Finding Aid of the Isaac Spencer London Collection, PC.1254
Abstract
Isaac Spencer London, newspaper editor, Rockingham, N.C., was born in Pittsboro, December 11, 1885. He entered the newspaper field when he bought the Siler City Grit in May, 1909. He edited this paper until 1917, at which time he purchased the Post and Dispatch at Rockingham, combining them with the first issue on December 6, 1917 as the Post-Dispatch. In 1953, he sold the paper but remained its editor until his death on July 8, 1964. Mr. London served Rockingham and Richmond County in various capacities, including chairman of the Rockingham School Board, chairman of the Richmond County Draft Board, and chairman of the Richmond County Board of Elections. This collection includes the correspondence of Isaac Spencer London, Board of Elections files, subject files, genealogical materials, files related to Isaac London, Jr., account books, booklets and pamphlets, and various miscellaneous materials.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Isaac Spencer London Collection
- Call Number
- PC.1254
- Creator
- London, Isaac Spencer, 1885-1964
- Date
- 1769 - 1964
- Extent
- 1.200 cubic feet
- 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 1254, Isaac Spencer London Collection, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
Isaac Spencer London, newspaper editor, Rockingham, N.C., was born in Pittsboro, December
11, 1885. He was the son of Major Henry Armand London, newspaper editor, lawyer, and
state senator, and Bettie Louise (Jackson) London. He was a descendant of John London
(secretary to Gov. Tryon), Judge Samuel Spencer, and State Treasurer and Governor
Jonathan Worth. He was educated at Pittsboro Academy and was graduated from the University
of North Carolina in 1906. On November 16, 1915, he married Lena Payne Everett, daughter
of Secretary of State William Nash Everett (1923-1929). Their children were: William
Everett (b. 1916), Lena Payne (b. 1919), Bettie Louise (b. 1923), and Isaac Spencer,
Jr. (1926-1947). Mrs. London died January 9, 1930. On December 20, 1941, Mr. London
married Betty Merchant Thomasson of Danville, Va.
Isaac S. London was first employed as a paymaster with W. R. Bonsai Company (1907-1908)
and he entered the newspaper field when he bought the Siler City Grit in May, 1909.
He edited this paper until 1917, at which time he purchased the Post and Dispatch
at Rockingham, combining them with the first issue on December 6, 1917 as the Post-Dispatch.
In April, 1953, he sold the paper, but remained its editor until his death on July
8, 1964.
Mr. London served Rockingham and Richmond County in various capacities, including
chairman of the Rockingham School Board, 1947-1952; chairman of the Richmond County
Draft Board, 1947- 1961; chairman of the Richmond County Board of Elections, 1934-1940;
and historian of Richmond County,1952-1964. He was secretary of the Richmond, County
Democratic Executive Committee for ten years, and was a Mason and an Episcopalian.
This collection includes the correspondence of Isaac Spencer London, Board of Elections
files, subject files, genealogical materials, files related to Isaac London, Jr.,
account books, booklets and pamphlets, and various miscellaneous materials.
The correspondence (1892-1964, n.d.) covers a wide variety of topics related to his
personal, civic, political,and business affairs. Some correspondence deals with those
topics of material in London's subject files, such as the files on churches, mills,
racial integration, and the Washington Bicentennial celebration. Many letters contain
informational material, which London apparently used in his newspaper articles, speeches,
and histories. Notable correspondents include: Governors Morrison, Hoey, Broughton,
Cherry, Umstead, Hodges, and Sanford, Senators Furnifold M. Simmons and Josiah Bailey,
and Congressmen A. Paul Kitchin and Charles R. Jonas; political leaders at the state
level such as R. Hunt Parker, I. Beverly Lake, H. Cloyd Philpott, Clifton Blue, Thad
Eure; and other well known figures such as Josephus and Jonathan Daniels, Harold Tribble,
Edward K. Graham, Jesse Helms and W. W. Finlator. Of particular interest is an autograph
letter from Senator Josiah W. Bailey to London discussing the state of world affairs
and the extent to which the United States should participate in the events leading
to World War II (Sept. 16, 1939). Other topics of interest include the Truman-MacArthur
controversy in April and May, 1951 and the political bitterness and strife resulting
from the 1960 gubernatorial election.
Isaac London, Jr., served in World War II and the collection includes a number of
his letters to his father. Many of these letters were written from his army base in
Mississippi and give interesting accounts of life in the military. The collection
also includes letters of sympathy sent after the death of Isaac London, Jr., a scrapbook,
and photographs.
Many of the subject files were apparently kept for use as background and informational
material for articles which London published in the Post-Dispatch. The files contain
related correspondence, notes, rough copies of the articles, loose and bound clippings,
and miscellaneous materials used. The majority of the subject files concern the history
and present-day affairs of Rockingham and Richmond County, but some material is broader
in scope. (See the container list for a complete listing of the subject files.)
