Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/vhp.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2017655248
In English.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
Arranged into three series: Computer File, Manuscripts and Photographs. Materials are arranged alphabetically by type of record.
Allen Melancthon Sumner, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/105990), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/eadvhp.vh017014.02
Duplication of collection materials may be restricted.
Collection is open for research; access restrictions apply. To request collection materials, please contact the Veterans History Project at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/vhp.contact
William Sylvanus Morris Collection (AFC/2001/001/105979), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
William Sylvanus Morris was born on May 5, 1888, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was the son of John Speed Morris and Pattie Cary Kean. He was a direct descendent of Thomas Jefferson through his mother’s side of the family. His third great-grandmother was Martha Jefferson, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Martha Wayles. Morris lived in Duluth, Minnesota, when he joined the United States Army at the age of 29.
On May 15, 1917, Morris reported to the Engineers Officers training camp at Fort
Snelling, Minnesota. Along with the rest of the engineer company, he transferred to Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 22, 1917. On July 3, 1917, Morris was commissioned as a
First Lieutenant. He remained at Fort Leavenworth until August 27, 1917, when he was
ordered to report to Hoboken, New Jersey for embarkation. He sailed on the SS
Morris returned to Minnesota following his service. He married Pearl Oberg in May 1922. They had one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Morris, born on February 18, 1924. Pearl died on May 22, 1934. Morris remained in Minnesota for the rest of his life. William Sylvanus Morris died on September 6, 1947.
The William Sylvanus Morris collection documents Morris’ United States Army service during World War I. The collection includes correspondence, diaries, photographs and an optical disc containing transcripts of manuscript material.
The optical disc in the collection contains electronic transcriptions of Morris’ correspondence and diary. The bulk of the material consists of correspondence sent by Morris to his mother. Topics covered include inquiries about family back home in Washington, D.C.; tailor-made uniform in Washington, D.C. due to limited sizes; receiving gifts and letters from family; weather conditions; receiving commission as First Lieutenant at Fort Leavenworth; disappointment of not getting promoted to captain due to raising age limit; having dinner at the Y.M.C.A. in Southampton, England, on day of arrival; lack of money for Christmas gifts to send home; frequently going to operas in France; celebrating a birthday; a lot of discussion about his uncle, Jefferson Randolph Kean, known as Uncle Rannie, who was also serving during World War I; uncle being promoted to general and duties throughout his service; death of his brother-in-law, Capt. Allen Melancthon Sumner, Jr., in action; living in a French chateau with a wealthy French family and being the only officer in town; French treated him very kindly; improvement speaking French; water supply work and gaining a lot of experience; and waiting to be shipped back to the U.S. at camp outside of Bordeaux, France.
The collection also includes Morris' record of assignments throughout military service during World War I. Photographs contain images of Morris and servicemen at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and at an engineer base in France; handling rifles; tug of war matches; marching; riding horses; playing instruments; archery range; and digging ditches.
MS01: Letters from Morris to his mother Pattie, dated 10/07/1918 to 12/16/1918. Topics covered include: Inquiring about family back home in Washington, D.C.; tailor-made uniform in Washington, D.C. due to limited sizes; receiving gifts and letters from family; weather conditions; receiving commission as First Lieutenant at Fort Leavenworth; disappointment of not getting promoted to captain due to raising age limit; having dinner at the Y.M.C.A. in Southampton, England, on day of arrival; lack of money for Christmas gifts to send home; frequently going to operas in France; celebrating a birthday; his uncle, Jefferson Randolph Kean, known as Uncle Rannie, who was also serving during World War I; uncle being promoted to general and duties throughout his service; living in a French chateau with a wealthy French family and being the only officer in town; French treated him very kindly; improvement speaking French; water supply work and gaining a lot of experience; and waiting to be shipped back to the U.S. at camp right outside of Bordeaux, France.
MS01 continued
MS02: Letter from Morris’ uncle, Jefferson Randolph Kean, to veteran's mother, Pattie Kean Morris, dated 09/17/1918. Letter includes Kean on inspection trip and sightseeing on special train with commanding general throughout France; and status of Morris in the military.
MS03: Morris' record of assignments throughout military service during World War I.
PH01-PH42: Photographs include: Morris and servicemen at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and at an engineer base in France; handling rifles; tug of war matches; marching; riding horses; playing instruments; bow and arrow range; and digging ditches.
PH43-PH44: Duplicate prints of PH07.
CF01: Contains transcribed correspondence (MS01-MS02) and diary (MS03) in MS Word format.