Folder 140	1979: I
Folder 141	1979: J
Folder 142	1979: K
Folder 143	1979: L
Folder 144	1979: Mc
Folder 145	1979: M
Folder 146	1979: N
Folder 147	1979: O
Folder 148	1979: P
Folder 149	1979: R
Folder 150-151 Folder 150 Folder 151	1979: Requests
Folder 152-153 Folder 152 Folder 153	1979: S
Folder 154	1979: T
Folder 155	1979: V
Folder 156	1979: W
Folder 157	1979: X-Z
Folder 158	1980: A
Folder 159-160 Folder 159 Folder 160	1980: B
Folder 161	1980: C
Folder 162	1980: D
Folder 163	1980: E
Folder 164	1980: F
Folder 165	1980: G
Folder 166	1980: H
Folder 167	1980: I
Folder 168	1980: J
Folder 169	1980: K
Folder 170	1980: L
Folder 171	1980: Mc
Folder 172	1980: M
Folder 173	1980: N
Folder 174	1980: O
Folder 175	1980: P
Folder 176	1980: R
Folder 177-178 Folder 177 Folder 178	1980: Requests
Folder 179-180 Folder 179 Folder 180	1980: S
Folder 181	1980: T
Folder 182	1980: V
Folder 183-184 Folder 183 Folder 184	1980: W
Folder 185	1980: X-Z
Folder 186	1981: A
Folder 187	1981: B
Folder 188-189 Folder 188 Folder 189	1981: C
Folder 190	1981: D
Folder 191	1981: E
Folder 192	1981: F
Folder 193	1981: G
Folder 194	1981: H
Folder 195	1981: I
Folder 196	1981: J
Folder 197	1981: K
Folder 198	1981: L
Folder 199	1981: Mc
Folder 200	1981: M
Folder 201	1981: N
Folder 202	1981: O
Folder 203-204 Folder 203 Folder 204	1981: P
Folder 205	1981: Q
Folder 206	1981: R
Folder 207-208 Folder 207 Folder 208	1981: Requests
Folder 209	1981: S
Folder 210	1981: T
Folder 211	1981: U
Folder 212	1981: V
Folder 213	1981: W
Folder 214	1981: X-Z
Folder 215	1982: A
Folder 216	1982: B
Folder 217	1982: C
Folder 218	1982: D
Folder 219	1982: E
Folder 220	1982: F
Folder 221	1982: G
Folder 222	1982: H
Folder 223	1982: I
Folder 224	1982: J
Folder 225	1982: K
Folder 226	1982: L
Folder 227	1982: Mc
Folder 228	1982: M
Folder 229	1982: N
Folder 230	1982: O
Folder 231	1982: P
Folder 232	1982: R
Folder 233	1982: Requests
Folder 234	1982: S
Folder 235	1982: T
Folder 236	1982: U
Folder 237	1982: V
Folder 238	1982: W
Folder 239	1982: X-Z
Folder 240	1983: A
Folder 241	1983: B
Folder 242	1983: C
Folder 243	1983: D
Folder 244	1983: E
Folder 245	1983: F
Folder 246	1983: G
Folder 247	1983: H
Folder 248	1983: J
Folder 249	1983: K
Folder 250	1983: L
Folder 251	1983: M
Folder 252	1983: N
Folder 253	1983: O
Folder 254	1983: P-Q
Folder 255	1983: R
Folder 256	1983: Requests
Folder 257-258 Folder 257 Folder 258	1983: S
Folder 259	1983: T
Folder 260	1983: U-V
Folder 261	1983: W
Folder 262	1984-1985: A
Folder 263	1984-1985: B
Folder 264	1984-1985: C
Folder 265	1984-1985: D
Folder 266	1984-1985: E
Folder 267	1984-1985: F
Folder 268	1984-1985: G
Folder 269-270 Folder 269 Folder 270	1984-1985: H
Folder 271	1984-1985: I
Folder 272	1984-1985: J
Folder 273	1984-1985: K
Folder 274	1984-1985: L
Folder 275	1984-1985: M
Folder 276	1984-1985: N
Folder 277	1984-1985: O
Folder 278	1984-1985: P-Q
Folder 279	1984-1985: R
Folder 280	1984-1985: Requests
Folder 281-282 Folder 281 Folder 282	1984-1985: S
Folder 283	1984-1985: T
Folder 284	1984-1985: U
Folder 285-286 Folder 285 Folder 286	1984-1985: W
Folder 287	1984-1985: X-Z

Expand/collapse Subseries 17.2. Family Correspondence, 1898-1987 and undated.

About 1,800 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Letters, sympathy cards, wedding invitations, thank you letters, and vacation post cards documenting the Ervins' daily family life.

Letters dated through 1963 are primarily from close family members, including those from the Ervins' children Samuel J. Ervin III, Laura Powe Ervin, and Leslie Ervin at college. In 1948, Samuel J. Ervin III began his studies at Harvard Law School after being graduated from Davidson College. Samuel J. Ervin III letters from Harvard discuss how difficult his studies were, his lack of preparation, and bad weather. He also asked his parents to send money: "If you'd send me a check for $15.00 I'll stop bothering you" (6 April 1949).

Leslie Ervin attended Duke University for a while and then transferred to the University of North Carolina. Unhappy at Duke she wrote on September 1948, "[I]t took me the whole night to discover a North Carolinian. I didn't realize there were so many Yankees in spite of all the warnings." Laura Powe Ervin attended St. Mary's College in Raleigh and the Woman's College at Greensboro.

After the Ervins' children left college and started families of their own, correspondence is chiefly with friends and more distantly related relatives. Cousin Bertha, a patient at the State Hospital in Morganton, N.C., frequently wrote poignant letters, including one, dated 21 January 1956, in which she thanked the Ervins for their Christmas gift of The State magazine and remarked that "I was pretty well informed about dear old North Carolina ('before I went crazy' got 'dumped' in the 'bug house' You know why people gave it that name? So many roaches on these wards running everywhere)."

Letters in this series contain only occasional references to the political scene, chiefly in postscripts to letters that ask if "everything was okay in Washington" following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Even Ervin's work on the Watergate hearings did not elicit much commentary except for pride in his achievements.

Folder 288	1898-1947
Folder 289	1948
Folder 290	1949-1950
Folder 291	1951
Folder 292	1952
Folder 293-294 Folder 293 Folder 294	1953
Folder 295	1954-1957
Folder 296	1958-1960
Folder 297	1961-1963
Folder 298	1964
Folder 299	1965
Folder 300	1966
Folder 301	1967
Folder 302	1968
Folder 303	1969-1970
Folder 304	1971-1972
Folder 305-308 Folder 305 Folder 306 Folder 307 Folder 308	1974
Folder 309	1975
Folder 310	1976-1977
Folder 311	1978
Folder 312	1979
Folder 313	1980
Folder 314	1981-1982
Folder 315	1983-1984
Folder 316	1985-1987
Folder 317-319 Folder 317 Folder 318 Folder 319	Undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 17.3. Greeting Cards and Notes, 1950-1983.

About 1,000 items

Arrangement: by type.

A sample of greeting cards including birthday, Christmas, Easter, and get-well cards received by the Ervins. There are also cards, letters, and telegrams for the Ervins' 50th wedding anniversary and congratulatory letters concerning Ervin's appointment to and retirement from the Senate and his receiving the Congressional Distinguished Service Award in 1976 (see also series 24.4 for an audio tape from the award ceremony). Many of Ervin's congratulatory letters are alphabetized by correspondent and bound into books.

Folder 320-321 Folder 320 Folder 321	Greeting cards and notes
Folder 322-323 Folder 322 Folder 323	Christmas cards
Folder 324-327 Folder 324 Folder 325 Folder 326 Folder 327	50th Wedding Anniversary, 1974
Folder 328-329 Folder 328 Folder 329	Letters of congratulation, 1954
Folder 330	Telegrams of congratulation, 1954
Folder 331	Letters of congratulation, 1975
Folder 332-334 Folder 332 Folder 333 Folder 334	Letters of congratulation, 1976
Folder 335-339 Folder 335 Folder 336 Folder 337 Folder 338 Folder 339	Retirement letter acknowledgements

Expand/collapse Subseries 17.4. Invitations Accepted and Declined, 1923-1985.

