Finding Aid of the Wood, Wooley, Clark Family Papers, 1812-1997, PC.2023
Abstract
The Wooley family's roots in Montgomery County, North Carolina, date back to the late eighteenth century. The Clark family, originally from Scotland, arrived in Montgomery County in the 1880s. The two families were joined through the marriages of William Daniel Clark and Elizabeth Ella Wooley, and Neal Clark and Minnie Susan Wooley in the 1890s. One of the Clark daughters, Monta Jane, married Loyd T. Wood in 1928. The collection primarily focuses on family affairs through the lives of Minnie Susan Wooley, her children, and the children of Loyd and Monta Wood. The papers also shed light on a variety of topics which will be of interest to social historians. Additionally, the papers include genealogical files; land records, such as deeds, mortgages, and surveys; student materials, such as notes and assignments; materials relating to Loyd and Monta Wood's teaching careers; as well as church-related items, including directories, yearbooks, and bulletins.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Wood, Wooley, Clark Family Papers
- Call Number
- PC.2023
- Creator
- Wood family
- Date
- 1812-1997 1890-1997
- Extent
- 35.00 boxes, 2.00 flat boxes, 1.00 manuscript boxes, 1.00 oversized 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], PC.2023, Wood, Wooley, Clark Family Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, N.C., USA.
Collection Overview
The Wood, Wooley, Clark Family Papers document the lives and activities of several members of a Montgomery County family from the 1880s to the 1990s. The oldest items in the collection are land grants which date from 1812 to the 1850s. Beginning in the 1880s the Clark family was involved in the turpentine and lumber industries, and ran a general store in Troy. William Daniel (W. D.) Clark was perhaps the most prominent member of the family. In addition to running the family business, for a time he served as sheriff and tax collector. His records mainly reflect business and financial matters. The majority of the collection, however, focuses on personal and family issues, and will be of particular interest to social historians. A large part of the collection is made up of correspondence and personal papers. The correspondence typically was from one family member to another. Monta Clark Wood, who lived to the age of 95, appears to have gathered much of the materials in the collection from her family.
In 1919 Monta's mother, Minnie Wooley Clark, found herself a widow with eight children to care for. It is unclear how Minnie supported herself and her family financially. Letters throughout the collection indicate that the family relied on each other for support, both emotionally and financially. The correspondence also provides a glimpse of what life was like in rural North Carolina for much of the twentieth century. Monta and her sister Helen describe their physically-demanding household and garden chores they completed, even into advanced age. Although the letters are primarily concerned with family affairs, they shed light on a variety of topics such as courtship and college life in the 1920s, the teaching profession, how families cope with loss, child-rearing, economic challenges, land ownership, farm life, and living in a foreign country.
In addition to correspondence, the collection contains a sampling of vintage greeting cards; financial records, such as tax documents, bills, receipts, and ledgers; genealogical files compiled by the donor; land grants, deeds, mortgages, and land surveys and plats. Also included are notes, essays, and other assignments that various family members produced while in high school or college. Monta Clark Wood also kept assorted materials from her time at Meredith College, such as programs from plays, art exhibits, and music recitals; student handbooks and directories; and proofs, photographs, and graphics from the Meredith College yearbook, which she edited her senior year. Both Monta Clark Wood and her husband Loyd Wood were public school teachers for many years. Materials which document the Woods teaching careers include English, French, history, and art history notes; letters from parents; plays and skits; programs from assemblies and commencements; assorted guides and brochures; and student newspapers from Boiling Springs High School, the precursor to Gardner-Webb University. The collection also contains various church-related items such as bulletins, directories, yearbooks, and certificates.
Arrangement Note
The collection is arranged into the following seven series: Family correspondence and papers; Financial records; Land grants, deeds and mortgages; Plats and surveys; Student materials; Teaching materials; and Church materials. These series are further divided into subseries. The files within the series or subseries may be arranged by date, person, or topic, based on the type of material. Oversized materials are also listed separately at the end of the finding aid.
Biographical/Historical note
Contents of the Collection
1. Family correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
This series contains the correspondence and personal papers of members of the Wood, Wooley, Clark family, as well as genealogical files, invitations, greeting cards, clippings, and a small number of photographs. See the subseries notes for more detailed information.
