]
]
This collection has use 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.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 27.5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 12,300 items) |
| Abstract | Thomas E. Watson of Thomson, Ga., was a lawyer; politician and Populist Party candidate for United States vice-president in 1896 and for president in 1904 and 1908; senator, 1921-1922; author; and newspaper and journal publisher. The collection chiefly includes business and professional papers of Thomas E. Watson, including correspondence, largely about politics and writings; drafts of his books, articles, speeches and other writings by Watson, as well as writings by others, most of whom were associated with Watson's publications; publications, including pamphlets, Watson's Magazine, The Jeffersonian, The Watsonian, and other related materials; political materials such as bills, endorsements, petitions, resolutions, People's Party materials, newspaper clippings on political subjects, information about voters, political propaganda publications, and other papers; personal legal and financial papers as well as papers relating to his law practice; biographical information on Watson and materials relating to the Watson family and its history; diaries, commonplace books, scrapbooks and clippings about Watson and subjects of interest to him; photographs and photograph albums relating to Watson and other members of the Watson family, notably his granddaughters Georgia Doremus Watson Craven and Georgia Watson Lee Brown; and miscellaneous other materials. There is good coverage of the Populist Party and of Georgia politics in general; scrapbooks, clippings, and speeches provide documentation for Watson's national political campaigns. Correspondence with Watson's book publishers and employees, along with book and article manuscripts, provide extensive coverage of his work as writer and editor. Watson was most influential through his publications, which included the People's Party Paper (1891-1898). His editorials espoused such Populist causes as antitrust legislation, railroad regulation, and monetary policies favorable to agrarian interests, including the coinage of silver. Materials also relate to Watson's initial support of the inclusion of African Americans in the agrarian movement, and his later shift to race baiting, support of black disfranchisement, and virulent anti-Jewish and anti-Catholic sentiment. Draft copies of Watson's books include a history of France (1899); biographies of Napoleon (1902), Jefferson (1903), and Andrew Jackson (1912); and a novel (1904), all of which were written from the Populist perspective. Correspondents include William Jennings Bryan, Marion Butler, William Randolph Hearst, James Ryder Randall, Theodore Roosevelt, and Upton Sinclair. Watson's private life is documented in a few personal letters, photographs, and some diary entries. Also included are two interviews with Georgia Doremus Watson Craven about Thomas E. Watson; the Watson family; and life in Thomson, Ga. The Addition of August 2012 consists of digital images of Watson and Hickory Hill from the Chicago Tribune archive. The Addition of March 2014 consists of a scrapbook of clippings and some handwritten materials compiled by Walter J. Brown. |
| Creator | Watson, Thomas E. (Thomas Edward), 1856-1922. |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Processing Information
Processed by: Southern Historical Collection Staff, 1990; Amanda Loeb, July 2015; Technical Services staff, November 2018
Encoded by: Joseph Nicholson, August 2006
This collection was originally arranged and described in the late 1930s. The arrangement imposed then consisted only of a chronological run, a large mass of undated material, and volumes. The collection was completely reprocessed in 1987-1988, at which time series were established.
The collection was reprocessed again in October-November 2007, to prepare the materials for digitization.
Updated by: Nancy Kaiser, February 2021; Dawne Howard Lucas, May 2021; May 2022
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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.
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Related Collections
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Biographical Information
Thomas E. Watson was born 5 September 1856 to John Smith and Ann Eliza Watson in Thomson, Georgia. He attended Mercer College in 1872 and 1873. He married Georgia Durham in 1878. The Watsons moved to Hickory Hill in Thomson, where they raised three children, none of whom survived their parents: John Durham (1880-1918); Agnes Pearce (1882-1917), and Louise (1885-1889).
Watson was a colorful and successful criminal lawyer, a leading populist politician, a popular author, and an influential publisher. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1882, the United States House of Representatives, 1890-92, and the United States Senate, 1921-22. As a major figure in the Populist Party, he ran unsuccessfully for vice-president as William Jennings Bryan's running mate in 1896 and for president in 1904 and 1908. His history of France (1899); biographies of Napoleon (1902), Jefferson (1903), and Jackson (1912); and his novel, Bethany (1904), were praised for their populist spirit.
Watson was most influential through his various publications, including the People's Party Paper (1891-98), The Jeffersonian (1907-1917), and Watson's Magazine (1905-06, 1912-17). In muckraking editorials, he espoused populist causes, such as antitrust legislation, railroad regulation, and monetary policies favorable to agrarian interests, including coinage of silver. He fought to maintain the broad-based reformist and independent goals of the Populist Party against those who favored fusion with the major parties and a narrow focus on the silver issue. Initially a supporter of the inclusion of blacks in the agrarian movement, he later turned to race baiting, advocating black disfranchisement, and to virulent anti-Jewish and anti-Catholic diatribes. His lurid crusade against Catholicism led to his trial on charges of sending obscene material through the mail.
While unsuccessful in his national political campaigns, from 1906 to 1922 Watson was a dominant power in Georgia politics, making and unmaking governors. When his bitter opposition to America's entry into World War I and to such wartime legislation as the Espionage and Conscription Acts led to the revocation of his mailing privileges for his publications in 1917, Watson became a "crusader for personal liberties--at least for personal liberties for Anglo-Saxon Protestants." With this, coupled with continuing attacks on blacks, Jews, and Catholics as his platform, he mounted his final, and, this time, successful, campaign for the Senate in 1920. Thomas E. Watson died 26 September 1922.
For additional information, see C. Vann Woodward, Tom Watson: Agrarian Rebel (New York 1938) and the biographical material in Subseries 6.1.
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Scope and Content
The collection chiefly includes business and professional papers of Thomas E. Watson, including correspondence, largely about politics and writings; drafts of his books, articles, speeches and other writings by Watson, as well as writings by others, most of whom were associated with Watson's publications; publications, including pamphlets, Watson's Magazine, The Jeffersonian, The Watsonian, and other related materials; political materials such as bills, endorsements, petitions, resolutions, People's Party materials, newspaper clippings on political subjects, information about voters, political propaganda publications, and other papers; personal legal and financial papers as well as papers relating to his law practice; biographical information on Watson and materials relating to the Watson family and its history; diaries, commonplace books, scrapbooks and clippings about Watson and subjects of interest to him; photographs and photograph albums relating to Watson and other members of the Watson family, notably his granddaughters Georgia Doremus Watson Craven and Georgia Watson Lee Brown; and miscellaneous other materials. There is good coverage of the Populist Party and of Georgia politics in general; scrapbooks, clippings, and speeches provide documentation for Watson's national political campaigns. Correspondence with Watson's book publishers and employees, along with book and article manuscripts, provide extensive coverage of his work as writer and editor. Watson was most influential through his publications, which included the People's Party Paper (1891-1898). His editorials espoused such Populist causes as antitrust legislation, railroad regulation, and monetary policies favorable to agrarian interests, including the coinage of silver. Materials also relate to Watson's initial support of the inclusion of African Americans in the agrarian movement, and his later shift to race baiting, support of black disfranchisement, and virulent anti-Jewish and anti-Catholic sentiment. Draft copies of Watson's books include a history of France (1899); biographies of Napoleon (1902), Jefferson (1903), and Andrew Jackson (1912); and a novel (1904), all of which were written from the Populist perspective. Correspondents include William Jennings Bryan, Marion Butler, William Randolph Hearst, James Ryder Randall, Theodore Roosevelt, and Upton Sinclair. Watson's private life is documented in personal letters scattered throughout the correspondence series, and includes correspondents such as his wife, Georgia Durham Watson; his son, John Durham Watson; his daughter, Agnes Pearce Watson Lee; his nephew, Alva Drane Watson; and his granddaughters, Georgia Doremus Watson Craven and Georgia Watson Lee Brown; as well as other family members. Additionally, several of the diaries include entries of a personal nature. Also included are two interviews with Georgia Doremus Watson Craven about Thomas E. Watson; the Watson family; and life in Thomson, Ga. The Addition of August 2012 consists of digital images of Watson and Hickory Hill from the Chicago Tribune archive. The Addition of March 2014 consists of a scrapbook of clippings and some handwritten materials compiled by Walter J. Brown.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Correspondence, 1873-1986 and undated.