About 6,000.

Arrangement: chronologial.

Invitations to speaking engagements and social functions, including symposia, installations, graduation ceremonies, and various club functions. The vast majority of these occasions occurred after Ervin's retirement from the Senate in 1974. From 1975 to 1985, files are split between engagements accepted and those declined.

Folder 340	1923-1956
Folder 341	1957
Folder 342	1959
Folder 343	1960
Folder 344	1961
Folder 345	1962
Folder 346-347 Folder 346 Folder 347	1963
Folder 348	1964-1965
Folder 349	1966
Folder 350	1967-1969
Folder 351	1970
Folder 352	1971
Folder 353-354 Folder 353 Folder 354	1972-1974
Folder 355-372 Folder 355 Folder 356 Folder 357 Folder 358 Folder 359 Folder 360 Folder 361 Folder 362 Folder 363 Folder 364 Folder 365 Folder 366 Folder 367 Folder 368 Folder 369 Folder 370 Folder 371 Folder 372	1975: Accepted
Folder 373-396 Folder 373 Folder 374 Folder 375 Folder 376 Folder 377 Folder 378 Folder 379 Folder 380 Folder 381 Folder 382 Folder 383 Folder 384 Folder 385 Folder 386 Folder 387 Folder 388 Folder 389 Folder 390 Folder 391 Folder 392 Folder 393 Folder 394 Folder 395 Folder 396	1975: Declined
Folder 397-408 Folder 397 Folder 398 Folder 399 Folder 400 Folder 401 Folder 402 Folder 403 Folder 404 Folder 405 Folder 406 Folder 407 Folder 408	1976: Accepted
Folder 409-424 Folder 409 Folder 410 Folder 411 Folder 412 Folder 413 Folder 414 Folder 415 Folder 416 Folder 417 Folder 418 Folder 419 Folder 420 Folder 421 Folder 422 Folder 423 Folder 424	1976: Declined
Folder 425-434 Folder 425 Folder 426 Folder 427 Folder 428 Folder 429 Folder 430 Folder 431 Folder 432 Folder 433 Folder 434	1977: Accepted
Folder 435-446 Folder 435 Folder 436 Folder 437 Folder 438 Folder 439 Folder 440 Folder 441 Folder 442 Folder 443 Folder 444 Folder 445 Folder 446	1977: Declined
Folder 447-458 Folder 447 Folder 448 Folder 449 Folder 450 Folder 451 Folder 452 Folder 453 Folder 454 Folder 455 Folder 456 Folder 457 Folder 458	1978: Accepted
Folder 459-470 Folder 459 Folder 460 Folder 461 Folder 462 Folder 463 Folder 464 Folder 465 Folder 466 Folder 467 Folder 468 Folder 469 Folder 470	1978: Declined
Folder 471-482 Folder 471 Folder 472 Folder 473 Folder 474 Folder 475 Folder 476 Folder 477 Folder 478 Folder 479 Folder 480 Folder 481 Folder 482	1979: Accepted
Folder 483-494 Folder 483 Folder 484 Folder 485 Folder 486 Folder 487 Folder 488 Folder 489 Folder 490 Folder 491 Folder 492 Folder 493 Folder 494	1979: Declined
Folder 495-504 Folder 495 Folder 496 Folder 497 Folder 498 Folder 499 Folder 500 Folder 501 Folder 502 Folder 503 Folder 504	1980: Accepted
Folder 505-516 Folder 505 Folder 506 Folder 507 Folder 508 Folder 509 Folder 510 Folder 511 Folder 512 Folder 513 Folder 514 Folder 515 Folder 516	1980: Declined
Folder 517-526 Folder 517 Folder 518 Folder 519 Folder 520 Folder 521 Folder 522 Folder 523 Folder 524 Folder 525 Folder 526	1981: Accepted
Folder 527-538 Folder 527 Folder 528 Folder 529 Folder 530 Folder 531 Folder 532 Folder 533 Folder 534 Folder 535 Folder 536 Folder 537 Folder 538	1981: Declined
Folder 539-550 Folder 539 Folder 540 Folder 541 Folder 542 Folder 543 Folder 544 Folder 545 Folder 546 Folder 547 Folder 548 Folder 549 Folder 550	1982: Accepted
Folder 551-562 Folder 551 Folder 552 Folder 553 Folder 554 Folder 555 Folder 556 Folder 557 Folder 558 Folder 559 Folder 560 Folder 561 Folder 562	1982: Declined
Folder 563-569 Folder 563 Folder 564 Folder 565 Folder 566 Folder 567 Folder 568 Folder 569	1983: Accepted
Folder 570-581 Folder 570 Folder 571 Folder 572 Folder 573 Folder 574 Folder 575 Folder 576 Folder 577 Folder 578 Folder 579 Folder 580 Folder 581	1983: Declined
Folder 582-591 Folder 582 Folder 583 Folder 584 Folder 585 Folder 586 Folder 587 Folder 588 Folder 589 Folder 590 Folder 591	1984: Accepted
Folder 592-603 Folder 592 Folder 593 Folder 594 Folder 595 Folder 596 Folder 597 Folder 598 Folder 599 Folder 600 Folder 601 Folder 602 Folder 603	1984: Declined
Folder 604-605 Folder 604 Folder 605	1985: Accepted
Folder 606-608 Folder 606 Folder 607 Folder 608	1985: Declined
Folder 609	Invitations pending
Folder 610	Invitations without response
Folder 611	Invitations, undated

Expand/collapse Series 18. Writings, 1920s-1985.

About 8,300 items.

Articles, books, and speeches written by Sam Ervin. Most writings are on political or constitutional topics, however, some early articles are on colonial North Carolina history. In many writings, Ervin displayed his love for the American Constitution and its unique nature. "The Constitution is the most precious instrument of government the earth has ever known," he wrote in a speech on the Supreme Court. Many speeches were later printed as articles, often in law reviews, although one of his articles on privacy was printed in Prism, a journal of the American Medical Association. Among his books are The Whole Truth, which is about Watergate; Preserving the Constitution, an autobiography; and Humor of a Country Lawyer.

Expand/collapse Subseries 18.1. Speeches and Statements, 1917-1983.

About 4,800 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

Speeches and statements, the earliest of which is Ervin's address to his graduating class at the University of North Carolina in 1917. Most speeches are from his senatorial days.

Ervin often kept several copies of the same speech adapted for presentation to different groups. Only those that were changed significantly have been retained.

In addition to his speeches, Ervin also kept copies of his official press statements. Some of these statements were acknowledgements of deaths; the Condolences and Eulogies folder contain announcements of the deaths of Winston Churchill, Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and William Kerr Scott.

In many speeches, Ervin cited the Constitution as the premier instruction manual for governing society, his narrow interpretation making him an opponent of civil rights legislation and the Equal Rights Amendment and an advocate of separation of church and state and the right to privacy.

The themes of many of Ervin's speeches overlap (e.g., his views on privacy can be found in the privacy folders, as well as folders on government spying, the computer and privacy).