Monta Clark Wood papers
Scope and Contents note:
The papers of Monta Clark Wood reflect her various activities and interests, and document aspects of her personal life. Several items contain art-related materials, such as an instruction guide for painting china, papers related to an annual art exhibit held at the University of North Carolina, and several small sketches and drawings. There are two booklets from the Home Demonstration Club of Sampson County, dated 1932 and 1935, which contain lists of members, minutes of meetings, as wells as texts of songs. There are several folders containing miscellaneous writings Monta either authored or copied. One of the stories is titled "The Old Place" and includes her reminiscences of the home where her grandfather and grandmother Wooley lived. She appears to have submitted several stories and essays to competitions. Also included are several calendars and diaries, in which Monta noted special occasions, annual events, such as anniversaries or birthdays, and weather reports. One folder contains information relating to a petition Monta seems to have sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Services in order to bring Fernando "Ronnie" Tayag and his family to the United States during the late 1980s. The reason for this was so Ronnie and his wife could live with Monta and care for her and the property as her health began to decline. It is unclear if Ronnie and his family were ever granted permission to move to North Carolina from the Philippines.
This subseries also includes several folders of unsorted lists and notes that Monta wrote. These lists contained a variety of information ranging from grocery items to household chores to Christmas gifts to letters to write, and many other topics. Although these items are not arranged in any particular order, they do provide considerable information about the daily life and activities of one individual across a large span of time, ca. 1930s to 1990s. Many of the lists and notes were written on small sheets of paper, while others were written in notebooks, on the back of envelopes, or other non-standard stationary.
Winfred Clark correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Winfred Clark dates from 1930 to his death in 1945. Apart from one letter from his brother Hugh, dated 1930, the letters contained here were written from 1942 to 1945 by Winfred to his mother and siblings while he was in military training at various locations in the United States and during his service in India. In his letters he described his training and the places where he was stationed, mentioned sending money home, and asked about the farm and the weather. This subseries also includes letters from the War Department, Veterans Administration and other agencies written to Minnie Wooley Clark relating to Winfred's service, death, and benefits. These materials range in date from 1945 to 1951.
William Daniel (W. D.) Clark correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The papers of W. D. Clark date from the early 1880s to circa 1915, and relate to both personal and business affairs. This subseries primarily contains financial documents, including payment receipts, accounts, taxes receipts, insurance documents. There is also a small amount of correspondence relating to insurance and other business matters. W. D. Clark and his brothers ran a business in naval stores and general merchandise from circa the 1880s to at least the early 1900s. It operated under several names including Clarks & Blue and W. D. Clark & Brothers. The brothers included Archibald David (A. D.) III , Hugh, and Neal Clark. Blue was A. A. Blue. A ledger in the Financial Records series from the 1890s may also contain information regarding the Clark brothers' business. W. D. Clark was for several years the sheriff and tax collector in Montgomery County. He also appears to have operated a gold mine. He moved from North Carolina to Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1908, and died in 1943 or 1946.
W. A. Wooley correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The papers of W. A. Wooley range in date from 1941 to 1952, and include forms from Randolph County Board of Public Welfare, invoices from the purchases of clothing, various receipts, scrap pieces of paper with notes, a church program, Duke Hospital procedure notices, and an information booklet about growing grape and berry vines. There are also a few letters from 1947 to 1952, including an undated recommendation letter, a quote from the Tennessee Nursery Company, letters from the North Carolina Department of Revenue about taxes owed, and a letter from his sister-in-law Lizzie in Alabama. W. A. Wooley was the brother of Minnie Wooley Clark, and was occasionally referred to as "Abb."
Celia Wood Andrews correspondence
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Celia Wood Andrews ranges in date from 1937 to 1969, the majority of which dates from the 1950s. Most of the letters contained here were written by Celia to her parents while she was attending Meredith College and shortly thereafter when she and her husband lived in Alexandria, Virginia. Her letters described her social life, travel plans, and her children. There are a few letters to Celia from family members including her mother, grandmother, and Aunt Helen.