Arrangement: chronological, then undated items arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Personal, political, and business correspondence of Thomas E. Watson, from his school days at Mercer College in 1873 through his death in 1922, documenting his career as a publisher, prolific author, lawyer, and, most prominently, politician. Also included is correspondence of Watson's secretary, Alice Lytle, his granddaughter, Georgia Watson Lee Brown, and her husband, Walter Brown, in connection with The Watsonian, the magazine they published to carry on Watson's work after his death, and a few miscellaneous items.
Correspondents of particular interest include: Reuben R. Arnold, defense attorney in the Leo Frank murder trial; Augustus O. Bacon, a senator from Georgia; H. L. Bentley, People's Party Club president; Coleman L. Blease, governor of South Carolina 1911-1915; David Blodgett, an Iowa congressional candidate jailed for publishing Watson's anti-conscription speeches, circa 1917; Arthur Brisbane, editor of the New York Evening Journal; J. J. Brown, Georgia's commissioner of agriculture and father-in-law to Watson's granddaughter, Georgia Watson Lee Brown; Joseph M. Brown, governor of Georgia, 1908-1910; J. Pope Brown, Watson's candidate for governor of Georgia, 1905; Charles W. Bryan, brother of William Jennings Bryan; William Jennings Bryan; Marion Butler; Walter Clark, chief justice of North Carolina; Alexander Stephens Clay, permanent chair, Georgia Democratic state convention; John S. Cohen, managing editor of the Atlanta Journal; Clarence Darrow; James H. Ferriss, People's Party National Committee chair; Rebecca Latimer Felton, the first woman to serve as a United States senator; Hamlin Garland, author; William N. Harben, author; Warren G. Harding; Thomas W. Hardwick, Georgia congressman and governor; Joel Chandler Harris; William Randolph Hearst; James K. Hines, Georgia Railroad Commission attorney, 1907; Clark Howell, editor of the Atlanta Constitution ; Elbert Hubbard, writer and editor; James Ryder Randall, poet; Theodore Roosevelt; Upton Sinclair; Hoke Smith, governor of Georgia; Kate Stephens, author; Thomas H. Tibbles, Populist Party candidate for vice-president; and James K. Vardaman, governor of Mississippi.
In some cases copies of Watson's replies have been retained, and many of the letters demonstrate Watson's habit of drafting his reply directly onto the original letter. These annotations are often in shorthand.
Additional materials (Digital Folders DF-755/1-5) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
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Subseries 1.1. 1873-1892.
Mostly letters from relatives, with a few items from young women friends. Several letters are from Watson's son, John Durham Watson. There is also a copy of the telegram from Charles E. McGregor announcing that he had killed a man; this was the beginning of one of Watson's major court cases.
Additional materials from 1891 (Digital Folder DF-755/1) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
| Folder 1 |
1870-1889 |
| Folder 2 |
1890-1891 |
| Folder 3 |
1892 |
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Subseries 1.2. 1893-1903.
Letters relating to personal business, and a few letters relating to the 1896 presidential campaign. Also includes correspondence concerning the publication of Watson's books: The Story of France (1899); biographies of Napoleon (1902), Thomas Jefferson, (1903), and Andrew Jackson (1912); and his autobiographical novel Bethany (1904). Watson's law practice is the focus of several letters. There are relatively few letters from the period 1899-1903. Notable correspondents during this period include Marion Butler (folder 7) and Charles E. McGregor, Watson's colleague and close friend.
Additional materials from 1893-1989 (Digital Folder DF-755/2) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
| Folder 4 |
1893 |
| Folder 5 |
1894 |
| Folder 6 |
1895 |
| Folder 7 |
1896 |
| Folder 8 |
1897 |
| Folder 9 |
1898 |
| Folder 10 |
1899 |
| Folder 11 |
Undated 1890s |
| Folder 12 |
1900-1901 |
| Folder 13 |
1902 |
| Folder 14 |
1903 |
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Subseries 1.3. 1904-1908.
For 1904, there is extensive correspondence about the pre- and post-election state of local Populist Party organizations throughout the South and Midwest. Also covered are Watson's attacks on President Cleveland for having denied dining with Booker T. Washington, including a letter from Booker T. Washington to Arthur Brisbane (folder 16); the 1904 election, in which Watson was the Populist Party candidate for president; and, after the election, negotiations for starting Tom Watson's Magazine.
Much of the material in 1905 concerns the magazine, especially the conflicts with its financial supporters that led to Watson's abandoning the project to start Watson's Jeffersonian in early 1906. Local Georgia politics, especially the Smith/Howell gubernatorial race, are covered. Of particular interest are letters pro and con on Watson's editorials on race, which reflected his shift from his earlier policy of racial inclusion in the Farmer's Alliance and Populist Party to support for disfranchisement.
This topical mix of politics and publications continues through 1906, 1907, and 1908. In addition to these topics, there is material in 1907 on efforts to keep the Populist Party alive and on immigration, currency reform, and prohibition. Letters from Representative Thomas Hardwick and Governor Hoke Smith discuss disfranchisement and railroad regulation.
Early in 1908, there is correspondence with Hardwick and Smith about the Glover case, and letters from Arthur Price Glover and his wife. According to C. Vann Woodward's biography of Watson, Smith's refusal to pardon Glover, a convicted murderer and Watson supporter, led to Watson's turning against Smith and swinging his support to Joseph Brown, a long time opponent of many Populist measures. Many letters, especially in May 1908, reflect the disillusionment with Watson felt by "old time Pops," as Populist Party loyalists called themselves.
| Folder 15 |
January-April 1904 |
| Folder 16 |
May-June 1904 |
Folder 17-18
Folder 17Folder 18 |
July 1904 |
Folder 19-20
Folder 19Folder 20 |
August 1904 |
| Folder 21 |
September 1904 |
| Folder 22 |
October 1904 |
Folder 23-24
Folder 23Folder 24 |
November 1904 |
Folder 25-26
Folder 25Folder 26 |
December 1904 |
| Folder 27 |
Undated 1904 |
| Folder 28 |
January 1905 |
| Folder 29 |
February 1905 |
| Folder 30 |
March 1905 |
| Folder 31 |
April-May 1905 |
Folder 32-33
Folder 32Folder 33 |
June 1905 |
| Folder 34 |
July-August 1905 |
| Folder 35 |
September-October 1905 |
| Folder 36 |
November 1905 |
| Folder 37 |
December 1905 |
Folder 38-39
Folder 38Folder 39 |
January 1906 |
| Folder 40 |
February-May 1906 |
| Folder 41 |
June 1906 |
Folder 42-43
Folder 42Folder 43 |
July 1906 |
Folder 44-45
Folder 44Folder 45 |
August 1906 |
Folder 46-47
Folder 46Folder 47 |
September 1906 |
| Folder 48 |
October 1906 |
Folder 49-52
Folder 49Folder 50Folder 51Folder 52 |
November 1906 |
Folder 53-54
Folder 53Folder 54 |
December 1906 |
| Folder 55 |
Undated 1906 |
Folder 56-58
Folder 56Folder 57Folder 58 |
January 1907 |
| Folder 59 |
February-April 1907 |
Folder 60-62
Folder 60Folder 61Folder 62 |
May 1907 |
Folder 63-65
Folder 63Folder 64Folder 65 |
June 1907 |
Folder 66-68
Folder 66Folder 67Folder 68 |
July 1907 |
Folder 69-70
Folder 69Folder 70 |
August 1907 |
Folder 71-73
Folder 71Folder 72Folder 73 |
September 1907 |
Folder 74-75
Folder 74Folder 75 |
October 1907 |
Folder 76-78
Folder 76Folder 77Folder 78 |
November 1907 |
Folder 79-81
Folder 79Folder 80Folder 81 |
December 1907 |
| Folder 82 |
Undated 1907 |
Folder 83-86
Folder 83Folder 84Folder 85Folder 86 |
January 1908 |
Folder 87-91
Folder 87Folder 88Folder 89Folder 90Folder 91 |
February 1908 |
| Folder 92 |
March 1908 |
| Folder 93 |
April 1908 |
Folder 94-99
Folder 94Folder 95Folder 96Folder 97Folder 98Folder 99 |
May 1908 |
Folder 100-104
Folder 100Folder 101Folder 102Folder 103Folder 104 |
June 1908 |
| Folder 105 |
July 1908 |
| Folder 106 |
August-December 1908 |
| Folder 107 |
Undated 1908 |
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Subseries 1.4. 1909-1920.
