Finding Aid of the Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers, PC.1981

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Finding Aid of the Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers, PC.1981

Abstract

Virginia Davis Pou Doughton (1922-2014), a native of Raleigh, N.C. was born to Virginia Davis (1896-1973) and James H. Pou, Jr. (1893-1944). A graduate of Peace College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, class of 1944, she had a life-time involvement in family history and research on various topics including the Outer Banks and Beaufort and Morehead City. The collection consists of items dating from 1848 to 2000, including correspondence; slave lists (a hand-sewn booklet that lists the first names of children born into slavery and their mothers, as part of the Bynum or Farmer families, Edgecombe or Wilson counties); photographs and albums; news clippings; genealogical materials; research notes; information on education and religion; and material relating to the Bynum, Farmer, Davis, Pou, Drake, Harrison, Silver, and Stith families in North Carolina.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers
Call Number
PC.1981
Creator
Doughton, Virginia Pou
Date
1741-2006
Extent
8.00 boxes
Language
English
Repository
State Archives of North Carolina

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item] in PC.1981, Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC, USA.

Collection Overview

Consists primarily of genealogy, family records, pedigree charts, wills, deeds, marriage and death certificates (a mix or originals and photocopies), correspondence, and photographs, and research Virginia Pou Doughton has done on different subjects, including the Atlantic Hotel, Atlantic coast hurricanes, and the Davis School. Among papers of interest is a hand-sewn booklet that lists the first names of children born into slavery and their mothers, as part of the Bynum or Farmer families, Edgecombe or Wilson Counties, circa 1825-1865. Also, there are numerous letters and a card, 1941-1943, written to Mrs. Doughton, her aunt, but primarily to her grandmother Mrs. Floyd Davis and to other family from John (Johnnie) Farmer, an African American of Wilson County who served during World War I, and worked as a cook and handy man. Farmer was a patient at a Veterans Administration hospital in Kecoughtan, Hampton, Virginia.

Mrs. Doughton's maternal grandfather, Frank Washington Barnes, lived in Wilson, North Carolina where he served as lieutenant and later captain of the 4th North Carolina Cavalry during the Civil War. After the war he was a banker, businessman and farmer. Biographical information is included along with a handwritten account of his wartime experience, ca. late 1800s written by a family member.

The papers also include Mrs. Doughton's research on various topics. The main topic of her research is the Outer Banks Coast and the Atlantic Hotel, Beaufort and Morehead City. Included in these papers is some of the research Mrs. Doughton utilized in writing a book on the Atlantic Hotel. Additionally, Mrs. Doughton drafted a personal account of a sailing trip with Robert Hanes and then Governor Luther Hodges where Mrs. Doughton served as captain. In addition to the story Mrs. Doughton commissioned sketches of scenes from her story. Copies of these sketches are included.

The collection also contains a quantity of photographs including four photo albums. While the majority of the photographs are of family members from 1900 and beyond, there are numerous pictures of both family homes and historic homes and landmarks throughout North Carolina. A large portion of the photographs were taken at Morehead City where Mrs. Doughton spent much of her time. These photographs include images of the Atlantic Hotel, the family cottage, homes damaged from various hurricanes, and photos of Mrs. Doughton competing in sailboat races.

Arrangement Note

The papers are organized into the following series: 1.Barnes, Bynum, Davis Families; 2. Pou Family: 3. Doughton Family; 4. Slaves: Includes listings of Slaves, of Bynum Family or Farmer Family, in Edgecombe or Wilson Counties, 1825-1865; 5 Atlantic Hotel Research; 6. Research; 7. Photographs: Family and Friends; 8.Photographs: Buildings, Homes, and Landscapes; 9. Photo Albums. Whenever possible, groupings of individuals, their correspondence, and related documents were retained as Mrs. Doughton had indicated.