Carolyn Wood Plowman correspondence
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Carolyn Wood Plowman ranges in date from 1954 to 1998, the majority of which dates from the 1950s and 1960s. Most of the letters contained here were written by Carolyn to her parents while she was attending Meredith College and during the early years of her marriage to David Plowman. Her letters described her school work, married life, and family events. There are a few letters to Carolyn from family members including Aunt Helen and her adopted nephew Ronnie (Fernando Tayag).
Tomi Wood correspondence
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Lloyd Thomas "Tomi" Wood ranges in date from 1953 to 1998, the majority of which dates from the 1950s. Most of the letters contained here were written by Tomi to his parents while he was attending Wake Forest College. In his letters, Tomi described his school work and travel plans, enquired about the family, and asked for money. There are a few letters to Tomi from his mother, and one from 1998 relating to his mother's estate.
Byron Wood correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Byron Wood ranges in date from 1943 to 1991. Byron maintained an active correspondence with his family, particularly his mother, while he was away from home, both at Wake Forest College and while teaching abroad. Although most of the correspondence was written from Byron to his family, there are several letters written to him, primarily by his mother, but also other family members, and friends. In his letters Byron described his college experience, his military training at Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Georgia, and later his experiences living and teaching in Libya (ca. 1966-1967), Spain (ca. 1968-1969), and the Philippines (1969-ca. 1990s). Byron described living conditions, travel, his math and sciences classes, and the student theatrical productions which he directed. He also asked about the family and life back home. During his years teaching abroad, he frequently returned home during the summers. Many of the letters reference travel plans home and visiting the family. Letters from the late 1970s and 1980s mention Fernando "Ronnie" Tayag, the Filipino boy he adopted.
Invitations and announcements
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains invitations and announcements the family received or sent for a variety of events and celebrations, such as weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and births. Included here are invitations for the weddings of Loyd and Monta Wood and Neal and Mary Clark; anniversary celebrations for Loyd and Monta Wood; and graduations of Monta Clark Wood, Winfred Clark, John Wayne Clark, and others. Other items in this subseries may have been sent by friends of the family or represent community events the Wood, Wooley, and Clark family may have attended. The items in this subseries are in approximate chronological.
Greeting cards
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains a variety of greeting cards received by the Wood, Wooley, Clark family. Many were sent from one family member to another, while others were sent by friends or acquaintances. Included are cards for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, sympathy, as well as get well and thank you cards. Many of the cards contain hand-written messages from the sender, while others may only have a signature. The cards date from the early 1900s to the late 1990s.
Miscellaneous
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains a small amount of miscellaneous or unidentified items, such as a sales contract for an automobile purchased by Junius Clark, a small number of brochures and bulletins, such as a guide for new mothers, ca. 1920s; a bulletin for promoting safe driving, a recipe for brining vegetables, a brochure on the G. I. Bill of Rights, and lace, sewing, and crochet patterns. (Many of the letters in the correspondence series contain references to sewing and crocheting. It appears that Ella Mae Clark Maness may have earned extra income for her sewing work. Other individuals wrote about making dresses and household items.) Also here is an unidentified diary from 1945 contains a small number of entries, presumably written by a schoolgirl. There are several unidentified pocket notebooks, poetry and other unidentifiable writings. There are several letters, both addressed and unaddressed, to either family members or unknown individuals.
Family history
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains genealogy files of the Wood, Wooley, Clark family, which were researched by the donor, several obituaries including those for Winfred Clark, Neal Burgess Clark, Lena Young Clark, wife of Earl Wayne Clark, Loyd Wood and his brother, J. Baxter Wood. Also included is the funeral service for Monta Clark Wood.
Clippings
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains clippings gathered by members of the Wood, Wooley, Clark family. Several of the clippings contain news items which mention family members directly, such as social events, wedding and birth announcements. Some of the clippings contain news items that contain community news stories, while others appear to have been of personal interest, such as short stories, advice columns, or letters to the editor.
Photographs
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains a small number of photographs, including images of Monta Clark Wood as a teenager and later in life, the Wood home in Troy, N.C., and several unidentified images. Among the unidentified images are a photograph of a group of children on an auditorium stage, ca. 1950s; a snapshot of five men with a deer, ca. 1930s-1940s; a portrait of a schoolgirl, ca. 1920s; and a portrait of a young man, ca. 1950s.