The relatively small amount of correspondence for this period documents Watson's growing alienation from former supporters and his increasing financial and legal problems. Letters from Thomas Hardwick and to Clark Howell discuss Watson's split with Hardwick. Of particular interest is a series of reports from a private investigator and from a Watson supporter, both of whom were assisting Watson in his attempts to find incriminating evidence against Hardwick and Smith. In 1913-1915, there are a few items concerning Watson's obscenity trial. In 1920, there is correspondence with David Blodgett about his imprisonment for printing Watson's anti-war speeches and Watson's attempts to get him pardoned.
Additional materials from 1909-1918 (Digital Folder DF-755/3) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
| Folder 108 |
1909 |
| Folder 109 |
Undated 1900s |
Folder 110-111
Folder 110Folder 111 |
1910 |
| Folder 112 |
1911 |
| Folder 113 |
1912 |
Folder 114-116
Folder 114Folder 115Folder 116 |
1913 |
| Folder 117 |
1914 |
| Folder 118 |
1915 |
| Folder 119 |
1916 |
Folder 120-121
Folder 120Folder 121 |
1917 |
| Folder 122 |
1918 |
| Folder 123 |
1919 |
| Folder 124 |
Undated 1910s |
| Folder 125 |
1920 |
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Subseries 1.5. 1921-23
September 1922.
Chiefly constituent correspondence from Watson's senate term, mostly concerning constituent service and minor patronage matters, especially post office appointments, veterans' benefits, and military academy appointments. Worth noting in 1921 are letters discussing Watson's arrest in Buford, Georgia, during the senatorial campaign (see also folder 330 in Series 2.1.3. for Watson's account of this event), and letters from branches of the Ku Klux Klan praising Watson. In 1921 and 1922, there are numerous responses to Watson's investigation into the alleged mistreatment of common soldiers by their officers during World War I (see also Series 4.).
Note that, in this section of the correspondence series, there are some exceptions to strict chronological order. These exceptions are sets of items related to one subject that were clipped together by the original processors of this collection and filed chronologically by the date of the most recent item. This order probably reflects Watson's practice and has been maintained. Related items are filed behind the final item in reverse chronological order and numbered sequentially in order to clarify where one set ends and another begins and to distinguish single items in standard chronological order from those in sets.
| Folder 126 |
January-February 1921 |
| Folder 127 |
March 1921 |
| Folder 128 |
April 1921 |
Folder 129-131
Folder 129Folder 130Folder 131 |
May 1921 |
Folder 132-134
Folder 132Folder 133Folder 134 |
June 1921 |
Folder 135-136
Folder 135Folder 136 |
July 1921 |
Folder 137-140
Folder 137Folder 138Folder 139Folder 140 |
August 1921 |
Folder 141-143
Folder 141Folder 142Folder 143 |
September 1921 |
Folder 144-145
Folder 144Folder 145 |
October 1921 |
Folder 146-148
Folder 146Folder 147Folder 148 |
November 1921 |
Folder 149-151
Folder 149Folder 150Folder 151 |
December 1921 |
| Folder 152 |
Undated 1921 |
Folder 153-155
Folder 153Folder 154Folder 155 |
January 1922 |
Folder 156-157
Folder 156Folder 157 |
February 1922 |
Folder 158-160
Folder 158Folder 159Folder 160 |
March 1922 |
Folder 161-162
Folder 161Folder 162 |
April 1922 |
Folder 163-165
Folder 163Folder 164Folder 165 |
May 1922 |
Folder 166-168
Folder 166Folder 167Folder 168 |
June 1922 |
| Folder 169 |
July 1922 |
| Folder 170 |
August 1922 |
Folder 171-172
Folder 171Folder 172 |
1 September-23 September 1922 |
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Subseries 1.6. 26 September
1922-1986.
In September 1922, there are letters of condolence to Georgia Durham Watson on her husband's death (predominantly in folders 173-175), many of which are from prominent politicians of the time. For 1923 and 1924, most items are letters to and from Alice Louise Lytle, Watson's assistant at the Jeffersonian Publishing Company, concerning her attempts to secure a new position after his death and her conflicts with his family over her share of the inheritance. The material from 1925 through 1937 chiefly concerns The Watsonian, a magazine published by Watson's granddaughter, Georgia Watson Lee Brown, and her husband, Walter J. Brown, after Watson's death. One letter, dated 1983, reports on foreign sales of Watson's books.
Additional materials from 1929-1930 (Digital Folder DF-755/4) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
Folder 173-176
Folder 173Folder 174Folder 175Folder 176 |
26 September-31 December 1922 |
| Folder 177 |
1923-1924 |
| Folder 178 |
1925-1928 |
| Folder 179 |
Undated 1920s |
| Folder 180 |
1933-1941 |
| Folder 181 |
1975, 1983, 1986 |
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Subseries 1.7. Undated Correspondence.
Arrangement: alphabetical by correspondent.
Undated correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the writer. Much of the correspondence in this subseries is from Watson's family, namely his wife, Georgia Durham Watson (folder 193); his daughter, Agnes Pearce Watson Lee (folder 187); his granddaughter, Georgia Watson Lee Brown (folder 188); and other members of the Watson family (folder 194). Folder 193 contains drafts of letters by Watson; folder 185 contains letters from Thomas Hardwick; and folder 195 contains letters for which neither author nor date is known, as well as fragments of drafts of letters by Watson and others.
Additional undated materials (Digital Folder DF-755/5) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
| Folder 182 |
A-C |
| Folder 183 |
D-F |
| Folder 184 |
G-H |
| Folder 185 |
Hardwick, Thomas W. |
| Folder 186 |
J-L |
| Folder 187 |
Lee, Agnes Watson |
| Folder 188 |
Lee, Georgia Watson |
| Folder 189 |
M-P |
| Folder 189a |
Nye, N. Gordon |
| Folder 190 |
R-T |
| Folder 191 |
V-W |
| Folder 192 |
Watson, Georgia Durham |
| Folder 193 |
Watson, Thomas E. |
| Folder 194 |
Watson Family, miscellaneous |
| Folder 195 |
Unidentified Correspondents |
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Series 2. Writings, 1872-1921 and undated.
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Subseries 2.1. Writings by Thomas E. Watson, 1872-1921 and undated.
Arrangement: by type of material.
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Subseries 2.1.1. Book Manuscripts and Related Materials, 1898-1908 and undated.
Arrangement: alphabetical by title.
Handwritten and typescript drafts of books by Watson. Folders 278-279 contain materials related to the publishing of his books, such as copyright registrations, contracts with publishing companies, and royalty and sales statements.
Folder 196-209
Folder 196Folder 197Folder 198Folder 199Folder 200Folder 201Folder 202Folder 203Folder 204Folder 205Folder 206Folder 207Folder 208Folder 209 |
"Bethany: A Story of the Old South" |
| Folder 210 |
"Bethany," galley (one page) |
| Folder 211 |
"Bethany: A Study and a Story of the Old South" |
Folder 212-213
Folder 212Folder 213 |
"The Life and Times of Andrew Jackson," miscellaneous handwritten pages |
Folder 214-220
Folder 214Folder 215Folder 216Folder 217Folder 218Folder 219Folder 220 |
"The Life and Times of Andrew Jackson," typescript draft |
Folder 221-242
Folder 221Folder 222Folder 223Folder 224Folder 225Folder 226Folder 227Folder 228Folder 229Folder 230Folder 231Folder 232Folder 233Folder 234Folder 235Folder 236Folder 237Folder 238Folder 239Folder 240Folder 241Folder 242 |
"The Life and Times of Thomas Jefferson," handwritten draft |
| Folder 243 |
"The Life and Times of Thomas Jefferson," handwritten fragments |
| Folder 244 |
Napoleon: A Sketch of His Life, Character, Struggles, and Achievements (1902): Outline Sketch of Napoleon's Career |
| Folder 245 |
Napoleon (1902): "A Study of Napoleon" |
| Folder 246 |
Napoleon (1902): "Some Impressions of Napoleon" |
| Folder 247 |
Napoleon (1902): "By Way of Introduction" |
Folder 248-272
Folder 248Folder 249Folder 250Folder 251Folder 252Folder 253Folder 254Folder 255Folder 256Folder 257Folder 258Folder 259Folder 260Folder 261Folder 262Folder 263Folder 264Folder 265Folder 266Folder 267Folder 268Folder 269Folder 270Folder 271Folder 272 |
"Napoleon," handwritten draft |
Folder 273-275
Folder 273Folder 274Folder 275 |
"Napoleon," miscellaneous handwritten pages |
Folder 276-277
Folder 276Folder 277 |
"Waterloo," or "The Last Campaign of Napoleon," typescript draft |
| Folder 278 |
Copyright registrations and contracts with publishing companies |
| Folder 279 |
Royalty and sales statements |
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Subseries 2.1.2. Speeches and Related Materials, 1872-1921 and undated.
