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.
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. |
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.
Back to TopThe 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.
See biographical note in Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup A: Senate Records (#3847A).
Back to TopSubgroup 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.
Back to TopLetters, 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.
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 1965Restriction 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, RichardIncludes 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 |
1969-1981Includes 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 4Folder 5 |
1975: A |
Folder 6-10
Folder 6Folder 7Folder 8Folder 9Folder 10 |
1975: B |
Folder 11-14
Folder 11Folder 12Folder 13Folder 14 |
1975: C |
Folder 15-16
Folder 15Folder 16 |
1975: D |
Folder 17-18
Folder 17Folder 18 |
1975: E |
Folder 19-20
Folder 19Folder 20 |
1975: F |
Separated Folder SEP-3847/5 |
1975: Ford, GeraldTwo 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 21Folder 22 |
1975: G |
Folder 23-25
Folder 23Folder 24Folder 25 |
1975: H |
Folder 26 |
1975: I |
Folder 27-28
Folder 27Folder 28 |
1975: J |
Folder 29-30
Folder 29Folder 30 |
1975: K |
Folder 31-33
Folder 31Folder 32Folder 33 |
1975: L |
Folder 34-35
Folder 34Folder 35 |
1975: Mc |
Folder 36-39
Folder 36Folder 37Folder 38Folder 39 |
1975: M |
Folder 40-41
Folder 40Folder 41 |
1975: N |
Folder 42 |
1975: North: Carolina: Press: Association: Letters |
Folder 43 |
1975: O |
Folder 44-46
Folder 44Folder 45Folder 46 |
1975: P |
Folder 47 |
1975: Q |
Folder 48-49
Folder 48Folder 49 |
1975: R |
Folder 50-52
Folder 50Folder 51Folder 52 |
1975: Requests |
Folder 53-56
Folder 53Folder 54Folder 55Folder 56 |
1975: S |
Folder 57-58
Folder 57Folder 58 |
1975: T |
Folder 59 |
1975: U |
Folder 60 |
1975: V |
Folder 61-62
Folder 61Folder 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 71Folder 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 82Folder 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 90Folder 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 104Folder 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 110Folder 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 119Folder 120 |
1978: M |
Folder 121 |
1978: N-O |
Folder 122 |
1978: P |
Folder 123 |
1978: R |
Folder 124-125
Folder 124Folder 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 130Folder 131 |
1979: B |
Folder 132 |
1979: C |
Folder 133-134
Folder 133Folder 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 150Folder 151 |
1979: Requests |
Folder 152-153
Folder 152Folder 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 159Folder 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 177Folder 178 |
1980: Requests |
Folder 179-180
Folder 179Folder 180 |
1980: S |
Folder 181 |
1980: T |
Folder 182 |
1980: V |
Folder 183-184
Folder 183Folder 184 |
1980: W |
Folder 185 |
1980: X-Z |
Folder 186 |
1981: A |
Folder 187 |
1981: B |
Folder 188-189
Folder 188Folder 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 203Folder 204 |
1981: P |
Folder 205 |
1981: Q |
Folder 206 |
1981: R |
Folder 207-208
Folder 207Folder 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 257Folder 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 269Folder 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 281Folder 282 |
1984-1985: S |
Folder 283 |
1984-1985: T |
Folder 284 |
1984-1985: U |
Folder 285-286
Folder 285Folder 286 |
1984-1985: W |
Folder 287 |
1984-1985: X-Z |
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 293Folder 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 305Folder 306Folder 307Folder 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 317Folder 318Folder 319 |
Undated |
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 320Folder 321 |
Greeting cards and notes |
Folder 322-323
Folder 322Folder 323 |
Christmas cards |
Folder 324-327
Folder 324Folder 325Folder 326Folder 327 |