Neal Burgess Clark correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Neal Burgess Clark ranges in date from 1921 to 1950, and primarily relates to his business and financial affairs, including insurance, agriculture, and banking and loans. Personal correspondence was primarily with his wife, Mary, his brother, Hugh, and to a lesser extent his sisters and mother. The papers range in date from 1921 to 1946. Included are materials relating to various life insurance policies, employment with the military, application for residential construction and a blueprint of plumbing fixtures for a property in Jonesboro, and various financial documents, including receipts, account books, and bills. Note that "Neal" is frequently misspelled as "Neil" or "Neill."
Monta and Loyd Wood correspondence, 1922-1964, undated
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence between Monta Clark Wood and Loyd Thomas Wood dates from the period of their courtship in the early 1920s to the mid-1960s. Letters from the 1920s describe their activities at school and at home, work, visiting friends and family, visiting each other, the pleasure of receiving letters from each other, and how they miss each other. It seems that during the 1920s they were frequently apart. Loyd was living in Gaffney, S.C. and Monta was living in Troy, N.C. when she was not in school at Meredith College. During the summer of 1927, Loyd went to New York to attend a summer school course at Columbia University. Around 1928 while Monta was teaching in Kannapolis, N.C. she wrote, "Won't it be wonderful when we can spend all our week-ends together?" (Apr. 9, 1928). In several letters from July 1928, Monta discussed plans for their wedding.
The couple corresponded less often during the 1930s. A few letters from Loyd were written from Clinton, N.C. He may have been teaching in Sampson County around 1935. Letters from the late 1930s indicate that Loyd was back in Gaffney, S.C. During the early 1940s, (ca. 1940-1943), Loyd and Monta were living apart because they were teaching in different areas. It seems Loyd was in Troy, N.C. and Monta and the children were in Gaffney, S.C. In letters from this period of separation they discuss the children, family news, the weather, school and house work, and how they miss each other. It seems that they were able to spend at least some weekends together. It appears that during this period Loyd took over the Clark family farm in Troy. From 1940 to 1943, there is substantially more correspondence than from the preceding decade. A few letters from 1943 mention rationing for the war effort. There is very little correspondence from the 1950s and 1960s. It seems like they may have written to each other while travelling separately and when Loyd was in the hospital in 1964.
Monta Clark Wood personal correspondence
Scope and Contents note:
The personal correspondence of Monta Clark Wood dates from 1918 to 1997 and includes letters to and from her family, friends, and various organizations, particularly the Meredith College Alumnae Association. Throughout her life, Monta maintained an active correspondence with her family, particularly her mother, Minnie Wooley Clark, and her sisters Ella Mae Clark Maness and Helen Clark Beaman. Letters from the 1920s are mainly from her mother and siblings written while she was attending Meredith College in Raleigh. These letters cover topics such as Monta's health, family life at home, finances, travel plans, work plans, clothing, and the weather. During the 1920s, Monta's brother Hugh Clark was working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He wrote to her about his job in the automobile industry, living outside of the South, his reputation back home, and offered Monta advice on school and work. Beginning in the mid-1920s, there are more letters from Monta's friends about finishing school, travel, finding work, and personal news.
Around the end of July 1926, Monta spent several weeks in the hospital to have her appendix removed. Several letters from her friends say how much they miss her and wish her a quick recovery. In 1928 there are several letters from friends expressing joy and good wishes for Monta's marriage to Loyd Wood. It appears that Monta helped to pay for her sister Ella Mae's education at Campbell College. Several letters from Campbell College from 1929 to the early 1930s relate to Ella Mae's bills and expenses. Monta was involved in a home demonstration club and received several letters from the home agent. Beginning in the early 1930s, Monta's correspondence deals more with home and family life. Minnie Wooley Clark's letters to Monta discuss family issues involving health, visiting, finances, and the farm. In a letter dated June 12, 1938, Minnie wrote, "I certainly would be glad if Loyd could make a success of our farm, for I certainly am tired of the way it has been run."
Correspondence from the early 1940s is largely focused on family affairs. In the mid-1940s there appears to be more correspondence with extended family members, including cousins, aunts, nieces, and in-laws. In June 1946, Monta received a letter from "Aunt Lizzie," the wife of William Daniel Clark, which described property lines and division of land owned by the Clark brothers.