Arrangement: chronological, then undated items alphabetical by title or topic.
Chiefly handwritten notes and drafts of speeches by Watson, a popular speaker and lecturer who drew large and enthusiastic crowds throughout his career. Topics include railroad regulation, monetary reform, race relations, regional pride, and the French Revolution. Most speeches are marked with Watson's notation of when and where they were given, and folder labels reflect this information. In some cases where this is not so, however, a speech's content permits approximate dating. These items have been filed at the end of the appropriate year. Except where noted, all locations are in Georgia.
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Subseries 2.1.3. Essays and Other Writings, 1872-1921 and undated.
Arrangement: alphabetical by title or topic.
Articles, editorials, reviews, and other items, primarily intended for publication in Watson's newspapers and magazines for which he supplied most of the copy.
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Subseries 2.2. Writings by Others, 1903-1921 and undated.
Arrangement: alphabetical by title or topic.
Writings by individuals other than Watson. Many items may have been written for Watson's publications, or for The Watsonian, which was published after his death.
| Folder 394 |
Anti-Catholic writings |
| Folder 395 |
"The Czar of Tabernacledom Unmasked" by "One of His Deacons" |
| Folder 396 |
"How Phronie Helped in the War," by Alice Louise Lytle |
| Folder 397 |
"The Lady Has Got It Down Right" |
| Folder 398 |
Moraltheologie des Heiligen Dr. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori |
Folder 399-403
Folder 399Folder 400Folder 401Folder 402Folder 403 |
Liguori PamphletThis appears to be a translation of the pamphlet in folder 392. |
| Folder 404 |
"The World's Laughter" |
| Folder 405 |
"Why the Jew is Not Wanted in Russia" |
Folder 406-409
Folder 406Folder 407Folder 408Folder 409 |
Other writings |
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Series 3. Publications and Related Materials, 1891-1927 and
undated.
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Subseries 3.1. People's Party Paper, Issues and Business
Records, 1891-1898
and undated.
Arrangement: chronological.
Watson published and wrote much of the People's Party Paper from October 1891 through 1898. This subseries consists chiefly of issues of the paper from 1891-1898 and business records from the secretary. The records deal almost exclusively with the business side of the publication and include weekly statements and related bills.
Note that items from the weekly reports are filed in the following order: letter (if any), statement, and bills arranged in the order they appear in the statement.
| Folder 410 |
People's Party Paper, 1891Not digitized. |
Extra Oversize Paper Folder XOPF-755/1-2
XOPF-755/1XOPF-755/2 |
People's Party Paper, 1892-July 1893Not digitized. |
| Folder 411 |
People's Party Paper, August 1893Not digitized. |
| Folder 412 |
People's Party Paper, 1894Not digitized. |
| Folder 413 |
People's Party Paper, 1895Not digitized. |
Folder 414-415
Folder 414Folder 415 |
People's Party Paper, 1896Not digitized. |
| Folder 416 |
People's Party Paper, 1897Not digitized. |
| Folder 417 |
People's Party Paper, 1898Not digitized. |
| Folder 418 |
Business Records, circa 1891-1895 |
Folder 419-421
Folder 419Folder 420Folder 421 |
Business Records, 1893 |
Folder 422-428
Folder 422Folder 423Folder 424Folder 425Folder 426Folder 427Folder 428 |
Business Records, 1894 |
Folder 429-434
Folder 429Folder 430Folder 431Folder 432Folder 433Folder 434 |
Business Records, 1895 |
Folder 435-439
Folder 435Folder 436Folder 437Folder 438Folder 439 |
Business Records, 1896 |
Folder 440-445
Folder 440Folder 441Folder 442Folder 443Folder 444Folder 445 |
Business Records, 1897 |
Folder 446-448
Folder 446Folder 447Folder 448 |
Business Records, January-August 1898 |
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Subseries 3.2. Watson's Magazine, Issues and Related
Materials.
Excerpts from Watson's Magazine, published by Thomas E. Watson from 1905 to 1917. Throughout the years the magazine's name changed from Tom Watson's Magazine, to Watson's Magazine, to Watson's Jeffersonian Magazine, and finally back to Watson's Magazine.
In addition to the materials in Folder 452, issues of the magazine (Digital Items DI-755/485-634) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection and the Internet Archive. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga. Digitized issues include: Tom Watson's Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 1 (March 1905)-Volume 6, Issue 2 (December 1906); Watson's Jeffersonian Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 1 (January 1907)-Volume 14, Issue 2 (December 1911); and Watson's Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 3 (January 1912)-Volume 25, Issue 5 (September 1917).
| Folder 452 |
Watson's MagazineNot digitized. |
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Subseries 3.3. The Jeffersonian, Issues and Related
Materials.
Excerpts from The Jeffersonian, a weekly newspaper published by Thomas E. Watson from 1907 to 1917. Throughout the years the magazine's name changed from The Weekly Jeffersonian, to Watson's Weekly Jeffersonian, to The Jeffersonian .
In addition to the materials in Folder 450, issues of the magazine (Digital Items DI-755/24-484) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga. Digitized issues include: The Weekly Jeffersonian, Volume 1, Issue 11 (January 1907)-Volume 2, Issue 10 (March 1907); Watson's Weekly Jeffersonian, Volume 2, Issue 11 (April 1907)-Volume 2, Issue 44 (November 1907); and The Jeffersonian, Volume 2, Issue 45 (December 1907)-Volume 14, Issue 33 (August 1917). Please note that issues from July-December 1910, July-December 1912, and July-December 1913 are missing, as are issues from 8 April-13 May 1915 (Volume 12, Numbers 14-19), 28 January 1915 (Volume 12, number 4), and 29 June 1916 (Volume 13, number 27).
| Folder 450 |
The JeffersonianNot digitized. |
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Subseries 3.4. Watsonian, Issues and Related
Materials.
Copy and other materials relating to the The Watsonian, a magazine published after Watson's death by his granddaughter, Georgia Watson Lee Brown, and her husband, Walter Brown.
In addition to the materials in folders 453-455, issues of the magazine (Digital Items DI-755/635-656) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection and the Internet Archive. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga. Digitized issues include: Volume 1, Issue 1 (February 1927)-Volume 2, Issue 10 (November 1928).
Folder 453-455
Folder 453Folder 454Folder 455 |
Copy and other materialsNot digitized. |
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Subseries 3.5. Pamphlets and Other Publications, 1892-1928 and undated.
Arrangement: chronological by publication.
Pamphlets and other published materials produced by Thomas E. Watson's Jeffersonian Publishing Company, including financial, legal and other papers relating to these publications and the publishing company, as well as the Thomson Guard, of which Watson's secretary, Alice Louise Lytle, was the editor; the Daily Press; and the Columbia Sentinel .