Biographical Note

Virginia Davis Pou Doughton (1922-2014) was one of two daughters born to Virginia Davis (1896-1973) and James Hinton Pou, Jr. (1893-1944) of Raleigh. Her father was formerly of Smithfield, Johnston County, but practiced as an attorney in Raleigh, as did his father, James Hinton Pou, Sr. (1861-1935). Her mother was Virginia C. Davis, child of Floyd Stith and Elizabeth (Miss Lizzie) Lee Barnes Davis (1870-1986), of Wilson County.Mrs. Doughton's great-grandfather, Edward W. Pou, served in the United States Congress for 33 years, 1901-1934. Her grandfather, James H. Pou, Sr. and son of Edward Pou, served three terms in the General Assembly, once as a representative and twice as a senator. His other child was Edith Pou Bailey (1890-1966), wife of former U.S. Senator Josiah W. Bailey.Virginia D. Pou Doughton (called "Sammy" in her youth), was a 1938 graduate of Peace College (a junior college at that time). In 1945 she was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in physical education and a minor in history. She was married to the late J. Horton Doughton whose father, Robert Lee Doughton served in the United States House of Representatives for 43 years, 18 of which he was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Virginia and J. Horton Doughton became parents of two children. Virginia Pou Doughton was also married to the late Walter Teich.

Through her maternal side, Mrs. Doughton was a seventh generation descendant of James Davis, North Carolina's first printer. A native of Virginia, Davis brought his printing press to North Carolina in 1749. For years, Mrs. Doughton researched the family history of Davis and other lines. After much preliminary effort, she obtained permission to erect a tombstone for Davis at Christ Church in New Bern and arranged a dedication in 2000. A great-grandson of James Davis, Adam C. Davis founded a prestigious military school for boys in North Carolina called the Davis School. Although it was originally located in LaGrange, a meningitis outbreak caused it to close in 1879. The school was reopened the following year in Winston Salem where is remained opened until 1893. Mrs. Doughton published two articles on the Davis School in "The State" magazine.Mrs. Doughton spent much of her childhood and adult life on Bouge Sound. As a child she spent summers at her family's home in Morehead City, a building that previously housed the North Carolina Teacher's Assembly annual meeting. Her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Davis bought the assembly building around 1900 and repurposed it as a home where their entire family could congregate during the summer.Mrs. Doughton has expressed her deep affection for the Bouge Sound through her research and documentation of its past. She has written books and articles on the historic Atlantic Hotel that once drew some of the state's most prominent social, political, and business leaders. She has documented storms that have ravaged its coastline throughout the 1950's and 60's. Several highway historical markers have been erected largely because of her efforts, including the Atlantic Hotel at Morehead City and Beaufort, Fort Hancock at Cape Lookout, and Verrazzano, the Italian explorer, at Pine Knoll Shores.In her youth, Mrs. Doughton was an avid sailor. She competed and won in sailboat races organized by the Morehead City Junior Yacht Club. Photographs and newspaper clippings depict a young lady standing with trophy in hand among boys and men.

Contents of the Collection

1. Doughton Family,1949-2006

Scope and Content:

This series contains papers pertaining to Mrs. Doughton's husband's family. Includes correspondence, news clippings, and genealogical records.

Robert Lee Doughton, grandfather of her late husband Horton Doughton, from Laurel Springs, North Carolina served 43 years as a United States Congressman, 18 of which he served as chairman of the House Ways and Means Commitee. Correspondence and records pertaining to his service in the House of Represenatives is enclosed as well as copies of the Congressional Record containing eulogies delivered on the floor of the House in 1955.

Doughton Family Records,1981-2006
Folder 3
Robert Lee Doughton,1949-1981
Folder 4
J. Horton Doughton,1951-1981
Folder 5
Virginia Pou Doughton, Sailboat Racing,ca. 1940's
Folder 6
Bud Doughton,1975
Folder 7
Family Employee Correspondence,1966-1989
Folder 8

2. Pou Family,1750-2006

Scope and Content:

This series contains papers pertaining to Mrs. Doughton's pateranl family. There are papers such as birth certificates, wills, death certificates, deeds, and various letters to and from people in her family in this series, and some photographs. The dates in this series range from circa. 1750 to 2006, with the 18th and 19th century documents being photocopies.

