Guide to the Blackburn Farms Collection, 1856-2008, undated

Summary Information

Title: Blackburn Farms Collection, 1856-2008, undated
Collection: AC.861
Extent: 58.0 linear feet (31 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Abstract:

The Blackburn Farms Collection is a collection of family mementos, quilts, photographs, correspondence, financial papers, books of art and history, family Bibles, phonograph recordings, and other materials. The Blackburn family lived in Ashe County, North Carolina.

Creator: Vannoy, Beulah Blackburn, 1916-2001. Vannoy, Everette Reeves, 1912-2006.

Biographical/Historical Note

This collection represents materials from the Blackburn-Vannoy family of Ashe County, North Carolina. The Blackburn and Vannoy families were united with the marriage of Beulah Blackburn (December 11, 1916-October 16, 2001) and Everette Reeves Vannoy (February 15, 1912-November 22, 2006). The son of Thomas Franklin Vannoy and Ella Osborne Vannoy, Reeves Vannoy was a livestock farmer. Beulah Blackburn Vannoy was the daughter of Wiley Clinton Blackburn (1876-1951) and Laura Belle Burgess Blackburn (1877-1960).

The Blackburn-Vannoy Farm consists of two parts: the Blackburn farm, which was the birthplace of Beulah Blackburn Vannoy, and the Vannoy farm, which was the birthplace of Reeves Vannoy. Today, it includes 369 acres in Ashe County that is protected by the Blue Ridge Conservancy that Appalachian State University utilizes as a trustee of the Blackburn-Vannoy Foundation, which was established by the estate of Beulah and Reeves Vannoy to protect the land for educational purposes.

Scope and Contents

The collection represents some of the history of the Blackburn and Vannoy families of Pine Swamp community, Ashe County, North Carolina. It includes photographs, books, magazines, records, newspaper clippings, ephemera, postcards, genealogical information, correspondence, legal documents such as deeds, quilts, and other family papers. The collection also includes many of Beulah Blackburn's report cards, school assignments, and diplomas from her childhood.

Arrangement

This collection is divided into seven series: Series I: Personal Papers; Series II: Financial and Business Records; Series III: Newspapers and Newsletters; Series IV: Books and Art; Series V: Photographs; Series VI: Phonograph Recordings; and Series VII: Artifacts and Quilts.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for use in the Dougherty Reading Room. An appointment for research is recommended. The Dougherty Reading Room is located on the 4th floor of Belk Library in Special Collections.

Acquisitions Information

This collection was bequeathed to Appalachian State University upon the deaths of Everett Reeves and Beulah Blackburn Vannoy and was received in 2008. It was accessioned as AC.2010.090.

Processing Information

Processed by Anita Elliott and Virginia Johnson, April 2014. This collection was processed as part of a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The grant funded extensive processing of the backlog within the W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection between 2012 and 2014.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], AC.861: Blackburn Farms Collection, W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA.

Copyright Notice

The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Reproductions are made only for use as personal study or research. It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

Container List

Series I: Personal Papers, 1871-1990, undated 

Series Description

Series I: Personal Papers contains family correspondence from relatives in Montana and other states, along with many condolence cards and letters in 1951 at the death of W.C. Blackburn and in 1961 at the death of Mrs. W.C. "Belle" Blackburn. Also included are genealogical information related to the Blackburn family, birth certificates, school work, and commencement programs. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.
  Box Folder

Ashe Missionary Baptist Association Meeting Minutes, 1914 

 1 1

Birth Certificates, Annabelle Blackburn, Ashe County, North Carolina, July 1923 

 1 2

Booklet, History of Michael Miller, compiled by George A. Miller, 1972 

 1 3

Certificates and School Report Cards, Beulah Blackburn, 1923-1934 

 1 4

Christmas and Greeting Cards, Calendar, circa 1950s-1979 

 1 5

Church-Related Papers amd Memorabilia, circa 1950-1980s 

 1 6

Condolence/Guest Books for Funeral of Laura Belle Burgess Blackburn, December 1960 

 1 7

Correspondence and Condolance Cards after Wiley Blackburn's Death, 1951 

 1 8

Correspondence and Condolance Cards following Death of Mrs. W.C. "Belle" Blackburn, 1960-1961 

 1 9

Correspondence and Condolance Cards following Death of Mrs. W.C. "Belle" Blackburn #2, 1960-1961 

 2 1
  Oversize Drawer

Diploma to Mabel Viola Blackburn: Graduation Diploma from Bowie High School, Fleetwood, North Carolina, (oversize), April 11, 1924 

 E3 21

Diploma to Mabel Viola Blackburn: Graduation Diploma from West Jefferson High School, North Carolina, (oversize), May 6, 1927 