Many letters written by Monta demonstrate her interest in civic and political issues. There is a copy of a letter Monta wrote to President Eisenhower (Mar. 22, 1953) stating that she and her church members are opposed to the sale of alcohol to men in the armed forces: "Will you, as President of the United States, use all your influence, authority and power to stop this evil?" She also wrote to local politicians about the state of public schools in North Carolina. A letter from the president of Meredith College (Sep. 5, 1952) states, "I can understand that you anticipate some financial anxiety about caring for the education of three children at the same time. We should like to help in every way possible." Other correspondence from the early 1950s references Monta and Loyd's twenty-five year wedding anniversary and the marriage of their daughters, Celia and Carolyn.
Monta's correspondence from the mid to late 1950s is primarily with Ella Mae and Helen, and deals with the care of their mother in her declining health, and the tensions that it caused within the family. It seems that Monta and Helen both took care of their mother in their own homes, at different times. Helen's letters also describe her busy schedule of house work and helping her husband with his farming and store. Helen seems to have hired domestic workers to help with chores and caring for Mrs. Clark. Helen and Monta also described their own health problems.
The correspondence from the 1960s includes more letters from friends and extended family members, in addition to updates from Helen and Ella Mae about their mother's health. Correspondents include Loyd and Monta's niece Eleanor Wood Pettit, Loyd's sisters Ernestine Wood and Marie Wood Phillips, Monta's cousins Louise Wooley White and Hazel Wooley Caldwell. These letters address family and social news. Minnie Wooley Clark died in November of 1963, and several letters around this time express condolences. In the time after her death, several of Monta's siblings wrote to her about managing their mother's estate.
In the 1970s, Monta received letters from her sister Helen about Larry her son; her sister-in-law Lena about her and Wayne; her grandchildren; her sister-in-law Mary Clark, who lived in Washington, D.C.; Hazel Caldwell; Marie Phillips; and various other friends and family members. It appears that Monta was quite close to members of her husband's family. There is a letter describing the Meredith College class of 1925 fifty year reunion with a list of alumnae who attended, including Monta. There are several thank you letters from various people, including Louise Clark. Monta apparently sent Hugh and Louise money to help cover their medical expenses.
Many of the letters from family members in the latter half of the 1970s discuss failing health and sickness. Monta's brothers Neal and Hugh died in the late 1970s (1976 and 1978) as did Loyd Wood (1977). Many letters express condolences and sympathy. There are some Christmas newsletters from the family of Ben Ussery, who was the preacher at the Woods' church in Troy. A letter from Sarah and Silas (probably Clark) from Alabama describe a visit to Monta's house and says, "You have such a pretty old home, and I know you are really proud of it. All of your art work adds so much to the beauty of the place." Helen wrote about having to look after her husband Loy Lee, which prevented her from getting much work done. Several letters from late 1978 and early 1979 reference Monta's trip to the Philippines to visit her son Byron over Christmas. In several unsent or returned letters to Madeline from 1979 Monta describes her trip to the Philippines, visiting with her family, and church news.
In the 1980s, Monta received letters from a variety of friends and family, primarily Helen, and to a lesser extent Ella Mae, Marie Phillips, Ernestine Wood, Mary Clark, Miriam (Monta's niece); and Catherine and Paul of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Around 1982 several letters refer to a Clark family reunion. In 1983 Monta received a thank you letter from Montgomery Technical College for contributing to a scholarship fund. In 1985 Ella Mae died and Monta's granddaughter Debbie was killed in a car accident. Several letters express condolences. Around the late 1980s, Monta received several letters from Byron's friends and adopted son Ronnie in the Philippines. In the 1990s, there are some more letters from Ronnie and his wife Baby, as well as from Monta's grandson, Mike Plowman. There are several letters from Jennie and Dan from Colorado. They appear to be related to the family in some way. They mentioned visiting the Southeast. There is a letter (Apr. 26, 1995) from a student at Campbell University thanking Monta for contributing to his scholarship fund, which was named in honor of Ella Mae Clark Maness. There are also two folders of undated correspondence.