Folder 612	ABM
Folder 613	Administrative Procedures Act
Folder 614	Agriculture
Folder 615	America's Magnificent Dream
Folder 616	America's Vanished Dream
Folder 617	American Legion
Folder 618	Anecdotes of Senator Sam Ervin, Jr.
Folder 619	Anti-Trust Law and Organized Sports
Folder 620	Appalachian State University: Dorm Dedications
Folder 621	Appointments and Resignations
Folder 622-623 Folder 622 Folder 623	Army Spying
Folder 624	Averasboro: Dedication of Monument
Folder 625	Aycock, Charles Brantly
Folder 626	Bail Reform
Folder 627	Barnhill, Maurice V.
Folder 628	Belk, William Henry
Folder 629	Bicentennial
Folder 630	Brown Mountain Lights
Folder 631	Budget: Federal
Folder 632	Burke County
Folder 633	Campus Disorders
Folder 634-638 Folder 634 Folder 635 Folder 636 Folder 637 Folder 638	Civil Rights and Desegregation
Folder 639	Commencement Speeches
Folder 640	Compulsory Unionism
Folder 641	Computers and Privacy
Folder 642	Condolences and Eulogies
Folder 643	Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act
Folder 644	Congressional Salamagundi
Folder 645	Constitution and Founding Fathers
Folder 646	Constitution and Freedom
Folder 647-648 Folder 647 Folder 648	Constitution and Religion
Folder 649	Consumer Protection Agency
Folder 650	Craven, Judge J Braxton
Folder 651	Crisis in Confidence
Folder 652-653 Folder 652 Folder 653	D.C. Crime Bill, 1970
Folder 654	Darlington Case
Folder 655	Democratic Party
Folder 656	Direct Election of the President
Folder 657	U.S.S. Durham: Commissioning
Folder 658	Equality and Liberty
Folder 659-662 Folder 659 Folder 660 Folder 661 Folder 662	ERA
Folder 663	Everlasting Things
Folder 664	Executive Privilege
Folder 665-666 Folder 665 Folder 666	Federal Employees Bill of Rights
Folder 667	Federal Jury Reform
Folder 668-669 Folder 668 Folder 669	First Amendment
Folder 670	Flag Day Speech
Folder 671	Foreign Aid
Folder 672	Fortas, Abe
Folder 673	Fourth Amendment: Exclusionary Rule
Folder 674	Free Enterprise
Folder 675	Freedom
Folder 676	Freedom of Peril
Folder 677	Freemasonry
Folder 678	Genocide Convention
Folder 679	Gettysburg
Folder 680	Good Government Society
Folder 681	Government in Caring Society
Folder 682	Gravel Case
Folder 683	Hibernians
Folder 684	Huffman, Robert O.
Folder 685	Huguenots, Contributions to America
Folder 686	Humanities
Folder 687	Humor, Wise and otherwise
Folder 688	Indians
Folder 689	Jackson, Andrew
Folder 690	Jones, John Paul
Folder 691	Judicial Verbicide
Folder 692	Junior Order
Folder 693	John F. Kennedy Library: Interview
Folder 694	Kings Mountain Battle
Folder 695	Labor
Folder 696-698 Folder 696 Folder 697 Folder 698	Law Day Speeches
Folder 699	Law Enforcement
Folder 700	Lie Detector: Twentieth Century Witchcraft
Folder 701	Lincoln, Abraham
Folder 702-703 Folder 702 Folder 703	Lung Cancer and Smoking
Folder 704	Marshall, Thurgood
Folder 705	McCarthy, Joseph: Censure Resolution
Folder 706	Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
Folder 707	Meditation on Old Age
Folder 708	Memorial Day Speech
Folder 709	Mentally Ill
Folder 710-711 Folder 710 Folder 711	Military Justice
Folder 712	Military Justice Act
Folder 713	Military Personnel and Constitutional Rights
Folder 714	Miranda v. Arizona
Folder 715-718 Folder 715 Folder 716 Folder 717 Folder 718	Miscellaneous, 1955-1980s and undated
Folder 719	Moose, Loyal Order of
Folder 720	National Penitentiary Reform
Folder 721	News Column, 31 December 1974
Folder 722	Nixon, Richard M.: Pardon and Impeachable Offenses
Folder 723-725 Folder 723 Folder 724 Folder 725	No-Knock Laws
Folder 726	Our Heritage: A Blessing and an Obligation
Folder 727	Our Inheritance: An Indestructible Union of Indestructible States
Folder 728	Poetical Sense and Political Nonsense
Folder 729	Prayer in Public Schools
Folder 730	Presidential Succession and Disability
Folder 731-732 Folder 731 Folder 732	Press, Rights and Responsibilities of
Folder 733-735 Folder 733 Folder 734 Folder 735	Preventive Detention
Folder 736-739 Folder 736 Folder 737 Folder 738 Folder 739	Privacy
Folder 740	Psychosurgery
Folder 741	Public Works
Folder 742	Pugh, Robert L.
Folder 743	Pursuit of Happiness
Folder 744-745 Folder 744 Folder 745	Religious Liberty
Folder 746	SALT Agreement
Folder 747	School Busing
Folder 748	Senatorial Responsibility
Folder 749	Separation of Powers
Folder 750	Sir Walter Raleigh's Dream
Folder 751	Speedy Trial
Folder 752-753 Folder 752 Folder 753	Subversive Activities Board
Folder 754-755 Folder 754 Folder 755	Supreme Court
Folder 756	Truth We Hold Concerning the Individual
Folder 757	Trade Policies (Textiles and Tariffs)
Folder 758	University of North Carolina
Folder 759	Veterans' Day
Folder 760	Vietnam
Folder 761-762 Folder 761 Folder 762	Voting Rights Act, 1965
Folder 763	Warlick, Judge Wilson
Folder 764-766 Folder 764 Folder 765 Folder 766	Watergate

Expand/collapse Subseries 18.2. Articles, 1917-1985.

Arrangement: chronological.

Articles published in various journals, including the American Bar Association Journal , Vital Speeches, and Modern Age. Many of Ervin's speeches were later turned into articles. The earliest articles, written while studying at the University of North Carolina, are on colonial history. Both of these articles appeared in the James Sprunt Historical Collection series.

Also included is correspondence between Ervin and journal editors about editorial changes and offprint requests.

Folder 767	1917-1968
Folder 768	1968-1970
Folder 769	1971-1972
Folder 770	1973
Folder 771-772 Folder 771 Folder 772	1974
Folder 773	1975-1981
Folder 774	1982-1985 and undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 18.3. Books, 1964-1985.

About 2,600 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by title.

Drafts, publicity, and correspondence relating to Humor of a Country Lawyer , Preserving the Constitution, "Freedom Against Tyranny," "Essentials of the Constitution," and The Whole Truth. Two books, "Essentials of the Constitution" and "Freedom Against Tyranny," were not published. "Essentials of the Constitution" was to be a guidebook to the Constitution, but the Ervin's duties kept this work from being finished. "Freedom Against Tyranny" was to be a collection of his articles and speeches, but Ervin was unable to find a publisher.

Correspondence is chiefly between Ervin and his publishers. There are also letters requesting autographed copies of books. Publicity files contain book reviews and advertisements.

Folder 775-777 Folder 775 Folder 776 Folder 777	Essentials of the Constitution: Draft
Folder 778	Essentials of the Constitution: Correspondence
Folder 779-782 Folder 779 Folder 780 Folder 781 Folder 782	Freedom Against Tyranny: Draft
Folder 783-787 Folder 783 Folder 784 Folder 785 Folder 786 Folder 787	Freedom Against Tyranny: Final Draft
Folder 788	Freedom Against Tyranny: Correspondence
Folder 789-791 Folder 789 Folder 790 Folder 791	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Draft
Folder 792-794 Folder 792 Folder 793 Folder 794	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Edited Draft
Folder 795	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Index Manuscript
Folder 796	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Orders
Folder 797	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Publicity
Folder 798-800 Folder 798 Folder 799 Folder 800	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Business Correspondence, 1981-1982
Folder 801-806 Folder 801 Folder 802 Folder 803 Folder 804 Folder 805 Folder 806	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Correspondence
Folder 807	Humor of a Country Lawyer: Miscellaneous
Folder 808-812 Folder 808 Folder 809 Folder 810 Folder 811 Folder 812	Preserving the Constitution: Draft
Folder 813	Preserving the Constitution: Lists
Folder 814	Preserving the Constitution: Publicity
Folder 815	Preserving the Constitution: Miscellaneous
Folder 816-823 Folder 816 Folder 817 Folder 818 Folder 819 Folder 820 Folder 821 Folder 822 Folder 823	Preserving the Constitution: Correspondence
Folder 824	The Whole Truth: Uncorrected Proof
Folder 825-828 Folder 825 Folder 826 Folder 827 Folder 828	The Whole Truth: Draft
Folder 829	The Whole Truth: Publicity
Folder 830-838 Folder 830 Folder 831 Folder 832 Folder 833 Folder 834 Folder 835 Folder 836 Folder 837 Folder 838	The Whole Truth: Correspondence
Folder 839	The Whole Truth: Miscellaneous

Expand/collapse Subseries 18.4. Notes, 1920s-1980s.