Isaac London collected some materials in his capacity as chairman of the Richmond
County Board of Elections, including original returns and abstracts of votes from
various Richmond County precincts for the 1938 primary election. He was also interested
in genealogy and compiled information of this kind relating to many of the families
of Richmond County. Much of this material was published in the Post-Dispatch. The
collection also includes account books (1917-1919, 1927-1935, 1930-1939) and subscription
books (1917-1938) of the Post-Dispatch and an account subscription book (1905-1906)
for the Anglo-Saxon, a Rockingham newspaper. The collection contains a large number
of pamphlets and booklets dealing with various subjects including church life, the
Civil War, the judicial decisions of Chief Justice Walter Clark, and various aspects
of Rockingham and Richmond County life.
Among the miscellaneous items in the collection are biographical sketches of London
and his father; an article by Kemp P. Battle, in manuscript form, entitled "The Former
Names of Richmond County;" articles by London on various old cemeteries in Richmond
County including a list of persons buried in the Stewartsville cemetery; and various
other items related to state politics or Richmond County history.
Although most of the material in this collection dates from 1892-1964, several items
relate to earlier periods. A 1769 land grant from William Tryon to William Leggett
bears the governor's signature as well as that of his secretary, John London. Some
Civil War letters of a Rockingham soldier reveal interesting accounts of camp life.
There is an 1835 letter from one of London's ancestors to his betrothed sweetheart.
In the genealogical materials there are some Richmond County wills which date from
the 19th century.
Arrangement Note
This collection has ten series: Correspondence; Board of Elections files;Civitan Club files; Awards; Subject Files; Genealogical Materials; [files related to] Isaac London, Jr.; Account Books; Pamphlets and Booklets; and Miscellaneous Materials. The correspondence is arranged chronologically and the subject files are arranged alphabetically.
Biographical and Historical No
Isaac Spencer London, newspaper editor, Rockingham, N.C., was born in Pittsboro, December 11, 1885. He was the son of Major Henry Armand London, newspaper editor, lawyer, and state senator, and Bettie Louise (Jackson) London. He was a descendant of John London (secretary to Gov. Tryon), Judge Samuel Spencer, and State Treasurer and Governor Jonathan Worth. He was educated at Pittsboro Academy and was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1906. On November 16, 1915, he married Lena Payne Everett, daughter of Secretary of State William Nash Everett (1923-1929). Their children were: William Everett (b. 1916), Lena Payne (b. 1919), Bettie Louise (b. 1923), and Isaac Spencer, Jr. (1926-1947). Mrs. London died January 9, 1930. On December 20, 1941, Mr. London married Betty Merchant Thomasson of Danville, Va.
Isaac S. London was first employed as a paymaster with W. R. Bonsai Company (1907-1908) and he entered the newspaper field when he bought the in May, 1909. He edited this paper until 1917, at which time he purchased the and at Rockingham, combining them with the first issue on December 6, 1917 as the . In April, 1953, he sold the paper, but remained its editor until his death on July 8, 1964.
Mr. London served Rockingham and Richmond County in various capacities, including chairman of the Rockingham School Board, 1947-1952; chairman of the Richmond County Draft Board, 1947- 1961; chairman of the Richmond County Board of Elections, 1934-1940; and historian of Richmond County,1952-1964. He was secretary of the Richmond, County Democratic Executive Committee for ten years, and was a Mason and an Episcopalian.
Contents of the Collection
1. Correspondence, 1835, 1892-1964, and undated
Scope and Content:
The correspondence covers a wide variety of topics related to his personal, civic, political,and business affairs. Some correspondence deals with those topics of material in London's subject files, such as the files, on churches, mills, racial integration, and the Washington Bicentennial celebration. Many letters contain informational material, which London apparently used in his newspaper articles, speeches, and histories. Notable correspondents include Governors Morrison, Hoey, Broughton, Cherry, Umstead, Hodges, and Sanford, Senators Furnifold M. Simmons and Josiah Bailey, and Congressmen A. Paul Kitchin and Charles R. Jonas. There are a number of letters from political leaders at the state level, R. Hunt Parker, I. Beverly Lake, H. Cloyd Philpott, Clifton Blue, Thad Eure, and many others. There are letters from many well-known editors and educators in North Carolina, such as Josephus and Jonathan Daniels, Harold Tribble and Edward K. Graham. Of particular interest is an autograph letter from Senator Josiah W. Bailey to London discussing the state of world affairs and the extent to which the United States should participate in the events leading to World War II (Sept. 16, 1939).
A number of letters between London and several North Carolina congressmen concern the Truman-MacArthur controversy in April and May, 1951. Another group of correspondence relates to the issues and events concerning the gubernatorial campaign and election of 1960. Letters to London from liberal Raleigh minister W. W. Finlator, and conservative television news editor Jesse Helms reveal the political bitterness and strife resulting from the campaign. There are also copies of letters from London to Richard M. Nixon telling him of the support for him in Richmond County in the 1960 election (April 25, 1963), and to George C. Wallace congratulating him on his statements at a news interview (June 3, 1963).