Additional pamphlets (Digital items DI-755/1-6 and DI-755/657-669) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
| Folder 451 |
Columbia SentinelNot digitized. |
| Folder 449 |
Daily PressNot digitized. |
| Folder 345 |
House of Hapsburg, 1915 |
| Folder 360 |
The People's Party Campaign Book, 1892 |
| Folder 363 |
Political and Economic Handbook, 1916 |
| Folder 365 |
Prose Miscellanies, 1927 |
| Folder 368 |
Short Talks to Young Men, undatedPhotocopy of original. |
| Folder 369 |
Socialists and Socialism, 1910 |
| Folder 456 |
Other publicationsNot digitized. |
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Subseries 3.6. Other Related Materials, and undated.
Financial, legal, and other papers relating to Thomas E. Watson's publications, including share certificates for Watson's Jeffersonian Magazine and The Jeffersonian. Folders 464-467 contain mailing lists for complimentary copies and subscriptions to the publications.
Folder 457-462
Folder 457Folder 458Folder 459Folder 460Folder 461Folder 462 |
Financial and legal papers |
| Folder 463 |
Other papers |
Folder 464-467
Folder 464Folder 465Folder 466Folder 467 |
Mailing lists |
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Series 4. Political Materials, 1876-1987 and undated.
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Subseries 4.1. Political Materials, 1882-1922 and undated.
Arrangement: alphabetical by title, author or topic.
RESTRICTED: Some items available on microfilm or in digital format only.
Political writings and other papers such as bills, endorsements, petitions, and resolutions; copies of speeches by others; People's Party materials; scrapbooks of newspaper clippings on political subjects; information about voters; political propaganda publications; and other papers. Also included are a few issues of Congressional Record, and materials relating to Watson's investigation of the treatment of soldiers during World War I.
An original campaign button (Digital Item DI-755/7) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. This item is owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
Folder 468-478
Folder 468Folder 469Folder 470Folder 471Folder 472Folder 473Folder 474Folder 475Folder 476Folder 477Folder 478 |
Anti-Catholic newspaper clippings and other printed materialsNot digitized. |
| Folder 479 |
"Atkinson's Secret Circular to the Colored Voters of Georgia," 1896 |
| Folder 480 |
Article from the Atlanta Constitution, hand-copied, 1 July 1883 |
Folder 481-482
Folder 481Folder 482 |
Bills, endorsements, petitions, and resolutions |
| Folder 483 |
"Canvas book," belonging to Thomas E. Watson, 1882Includes a list of names. |
| Folder 484 |
McClendon, S. G.: Announcement of candidacy for senate |
| Folder 485 |
Norwood, Judge Thomas M.: Speech |
| Folder 486 |
People's Party materials |
Folder 487-496
Folder 487Folder 488Folder 489Folder 490Folder 491Folder 492Folder 493Folder 494Folder 495Folder 496 |
Political newspaper clippingsNot digitized. |
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-755/1 |
Poster, titled A List of Reforms, Advocated First by Thomas E. Watson, 1946 |
| Reel M-755/33 |
Scrapbook, 1888-1891Mostly about Watson. Pasted into an 1881 Mercantile Register. Available only on microfilm. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/1 |
Scrapbook, 1888-1894100 pp. Chiefly political, with several government pamphlets included. Not microfilmed. |
| Folder 496a |
Enclosures from S-755/1Not digitized. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/2 |
Scrapbook, 1890-1891Mostly political. Not microfilmed. |
| Folder 496b |
Enclosures from S-755/2 |
| Folder 496c |
Enclosures from S-755/2Not digitized. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/3 |
Scrapbook, 1890-1896Mostly political. Also contains a few issues of the Congressional Record and drafts of speeches. Selected pages microfilmed. |
| Reel M-755/33 |
Scrapbook, 1892-1894100 pp. Index. Mostly political. Index and selected pages microfilmed; pages not microfilmed not directly relating to Watson. Available only on microfilm. |
| Folder 497 |
Scrapbook, 1892-189466 pp. Mostly political, with several pamphlets. Index and selected pages microfilmed. |
| Reel M-755/33 |
Scrapbook, 1893-189590 pp. Index. Mostly political. Available only on microfilm. |
| Folder 498 |
Scrapbook, 1895-1914Political, including material on William Jennings Bryan. Index and selected pages microfilmed. Microfilmed pages not available in original. Not digitized. |
| Reel M-755/34 |
Scrapbook, 189610 pp. Index. Mostly political. Available only on microfilm. |
Scrapbook, 189622 pp. Mostly about Watson. Available only on microfilm. |
|
| Folder 499 |
Small notebook, 1889 |
| Folder 500 |
Small notebook, 1890 |
| Folder 501 |
Treatment of soldiers during World War I |
| Folder 502 |
Voter information |
Folder 503-511
Folder 503Folder 504Folder 505Folder 506Folder 507Folder 508Folder 509Folder 510Folder 511 |
Other papers |
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Subseries 4.2. Newspapers and Clippings on Microfilm, 1876-1987 and undated.
RESTRICTED: Available on microfilm only. Clippings and newspapers were severely embrittled, and therefore were discarded after filming.
Chiefly newspaper clippings from Watson's personal files, dating from 1876 to 1922, with subsequent additions by others of items pertaining to Watson, his descendants, local history, and national affairs. The bulk of these clippings covers Watson's career in politics, his campaigns and tenure as a Georgia legislator, his Populist Party activities, his national Populist candidacies, and his election and career as United States senator. Materials cover Watson himself, his speeches and public statements, and issues and personalities of related interest. There are numerous items from the populist press of the 1890s. Items from clipping services are included for Watson's two national campaigns and provide a great deal of national coverage of his death and funeral (20 September-October 1922). The clippings are arranged in chronological order.
Also included are copies of the following complete issues of newspapers:
Reel M-755/29-30
M-755/29M-755/30 |
Newspapers and clippings |
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Series 5. Legal and Financial Materials, 1769-1981 and undated.
Legal and financial materials relating to Thomas E. Watson's personal and professional business, including deeds, indentures, bills, receipts, and account books.
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Subseries 5.1. Personal Legal and Financial Materials, 1769-1981 and undated.
Arrangement: by type.
Bills, receipts, checks, contracts, deeds, account books, and other miscellaneous items relating to Watson's legal and financial affairs. Of particular interest are papers relating to Georgia Durham Watson's will, 24 June 1907, and Thomas E. Watson's will, 17 December 1920.
Deeds, indentures, plats, and other financial papers, 1818-1923 (Digital Folder DF-755/6) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga. Materials include the March 1865 will of Thomas Miles Watson, Thomas E. Watson's paternal grandfather.
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Subseries 5.2. Law Firm Materials, 1877-1916 and undated.
Arrangement: by type.
Materials relating to Watson's career as a lawyer and to his law firm, including a lawyer's record book for the Gross and Watson firm as well as two typed transcripts of court cases in which Watson was involved.
| Folder 543 |
Small notebook, 1885-1887Notes for speeches on legal cases. |
| Folder 544 |
Law firm materials, 1877-1916 |
| Folder 545 |
Lawyer's record book, Gross and Watson, 1875-1904189 pp. Includes entries for J. Durham Watson and clippings about cases. |
| Folder 546 |
Typed transcript of W. J. McNaughton case, 1910 |
Folder 547-551
Folder 547Folder 548Folder 549Folder 550Folder 551 |
Type transcript of the United States vs. Thomas E. Watson, 1916 |
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Series 6. Watson Family Materials, 1745-1990 and undated.
Biographical materials and other collected papers of Thomas E. Watson, and materials relating to the Watson family, including scrapbooks and other volumes, family history materials, and two oral history interviews with Georgia Doremus Watson Craven.
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Subseries 6.1. Thomas E. Watson Materials, 1870-1986 and undated.
Arrangement: chiefly alphabetical by author.
Consists chiefly of biographical writings about Thomas E. Watson. Folders 569-570 contain memorials and newspaper clippings regarding Watson's death. Folders 571-573 contain miscellaneous collected papers of Thomas E. Watson that were inappropriate for the other series.
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Subseries 6.2. Family Materials, 1745-1990 and undated.
Arrangement: by type of material.