About 750 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by topic; bound volume at end.

Notes probably relating to "Freedom from Tyranny." There is also a folder of miscellaneous notes on a variety of subjects and a notebook on partnership law from Ervin's Harvard Law School days.

Folder 840-841 Folder 840 Folder 841	"Every Man's Home is his Castle"
Folder 842-843 Folder 842 Folder 843	First Amendment
Folder 844-846 Folder 844 Folder 845 Folder 846	McCarthy, Joseph
Folder 847	Miscellaneous
Folder 848-849 Folder 848 Folder 849	Religious Freedom
Folder 850-852 Folder 850 Folder 851 Folder 852	Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights
Folder 853	Partnership Notes

Expand/collapse Series 19. Subject Files, 1915-1985.

About 7,950 items.

Letters, articles, and other items relating to topics that were of special interest to Ervin, privately and professionally. Subseries 19.2 is devoted to Ervin's tenure as a North Carolina Superior and Supreme Court justice. Subseries 19.3 relates to the North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., in which Ervin and his wife were active.

Expand/collapse Subseries 19.1. General Subject Files, 1918-1985.

About 6,600 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical.

Professional and personal files, including some on his brother Congressman Joseph W. Ervin (1901-1945), who committed suicide on Chirstmas day 1945. Ervin took his brother's place in Congress as a compromise candidate. Ervin also kept files on his brother-in-law, James King Hall (1975-1948), psychiatrist and president of the American Psychiatric Association, 1941-1942.

Ervin's subject files show the wide range of his views. Some of the most interesting letters involve Ervin's fight against school prayer.

Folder 854	Bail and Preventive Detention
Folder 855-858 Folder 855 Folder 856 Folder 857 Folder 858	Busing School Children
Folder 859	Campaign Reports, 1955-1974, 1981
Folder 860-861 Folder 860 Folder 861	Civil War Veterans
Folder 862	Coates, Albert
Folder 863-864 Folder 863 Folder 864	Commission to Study the Administration of Justice in North Carolina, 1932, 1947-1949 and undated
Folder 865	Committee on Constitutional Integrity
Folder 866	Congress, Directories and Miscellaneous Items
Folder 867-870 Folder 867 Folder 868 Folder 869 Folder 870	Congress
Folder 871-872 Folder 871 Folder 872	Congress, 1946
Folder 873	Congressional Record, Copies
Folder 874-876 Folder 874 Folder 875 Folder 876	Constitutional Convention
Folder 877	Consumer Protection Agency
Folder 878	Counterpart Funds, 1965-1966 and undated
Folder 879-880 Folder 879 Folder 880	Democratic National Convention, 1964
Folder 881	Editorials (Senator McCarthy's Censure), June-December 1954 and undated
Folder 882-883 Folder 882 Folder 883	Equal Rights Amendment, 1975
Folder 884	Equal Rights Amendment, 1976
Folder 885-889 Folder 885 Folder 886 Folder 887 Folder 888 Folder 889	Equal Rights Amendment, 1977
Folder 890-894 Folder 890 Folder 891 Folder 892 Folder 893 Folder 894	Equal Rights Amendment, 1978
Folder 895-896 Folder 895 Folder 896	Equal Rights Amendment, 1979
Folder 897	Equal Rights Amendment, 1980
Folder 898	Equal Rights Amendment, 1981-1982
Folder 899-900 Folder 899 Folder 900	Equal Rights Amendment, 1983
Folder 901	Equal Rights Amendment, 1984-1985
Folder 902	Equal Rights Amendment, Miscellaneous
Folder 903-907 Folder 903 Folder 904 Folder 905 Folder 906 Folder 907	Ervin, Joseph W.
Folder 908	Exclusionary Rule
Folder 909	Federal Courts
Folder 910	Filing Guidelines for Federal Records Center
Folder 911-914 Folder 911 Folder 912 Folder 913 Folder 914	First Amendment Notes
Folder 915	First Amendment Notes and Articles
Folder 916	Freedom of Speech
Folder 917	General Alumni Association of University of North Carolina
Folder 918	Genocide Convention
Folder 919	Great American Achievements Program
Folder 920-924 Folder 920 Folder 921 Folder 922 Folder 923 Folder 924	Hall, James King
Folder 925	Helms-Hunt Senatorial Campaign
Folder 926	Kings Mountain Correspondence
Folder 927	Lobbying Act, 1983
Folder 928	Lenoir-Morganton Airport, September 1943-July 1945
Folder 929-930 Folder 929 Folder 930	Mayflower Society
Folder 931	McMurray, John: Court case
Folder 932-936 Folder 932 Folder 933 Folder 934 Folder 935 Folder 936	Miscellaneous, 1915-1985 and undated
Folder 937	Morganton Kiwanis Club, 1922, 1924, 1941, 1953
Folder 938-939 Folder 938 Folder 939	National Election Reports, 1964
Folder 940-942 Folder 940 Folder 941 Folder 942	National Guard, 1932-1937
Folder 943	National Guard: Strike at Belmont, N.C., 1934
Folder 944-945 Folder 944 Folder 945	New River Correspondence
Folder 946	Nixon, Richard M.: Pardon, September 1974
Folder 947	North Carolina Congress: Miscellaneous Items
Folder 948	North Carolina Courts: Notes and 1936 Audit
Folder 949	North Carolina State University
Folder 950	Office Personnel Information
Folder 951-953 Folder 951 Folder 952 Folder 953	Panama Canal Treaty, 1978
Folder 954	Photographic Information
Folder 955-956 Folder 955 Folder 956	Politics
Folder 957	Printed Material, 1954, 1964
Folder 958	Rabbitt, Robert W.
Folder 959	Religion, Federal Cases
Folder 960-963 Folder 960 Folder 961 Folder 962 Folder 963	Religion, Prayer and Constitution
Folder 964-965 Folder 964 Folder 965	South Piedmont Plan, 1944-1949 and undated
Folder 966	Taxes: Withholding, 1983
Folder 967	Tuition Tax Credit
Folder 968	United States Courts: Various Cases
Folder 969-970 Folder 969 Folder 970	University of North Carolina and HEW
Folder 971	Voting Record, 1974-February 1975
Folder 972-973 Folder 972 Folder 973	Voting Rights Act
Folder 974	Watergate Reorganization and Reform Act
Folder 975	Watergate Committee Letters
Folder 976	World War I
Folder 977	World War II, 1942-1946

Expand/collapse Subseries 19.2. North Carolina Courts, 1932-1954.

About 1,000 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by type of court.

Correspondence and clippings about Ervin's judicial appointments and elections. Ervin served as both a North Carolina Superior Court judge and a Supreme Court hustice. There are many letters of congratulations on both positions, as well as letters urging Ervin to consider running for governor.

Folder 978	North Carolina Supreme Court, 1939-January 1948
Folder 979	North Carolina Supreme Court, 1 February 1948-5 February 1948
Folder 980	North Carolina Supreme Court, 6 February 1948-10 February 1948
Folder 981	North Carolina Supreme Court, 11 February 1948-1954 and undated
Folder 982	North Carolina Supreme Court, 1948-1950
Folder 983	North Carolina Supreme Court, 1951-1954 and undated
Folder 984	North Carolina Superior Court, 1931-February 1932
Folder 985	North Carolina Superior Court, March 1932
Folder 986	North Carolina Superior Court, April-December 1932
Folder 987	North Carolina Superior Court, 1933-January 1937
Folder 988	North Carolina Superior Court, April 1937-1943
Folder 989	North Carolina Superior Court, undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 19.3. North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., 1930s-1974.

About 350 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

Correspondence, membership information, account books, press releases, and scrap books for the North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., founded on 1 February 1913. The Society was a social club, one of many state clubs in the District of Columbia. Its purpose was to bring together "men and women from the State of North Carolina; to foster acquaintance and friendship among its members through social entertainment; to stimulate and strengthen patriotism, pride of citizenship and loyalty to the Nation and the State of North Carolina, its traditions and institutions." The club offered a non-political social arena for North Carolinians working or living in the area. The Ervins were active members of the organization; Margaret Ervin served as the second vice-president and on the board of governors. Laura Powe Ervin was the 1957 Cherry Blossom Princess.