Of particular interest are records and letters relating to her great-grandfather, Edward W. Pou, who served in the United States Congressman for 33 years, 1901-1934. Additionally her grandfather, James H. Pou was a prominent lawyer in Raleigh. In addition to correspondence, are records of several of his business dealings in Raleigh, including his participation in the construction of the Raleigh Country Club and development of the first planned neighborhood in Raleigh called Bloomsbury.

Pou, Bryan Family, Correspondence,1846-1848
Folder 14
Pou Family Records,(copies) 1750-1901
Folder 15
Pou Family Records,ca. 1915-1976
Folder 16
Pou Family Genealogical Records,ca. 1930-1932
Folder Box 17 Letter Box
Pou Family Genealogical Records,1949-1994
Folder Box 1 PC.1981.2
Edward W. Pou,(copies) 1853-1996
Folder 2
Edward W. Pou, Correspondence,(copies) 1866-1878
Folder 3
James H. Pou Sr.,1915-1981
Folder 4
James H. Pou Sr., Correspondence,1889-1920
Folder 5
James H. Pou Sr., Correspondence,1942-1945
Folder 6
James H. Pou Sr., Raleigh Country Club,1910
Folder 7
James H. Pou Sr., Bloomsbury Land Development,1905-1916
Folder 8
James H. Pou Sr., Relief for War Sufferers in France,1916
Folder 9
James H. Pou Jr., Correspondence,1917-1944
Folder 10
James H. Pou Jr., World War II Subchasers,2006
Folder 11
Virginia Davis Pou,1931-1940
Folder 12
Mattie T. Pou,1915-2002
Folder 13
Pou-Daniels Fight,1925
Folder 14
Worth Family,ca. 1980's
Folder 15
Moffitt, Elvira Worth Walker,1910-1929
Folder 16
Walker, Annie (Millis, Armfield, Beale, Dicks Families),Genealogy,1843-1945
Folder 17
Walker, Annie (Millis, Armfield, Beale, Dicks Families),Genealogy,1843-1945
Box Folder PC.1981.3 1
White, Alice Harrison, Nash County,1852-1983
Folder 2

3. Genealogical Record: Slaves: Includes listings of Slaves, of Bynum or Farmer Family, in Edgecombe or Wilson Counties,1825-1865

Scope and Content:

Consists of a manuscript thirteen page hand-sewn booklet, ca. 3 1/2 x 5 inches. Earliest date of slave birthdate is January 1825; last date 1865. Includes listings of children by first name by mother's first name. Booklet also has lists of supplies, such as tobacco, molasses, whiskey, cotton, feathers, lard, etc.

4. Barnes, Bynum, Davis Families,1741-2006

Scope and Content:

This series contains letters, cards, with some photographs, deeds, wills, contract, etc. related to Mrs. Doughton's maternal family from Wilson, North Carolina. This series also contains letters to Mrs. Doughton as well as some she sent personally. Some of the photographs are not identified.

Frank Washington Barnes, grandfather of Mrs. Doughton, lived in Wilson, North Carolina where he served as lieutenant and later captain of the 4th North Carolina Cavalry during the Civil. After the war he was a successful banker, businessman and farmer. Biographical information is included along with a handwritten memoir of his wartime experience, circa. late 1800's, written by a niece of Mr. Barnes.

Includes letters from John (Johnnie) Farmer, an African American man, who was a World War I veteran, a cook, and a handyman in Wilson, N.C. The letters and a card apparently were written from the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Kecoughtan, Hampton, Va. (now Hampton VA Medical Center). Farmer was thought to have died there in 1944. His letters were written to Virginia Pou, UNC, Chapel Hill; in 1943 to Mrs. Frank B. Davis; but primarily to Mrs. Floyd Davis [Virginia Pou Doughton's grandmother].

Mrs. Doughton was a seventh generation descendant of James Davis, first Colonial printer in North Carolina. Folder contains biographical information written by Mrs. Doughton as well as an invitation to a dedication of a commemorative marker honoring James Davis at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern, North Carolina and a press release from the UNC School of School of Journalism and Mass Communication announcing the establishment of a scholarship honoring James Davis awarded by Mrs. Doughton.