Materials relating to other members of the Watson family and Watson family history, including photocopies of family record pages; a photocopy of a family tree, showing descendants of Thomas E. Watson (1740-1801); pages taken from a scrapbook by Agnes Pearce Watson Lee; The History of Pine Top Farm and the Thomas Watson Family McDuffie County, Georgia prepared by John I. Bruno; a biography of Dr. Lindsay Durham; and other papers. The subseries also includes a two-part tape-recorded interview (6 audiocassettes) with Georgia Doremus Watson Craven conducted by David Moltke-Hansen, 27-28 August 1990, a transcript of that interview (folder 586), and a transcript of another interview with Georgia Doremus Watson Craven conducted by her grandson, Tom Watson Brown.
Additional materials (Digital Items DI-755/8-13) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga. Materials include postcard albums, a baby book, a memorial book, and a scrapbook belonging to Watson's daughter Agnes Pearce Watson Lee and granddaughters, Georgia Watson Lee Brown and Georgia Doremus Watson Craven.
Folder 576 does not exist.
| Folder 574 |
Bell Family letters, 1745-1766 |
| Folder 575 |
Family Record pages (photostat copies) |
| Folder 576 |
Folder number not used |
| Folder 577 |
"Life's Dream," handwritten short story |
| Folder 578 |
Agnes Watson notesRemoved from the account book of 1883 in folder 594 |
| Folder 579 |
Watson Family history materials |
| Folder 580 |
Hickory Hill - National Register of Historic Places nomination |
| Folder 581 |
Dr. Lindsay Durham: A Brief Biography, by Charles H. Calhoun, 1965 |
Folder 582-583
Folder 582Folder 583 |
Other papers |
| Folder 584 |
Newspaper clippings |
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-755/5 |
Newspaper clippings |
| Folder 585 |
Transcript of interview with Georgia Watson Craven by Tom Watson Brown, 2 July 1996Tom Watson Brown (Thomas E. Watson’s great-grandson) interviews Georgia Doremus Watson Craven (Brown's first cousin once removed and Thomas E. Watson’s granddaughter) about the details of the Watson homestead -- Hickory Hill -- during her childhood, when she spent much time there with Thomas E. Watson and Georgia Durham Watson. She describes each room, including decorations and furniture; the gardens and grounds; when particular parts of the house were constructed and how each room was used; visitors who frequented the house; and her childhood memories of life at Hickory Hill. Interspersed throughout are detailed stories about family members, as well as descriptions of their physical appearances, health, and habits. Georgia also discusses lifestyle during her childhood, including refrigeration and lighting, and Thomas E. Watson’s printing plant. Near the end of the interview, Tom Watson Brown briefly discusses his perceptions of racial prejudice as a Southerner living in the North. |
| Folder 586 |
Transcript of interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen, 27-28 August 1990 |
| Audiocassette C-755/1 |
Interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen (transcript in folder 586), tape 1Georgia Watson Craven discusses childhood memories of her grandfather Thomas E. Watson's home in Thomson, Ga.; the physical terrain and flora and fauna of the Old South homestead Hickory Hill; Grandmother Watson (Georgia Durham Watson); how the household was run; her grandfather's dining habits and dinner guests; social exchange and subjects of conversation at mealtime; the history of the old barn and its importance to her grandfather; his love of riding and his eating habits; learning to dance from her grandfather; his love of music and fascination with trees; discussion of the original layout of Hickory Hill and the additional rooms that were added, as well as how each room was used. |
| Audiocassette C-755/2 |
Interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen (transcript in folder 586), tape 2Continuation of the description of the rooms in Hickory Hill, including Thomas E. Watson's study, the bedrooms, the attic, and the wrap-around porch; how life was conducted at table: formalities, how meals were served and by whom, behavior required of children, guests and conversation topics; memories of the Old South including relative isolation and seasonal availability of foods; mention of great-grandfather Durham; meat and dairy at Hickory Hill; how all the pets were named after politicians of the day; her grandfather's love of birds; his attitude towards drinking; her grandfather's attitude towards different Christian denominations; Georgia Watson Craven's thoughts on the personal versus political of her grandfather's campaign against Roman Catholicism. |
| Audiocassette C-755/3 |
Interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen (transcript in folder 586), tape 3The role books played in Georgia Watson Craven's life at Hickory Hill including the impact of the book "Grandmother's Stories From the Land of Used to Be" with historical stories from the South; books that her grandfather read or gave her; nineteenth century Romanticism and her perception of its presence in her grandfather's writings, in particular Bethany; the effect his account of Joan of Arc had on her; her grandfather's deep identification with the Old South; dinner and supper at her grandfather's house; his view of education; the public school in Thomson and her grandfather's decision to school the children privately at first. |
| Audiocassette C-755/4 |
Interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen (transcript in folder 586), tape 4Continuation of the discussion on education: Thomas E. Watson decision to send Georgia Watson Craven to the National Cathedral high school in Washington, D.C.; his support of her intention to go to college; life in Washington, D.C.: her grandfather's interactions with people in Washington, impressions of the Capitol; attending the burial of the Unknown Soldier; the George Washington Inn; Woodrow Wilson's burial at the Bethlehem Chapel in the National Cathedral; her opinion on the mis-perception of her grandfather as a "good old boy"; the quality of isolationism in her grandfather; origins of her grandfather's feelings for the common man. |
| Audiocassette C-755/5 |
Interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen (transcript in folder 586), tape 5Discussion of the funeral for Thomas E. Watson in Thomson, Ga.; people's reaction to her grandfather's death; people's later attitudes towards her as a Watson; the social world of the Watson's and of her grandfather: "Watson people" including the Gibson family; visitors and house guests in her grandfather's home. |
| Audiocassette C-755/6 |
Interview with Georgia Watson Craven by David Moltke-Hansen (transcript in folder 586), tape 6Discussion of her grandmother's cousin, Dr. John Durham; the coming and goings of state governmental officials to Thomas E. Watson's home; vague memories of her grandfather's attitude towards various other populist leaders; his attitudes towards various national figures such as Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, and Calvin Coolidge; mention of the Versailles Treaty; attitudes towards Georgia figures such as Tom Hardwick and Governor Matt Harris; description of the switch from horses to automobiles for transportation: driving culture and her grandfather's first car; a description of his carriages; Uncle Gus who drove the carriages; her grandfather's chauffeur Cliff; trips to Augusta, Ga., by car and by carriage; taking the train to New York once a year; trips to Atlanta with her father and staying at the old Kimball house. |
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Series 7. Scrapbooks, 1860s-1883 and undated.
Arrangement: chronological.
Scrapbooks, diaries, and commonplace books compiled by Thomas E. Watson. Volumes chiefly contain poetry, some by Watson; pictures; and miscellaneous material. Folder 590 and SV-755/4 document Watson's school days and early career as a school teacher, his romances, early law cases, and the deaths of his children. The subject matter of these volumes includes Watson's interests outside the political arena.
An additional scrapbook from 1870 (Digital Item DI-755/14) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. The scrapbook has 121 pages and contains clippings depicting furniture pasted over an 1870 ledger.