 E3 21

Diploma to Mabel Viola Blackburn: Teacher's Certificate Award from the Palmer's Method of Business Writing, New York, (oversize), May 5, 1931 

 E3 21
  Box Folder

Genealogy, Blackburn Family, undated 

 2 2

Genealogy Information, Fouts/Blackburn Families, from Ruth Dwyer, 1979 

 2 3

General Correspondence to/from Family Members, 1899-1990, undated 

 2 4

Items found in 1857 Holy Bible, Family Bible of Blackburns, 1871-1925, undated 

 2 5

Presidential Postcards, Washington to Roosevelt, circa 1940s 

 2 7

Programs, Commencement Week Activities at Fleetwood (NC) High School, April 19-22, 1934 

 2 8

Program, Commencement Week Activities of Fleetwood (NC) High School, April 11-17, 1937 

 2 9

School Work, Beulah L. Blackburn at Fleetwood High School, North Carolina, 1930-1935 

 2 10

Wilkes Community College Class Roster and Papers, by Robert M. Koontz, Fall 1979 

 2 11
,

Series II: Financial and Business Records, 1892-2008, undated 

Series Description

Series II: Financial and Business Records contains bank receipts and statements, automobile purchase and service records, farm equipment papers and receipts, and insurance policies for family members. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.
  Box Folder

Aquaculture and Trout Production Information, Hunting Materials, 1976-1982 

 2 12

Automobile Papers, Equipment Manuals, 1957-2004, undated 

 2 13

Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Papers and Newsletters, 1947-1986 

 3 1

Check Book Registers, 1975-1987 

 3 2

Deeds, Contracts, Surveys and Other Legal Documents, 1892-1997, undated 

 3 3

Farm Equipment and Livestock Papers, Receipts, 1954-1959, undated 

 3 4

First National Bank, West Jefferson, North Carolina, Stockholders' Meetings and Proxy Forms, 1930-1958 

 3 5

Insurance Policies, 1930-1975 

 3 6

Receipts, Bills, Bank Records, 1937-2008, undated 

 3 7

Social Security Papers, 1971, undated 

 3 8

Stallion, Sam, The Snowstorm and Manasses, owned by J.J. and W.C. Blackburn, March 1909 

 3 9

War Ration Books, United States of America (11), 1942-1943 

 3 10
,

Series III: Newspapers and Newsletters, 1907-1998 

Series Description

Series III: Newspapers and Newsletters contains a complete last issue of the Skyland Post from West Jefferson, North Carolina in 1988 and a commemorative edition of the Jefferson Post from President Bill Clinton's visit to Ashe County, North Carolina in 1998. Several issues of the newsletter, The Baptist Witness are also part of this series. Materials are arranged alphabetically by title.
  Box

Baptist Witness Newsletter, 1963-1984 

 5

Jefferson Post Newspaper-Commemorative Edition of President Clinton's Visit, West Jefferson, North Carolina, August 6, 1998 

 5

Jefferson Recorder, 1907 

 5
  Box Folder

Newspaper Clippings, Assorted, 1940-1998, undated 

 3 11
  Box

Skyland Post Newspaper, West Jefferson, North Carolina, Last Issue of, October 12, 1988 

 5
,

Series IV: Books and Art, 1856-1978, undated 

Series Description

Series IV: Books and Art contains old books (often with incriptions), Bibles with family records, travel books, how-to-draw and paint books, and samples of advertising layouts and drawings by Robert Koontz.
  Box

Advertisement Original Sketches and Layouts (28) signed by Robert Koontz, undated 

 6
  Box Folder

Pages of How-to Drawing Instructions and Three Sketches, undated 

 7 1

Litho Print from Arthur A. Kaplan Company and Three Magazine Pictures, undated 

 7 2

Litho Prints (4) from Bernard Picture Company, undated 

 7 3
  Box

Fashion Periodical, Delineator, Butterrick Publishing, New York, August 1932 

 7

Walter Foster, How to Draw and Paint Landscapes, undated 

 7

Walter Foster, How to Draw and Paint Seascapes, undated 

 7

Frederick J. Garner, How to Draw Trees, undated 

 7

Nan Greacen, The Magic of Flower Painting, undated 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Drawing, 1975 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Mixed Media Painting, 1973 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Oil Painting, 1975 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Painting Barns and Farms, 1973 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Painting Dogs, 1975 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Perspective Drawing, 1968 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Still Life Painting, 1972 