Folder 990	Account Book, 1946-1947
Folder 991	Banquets, Balls, Parties, 1937-1974 and undated
Folder 992	Constitutions, 1930, 1938, 1942 and undated
Folder 993	Correspondence, 1935-1966
Folder 994	Membership. 1941-1944, 1958-1959 and undated
Folder 995	Officers' Reports and Meeting Minutes, 1937-1939
Folder 996	Press Releases and Newsletters, 1935-1938, 1947-1948 and undated
Folder 997	Scrapbook, 1935-1936
Oversize Volume SV-3847B/1	Scrapbook, 1937-1938
Folder 999	The State Magazine, 24 December 1938

Expand/collapse Series 20. Financial and Legal Materials, 1927-1985.

About 2,090 items.

Tax records, tax returns, banking transactions, insurance policies, automobile information, and information about income generated from stocks, bonds, property, speaking engagements, and advertising contracts. Included are notes documenting how much Ervin tipped bell-boys, taxi drivers, and maids on his 1977 European trip.

Also found here are papers from the estates of Ervin's mother Laura Powe Ervin and mother-in-law Margaret J. Bell.

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.1. Income Tax Returns, 1927-1984.

About 850 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Joint federal and state income tax returns filed by the Ervins. From 1975 until 1981, Ervin received honoraria from several states where he had lectured. When applicable, he paid state income tax in these states. Ervin also paid state taxes on income generated from his American Express commercials, television contracts, and insurance commercials. Along with the tax returns, there is some correspondence with tax officials about depreciations allowed for a law library, stock dividend information, and other states' tax laws.

Folder 1000	1927-1936: United States Tax Returns
Folder 1001	1928-1936: North Carolina Tax Returns
Folder 1002	1933: North Carolina Tax Return for Mrs. Ervin
Folder 1003	1937-1941: United States Tax Returns
Folder 1004	1937-1941: North Carolina Tax Returns
Folder 1005	1942: United States Tax Return
Folder 1006	1942: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1007	1943: United States Tax Return (no 1943 North Carolina return)
Folder 1008	1943: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1009	1944: United States Tax Return
Folder 1010	1944: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1011	1945: United States Tax Return
Folder 1012	1945: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1013	1946: United States Tax Return
Folder 1014	1946: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1015	1947: United States Tax Return
Folder 1016	1947: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1017	1948: United States Tax Return
Folder 1018	1948: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1019	1949: United States Tax Return
Folder 1020	1949: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1021	1950: United States Tax Return
Folder 1022	1950: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1023	1951: United States Tax Return
Folder 1024	1951: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1025	1952: United States Tax Return
Folder 1026	1952: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1027	1953: United States Tax Return
Folder 1028	1953: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1029	1954: United States Tax Return
Folder 1030	1954: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1031	1955: United States Tax Return
Folder 1032	1955: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1033	1956: United States Tax Return
Folder 1034	1956: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1035	1957: United States Tax Return
Folder 1036	1957: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1037	1958: United States Tax Return
Folder 1038	1958: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1039	1959: United States Tax Return
Folder 1040	1959: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1041	1960: United States Tax Return
Folder 1042	1960: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1043	1961: United States Tax Return
Folder 1044	1961: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1045	1962: United States Tax Return
Folder 1046	1962: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1047	1963: United States Tax Return
Folder 1048	1963: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1049	1964: United States Tax Return
Folder 1050	1964: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1051	1965: United States Tax Return
Folder 1052	1965: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1053	1966: United States Tax Return
Folder 1054	1966: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1055	1967: United States Tax Return
Folder 1056	1967: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1057	1968: United States Tax Return
Folder 1058	1968: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1059	1969: United States Tax Return
Folder 1060	1969: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1061	1970: United States Tax Return
Folder 1062	1970: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1063	1971: United States Tax Return
Folder 1064	1971: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1065	1972: United States Tax Return
Folder 1066	1972: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1067	1973: United States Tax Return
Folder 1068	1973: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1069	1974: United States Tax Return
Folder 1070	1974: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1071	1975: United States Tax Return
Folder 1072	1975: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1073-1074 Folder 1073 Folder 1074	1975: Other States Tax Returns
Folder 1075	1976: United States Tax Return
Folder 1076	1976: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1077	1976: Other States Tax Returns
Folder 1078	1977: United States Tax Return
Folder 1079	1977: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1080	1977: Other States Tax Returns
Folder 1081	1978: United States Tax Return
Folder 1082	1978: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1083	1978: Other States Tax Returns
Folder 1084	1979: United States Tax Return
Folder 1085	1979: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1086	1979: Other States Tax Returns
Folder 1087	1980: United States Tax Return
Folder 1088	1980: North Carolina Tax Return (no returns for other states)
Folder 1089	1981: United States Tax Return
Folder 1090	1981: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1091	1981: Other States Tax Returns
Folder 1092	1982: United States Tax Return
Folder 1093	1982: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1094	1983: United States Tax Return
Folder 1095	1983: North Carolina Tax Return
Folder 1096-1097 Folder 1096 Folder 1097	1984: United States Tax Return
Folder 1098	1984: North Carolina Tax Return

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.2. Advertising Contracts, 1971; 1975-1984.

About 400 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Correspondence and other documents about Ervin's work in television, film, and records. After the Watergate hearings, Ervin became a celebrity, in high demand for graduation speeches and civic groups. He worked as a television commentator on the AM America show for ABC News, spokesman for American Express Cards and National Home Life Assurance Company, and recording artist. Ervin contracted his advertising and television appearances through the William Morris Agency of New York City. He also made a series of films for junior high school students with Alexsa Company on politics and the Constitution.

Ervin made television commercials. He is best known for his American Express Card commercials, but he also did advertisements for National Home Life Assurance Company. The correspondence and contracts surrounding the National Home Life Assurance Company make up the bulk of these materials. Some letters criticized these activities; Ervin also had problems with receiving regular payment from National Home Life.

Folder 1099	1971?, December 1974
Folder 1100	January 1975-February 1976
Folder 1101	October 1977-December 1978
Folder 1102	January 1979-May 1984

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.3. Insurance Policies and Claims, 1969; 1981-1986.

About 150 items.

Arrangement: by type of insurance.

Insurance policies and medical claims, most of them from when the Ervins were in poor health the last few years of their lives. Ervin had lymphoma and his wife suffered from glaucoma and heart disease.

Folder 1103	Auto Insurance, 1982-1985
Folder 1104	Home Owner's Insurance, 1969, 1977-1986
Folder 1105-1110 Folder 1105 Folder 1106 Folder 1107 Folder 1108 Folder 1109 Folder 1110	Medical Claims, 1976-1984
Folder 1111	Office Insurance, 1972, 1978, 1981-1986
Folder 1112	Valuable Items Insurance, 1981-1986

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.4. Banking Information, 1965; 1986.

4 items.

Sample of check stubs from Ervin's bank accounts with First National Bank and Wachovia Bank in Morganton, N.C.

Folder 1113

1965

Folder 1114

1969-1970

Folder 1115-1116

Folder 1115

Folder 1116

1985-1986

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.5. Property, 1962; 1979.

About 75 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Letters, rent agreements, tax returns, tax receipts, and information about a addition to the Ervins' home and about a building Ervin and his siblings owned in Morganton.

Folder 1117	1962, 1970-1973
Folder 1118	1967, 1979

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.6. Ledger Books, 1927-1985.

21 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Annual ledgers kept by the Ervins detailing their financial affairs. These ledgers include information about income and expenditures. Some ledgers also contain lists of guests, members of the "Sandwich Club," and Christmas card lists. During the 1968 campaign, Ervin kept a ledger on campaign contributions. In addition to the ledger, there is a photocopy of a list of 1968 campaign contributions from the North Carolina Department of Archives and History. Most volumes have indexes compiled by Ervin.

