Estelle Meekins Papers, PC.5345

[Identification of item], PC.5345, Estelle Meekins Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

The Estelle Meekins Papers, circa 1839-1992 and undated, is arranged into three series: Correspondence, 1925-1992 and undated; Personal Papers, circa 1839-1984 and undated; Photographs, circa 1880s-1980s.

The correspondence series contains letters written to Meekins from members of her family and friends. Many of the items in this series are greeting cards for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Meekins' birthday. Several letters in the 1930s and 1940s are from Alfred Martin, who came to the Meekins Anchorage as a teenager and worked for the family for a time. Martin moved to New York to work in the insurance business. He may have struggled with alcoholism, as one of his early letters references the fact that he had curtailed his drinking and that he hadn't had more than ten beers since moving away. He joined the Army in 1940 and was stationed in Panama, and he seems to have lost touch with Meekins in the 1950s. Meekins also regularly corresponded with several members of the Ernst family: Bill Ernst and Lucy Jo Ernst and their children Carol Ann, Betty Jo, and Malcolm. Malcolm died as a teenager from leukemia in 1962, several months after receiving his cancer diagnosis. Betty Jo contracted rheumatic fever around the same time, and many of the Ernsts' 1962 letters discuss the children's illnesses.

Meekins's personal papers include printed material, ephemera, genealogical data, and keepsake items. Of note in this series are several folders related to Meekins' genealogy research on her family history, as well as several historical documents, such as a Confederate $10 bill from the Civil War. Meekins also collected an album full of postcards, the vast majority of which depict historical scenes around Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks, including a rare image of the Diamond Shoals Lightship, the remains of several Civil War fortifications, hotels and cottages on the Nags Head soundside, and several buildings around old Manteo, including schools and churches.

The photographs in this collection primarily depict Estelle Meekins, members of her family, and friends. Many of the photographs were taken by her brother, D. Victor Meekins. Most of the photographs are identified and arranged according to the individual they depict. Images include both snapshots and professional portraits, and most of the photographs are black and white.

This collection is arranged into three series: Correspondence, Personal Papers, and Photographs. Correspondence is arranged chronologically. Personal Papers and Photographs are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Rowena Estelle Meekins was born 3 September 1903 to Clara Rowena Homer Meekins (1871-1950) and Daniel Meekins (1863-1923). She lived with her parents and her brother, D. Victor Meekins (1897-1964) on the family's estate, the Anchorage, on the north end of Roanoke Island. She attended Manteo High School and lived at home after graduating. Meekins was briefly employed with the WPA and also worked for the Dare County Public Library and for her brother's printing business, Times Printing Company, which published the Coastland Times newspaper. She had a passion for local history and genealogy and completed a great deal of genealogical research on the Meekins family and its descendants. She also loved cats and cared for numerous stray and feral cats in her community. She lived in her home on the family's estate until she suffered a fall in 1992, at which point she moved into a nursing home. She remained there until her death on 4 March 1996. She is buried in the Meekins family cemetery near the family's homeplace.

1. Correspondence, 1925-1992 and undated

2. Personal Papers, circa 1839-1984 and undated

3. Photographs, circa 1880s-1980s

Donated by Roger Meekins, March 1998.