The dates in this series range from 1741 [copy, not original] to 2006.

Barnes Family Correspondence,1848
Box Folder PC.1981.1 1
Barnes-Davis Correspondence, Deeds, and Related Material,1751-1954
Folder 2
Barnes-Battle Correspondence (Business Legal), Wilson County,1897-1925
Folder 3
Barnes-Davis Records,1986-2006
Folder 4
Barnes-Davis Records-Copies of 19th Century Documents,1986
Folder 5
Barnes, Frank Washington,ca. 1865-1988
Folder 6
Barnes, Elizabeth Lee Bynum,1986
Folder 7
Johnny Farmer Letters, 1941-1944
Folder 8
Bynum Family Correspondence,1866-1868
Folder 9
Bynum Family Records, Wilson County,1943-1992
Folder 10
Bynum, Harrison, Drake Family Records, 1902-1972
Folder 11
James Davis (Printer),1986-2001
Folder 12
Stith Family, Wilson County,1907-1942
Folder 13

5. Atlantic Hotel Research,1859-1991

Scope and Content:

Mrs. Doughton published two articles in "The State" magazine and privately published book on The Atlantic Hotel in Beaufort (1859-1879) and later The New Atlantic Hotel in Morehead City (1880-). She extensively researched both hotels. Includes copies of "The State" with her articles in 1978, a copy of her book published in 1991, research, and multiple handwritten drafts.

Also of notable interest is her research on the North Carolina Teacher's Assembly which held a yearly meeting at Morehead City. In 1888 a permanent assembly building was erected located near the Atlantic Hotel. Around 1900 the building was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barnes (grandparents of Mrs. Doughton) and turned into a summer home for their family.

The dates in this series range from 1859 [copy, not original] to 2006.

Atlantic Hotel,1859-1861
Folder 10
Atlantic Hotel,1875-1978
Folder 11
Atlantic Hotel,1875-1978
Folder 12
Atlantic Hotel,1875-1978
Folder 13
Atlantic Hotel,1875-1978
Box Folder PC.1981.4 1
Atlantic Hotel, "The State" Magazine,1978
Folder 2
Atlantic Hotel,, Draft Copy,1991
Folder 3
Coming of the Railroad to the Atlantic Hotel,
Folder 4
Atlantic Hotel, NC Teacher's Assembly,ca. 1988
Folder 5
Atlantic Hotel, Storm, August 1879,1870-1879
Folder 6
Atlantic Hotel, Storm, August 1879,1870-1979
Folder 7

6. Research,1833-2000

Scope and Content:

Contains research on various subjects of interest to Mrs. Doughton as well as research for various articles and highway historical markers she petitioned for.

Of particular interest is a personal account of a sailing trip with Robert Hanes and then Govenor Luther Hodges where Mrs. Doughton served as captain. In addition to the story Mrs. Doughton commissioned sketches of scenes from her story. Copies of these sketches are included.

Photographs, draft, and news column Mrs. Doughton wrote for the Iredell Morning News, October 14, 1955 recalling the 1955 summer season at Morehead City which brought 3 major hurricanes in August, Connie, Diane and Ione. Pictures damaged homes from Hurricane Hazel and Donna are also enclosed.

Includes research for a highway historical marker commemorating the explorer, Verrazzano. Mrs. Doughton was instrumental in the process of erecting a highway marker at Pine Knoll Shores.

One other notable subject enclosed in Mrs. Doughton research and articles about the Davis School, located first in LaGrange and later in Winston Salam. Mrs. Doughton published articles in 1980 and 1981 editions on "The State" magazine about this school. Started by Adam C. Davis, Jr., a great-grandson of James Davis, first printer in North Carolina, the Davis School was a military boarding school for boys. The school closed in LaGrange due to a meningitis breakout on 1889, and later was moved to Winston Salem where it operated until 1893. Included is research and drafts for these articles.

The dates in this series range from 1833 [copy, not original] to 2006.