| Folder 587 |
Scrapbook, 1860s66 pp. Partial index. Miscellaneous clippings, mostly poetry, pasted over twenty-six pages of an 1839-1841 physician's record book. |
| Folder 588 |
Diary and commonplace book, 1871-1872130 pp. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/4 |
Diary, commonplace book, and scrapbook, 1872-1918 and undated580 pp. Index. Apparently begun at Mercer College. In addition to diary entries, there are copies of speeches, sketches of persons and incidents, poetry, miscellaneous notes, anecdotes and quotations, and accounts of and comments on law cases, especially the McGregor trial (beginning on page 448). Also included are accounts of the deaths of Watson's children: Louise (pages 425, 441-446, 476-479); John Durham (page 447); and Agnes (page 447). |
| Folder 589 |
Enclosures from SV-755/4 |
| Folder 590 |
Small commonplace book, 1873-1890280 pp. Begun at Mercer College. |
| Folder 591 |
Small scrapbook, 1874Miscellaneous clippings, especially poetry, pasted over pages of an account book. Twenty-six pages at the back, without clippings, contain accounts for the estate of T. M. Watson (probably Thomas Miles Watson, Watson's grandfather) dated 1853-1865, and a "memo for letter to T," by Watson, on his feelings about leaving home. |
| Folder 592 |
Scrapbook, 1874-1883120 pp. Miscellaneous clippings, including several poems by Watson pasted over 35 pages of an 1872 ledger. |
| Folder 593 |
Small diary, 1878Short daily entries. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/5 |
Scrapbook, circa 1879-1890325 pp. Index. Miscellaneous clippings pasted over an 1873 account book. |
| Folder 594 |
Enclosures from SV-755/5 |
| Folder 595 |
Enclosures from SV-755/5Not digitized. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/6 |
Scrapbook, 1881-1894Miscellaneous clippings. |
| Folder 596 |
Enclosures from SV-755/6 |
| Folder 597 |
Small notebook, 1883Notes on jokes and humorous stories. |
| Folder 598 |
Scrapbook, 1883200 pp. Miscellaneous clippings, mostly poetry, but also some about politics, pasted in 120 pages of an 1828-1829 ledger. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/7 |
Scrapbook, 1886-1890Miscellaneous clippings pasted over 210 pages of an account book. Index only microfilmed. |
| Folder 599 |
Enclosures from SV-755/7 |
| Folder 600 |
Enclosures from SV-755/7Not digitized. |
| Oversize Volume SV-755/8a-8b |
Scrapbook, 1889-1916Miscellaneous, with Bill Nye columns and other humorous material. Not microfilmed. |
| Folder 601 |
Enclosures from SV-755/8a-b |
| Folder 602 |
Scrapbook, undatedPictures and poetry. Not microfilmed. |
| Folder 603 |
Commonplace book, undatedNotes, quotations, and original material. Marked "For future use." |
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Series 8. Pictures, circa 1875-1987.
Mostly black-and-white pictures of Thomas E. Watson; his family, including numerous images of his wife, Georgia Durham Watson, his son, John Durham Watson, his daughter, Agnes Pearce Watson Lee, and his granddaughters, Georgia Doremus Watson Craven and Georgia Watson Lee Brown; his funeral; Thomson, Georgia; Hobe Sound and Las Olas, Florida; and unidentified people and places. Some items are identified on the back as having been used in publications as illustrations. Pictures are undated unless date is indicated.
Additional photographs and photograph albums (Digital Items DI-755/15-23 and Digital Folders DF-755/7-37) can be viewed in digital format only using the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. Where possible, original folder labels have been retained.
| Image P-755/1 |
Thomas E. Watson, circa 1875Verso: "About 1875, Tom Watson in the days when he taught school in Screven County. Chapter XI No 2 (13th Installment)." |
| Image P-755/2 |
Thomas E. Watson, circa 1890s?Verso: "Chapter XXIII." |
| Image P-755/3 |
Thomas E. Watson, circa 1890s |
| Image P-755/4 |
Photograph of campaign button, 1896, "Bryan and Watson"Verso: "button 1896 owned by Tom Watson Brown." |
| Image P-755/5 |
Thomas E. Watson, circa 1904 |
| Image P-755/6 |
Thomas E. Watson, 1904Verso: "1904 Thos. E. Watson No (1) Chapter XXXIV." |
| Image P-755/7 |
Thomas E. Watson, circa 1919 |
| Image P-755/8 |
Thomas E. Watson seated, circa 1919?Verso: "In Library. Chapter XXXVII." "The sage of Hickory Hill." |
| Image P-755/9 |
Thomas E. Watson, John D. Cunningham, James K. HinesVerso: "Art for chapter XXX. Left to right, C. A. [sic] Cunningham, secretary; James K. Hines, permanent chairman; and Thomas Watson, temporary chairman, Populist State Convention of 1896, taken in anteroom to Hall of the House, State Capitol, summer 1896.(Note--this is exceptionally rare and valuable photo. Advise a big display on it. Be sure to preserve it)." |
| Image P-755/10 |
Thomas E. Watson and unidentified male on rear platform of a train |
| Image P-755/11 |
Thomas E. WatsonVerso: "Thomas E. Watson and wife at Hickory Hill in 1906. The sculptured marble mantel shown in photograph was originally in Kensington Hotel, New York City. Art Chapter XXXVI (No. 1)." |
| Image P-755/12 |
John Smith WatsonVerso: "Photograph of a colored drawing of Thos. E. Watson's father, John Smith Watson. (Said to be an excellent likeness which Mrs. Watson kept hanging over the family mantel long after her husband's death). Gift of Tom Watson Brown, March 27, 1973." |
| Image P-755/13 |
Ann Eliza Maddox WatsonVerso: "Photograph of a daguerreotype of Thos. E. Watson's mother, Mrs. Ann Eliza Maddox Watson, wife of John Smith Watson. Gift of Tom Watson Brown, March 27, 1973." |
| Image P-755/14 |
Martha Hendon Durham (Mrs. George Durham), foster mother of Georgia Durham Watson |
| Image P-755/15 |
Georgia Durham Watson and Martha Hendon Durham, circa 1860sVerso: "Mrs. George W. Durham and Georgia her adopted daughter, Art for Chapt XIII 17th Installment." |
| Image P-755/16 |
Agnes Pearce Watson LeeInscription: "For Mama and Papa a World of Love." |
| Image P-755/17 |
Agnes Pearce Watson Lee |
| Image P-755/18 |
Georgia Durham WatsonVerso: "Georgia Durham, No. 2 Chapt XXVI, Mrs. Watson." |
| Image P-755/19 |
Louise, John Durham, and Agnes Pearce Watson, circa 1887Verso of duplicate (discarded): "Left to right, Louise, Durham and Agnes, the only children of Thomas E. Watson. Art for Chapter XXII." |
| Image P-755/20 |
Agnes Pearce Watson Lee (on left) |
| Image P-755/21 |
Georgia Durham Watson and her granddaughters, Georgia Watson Lee Brown and Georgia Doremus Watson Craven, circa 1910-1915 |
| Image P-755/22 |
Georgia Durham Watson with unidentified infant |
| Image P-755/23 |
Unidentified woman and infant. |
| Image P-755/24 |
Thomas E. Watson with Georgia Watson Lee Brown and Georgia Doremus Watson Craven"Jan. 1908." |
| Image P-755/25 |
Unidentified infant"In dove house." |
| Image P-755/26 |
Georgia Durham Watson holding Georgia Watson Lee BrownUnidentified woman on right. |
| Image P-755/27 |
Unidentified man with infant, probably Georgia Watson Lee Brown. |
| Image P-755/27a |
Georgia Watson Lee Brown |
| Image P-755/28 |
Georgia Watson Lee Brown with dolls |
| Image P-755/29 |
Georgia Watson Lee Brown, with nurse |
| Image P-755/30 |
Georgia Watson Lee Brown |
| Image P-755/31 |
Georgia Watson Lee Brown and Georgia Doremus Watson CravenVerso: "Granddaughters of Thomas E. Watson. Georgia Doremus Watson Craven (Mrs. Avery O. Craven), Georgia Watson Lee Brown (Mrs. Walter J. Brown)." |
| Image P-755/32 |
"The two Georgia's of whom Mr. Watson is so proud. Left, Georgia Lee and Georgia Watson (No. 3 Art for Chapt. XVIII.)" |
| Image P-755/33 |
William Miles Watson"William Watson, uncle of T.E.W. Uncle Ralph of Bethany died S.E. of Thomson 2 1/2 miles at Augusta Road Watson home. Art for Chapter III. William Watson, uncle of Thos. E. Watson, the Uncle Ralph and hero of Tom Watson's novel, Bethany No. 6." |
| Image P-755/34 |
"Wm. A. Watson and son, Dec. 19, 1916" |
| Image P-755/35 |
Stanley Lee |
| Image P-755/36 |
Oscar Lee |
| Image P-755/37 |
Ira Farmer, friend of Oscar Lee |
| Image P-755/38 |
Thomas E. Watson's grave with floral tributes, 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/39 |
Crowd at unloading of Thomas E. Watson's casket from train at Thomson, Ga., 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/40 |