50th Wedding Anniversary, 1974 |
Folder 328-329
Folder 328Folder 329 |
Letters of congratulation, 1954 |
Folder 330 |
Telegrams of congratulation, 1954 |
Folder 331 |
Letters of congratulation, 1975 |
Folder 332-334
Folder 332Folder 333Folder 334 |
Letters of congratulation, 1976 |
Folder 335-339
Folder 335Folder 336Folder 337Folder 338Folder 339 |
Retirement letter acknowledgements |
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 346Folder 347 |
1963 |
Folder 348 |
1964-1965 |
Folder 349 |
1966 |
Folder 350 |
1967-1969 |
Folder 351 |
1970 |
Folder 352 |
1971 |
Folder 353-354
Folder 353Folder 354 |
1972-1974 |
Folder 355-372
Folder 355Folder 356Folder 357Folder 358Folder 359Folder 360Folder 361Folder 362Folder 363Folder 364Folder 365Folder 366Folder 367Folder 368Folder 369Folder 370Folder 371Folder 372 |
1975: Accepted |
Folder 373-396
Folder 373Folder 374Folder 375Folder 376Folder 377Folder 378Folder 379Folder 380Folder 381Folder 382Folder 383Folder 384Folder 385Folder 386Folder 387Folder 388Folder 389Folder 390Folder 391Folder 392Folder 393Folder 394Folder 395Folder 396 |
1975: Declined |
Folder 397-408
Folder 397Folder 398Folder 399Folder 400Folder 401Folder 402Folder 403Folder 404Folder 405Folder 406Folder 407Folder 408 |
1976: Accepted |
Folder 409-424
Folder 409Folder 410Folder 411Folder 412Folder 413Folder 414Folder 415Folder 416Folder 417Folder 418Folder 419Folder 420Folder 421Folder 422Folder 423Folder 424 |
1976: Declined |
Folder 425-434
Folder 425Folder 426Folder 427Folder 428Folder 429Folder 430Folder 431Folder 432Folder 433Folder 434 |
1977: Accepted |
Folder 435-446
Folder 435Folder 436Folder 437Folder 438Folder 439Folder 440Folder 441Folder 442Folder 443Folder 444Folder 445Folder 446 |
1977: Declined |
Folder 447-458
Folder 447Folder 448Folder 449Folder 450Folder 451Folder 452Folder 453Folder 454Folder 455Folder 456Folder 457Folder 458 |
1978: Accepted |
Folder 459-470
Folder 459Folder 460Folder 461Folder 462Folder 463Folder 464Folder 465Folder 466Folder 467Folder 468Folder 469Folder 470 |
1978: Declined |
Folder 471-482
Folder 471Folder 472Folder 473Folder 474Folder 475Folder 476Folder 477Folder 478Folder 479Folder 480Folder 481Folder 482 |
1979: Accepted |
Folder 483-494
Folder 483Folder 484Folder 485Folder 486Folder 487Folder 488Folder 489Folder 490Folder 491Folder 492Folder 493Folder 494 |
1979: Declined |
Folder 495-504
Folder 495Folder 496Folder 497Folder 498Folder 499Folder 500Folder 501Folder 502Folder 503Folder 504 |
1980: Accepted |
Folder 505-516
Folder 505Folder 506Folder 507Folder 508Folder 509Folder 510Folder 511Folder 512Folder 513Folder 514Folder 515Folder 516 |
1980: Declined |
Folder 517-526
Folder 517Folder 518Folder 519Folder 520Folder 521Folder 522Folder 523Folder 524Folder 525Folder 526 |
1981: Accepted |
Folder 527-538
Folder 527Folder 528Folder 529Folder 530Folder 531Folder 532Folder 533Folder 534Folder 535Folder 536Folder 537Folder 538 |
1981: Declined |
Folder 539-550
Folder 539Folder 540Folder 541Folder 542Folder 543Folder 544Folder 545Folder 546Folder 547Folder 548Folder 549Folder 550 |
1982: Accepted |
Folder 551-562
Folder 551Folder 552Folder 553Folder 554Folder 555Folder 556Folder 557Folder 558Folder 559Folder 560Folder 561Folder 562 |
1982: Declined |
Folder 563-569
Folder 563Folder 564Folder 565Folder 566Folder 567Folder 568Folder 569 |
1983: Accepted |
Folder 570-581
Folder 570Folder 571Folder 572Folder 573Folder 574Folder 575Folder 576Folder 577Folder 578Folder 579Folder 580Folder 581 |
1983: Declined |
Folder 582-591
Folder 582Folder 583Folder 584Folder 585Folder 586Folder 587Folder 588Folder 589Folder 590Folder 591 |
1984: Accepted |
Folder 592-603
Folder 592Folder 593Folder 594Folder 595Folder 596Folder 597Folder 598Folder 599Folder 600Folder 601Folder 602Folder 603 |
1984: Declined |
Folder 604-605
Folder 604Folder 605 |
1985: Accepted |
Folder 606-608
Folder 606Folder 607Folder 608 |
1985: Declined |
Folder 609 |
Invitations pending |
Folder 610 |
Invitations without response |
Folder 611 |
Invitations, undated |
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.