2. Board of Elections,1936-1951
scopecontent:
Isaac London collected some materials in his capacity as chairman of the Richmond County Board of Elections. These include a number of original returns and abstracts of votes from various Richmond County precincts for the 1938 primary election. There are vote tabulations for Richmond County elections, 1918-1924. There is also a poll book (1936-1938), and a registration book, n.d.
3. Civitan Club,1931-1964
4. Awards,1937-1961
5. Subject File,, n.d., 1920-1941
scopecontent:
Many of the subject files were apparently kept for use as background and informational material for articles which London published in the . The files contain related correspondence, notes, rough copies of the articles, loose and bound clippings, and miscellaneous materials used. The majority of the subject files concern the history and present-day affairs of Rockingham and Richmond County, but some material is broader in scope.
scopecontent:
In the file on churches, there is a series of bound clippings entitled by Lillie Moore Everette.
scopecontent:
Items in the Civil War file include a roster of Confederate troops from Richmond County, a history of the 23rd Regiment, North Carolina Troops, and a speech on Robert E. Lee by Senator Josiah W. Bailey.
scopecontent:
The file on the Richmond County Civilian Conservation Corps camp includes letters to London from several North Carolina congressmen, in response to London's efforts to prevent the camp from being moved to another location.
scopecontent:
William H. Covington wrote many articles on Richmond County history for the , and many of them are included in a subject file, which bears his name.
Articles by Dockery mansion [AY?]
scopecontent:
The C. E. D. Egerton file contains his notes on varioustopics related to Richmond County history. He preceded Isaac London in the official capacity (designated by the Board of County Commissioners) as historian of Richmond County.
scopecontent:
The evolution file contains a newspaper article of a speech by William Louis Poteat on the controversy, as well as other articles and miscellaneous materials.
scopecontent:
The Henry William Harrington file contains a series of articles written by London on this Revolutionary War general, state senator, and member of the commission to locate the state capital.
scopecontent:
The Ku Klux Klan file contains material relating to the organization's activities on both the state and local levels. There is a copy of and speeches by Cameron Morrison, Josiah Bailey, and other political leaders giving their views on this organization.
scopecontent:
The subject files on mills relates primarily to Rockingham and Richmond County plants. A large amount of material concerns unionism and labor activities.
scopecontent:
The file on racial integration contains clippings on desegregation attempts of lunch counters and other public facilities in the early 1960s. Some material also relates to attempts to integrate Episcopal summer camps, and Mr. London's efforts to prevent this.
6. Genealogical Material,, n.d., 1950-1964
scopecontent:
Isaac London was interested in genealogy and compiled information of this kind relating to many of the families of Richmond County. Much of this material was published in the . This collection includes some of his genealogical files, which are arranged alphabetically by name of family, with separate folders for lists of wills, deaths, and marriages.
7. Isaac London, Jr.,, n.d., 1939-1947
scopecontent:
Isaac London, Jr. served in World War II, but was granted a medical discharge when he contracted a kidney infection. This infection recurred shortly after he entered the University of North Carolina in 1947, causing his death. The collection includes a number of letters (1939, 1945-1947) from Isaac, Jr. to his father from his army base in Mississippi, and many of these give interesting accounts of life in the military during this period. There are a number of letters of sympathy sent to Mr. London upon the death of his son, which are bound in a separate notebook. Other materials of Isaac London, Jr., include a scrapbook, pictures, and miscellaneous items.
8. Account Books,1905-1939
9. Pamphlets and Booklets,
scopecontent:
The collection contains a large number of pamphlets and booklets. Included are: , by Rev. Jos. Blount Cheshire; , by Capt. S. A. Ashe; , by the Literary and Historical Society, 1904; , and a group of pamphlets containing the judicial decisions of Chief Justice Walter Clark. Sixteen pamphlets relate to various aspects of Rockingham and Richmond County life, including the Richmond County Fair Association pamphlets, a 1923 Rockingham city directory, and other miscellaneous pamphlets.
10. Miscellaneous, 1769-1964
scopecontent:
Among the miscellaneous items in the collection are biographical sketches of London and his father; an article by Kemp P. Battle, in manuscript form, entitled ; articles by London on various old cemeteries in Richmond County including a list of persons buried in the Stewartsville cemetery; a copy of the original act of incorporation of the town of Rockingham; a copy of J. Melville Broughton' s speech announcing his candidacy for governor: a list of Richmond County widows receiving Civil War pensions; an article by London concerning the of Richmond County led by Cameron Morrison and W. N. Everett (1898); an article by Fred A. Olds on early North Carolina laws; a speech by Secretary of State W. N. Everett before the State Democratic Convention, 1924; and many other items concerning Richmond County history.
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Original acquisition gift of Mrs. Betty T. (Isaac S.) London, Franklinton, N.C., August 2, 1965, 40 cu. ft. Collection weeded and some material returned to Rockingham Public Library. Addition to collection was a gift of Mr. Charles B. Deane, Rockingham, N. C., November 25, 1968, 10 cu. ft. Material weeded and entire collection arranged and described, May, 1970.