Folder 1119	1927-1946
Folder 1120	1936-1947
Folder 1121	1945-1947
Folder 1122	1947-1952
Folder 1123	1956-1961
Folder 1124	1963-1964
Folder 1125	1965-1966
Folder 1126	1967-1968
Folder 1127	1968
Folder 1127A	1968
Folder 1128	1969-1971
Folder 1129	1972-1973
Folder 1130	1974
Folder 1131	1975-1976
Folder 1132	1977-1978
Folder 1133	1979-1980
Folder 1134	1981
Folder 1135	1982
Folder 1136	1983
Folder 1137	1984
Folder 1138	1985

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.7. Estate of Laura Powe Ervin, 1944-1958.

About 250 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Chiefly court documents, correspondence, tax returns, and other documents relating to Ervin's serving as co-executor of his mother's estate. Laura Powe Ervin died on 14 June 1956. The earlier folders contain income tax returns and information about the estate of Ervin's father Samuel J. Ervin, Sr. In the 1954-1955 folder, there is a small calendar in which Laura Powe Ervin wrote out bequests before her death. Of her son, Samuel J. Ervin, Jr. she wrote, "Samuel never seemed to need help. ... He did much for us."

Folder 1139	1944
Folder 1140	1950-1953
Folder 1141	1954-1955
Folder 1142-1144 Folder 1142 Folder 1143 Folder 1144	1956
Folder 1145-1147 Folder 1145 Folder 1146 Folder 1147	1957
Folder 1148	1958
Folder 1149	Undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.8. Estate of Margaret J. Bell, 1924; 1937-1947.

About 175 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Chiefly papers from the estate of Margaret J. Bell for which Margaret Bell Ervin served as executor. Margaret J. Bell died 24 January 1943. Also included are letters regarding the estates of Margaret J. Bell's brother John C. Leslie and father William Bell.

Folder 1150	1924, 1937-1942
Folder 1151	1943
Folder 1152	1943
Folder 1153	1944-1947 and undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.9. Travel, 1958-1977.

About 50 items.

Arrangement: by type.

Materials relating to the Ervins' various trips to Europe, Acapulco, and San Diego, especially their September 1977 trip to England, Scotland, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland. The trip was organized around a speaking engagement at Uppsala University's quincentennial celebrations.

Folder 1154	Itineraries, Flight Schedules, and Financial Receipts
Folder 1155	Business Cards, Invitations, Travel Brochures
Folder 1156	General Correspondence

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.10. Organizations, 1979-1985.

About 65 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Membership renewals, correspondence, and other papers about the many professional and other organizations to which the Ervins belonged.

Folder 1157

Organizations

Expand/collapse Subseries 20.11. Social Security Benefits, 1965-1983.

About 50 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Correspondence about the Ervin's social security benefits and Medicare services.

Folder 1158

Social Security Benefits

Expand/collapse Series 21. Biographical Material, 1918-1987.

About 1,850 items.

Books, articles, news clippings, awards, engagement calendars, interviews, editorials, and items relating to Ervin's funeral. The series focuses on various aspects of Ervin's life through the print media, through his own records, and through awards given to him. His Watergate activities made him the topic of a few books. His judicial stance and knowledge of the Constitution gave him renown in legal circles. Ervin was honored by his home state, by the nation, and by other states throughout his life.

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.1. Books, 1970s-1980.

About 500 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by author's surname.

An unpublished manuscript, an imprint, and a finished manuscript on Ervin. The unpublished manuscript is a collection of Ervin's humorous stories and sayings. Author Bruce G. Tindall, son of George B. Tindall, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, did not publish his work. Ervin's sister, Jean Conyers Ervin, published a pamphlet entitled The Sam Ervin I Know. This imprint is a series of remarks and reminiscences by Jean Conyers Ervin, Harry Gatton, Archie K. Davis, Dan K. Moore, and Albert Coates. The pamphlet is a part of the North Caroliniana Society's series of imprints and was issued as part of the awards ceremony given in Ervin's honor.

Most items relate to the writing of A Good Man: The Life of Sam J. Ervin by Richard L. Dabney. At first, Ervin was enthusiastic about the project, but he was later horrified at Dabney's portrait of him. In one letter, dated 17 November 1975, Ervin wrote, "The manuscript is not in any real sense a biography of me. It is in the main a fictitious story of a reprobate created in large measure by your imagination. ... The manuscript is as full of untrue and libellous statements as a mangy hound is of fleas." Dabney did very little to alter the book's content, but in a letter to Ervin dated 9 January 1976, he expressed remorse: "If I could have my wish, it would be that you had not seen my biography of you, because it has given you pain, and this has been a torturing experience for me."

Folder 1159-1163 Folder 1159 Folder 1160 Folder 1161 Folder 1162 Folder 1163	Dabney Manuscript
Folder 1164	Dabney, A Good Man Correspondence
Folder 1165	Dabney, Letters from Ervin about A Good Man
Folder 1166	Dabney, A Good Man, Edited Galleys
Folder 1167	Dabney, A Good Man, Ervin's notes
Folder 1168	Dabney, A Good Man, Publicity
Folder 1169	Ervin, Jean Conyers, The Sam Ervin I Know
Folder 1170-1171 Folder 1170 Folder 1171	Tindall Manuscript

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.2. Articles, ca. 1967-1974.

7 items.

Articles from publications such as the New Republic, Progressive, and Church & State . Topics include Ervin's strict constitutional interpretations as they pertained to various Senate bills and civil rights legislation.

Folder 1172

Articles

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.3. Clippings, 1920s-1987 and undated.

About 400 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Newspaper and magazine clippings about Ervin and his family, including wedding announcements for his daughters and daughter-in-law, obituaries of friends and family members, and articles about Watergate. The bulk of these clippings concern Ervin's role in Watergate. The clippings are from North Carolina, Washington, other newspapers around the United States, and from weekly news magazines such as Time and Newsweek.

Folder 1173	1920s-1940s
Folder 1174	1950s-1960s
Folder 1175	1970
Folder 1176-1177 Folder 1176 Folder 1177	1971
Folder 1178	1972
Folder 1179-1185 Folder 1179 Folder 1180 Folder 1181 Folder 1182 Folder 1183 Folder 1184 Folder 1185	1973
Folder 1186-1188 Folder 1186 Folder 1187 Folder 1188	1974
Folder 1189	1975-1987
Folder 1190	Undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.4. Awards and Citations, 1918-1987.

About 200 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Certificates and other honors granted Ervin, beginning with a commendation of Ervin's activities in France during World War I. Ervin was awarded a Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross. Also included are certificates honorary degrees from Colgate, Drexel, UNC-Charlotte, and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Fraternal orders such as the Knights of Pythias, Free Masons, and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine also presented awards to Ervin. Ervin was accorded the title of Colonel by the Confederate States of America's "Air Force" and the Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Lubbock, Tex., and an honorary Texas citizen. Ervin was also acknowledged later in life by various veterans association.

Other organizations honoring Ervin included the National Wildlife Federation, the North Carolina Navy, First Presbyterian Church, and various North Carolina historical societies.

Folder 1191	1918-1945
Folder 1192	1951-1967
Folder 1193	1968-1973
Folder 1194	1974-1979
Folder 1195	1980-1987
Folder 1196	Undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.5. Calendars, 1956-1983.

21 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Engagement calendars of Ervin and Margaret Ervin, containing times and places for a variety of social engagements. Occasionally, Ervin would write his travel expenses in his appointment books. Also included is Ervin's 1969 Congressional Pictorial Directory .

Folder 1197	1956
Folder 1198	1957
Folder 1199	1959
Folder 1200	1961
Folder 1201	1965
Folder 1202	1967
Folder 1203	1968
Folder 1204	1969: Pictorial Directory
Folder 1205	1970
Folder 1206	1971
Folder 1207	1972
Folder 1208	1974-1977
Folder 1209	1978-1983

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.6. Interviews, 1970-1977.

3 items.

Interviews from Liberty magazine, Yale Reports, and the newsletter of the American Waldensian Aid Society. The issues discussed are Ervin's constitutional views and the Waldensians' connection with Ervin.