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).
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 771Folder 772 |
1974 |
Folder 773 |
1975-1981 |
Folder 774 |
1982-1985 and undated |
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 775Folder 776Folder 777 |
Essentials of the Constitution: Draft |
Folder 778 |
Essentials of the Constitution: Correspondence |
Folder 779-782
Folder 779Folder 780Folder 781Folder 782 |
Freedom Against Tyranny: Draft |
Folder 783-787
Folder 783Folder 784Folder 785Folder 786Folder 787 |
Freedom Against Tyranny: Final Draft |
Folder 788 |
Freedom Against Tyranny: Correspondence |
Folder 789-791
Folder 789Folder 790Folder 791 |
Humor of a Country Lawyer: Draft |
Folder 792-794
Folder 792Folder 793Folder 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 798Folder 799Folder 800 |
Humor of a Country Lawyer: Business Correspondence, 1981-1982 |
Folder 801-806
Folder 801Folder 802Folder 803Folder 804Folder 805Folder 806 |
Humor of a Country Lawyer: Correspondence |
Folder 807 |
Humor of a Country Lawyer: Miscellaneous |
Folder 808-812
Folder 808Folder 809Folder 810Folder 811Folder 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 816Folder 817Folder 818Folder 819Folder 820Folder 821Folder 822Folder 823 |
Preserving the Constitution: Correspondence |
Folder 824 |
The Whole Truth: Uncorrected Proof |
Folder 825-828
Folder 825Folder 826Folder 827Folder 828 |
The Whole Truth: Draft |
Folder 829 |
The Whole Truth: Publicity |
Folder 830-838
Folder 830Folder 831Folder 832Folder 833Folder 834Folder 835Folder 836Folder 837Folder 838 |
The Whole Truth: Correspondence |
Folder 839 |
The Whole Truth: Miscellaneous |
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 840Folder 841 |
"Every Man's Home is his Castle" |
Folder 842-843
Folder 842Folder 843 |
First Amendment |
Folder 844-846
Folder 844Folder 845Folder 846 |
McCarthy, Joseph |
Folder 847 |
Miscellaneous |
Folder 848-849
Folder 848Folder 849 |
Religious Freedom |
Folder 850-852
Folder 850Folder 851Folder 852 |
Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights |
Folder 853 |
Partnership Notes |
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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 1105Folder 1106Folder 1107Folder 1108Folder 1109Folder 1110 |
Medical Claims, 1976-1984 |
Folder 1111 |
Office Insurance, 1972, 1978, 1981-1986 |
Folder 1112 |
Valuable Items Insurance, 1981-1986 |
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 1115Folder 1116 |
1985-1986 |
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 |
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 |
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 1142Folder 1143Folder 1144 |
1956 |
Folder 1145-1147
Folder 1145Folder 1146Folder 1147 |
1957 |
Folder 1148 |
1958 |
Folder 1149 |
Undated |
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 |
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 |
Arrangement: chronological.
Membership renewals, correspondence, and other papers about the many professional and other organizations to which the Ervins belonged.
Folder 1157 |
Organizations |
Arrangement: chronological.
Correspondence about the Ervin's social security benefits and Medicare services.