Loyd Wood personal correspondence
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Loyd Wood dates from 1923 to 1977 and primarily deals with business matters. The bulk of the correspondence begins in the 1930s with letters from lawyers and insurance companies regarding an automobile accident. There are several letters from the early 1940s regarding a loan application. The loan may be connected to Loyd taking over the Clark family farm in Troy. Throughout the 1940s there are letters from insurance companies, loan agencies, agricultural organizations, and other businesses. There are a few letters from the 1950s that deal with church-related issues. A 1967 letter from Department of the Army discusses conducting maneuvers on the Wood's property. There are a few letters from Wake Forest University's alumni association. Letters addressed to both Loyd and Monta Wood were included with her correspondence. Correspondence related to Loyd's work as a teacher and principal can be found in the Teaching Materials series.
Loyd Wood papers
Scope and Contents note:
Material from the early 1920s relates to Loyd's work as a salesman for the S. A. Mullikin Company and the Howard-Severance Company. Materials include sales reports, advice for increasing sales, and account information. In 1936 Loyd was a salesman for the Universal Book and Bible House publishing company, and several items relate to his work for the company. Miscellaneous items include a war ration book, identification cards, driver's licenses, and a list of Montgomery County jurors for 1961. Several small diaries from the 1920s and 1940s provide brief descriptions of his work and daily activities. There is a short manuscript titled "The Early Teaching Experiences of Loyd Wood," which offers several anecdotes from his work at Boiling Springs High School, Clinton High School, and Herring High School. There are also several items relating to Wake Forest University athletics and alumni affairs.
Minnie Wooley Clark correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The correspondence of Minnie Wooley Clark dates from 1919 to 1960. Minnie's husband died unexpectedly in January 1919, and there are many letters from friends and family members expressing condolences for the loss. She also received several letters dealing with land deeds from her brother-in-law, A. D. Clark. In the 1920s, Minnie received letters from several of her children, including Monta, Neal, Hugh, and Junius. There is also a letter from 1929 which references payment for timber cut on her property. Minnie's husband and his brothers were involved in the turpentine and lumber industries. It is unclear what role, if any, she had in the family business after her husband's death. Letters from the 1930s and 1940s primarily deal with family and social news, from her children and daughters-in-law. In a letter from April 30, 1947, Helen Clark Beaman discusses money that she and her husband had loaned to Minnie, and the reason why they were unable to provide more, "We wanted you to know what was going with our money so you wouldn't think we were making up an excuse to keep from helping you out any more."
Around the mid-to-late 1940s, Minnie moved from Troy to Sanford, North Carolina. Letters from the 1950s discuss visits from family members, peoples' health, and the weather. Minnie also donated money to several charitable organizations, including hospitals and orphanages. Several letters express appreciation for these donations. Among Minnie Wooley Clark's papers are documents relating to the estate of her late husband, Neal Clark, including a writ of dower, guardianship papers, petitions to sell property, and other items relating to the administration his estate. Also included in her papers are land appraisals, tax documents, and an autograph book dated 1892, signed by friends and family.
Ella Mae Clark Maness correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The papers of Ella Mae Clark Maness date from approximately 1929 to 1986, and include tax documents, a will, legal documents relating to the guardianship of Minnie Wooley Clark and her estate, a delayed birth certificate registration form, a State Board of Education teacher's certificate, an application for residential construction on a property in Jonesboro, and documents relating to her own estate. The correspondence dates from 1926 to 1985, and primarily includes letters relating to family and social news. The main correspondents include her sisters Monta Clark Wood and Helen Clark Beaman, her husband Robert Maness, and Robert's sister-in-law. (See also the Robert Maness correspondence for more letters written by Ella Mae to her husband.) Several letters from Helen address Ella Mae as "Susie," which appears to have been a nickname. There are several letters from Hugh Clark about their mother's estate. Other topics deal with job searches and reference letters, correspondence classes, and finances. Ella Mae appears to have had a brief career as an elementary school teacher, ca. 1932-1935. She later worked in a library, as a stenographer, and as a domestic worker. She also appears to have taken in sewing work.