Governor Luther Hodges and Robert M. Hanes Story,ca. 1957
Folder 8
Hurricanes Connie, Diane, and Ione, 1950's, 1955-1979
Folder 9
Hurricane Donna, photographs,1960
Folder 10
Winter Storms, North Carolina,1857-1962
Folder 11
Morehead City,2000
Folder 12
Par Talk, Sailing to New World, etc., ca. 1980's
Folder 13
Verrazzano Historical Marker,
Folder 14
Verrazzano Article, Draft, and Notes,1986
Folder 15
Verrazzano Article, "The State" Magazine ,1986, 2000
Folder 16
North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program,1977-1978
Box Folder PC.1981.5 1
Public Education in North Carolina,ca. 1980's
Folder 2
Davis School, LaGrange, North Carolina,1980
Folder 3
Davis School, Winston Salem, North Carolina,1981
Folder 4
Old Bloomery, Civil War,1940-1953
Folder 5
Wilson, North Carolina History,ca. 1979
Folder 6
Statesville, North Carolina History, ca. 1950's -1960's
Folder 7
Construction of both North Carolina Capitols,1833-1958
Folder 8
Andrew Johnson Biography,undated
Folder 9
Mrs. RW Winston Funeral,February 1913
Folder 10
Sprague Silver, Sr.,1920-1986
Folder 11
Peter Stuart Ney,ca. 1953
Folder 12
Josephus Daniels,1958
Folder 13
A. Dughi, Raleigh, NC,1896-1897
Folder 14
Flora McDonald Silver,1989-1997
Folder 15
Miscellaneous Notes and Drafts,
Folder 16
Miscellaneous Articles,ca. 1967-1986
Folder 17

7. Photographs, Family and Friends,ca. late 1800's - ca.1980's

Scope and Content:

An extensive collection of photographs of family members and friends. Includes a tin type of an unidentified couple as well as a picutre of Virginia Davis Pou sitting on a horse with Johnny Farmer standing beside her.

Mattie and Molly Bynum, Wilson, North Carolina,ca. late 1800's
Folder Box 1 PC.1981.6
Frank Washington Barnes,ca. 1892
Folder 2
Elizabeth Barnes Davis,ca. 1880's
Folder 3
Floyd S. Davis,
Folder 4
Franks Barnes Davis,ca. late 1800's - early 1900's
Folder 5
Virginia Davis Pou,ca. early 1900's
Folder 6
Virginia Davis and Johnny Farmer,1910 (copy)
Folder 7
James H. Pou,ca. early 1900's
Folder 8
James H. Pou, Defense Team in Cole Trial, Rockingham, North Carolina,September, 1925
Folder 9
Annie Walker Pou,ca. 1880's
Folder 10
Mattie T. Pou,ca. late 1800's (copy)
Folder 11
Elvira Worth Walker Moffit,ca. 1908
Folder 12
James H. Pou, Jr.,ca. late 1800's - early 1900's
Folder 13
Virginia Pou Doughton (Sammy),1920's-1954
Folder 14
Friends of Virginia P. Doughton,1939-1940
Folder 15
James H. Doughton,ca. 1900-1960's
Folder 16
Doughton Family,
Folder 17
Bud Doughton at Cape Lookout,ca. 1970's
Folder 18
McClamnock, Ginger and Lee, and Annie of Chapel Hill,1952-1953
Folder 19
Finley Family,ca. 1980's
Folder 20
Tin Type (Unknown Couple),
Folder 21
Identified People with Unknown Relationship to Family,ca. 1888-early 1900's
Folder 22
Elizabeth Battle,ca. 1900's
Folder 23
C&D Board Members,
Folder 24
Unidentified People,ca. early1900's-1978
Folder 25
People at the Atlantic Hotel,ca. early 1900's
Folder 26

8. Photographs, Buildings, Homes, Historical Markers, and Landscapes,1900's

Scope and Content:

Contains pictures of various family homes thorughout North Carolina and Georgia, scenes from the Atlantic Hotel and surrounding Morehead City, other buildings of interest to Mrs. Doughton, and landscapes.