 7

Grumbacher Library, The Art of Watercolor Painting, 1975 

 7

How Robert Wood Paints Landscapes and Seascapes, undated 

 7

Lynn Bogue Hunt, How to Draw and Paint Birds, undated 

 7

Stella Mackie, Portraits in Oils, undated 

 7

Violet Parkhurst, Painting Sunsets, undated 

 7

Fritz Willis, The Nude, undated 

 7

Walter J. Wilwerding, How to Draw and Paint Animal Expressions, undated 

 7

Blackburn Family Bible, with Family Records, 1857 

 7A

The Autobiography of Elder Wilson Thompson: His Life, Travels, and Ministerial Labors, 1978 

 8

Mary Stone Bruce, Heath's Modern Language Series: Lectures Faciles, 1908 

 8

Ernst Derendinger, Anthology of Art, Volume 1, 1937 

 8

Ernst Derendinger, American Art, Revised Edition, Part Two, 1937 

 8

Family History of the United States, 1897 

 8

Fleming's Vest-Pocket Veterinary Advisor, 1914 

 8

Gospel According to Saint John, 1885 

 8

Ivey C. Greene, A Disastrous Flood: A True and Fascinating Story, 1941 

 8

The Holy Bible, King James Version [Name plate: "Presented to Beulah Blackburn Vannoy by Reeves Vannoy, Dec. 25, 1942"], circa 1942 

 8

The Holy Bible, undated 

 8

Paul Lester, The Great Galveston Disaster, 1900 

 8

S. Augustus Mitchell, A System of Modern Geography Comprising a Description of the Present State of the World and its Five Great Divisions, America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, 1856 

 8

The Perfect Ready Reckoner and Log Book: The Trader, Farmer, and Mechanic's Useful Assistant, 1890 

 8

Picturesque Cuba: Part 1, Havana, 1906 

 8

R.V. Pierce, The People's Common Sense Medical Advisor, circa 1890s 

 8

Chester A. Reed, The Bird Guide: Land Birds East of the Rockies, From Parrots to Bluebirds, 1909 

 8

Shelton P. Sanford, Common School Arithmetic on the Analytic System, 1872 

 8

Souvenir of Uncle Sam's Great Fleet on the Pacific, May 1908 

 8

G.W. Townsend, Memorial Life of William McKinley, 1901 

 8

Webster's Common School Dictionary: A Dictionary of the English Language, Designed for Use in Common Schools, 1892 

 8

Webster's Daily Use Dictionary, 1924 

 8

Webster's New School & Office Dictionary, 1943 

 8

Webster's Practical Illustrated Dictionary, 1942 

 8

George Wentworth and David Eugene Smith, Wentworth-Smith Mathematical Series: School Arithmetics, Book Two, 1920 

 8
,

Series V: Photographs, circa 1920s-circa 1970s, undated 

Series Description

Series V: Photographs contains photograph albums and photographs (both color and black and white) of family members, friends, and acquaintances, many photographs are unidentified. There are also several tin types. Color photographs are stored in Cold Storage and advance notice is required in order to access them.
  Box

Album, "In Days Gone By" with Photographs and Postcards, circa 1924-1925 

 9

Album with Padded Covers and Girl on front, Black and White Photographs, undated 

 10

Album with Padded Rose Covers, Black and White Photographs and Tim-Types, undated 

 11

Loose Photographs, Black and White, separated per Original Albums, undated 

 12

Loose and Oversized Photographs and Empty Albums, Black and White, circa 1920s to 1970s 

 13
  Cold_Storage

COLD STORAGE: Color Photos and Black and White Negatives, undated 

 Box 14
,

Series VI: Phonograph Recordings, 1913-1923, undated 

Series Description

Series VI: Phonograph Recordings consists of twenty-six recordings by various artists/groups. Phonographs are arranged alphabetically by artist name. The recordings must be digitized prior to use.
  Box Folder

Rev. J.C. Burnett and Sisters Grainger and Jackson, "The Downfall of Nebuchadnezzar" and "I've Even Heard of Thee", Columbia Records, 1913 

 15 1

Carter Family, “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone” and “Little Darling, Pal of Mine”, Victor Records, undated 

 15 2

Vernon Dalhart, “The Engineer’s Child” and “The Convict and the Rose”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 3

Vernon Dalhart, “Jesse James” and “Just Tell Them That You Saw Me”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 4

Vernon Dalhart, “The Lightning Express” and “Blue Ridge Mountain Blues”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 5

Vernon Dalhart, “The New River Train” and “The Little Rosewood Casket”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 6

Vernon Dalhart, “Zeb Turner’s Gal” and “The Letter Edged in Black”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 7

Vernon Dalhart, “The Wreck of the ‘97" and “In the Baggage Coach Ahead”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 8

Vernon Dalhart, “The Wreck of the Shenandoah” and “The Wreck of the 1256", Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 9