Crowd at loading of Thomas E. Watson's casket onto hearse at Thomson, Ga., 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/41 |
Crowd at entrance of Thomas E. Watson's home, Hickory Hill, at his funeral, 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/42 |
Crowd at Thomas E. Watson's home, Hickory Hill, at his funeral, 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/43 |
Crowd at side entrance of Thomas E. Watson's home, Hickory Hill, at his funeral, 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/44 |
Pallbearers lowering Thomas E. Watson's casket into burial vault, 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/45 |
Floral displays on grave of Thomas E. Watson, 29 September 1922 |
| Image P-755/46 |
"Hickory Hill, near Thomson, Ga.""Home of Thomas E. Watson, to be preserved as a memorial to the father of the R.F.D.," from the Atlanta Constitution , Sunday, 11 July 1937. |
| Image P-755/47 |
"Proposed Shrine for R.F.D.," from Atlanta Journal, Sunday, 5 September 1937 |
| Image P-755/48 |
African American man and womanVerso: "T.E.W.'s mammy, galley 22 Bethany." |
| Image P-755/49 |
Robert E. LeeVerso: "Robert E. Lee whose life Watson planned to write, an original photograph made after the war. (No. 3)." |
| Image P-755/50 |
Carl BrowneInscription: "We want no more marching men looking for work! No more Cleveland Calamity! No more soup houses! Compliments of Carl Browne, the man who got on Grover's grass, and wants none of Parker's sass--(Gold Telegram)." |
| Image P-755/51 |
"Capt. Jack Crawford" |
| Image P-755/52 |
Jack CrawfordInscription: "Hello Pard--So they've quit? Ha. Ha. Bully. Jack." |
| Image P-755/53 |
"Hon. S.G. McLendon of Atlanta, Georgia" |
| Image P-755/54 |
"Sam in Arizona, F.B. Pearse 1901"Verso: "Un Vaquero Mexicano, Furman B. Pearce, Estade de Sanora, Republica de Mexico. A mi quiridissima amiquita, La Senorita Agnes Pearce Watson qui vive in mi corazon." |
| Image P-755/55 |
"Home of Thos. E. Watson in Lumpkin St., Thomson, Ga. prior to move at Hickory Hill" |
| Image P-755/56 |
Three men standing together at set of outdoor stairs"Frank, Mr. M., Me." |
| Image P-755/57 |
Man standing at post in the snow"Me also." |
| Image P-755/58 |
View of Native American [?] dwellingVerso: "Towahajo Chege, Hkte." |
| Image P-755/59 |
View of Native American [?] man and dwelling"Towahajo, Tom Johnson." |
| Image P-755/60 |
Unidentified man, woman, and young girl in early automobile, circa 1905 |
| Image P-755/61 |
Georgia Doremus Watson Craven as an infant, outdoors on ground |
| Image P-755/62 |
Georgia Doremus Watson Craven as an infant, in goat cart |
| Image P-755/63 |
Unidentified group of African American women doing laundry outside |
| Image P-755/64 |
Unidentified woman on front porch |
| Image P-755/65 |
Portrait of unidentified man |
| Image P-755/66 |
Unidentified scene of dock and small boats |
| Image P-755/67 |
"Main Street, Thomson, Ga.," circa 1909Color reproduction of postcard. |
| Image P-755/68 |
"Main Street, Looking South, Thomson, Ga.," circa 1909Color reproduction of postcard. |
| Image P-755/69 |
"U.S. Post Office and Old Fellows Hall, Thomson, Ga."Color reproduction of postcard |
| Image P-755/70 |
"First Methodist Church, Thomson, Ga.," circa 1910Color reproduction of postcard. |
| Image P-755/71 |
"Knox Hotel, Thomson, Ga.," circa 1914Color reproduction of postcard. |
| Image P-755/72 |
"Bank of Thomson, Ga."Color reproduction of postcard. |
| Image P-755/73 |
"Rapid Transit, Washington, Ga."Mule-drawn street car, circa 1911. Reproduction of postcard. |
| Image P-755/74 |
Copy of photograph of Tom Watson in library |
Image P-755/75-76
P-755/75P-755/76 |
Notepaper with historical paintings, McDuffie County, Ga., by Lavonia RicketsonReproduced from the Bank of Thomson's Historic Gallery and sold to benefit the building fund of McDuffie County Library by Friends of the Library. One depicts the "Victorian Watson House," built circa 1875, home of Senator Thomas Watson before he moved to Hickory Hill. The other shows "Hickory Hill," built around 1864 by James R. Wilson, and home of Thomas Watson after 1905. |
| Image P-755/77 |
Copy of photograph of Thomas E. Watson with Georgia Doremus Watson Craven and Georgia Watson Lee BrownAccording to Walter J. Brown, "The picture was apparently taken at Hickory Hill during Tom Watson's 1920 Senatorial campaign. As you look at him, Cuzzie is on his right and my mother is on his left. Cuzzie remembers this occasion. She says a New York Times photographer came to Hickory Hill and took a host of photographs on the grounds, some of which were published in the rotogravure section of the Times, as Cuzzie recalls. She does remember that she and my mother were let out of school to go to Hickory Hill for these photographs, hence their respective dress. She remembers Mr. Watson being told to tilt his hat backwards so as to get a fuller picture of his face." |
Image P-755/78-84
P-755/78P-755/79P-755/80P-755/81P-755/82P-755/83P-755/84 |
Photographs, taken July 1987, of Thomas E. Watson's house in Washington D. C. |
| Image Folder PF-755/1 |
"Cuzzie's Collection"Cards and pictures belonging to Georgia Doremus Watson |
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Microfilm.
Microfilm copy available for most materials on deposit before 1989.
Reel M-755/1-35
M-755/1M-755/2M-755/3M-755/4M-755/5M-755/6M-755/7M-755/8M-755/9M-755/10M-755/11M-755/12M-755/13M-755/14M-755/15M-755/16M-755/17M-755/18M-755/19M-755/20M-755/21M-755/22M-755/23M-755/24M-755/25M-755/26M-755/27M-755/28M-755/29M-755/30M-755/31M-755/32M-755/33M-755/34M-755/35 |
Microfilm |
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Addition of August 2012 (Acc. 101637): Thomas Watson and Hickory Hill House Images,
circa 1920-1937 and undated.
Scans of black-and-white photographs of Thomas Watson from the Chicago Tribune archive. Includes an image of Watson with his granddaughters; an image from Watson's funeral; images of Hickory Hill Memorial House before restoration; and copies of newspaper photographs. Some images also include the verso with captions.
| Digital Folder DF-755/38 |
Images, circa 1920-1937 and undated |
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Walter J. Brown Scrapbook, 1890-1928 (bulk 1927-1928) Addition of March 2014.
Acquisitions Information: Accession 102022
The Addition of March 2014 consists of a scrapbook of clippings and some handwritten materials compiled by Walter J. Brown, 1890-1928 (bulk 1927-1928); and enclosures.
| Oversize Volume SV-755/9 |
Walter J. Brown scrapbook, 1890-1928Topics covered include: Thomas Watson's presidential campaign; Watson's articles and editorials; Governor Al Smith's 1928 presidential campaign; Catholics in American politics; farming and agricultural issues; Ku Klux Klan activities; the "Solid South," southern election politics, and social and economic issues in Georgia; the Farmer's Union, the Grange, and the American Federation of Labor; prohibition; and Herbert Hoover's presidential campaign. There are also some campaign fliers and handouts, book reviews for The Story of France, biographical articles on Watson, drafts of letters to newspapers, scattered clippings from the Congressional Record, and a few political cartoons. |
| Folder 604 |
Scrapbook enclosuresEnclosures consist of loose newspaper and magazine clippings. |
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The Religious Vampire, undated (Addition of January 2018).
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Jefferson's Creed, 1893 (Addition of November 2018).
Acquisitions Information: Accession 103416
| Digital Folder DF-00755/39 |
Jefferson's Creed, 1893 |
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Items Separated
Pictures (P-755/1-78)
Oversize paper folders (OPF-755/1-5)
Extra-oversize paper folders (XOPF-755/1-2)
Oversize Volumes (SV-755/1-9)
Audiocassettes (C-755/1-6)
Digital items (DI-755/1-669): Available via the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
Digital folders (DF-755/1-37): Available via the Thomas E. Watson Papers Digital Collection. These items are owned by and housed at the Watson-Brown Foundation of Thomson, Ga.
Digital folders (DF-755/38-39)
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