Folder 1210

Interviews

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.7. Editorials, 1954-1979.

About 40 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Editorials primarily from North Carolina newspapers commenting on Ervin's public service.

Folder 1211

Editorials

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.8. Programs from Speaking Engagements, 1923-1983.

About 80 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Programs from various ceremonies at which Ervin was a speaker, including high school graduations, Democratic Party functions, and dedications. Also included is a transcript of Ervin's television appearance on Firing Line.

Folder 1212	1923-1965
Folder 1213	1967-1974
Folder 1214	1975-1983 and undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.9. Death of Sam J. Ervin, 1985.

About 550 items.

Sympathy cards, condolence letters, memorial gifts, and newspaper clippings relating to Ervin's death on 23 April 1985. The cards, letters, and gifts came from all over the country from friends, former political colleagues, and admirers. The memorial gifts were given mainly to the Burke County Historical Society.

Folder 1215-1219 Folder 1215 Folder 1216 Folder 1217 Folder 1218 Folder 1219	Sympathy Cards
Folder 1220-1225 Folder 1220 Folder 1221 Folder 1222 Folder 1223 Folder 1224 Folder 1225	Condolence Letters
Separated Folder SEP-3847/6	Condolence Letter from Ronald Reagan, 25 April 1985 Restriction to Access: The original item is not available for immediate or same day access. Please contact staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu to discuss options.
Folder 1226	Flowers
Folder 1227-1229 Folder 1227 Folder 1228 Folder 1229	Memorial Contributions
Folder 1230	Acknowledgements
Folder 1231-1234 Folder 1231 Folder 1232 Folder 1233 Folder 1234	Newspaper Clippings
Folder 1235	Clippings Scrap Book
Folder 1236	Miscellaneous

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.10. Biographical Sketches, undated.

16 items.

Biographical sketches of Ervin, some of which appeared in Current Biography , The Americana Annual, and The Celebrity Register. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader did an in-depth study of Ervin and his voting patterns, printed in 1972, highlighting not only Ervin's voting records and congressional work, but reviewing the North Carolina political scene in the early 1970s.

Folder 1237

Biographical Sketches

Expand/collapse Subseries 21.11. Miscellaneous, 1958-1982 and undated.

13 items.

Term papers, poems, and pages from books on Watergate and North Carolina politics. The term papers examine Ervin's legislative record, the New York Times portrayal of Ervin, and Ervin and the Watergate tapes. The book pages are from David Halbersham's The Powers That Be, Neal R. Peirce's The Border South States, and two other books. Poems are from staff members and admirers.

Folder 1238

Miscellaneous

Expand/collapse Series 22. Margaret Bell Ervin, 1948-1990.

About 770 items.

Engagement calendars, financial records, personal correspondence, and other items of Margaret Bell Ervin. Many of the records in this series are concerned with her work with the alumnae association of Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and her work with the Presbyterian Church.

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.1. Calendars, 1960-1964, 1971, 1985.

7 items.

Engagement calendars filled with church-related, Senate-related events, and notations about around-the-clock home nursing care.

Folder 1239	1960
Folder 1240	1961
Folder 1241	1962
Folder 1242	1963
Folder 1243	1964
Folder 1244	1971
Folder 1245	1985

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.2. Financial and Legal Materials, 1948-1985.

About 200 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Information primarily about the stocks owned by Margaret Bell Ervin, her monthly dividend received, and other interest-bearing accounts. The remainder of this series includes financial and medical documents from Ervin's death in 1985, her own death in August 1986, and repayment of a loan to her estate in 1990.

Folder 1246	Ledger, 1948-1964 (152 pp.)
Folder 1247	Ledger, 1965-1975 (152 pp.)
Folder 1248	Ledger, 1970-1981 (284 pp.)
Folder 1249	Ledger, 1982-1990 (284 pp.)
Folder 1250	Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Leslie Ross
Folder 1251-1252 Folder 1251 Folder 1252	Deeds
Folder 1253-1255 Folder 1253 Folder 1254 Folder 1255	Hospital and Medical Claims, 1985
Folder 1256	Tax Information, 1985
Folder 1257-1258 Folder 1257 Folder 1258	Financial Information, 1985
Folder 1259	Insurance Policies
Folder 1260-1261 Folder 1260 Folder 1261	Medicare and Medical Insurance, 1986
Folder 1262	Social Security, 1986
Folder 1263	Monthly Household Account, 1986
Folder 1264	1986 Tax Information
Folder 1265-1267 Folder 1265 Folder 1266 Folder 1267	Domestic Social Security and Unemployment
Folder 1268	Miscellaneous Financial

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.3. Correspondence, 1948-1984.

About 250 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Letters, programs, invitations, and meeting minutes kept by Margaret Ervin. Files from the late 1940s to the early 1950s contain invitations, rosters, church programs and other church-related materials, newspaper clippings, corporate notices, and minutes of meetings from the Converse College Alumnae Association of which Margaret Ervin was a board member. From the 1950s through 1984, documents consist primarily of congressional invitations and itineraries, including notices from the Women's Democratic Club and the Ladies of the Senate. Also included are a number of carbon copies of invitations sent to Ervin and a compendium of history and anecdotes about the "Ladies of the Senate." An assortment of guest lists from parties and events organized by Margaret Ervin are also included.

Folder 1269	1948-1952
Folder 1270	1953-1954
Folder 1271	1955-1956
Folder 1272	1957-1960
Folder 1273	1961
Folder 1274	1962
Folder 1275-1276 Folder 1275 Folder 1276	1963
Folder 1277	1964-1972
Folder 1278	1973-1984
Folder 1279	Undated
Folder 1280	Ladies of the Senate
Folder 1281	Clippings
Folder 1282-1283 Folder 1282 Folder 1283	Guest Lists

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.4. Printed Material, 1950-1978.

About 150 items.

An assortment of printed materials ranging from pamphlets on women's dresses and housewares, congressional banquet guides, theater programs, and various church-related materials.

Folder 1284-1288

Folder 1284

Folder 1285

Folder 1286

Folder 1287

Folder 1288

Printed Materials

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.5. Presbyterian Church, 1948-1970s.

About 50 items.

Programs, yearbooks, directories, lists, and a constitution from the First Presbyterian Church in Morganton, N.C. There are also three copies of the newsletter Our Mountain Work, 1952-1953, detailing efforts of the Asheville Presbytery.

Folder 1289-1290

Folder 1289

Folder 1290

First Presbyterian Church

Folder 1291

"Our Mountain Work"

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.6. Converse College, 1950-1964.

7 items.

Materials relating to Alumnae Day and other Converse College matters.

Folder 1292

Converse College

Expand/collapse Subseries 22.7. Funeral Documents, 1956, 1986.

About 100 items.

Two funeral memorial books and an assortment of sympathy notes, telegrams, and contribution cards from the deaths of Ervin's mother in 1956 and Margaret Ervin in 1986.

Folder 1293-1294

Folder 1293

Folder 1294

Memorial Books

Folder 1295-1296

Folder 1295

Folder 1296

Death of Mrs. S.J. Ervin, Sr.

Folder 1297

Death of Mrs. S.J. Ervin, Jr.

Expand/collapse Series 23. Collected Material, 1914-1986 and undated.

About 870 items.

Arrangement: by type.

Items collected by or for the Ervins, especially materials on Watergate. There is also material on Ervin family history, senatorial newsletters, and brochures the Ervins collected during their travels.

Expand/collapse Subseries 23.1. Newsletters, 1974-1975.

14 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Newsletters sent out by Ervin and his staff while he served in the Senate, including a weekly newletter for North Carolinians called Sen. Sam Ervin Says , which discussed bills Ervin voted on and other political matters. These newsletters record the last three months of Ervin's senatorial career. On 19 December 1974, Ervin wrote, "As I contemplate retirement, I am grateful to the people of North Carolina for permitting me to serve them. ... I always demed [sic.] it comparatively easy to represent North Carolina in so far as my ideological views are concerned."

Folder 1298

Newsletters

Expand/collapse Subseries 23.2. Printed Materials, 1914-1981 and undated.