Robert Maness correspondence and papers
Scope and Contents note:
The papers of Robert Maness date from 1938 to 1944, and include check stubs from the Proximity Manufacturing Company, Selective Service notices, papers relating to an automobile purchase and insurance policy, hospital bills for the care of Ella Mae Clark Maness, hunting licenses, and a birth certificate registration form. The correspondence dates from 1937 to 1945, and includes letters sent from and to Maness. Much of the correspondence was between Maness and his wife, Ella Mae, and a small amount between Maness and his mother-in-law, Minnie Wooley Clark. Several of these letters were written while he was in the State Hospital. It appears that he may have suffered from some mental illness. Several of the letters describe his condition. There are also several letters from the State Hospital at Morganton relating to Ella Mae's health, prior to Maness's own hospitalization. Beginning in the mid-to-late 1940s, Robert Maness was effectively separated from his wife, although they would not officially be divorced until 1983. After their separation, Ella Mae seems to have lived with her mother or other relatives. (See also the for more letters written by Robert Maness to his wife.)
2. Financial records
Scope and Contents note:
This series contains financial records for the Wood and Clark families. The series is divided into two subseries, one for each family. The Wood's subseries contains individual and family accounts for Loyd and Monta Wood and their household. Items include account books, bills, receipts, tax documents, and ledgers. Items in the Wood's subseries range in date from 1923 to 1996. The Clark's subseries contains accounts for Neal Clark Sr., Minnie Wooley Clark and her household, and possibly records for the Clark Brothers' business. Items include account books, bills, receipts, tax documents, and ledgers. Items in Clark's subseries range in date from ca. 1890 to 1965.
Wood family records
Clark family and business records
3. Land grants, deeds and mortgages
Scope and Contents note:
This series primarily contains legal documents dealing with the ownership of real and personal property, and includes land grants, contracts, deeds, mortgages, and chattel mortgages. The series is divided into two subseries: Land grants and Deeds and mortgages.
Land grants
Scope and Contents note:
The land grants are all for properties in Montgomery County, North Carolina. Although the Wood, Wooley, and Clark family names do not appear on the land grants, it appears that the properties are or were owned by the family. The earliest land grant is dated 1812, and designates one Joshua Hicks as the grantee. Grants from the 1850s name several members of the Deberry family, including David, Edmund, and Benjamin, as well as members of the McKinnon family, including John, Charles, and Martin. There is also a grant to one Aulay McAulay, and a Wilson (?) Morris. The Clark Brothers (W. D., Neal, Hugh, and A. D.) were involved in the turpentine and lumber industries in Montgomery County in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is possible that the land designated in the grants was later acquired by the Clarks for supporting their business.
Deeds and mortgages
Scope and Contents note:
The subseries Deeds and mortgages contains various deeds, contracts, mortgages, and chattel mortgages associated primarily with members of the Clark and Wood families. This subseries is further divided by the individual named on the item. Deeds from circa 1852-1875 document the purchase of land by the Deberry family of Montgomery County. There are a significant number of documents, primarily chattel mortgages associated with W. D. Clark and his brothers' business, which range in date from 1889 to 1902. There are a few items of Neal Clark Sr., Minnie Wooley Clark, Neal Burgess Clark, and Loyd Wood, as well as several unidentified items, which may have some relation to the Clark brothers' business, given the date range, ca. 1880 to 1906.
4. Plats and surveys
Scope and Contents note:
This series contains various plats and land surveys for tracts in Montgomery County, several of which indicate properties belonging to the Clark, Wooley, Wood family, while others indicated lands which the family may have acquired. Most of the plats and surveys include both a written description of the property as well as a rough drawing. Names of family members found on the items in this series include W. F. Wooley, Neal Clark, W. D. Clark, A. D. Clark, and Monta Clark Wood. There is also a tract of land owned by the children of Neal and Minnie Wooley Clark. Other names, not related to the family, which appear on the surveys include Spencer Halton, Wilson Morris, Benjamin Bell, Mark Harris, Mary Lewis, D. Bennett, MacRae, and Deberry. There are a few unidentified surveys and plats. Several of the plats and surveys were completed by N. M. Thayer, around the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The earliest item is a Photostat reproduction of a tract of land owned by Charles Fisher dated 1829. The latest item is dated 1982, and shows land conveyed to Dennis Batten from Monta Clark Wood.