Darby and Tarlton, “Columbus Stockade Blues” and “Birmingham Jail”, Columbia Records, 1913 

 15 10

Harry A. Delmore, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “I’m so Glad Trouble Don’t Last Alway”, Grey Gull Records, undated 

 15 11

Donaldson and Whiting-The Artist Ensemble, “The Song is Ended” and “My Blue Heaven”, Columbia Records, 1913 

 15 12

Elzie Floyd and Leo Boswell, “She’s Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage” and “Nellie Dare”, Columbia Records, 1913 and 1923 

 15 13

G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter, “Don’t Go Out Tonight, My Darling” and “He’s Coming to Us Dead”, Victor Records, undated 

 15 14

Arthur Hall and John Ryan, “Throw Out the Life Line” and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, Grey Gull Records, undated 

 15 15

Jack and Gene, “Before the Rain” and “Carolina Moon”, Supertone Records, undated 

 15 16

Uncle Dave Macon, “Last Night when My Willie Come Home” and “I’ve Got the Morning Blues”, Vocalion Records, undated 

 15 17

Charlie Poole with the North Carolina Ramblers, “Budded Rose” and “Good-bye Booze”, Columbia Records, 1913 

 15 18

Charlie Poole with the North Carolina Ramblers, “The Highwayman” and “Hungry Hash House”, Columbia Records, undated 

 15 19

Charlie Poole with the North Carolina Ramblers, “What is Home without Babies” and “I Cannot Call Her Mother”, Columbia Records, 1913 

 15 20

Charlie Poole with the North Carolina Ramblers, “White House Rules” and “Monkey on a String”, Columbia Records, 1913 and 1923 

 15 21

Homer Rodeheaver, “I Love to Tell the Story” and “The Lily of the Valley”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 22

Homer Rodeheaver, “Open My Eyes that I May See” and Rodeheaver, Asher and Criterion Quartette, “The Old Rugged Cross”, Silvertone Records, undated 

 15 23

Smith’s Sacred Singers, “Pictures from Life’s Other Side” and “Where We’ll Never Grow Old”, Columbia Records, 1913 and 1923 

 15 24

Gid Tanner and his Skillet-Lickers with Riley Puckett, “Hand me Down my Walking Cane” and “Watermelon on the Vine”, Columbia Records, 1913 and 1923 

 15 25

Eddie Walker and his Band, “It’s Tight like That” and “West End Blues”, Supertone Records, undated 

 15 26
,

Series VII: Artifacts and Quilts, 1901-2001, undated 

Series Description

Series VII: Artifacts and Quilts contains mementos and memorabilia collected by members of the Blackburn family including a hair comb and hair net, a set of fountain pen and pencil, notebooks with friends' well-wishes at school's end, old driver's licenses, army registration card, and many other items. Also included are sixteen handmade quilts donated by the Blackburn family. Copies of photographs of each quilt, front and back, are located in the control file of this collection.
  Box

Advertisement, Herbert's Gulf, West Jefferson, North Carolina, undated 

 4

Antique Fountain Pen and Pencil Set, undated 

 4

Antique Hair Comb and Hair Net, undated 

 4

Assorted Papers and Memorabilia from Blackburn Family, 1980-1993, undated 

 4

Drivers' Licenses for Everett Reeves Vannoy, 1973-2002 

 4

E-Z Mounts for Photographs, Two Brands-Lartz and NuAge, circa 1940-1950s 

 4

Framed Color Photographs of Girl and Church with Thermometer, imprinted "Jack's Grocery and Esso, (Fleetwood), Rt. 1, Todd, NC", undated 

 4

Framed Photograph with Thermometer, 1970 Calendar (July-December) on back, Imprint on front "Blackburn's Men Shop, West Jefferson, NC", 1970 

 4

Framed Thermometer/Calendar from Blackburn's Department Store, West Jefferson, North Carolina, 1949 

 4

Handkerchief and Lace Collar, undated 

 4

W.C. and Belle Blackburn, Mementos-Army Registration, Statement of Marriage, Order of Odd Fellows Membership, 1901-1947 

 4

Mabel B. Blackburn, Mementos-School Friends' Well-Wishes, Postcards, circa 1924-1925 

 4

Beulah Blackburn Vannoy, Mementos-Notebook of Friends, Crocheted Cross, Dime Holder, Obituary Card, 1933-2001 

 4

Reeves Vannoy, Mementos-Report Card and Teacher's Souvenir, 1924-1929 

 4

Metal Brooch with Photograph Tin-Type and "B" stick pin, undated 

 4
  Boxes

Sixteen Quilts, undated 

 16-31