Folder 1158 |
Social Security Benefits |
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.
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 1159Folder 1160Folder 1161Folder 1162Folder 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 1170Folder 1171 |
Tindall Manuscript |
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 |
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 1176Folder 1177 |
1971 |
Folder 1178 |
1972 |
Folder 1179-1185
Folder 1179Folder 1180Folder 1181Folder 1182Folder 1183Folder 1184Folder 1185 |
1973 |
Folder 1186-1188
Folder 1186Folder 1187Folder 1188 |
1974 |
Folder 1189 |
1975-1987 |
Folder 1190 |
Undated |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Arrangement: chronological.
Editorials primarily from North Carolina newspapers commenting on Ervin's public service.
Folder 1211 |
Editorials |
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 |
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 1215Folder 1216Folder 1217Folder 1218Folder 1219 |
Sympathy Cards |
Folder 1220-1225
Folder 1220Folder 1221Folder 1222Folder 1223Folder 1224Folder 1225 |
Condolence Letters |
Separated Folder SEP-3847/6 |
Condolence Letter from Ronald Reagan, 25 April 1985Restriction 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 1227Folder 1228Folder 1229 |
Memorial Contributions |
Folder 1230 |
Acknowledgements |
Folder 1231-1234
Folder 1231Folder 1232Folder 1233Folder 1234 |
Newspaper Clippings |
Folder 1235 |
Clippings Scrap Book |
Folder 1236 |
Miscellaneous |
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 |
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 |
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.
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 |
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 1251Folder 1252 |
Deeds |
Folder 1253-1255
Folder 1253Folder 1254Folder 1255 |
Hospital and Medical Claims, 1985 |
Folder 1256 |
Tax Information, 1985 |
Folder 1257-1258
Folder 1257Folder 1258 |
Financial Information, 1985 |
Folder 1259 |
Insurance Policies |
Folder 1260-1261
Folder 1260Folder 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 1265Folder 1266Folder 1267 |
Domestic Social Security and Unemployment |
Folder 1268 |
Miscellaneous Financial |
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 1275Folder 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 1282Folder 1283 |
Guest Lists |
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 1284Folder 1285Folder 1286Folder 1287Folder 1288 |
Printed Materials |
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 1289Folder 1290 |
First Presbyterian Church |
Folder 1291 |
"Our Mountain Work" |
Materials relating to Alumnae Day and other Converse College matters.
Folder 1292 |
Converse College |
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 1293Folder 1294 |
Memorial Books |
Folder 1295-1296
Folder 1295Folder 1296 |
Death of Mrs. S.J. Ervin, Sr. |
Folder 1297 |
Death of Mrs. S.J. Ervin, Jr. |
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.
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 |
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 |
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. |
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 |
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 1315Folder 1316 |
Ervin Family Histories |
Folder 1317 |
Ervin Family Miscellaneous |
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 |
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 campaign16mm motion picture film |
Film F-03847B/2 |
American Express commercial16mm motion picture film |
Film F-03847B/3 |
WSOC-TV Creative Planning, "Sam Ervin 60 minute tv show"16mm motion picture film |
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 UniversityVHS |
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 1Audiocassette |
Audiocassette C-03847B/2 |
Larry King Show, 1983: tape 2Audiocassette |
Audiocassette C-03847B/3 |
Williamsburg, Va., meeting, 12 November 1976Audiocassette |
Audiocassette C-03847B/4 |
Interview with William Cooper, Jr., 1977Audiocassette |
Audiotape T-03847B/1 |
"Crisis in Confidence," University of Delaware, 13 September 19731/4" Open Reel Audio |
Oversize Paper OP-3847/1-21
OP-3847/1OP-3847/2OP-3847/3OP-3847/4OP-3847/5OP-3847/6OP-3847/7OP-3847/8OP-3847/9OP-3847/10OP-3847/11OP-3847/12OP-3847/13OP-3847/14OP-3847/15OP-3847/16OP-3847/17OP-3847/18OP-3847/19OP-3847/20OP-3847/21 |
Political cartoon and certificates |