5. Student materials
Scope and Contents note:
This series contains notes, essays, projects, and other materials that members of the Wood, Wooley, Clark family produced while they were students in high school or college. This series has been arranged into subseries based on the individual family member. Loyd Wood and his two sons, Tomi and Byron, attended Wake Forest College, and Monta Clark Wood and her two daughters, Celia and Carolyn, attended Meredith College. Ella Mae Clark Maness attended Campbell College. Monta Clark Wood's materials tend to reflect the subjects she later taught, namely art history, French, and English. The subseries called Meredith College materials primarily contains non-academic items which Monta Clark Wood produced or collected while she was a student in the early 1920s. (See the subseries note for more information.) Of particular interest in the Student materials series are Byron Wood's essay "The Story of My Life," which contains biographical information about his early life and family, and Joseph Plowman's "My Health Booklet," which contains biographical information and photographs of his family, including his grandparents Loyd and Monta Wood.
Monta Clark Wood
Meredith College materials
Scope and Contents note:
This subseries contains non-academic items which Monta Clark Wood produced or collected while she was a student at Meredith from 1921 to 1925, as well as several alumnae-related materials. Included here are several programs from art exhibits, commencements, music recitals, and plays which Monta likely attended from 1922-1925. There are two student handbooks, one from the 1920s, and on from the 1950s. The latter may have belonged to one of her daughters. During her final year at Meredith College, Monta served as the editor of the student yearbook, the Oak Leaves. There is a substantial amount of yearbook-related material included here, such as photographs, proofs, graphics, correspondence with photographers and publishers, as well as a catalog of graphics. Although a completed version of the yearbook is not contained in the collection, the library at Meredith College can provide access to one, in addition to other publications, such as student newspapers, bulletins, and handbooks. An alumnae bulletin from 1938 contains a brief entry Monta contributed. In addition to news about her husband and young children she wrote, "For recreation she reads, writes, and paints or sketches. Teaching the Beginners' Class at the Patterson Springs Baptist Church is her greatest outside activity."
Loyd Wood
Ella Mae Clark Maness
Winfred Clark
Carolyn Wood Plowman
Tomi Wood
Byron Wood
Joseph Plowman
6. Teaching materials
Scope and Contents note:
This series contains a variety of materials related to the teaching careers of Loyd and Monta Wood, including correspondence, contracts, certificates, teaching notes, publications, guide books, plays, and miscellaneous items. Among the correspondence included here are several reference letters written from the late 1920s to mid-1930s on Loyd Wood's behalf, which attest to his qualifications as an educator. In the mid-1930s, Loyd also wrote several application letters to school districts seeking a principal. There are also several letters from potential teachers writing to Loyd about vacancies in his school. The correspondence also contains letters from parents of students, many of which contain excuses for absences or express concern over their child's behavior or grade reports. This series also contains a catalog, directory, programs, and student newspapers from Boiling Springs High School, which would later become Gardner-Webb University. Both Loyd and Monta Wood taught at Boiling Springs High School early in their teaching careers, in the mid-1920s. They also served as faculty advisors to the newspaper, The Kalarathea. A few of the articles from the paper contain references to Loyd and Monta, as well as school and community news items. It appears that both Loyd and Monta Wood changed schools frequently until the mid-1940s. Loyd Wood taught or was principal in schools in Cleveland County, Sampson County, Montgomery County, and Randolph County. Monta Wood taught in Cleveland County, Cabarrus County, Montgomery County, and briefly in Gaffney, South Carolina as well.
Correspondence, contracts, and professional papers
Publications
Teaching notes
Boiling Springs High School
7. Church materials
Scope and Contents note:
This series contains materials which document the family's attendance and involvement with the Baptist church and several church-related organizations. For many years the Wood family attended the First Baptist Church in Troy, North Carolina. This series contains church directories, yearbooks from Sunday School classes and missionary societies from First Baptist Church. There are also church bulletins from First Baptist, and other churches the family attended or visited, and certificates and publications from several Christian organizations. Loyd Wood served for many years as a church deacon, and Monta Wood was active in the Fidelis Sunday School Class. Among the letters in the Correspondence series, many family members wrote about their attendance at church and included quotations from the Bible.
Bulletins, programs, and newsletters
First Baptist Church
Miscellaneous
8. Oversize materials
Land grants
Deeds and mortgages
Plats and surveys
Teaching materials
Church materials
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift of Carolyn W. Plowman and C. Byron Wood, Troy, N.C., 2011