Photographs document a 1948 sailboat race of which Mrs. Doughton was a participant in New Bern.

Also of notable interest are pictures of and from the dedication a various highway historical markers Mrs. Doughton was involved in having erected.

Atlantic Hotel,early 1900's
Folder 27
Boats Near Morehead City,ca. 1900's-1946
Folder 28
Morehead City,ca. 1900-1946
Folder 29
Sailboat Race in New Bern,1948
Folder 30
Barnes House, Wilson, NC, ca. 1910
Folder Box 1 PC.1981.7
Edwin Barnes House, Stantonsburg, ca. 1900's
Folder 2
Pou House, Blount Street, Raleigh,ca. 1900's
Folder 3
Pou Family House, Talbotton, Georgia,ca. 1900's
Folder 4
Doughton House, Laurel Springs, NC,ca. 1908
Folder 5
C.T. Bailey House, Blount Street, Raleigh, ca. 1900's
Folder 6
First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh,1818-1896 (copy)
Folder 7
Hart Place, Nash County,ca. 1900's
Folder 8
Home in Louisburg, NC,ca. 1900's
Folder 9
Hayes Barton, Birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh,ca. 1900's
Folder 10
Buildings in Williamsburg, Va.,1936
Folder 11
Unidentified Homes,ca. 1900's
Folder 12
Unidentified Landscapes,ca. 1900's
Folder 13
Historical Highway Marker, R.L. Doughton,ca. 1963
Folder 14
Historical Highway Marker, Fort Hancock,1977
Folder 15
Historical Highway Marker, Atlantic Hotel,1978
Folder 16
Historical Highway Marker, Verrazzano,1986
Folder 17
Negatives,ca. 1900's
Folder 18

9. Photo Albums,1905-1947

Scope and Content:

Photo Albums likely belonging to Elizabeth Barnes Davis, her daughter, Virginia Pou Davis, and granddaughter, Virginia Pou Doughton. Albums include photographs of family members and friends, homes, vacations, and the family's extensive time spent at Morehead City. Later Album/Scrapbook kept by Virginia Pou Doughton records photographs and biographical information about historic homes located throughout North Carolina

Photo Album,ca.1920's-1941
Folder 19
Photo Album,1905- ca.1926
Folder Box 1 PC.1981.8
Photo Album,1939-1947
Folder 2
Photo Album/Scrapbook,ca.1947
Folder 3

Subject Headings

  • Barnes, Frank Washington
  • Davis, Elizabeth Lee Barnes
  • Davis, James
  • Doughton, J. Horton
  • Doughton, Robert Lee
  • Farmer, John (Johnnie)
  • Hanes, Robert M.
  • Hodges, Luther Hartwell, 1898-1974
  • Moffitt, Elvira Worth Walker
  • Pou, Edward W.
  • Pou, James H.
  • Verrazzano
  • Barnes Family
  • Bynum Family
  • Davis family
  • Doughton Family
  • Drake Family
  • Farmer Family
  • Harrison Family
  • Pou Family
  • Silver family
  • Stith Family
  • Walker Family
  • Winston Family
  • Virginia Pou Doughton
  • Raleigh Country Club
  • Atlantic Hotel (Beaufort, N.C.)
  • Davis School (LaGrange, N.C.)
  • Davis School (Winston, N.C.)
  • Education
  • Genealogy.
  • Hurricanes--Atlantic Coast (U.S.)
  • North Carolina Highway Historical Markers
  • North Carolina Teachers Assembly
  • Slaves--North Carolina--Union County
  • History--Research
  • Slave Patrols
  • Bloomsbury Development
  • Morehead City, North Carolina
  • Statesville, North Carolina
  • Wilson (N.C.)
  • Photographs
  • Acquisitions Information

    Gift from Virginia Pou Doughton, Raleigh, N.C., October 2008; and May 2013 (additional material).

    Processing Information

  • Processed by Allyson Hoggard, Peace College Intern, March 2011; Fran Tracy-Walls, April 2011; and Jennifer Davis, NCGS Intern, 2013. Finding aid revisions by Fran Tracy-Walls, 2019