Family Papers, 1857-1969

Arranged alphabetically by name of family member, the series includes correspondence (both photocopies and originals), photographs, writings, and other materials primarily documenting the ancestors of Arthur Howe Jr. The most substantial and substantive material relates to Howe's grandfather, Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Civil War general and founder of Hampton Institute. The series includes a small amount of Armstrong's correspondence with family and associates, manuscript and typescript copies of the unpublished "Personal Memories and Letters of General Samuel Chapman Armstrong" (edited posthumously by Helen Ludlow), journal fragments, and other writings.

The series also holds materials relating to Clarissa Chapman Armstrong (great-grandmother), Arthur Howe Sr., and Margaret Armstrong Howe (mother). Five folders of miscellaneous and unidentified correspondence, clippings, and photographs are listed at the end of the series.