About 80 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Social engagement programs, sightseeing brochures, religious tracts, and historical societies' membership lists, including the Mayflower Descendants Society and the Roanoke Island Historical Association. Included are programs from luncheons in honor of Lady Bird Johnson and Pat Nixon, a program card for the University of North Carolina's Sophomore Dance of 1915, and a restaurant souvenir from Antoine's in New Orleans dated 1940.

Folder 1299	1914-1949
Folder 1300	1950-1951
Folder 1301	1952-1961
Folder 1302	1962-1966
Folder 1303	1967-1973
Folder 1304	1974-1981 and undated

Expand/collapse Subseries 23.3. Watergate Materials, 1972-1973 and undated.

About 500 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Photocopies of newspaper articles about the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up, originally mounted in a notebook or scrapbook, compiled by Bob Smith (probably Robert Bland Smith, Ervin's chief counsel on the Senate Government Operations Committee). The majority of the articles are from either the Washington Post or the New York Times. There is also an appendix of excerpts from the Congressional Quarterly. Also included are a transcript from a "60 Minutes" interview with Donald Segretti, notes and transcripts from the Watergate hearings, and some handwritten questions asked during those hearings.

Folder 1305	Press Clippings, 18 June 1972-9 September 1972
Folder 1306	Press Clippings, 11 September 1972-28 October 1972
Folder 1307	Press Clippings, 4 November 1972-27 January 1973
Folder 1308	Press Clippings, 28 January 1973-3 March 1973
Folder 1309	Press Clippings, 4 March 1973-31 March 1973
Folder 1310	Incident Enclosures, undated.

Expand/collapse Subseries 23.4. Ruth Kramer Materials, 1973-1986.

About 250 items.

Material collected by Ruth Kramer and correspondence with her. Kramer started a scrapbook on Watergate and sent it to Ervin. Over the years, she continued to send articles and to correspond with Margaret Ervin. Her correspondence with the Ervins discusses political issues, her health, and how much she admired the Ervins.

Folder 1311	Clippings, 1974-1980
Folder 1312	Correspondence, 1975-1986
Folder 1313	Greeting Cards
Folder 1314	Miscellaneous

Expand/collapse Subseries 23.5. Family History, undated.

About 20 items.

Material Ervin compiled on his and his wife's families. Ervin was an enthusiastic genealogist and member of many historical organizations, such as the Sons of the Confederacy, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Sons of the American Revolution. Included is an article by Anne King Gregorie on Ervin's grandfather John Witherspoon Ervin, South Carolina newspaper editor and fiction writer.

Folder 1315-1316

Folder 1315

Folder 1316

Ervin Family Histories

Folder 1317

Ervin Family Miscellaneous

Expand/collapse Series 24. Audio-Visual Materials, 1940s-1980s.

96 items.

Expand/collapse Subseries 24.1. Pictures, 1940s-1980s.

88 items.

Pictures of Ervin, 1946-1970s, and miscellaneous photographs. Included are an assortment of photographs from Japan--shots from Tokyo, Asahigawa, and various military and diplomatic buildings--and a small satirical poster of Ervin as Uncle Sam, which was used as a publicity poster for the Sam Ervin Fan Club.

Image Folder PF-3847B/1	Portraits and sketches of Ervin, 1946, 1959
Image Folder PF-3847B/2	Portraits, ca. 1960
Image Folder PF-3847B/3	Portraits, 1970s
Image Folder PF-3847B/4	Publicity photographs
Image Folder PF-3847B/5	Japan photographs
Image Folder PF-3847B/6	Miscellaneous photographs
Image Folder PF-3847B/7	Poster of "Uncle Sam" Ervin

Expand/collapse Subseries 24.2. Film, 1956 and undated.

2 items.

A motion picture film shot during the 1956 primary campaign, a small reel containing what appears to be an American Express commercial with 30-second and 10-second spots, and a 60 minute television show produced by WSOC-TV featuring Sam Ervin.

Film F-03847B/1

1956 primary campaign

16mm motion picture film

Film F-03847B/2

American Express commercial

16mm motion picture film

Film F-03847B/3

WSOC-TV Creative Planning, "Sam Ervin 60 minute tv show"

16mm motion picture film

Expand/collapse Subseries 24.3. Videotape, 1982.

1 item.

A VHS cassette of an Ervin program on public affairs at North Carolina State University.

Videotape VT-03847B/1

Ervin program on public affairs at North Carolina State University

VHS

Expand/collapse Subseries 24.4. Audiotape, 1973-1983.

5 items.

Taped copies of radio programs, interviews, and a speech. Two of the cassettes contain a 1983 radio interview of Ervin on the Larry King Show. There is also a cassette tape of a meeting of former members of Congress held in Williamsburg, Va., in 1976, and an unrehearsed interview conducted by William Cooper, Jr., with Ervin in his office in 1977, for the Earl C. Clements Oral History Project at the University of Kentucky. Also included is an open reel audiotape of a speech given by Ervin at Delaware University in 1973 called "Crisis in Confidence."

Audiocassette C-03847B/1	Larry King Show, 1983: tape 1 Audiocassette
Audiocassette C-03847B/2	Larry King Show, 1983: tape 2 Audiocassette
Audiocassette C-03847B/3	Williamsburg, Va., meeting, 12 November 1976 Audiocassette
Audiocassette C-03847B/4	Interview with William Cooper, Jr., 1977 Audiocassette
Audiotape T-03847B/1	"Crisis in Confidence," University of Delaware, 13 September 1973 1/4" Open Reel Audio

Expand/collapse Series 25. Museum Items, undated.

22 items.

Museum Item MU-3847/1-6 MU-3847/1 MU-3847/2 MU-3847/3 MU-3847/4 MU-3847/5 MU-3847/6	Stones painted as "Watergate bugs." Each "bug" bears the name of one of the senators on the Senate Watergate Committee.
Museum Item MU-3847/7	Key to the city of High Point, N.C.
Museum Item MU-3847/8-11 MU-3847/8 MU-3847/9 MU-3847/10 MU-3847/11	Confederate flag, North Carolina flag, state of North Carolina, and Tar Heel tie tacks.
Museum Item MU-3847/12	United States Senate spouse photo identification card for Margaret Bell Ervin.
Museum Item MU-3847/13	Engraving plate for Mr. and Mrs. Samuel James Ervin, Jr.
Museum Item MU-3847/14	Medal, 13 January 1963.
Museum Item MU-3847/15	Tape measure with the initials "SE."
Museum Item MU-3847/16-18 MU-3847/16 MU-3847/17 MU-3847/18	United States Senate cufflinks and tie tack.
Museum Item MU-3847/19	United States Army captain's bars.
Museum Item MU-3847/20	Commemorative coin from the first national observance of Columbus Day, 11 October 1971.
Museum Item MU-3847/21	Large gold bank ring.
Museum Item MU-3847/22	Black-and-gold plastic button with the inscription "Watergate Mafia: Member in Good Standing."

Expand/collapse Series 26. Oversize materials.

21 items.

Oversize Paper OP-3847/1-21

OP-3847/1

OP-3847/2

OP-3847/3

OP-3847/4

OP-3847/5

OP-3847/6

OP-3847/7

OP-3847/8

OP-3847/9

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OP-3847/11

OP-3847/12

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OP-3847/14

OP-3847/15

OP-3847/16

OP-3847/17

OP-3847/18

OP-3847/19

OP-3847/20

OP-3847/21

Political cartoon and certificates

Expand/collapse Items Separated

Audiocassette (T-3847B/1-4)
Audiotape (T-3847B/1)
Film (F-3847B/1-3)
Museum items (MU-3847B/1-22)
Oversize papers (OP-3847B/1-21)
Oversize volume (SV-3847B/1)
Photographs (P-3847B/1-88)
Separated folders (SEP-3847B/2-6)
Videotape (V-3847B/1)

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Collection Number: 03847B Collection Title: Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990

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Expand/collapse Series 17. Correspondence, 1898-1987.

Expand/collapse Subseries 17.1. General Correspondence, 1921-1985.

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Folder 105

Collection Number: 03847B

Collection Title: Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990