Thomas L. Robertson Diary, 1831-1837, undated

Collection Overview

Title: Thomas L. Robertson Diary, 1831-1837, undated

ID: 001/01/MSS 0000-632

Creator: Robertson, Thomas L. (1793-1838)

Extent: 3.0 Folders

Arrangement: Arranged by record type.

Date Acquired: 00/00/0000

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

One 1831-1837 diary recounting Thomas L. Robertson's thoughts and experiences. Most diary entries include information about sermons preached at Christ Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Entries also focus on deaths of local individuals and Robertson's own failing health. Includes separate correspondence found in diary as well as some transcribed diary entries.

Biographical Note

Thomas Lowry Robertson was born in 1793 in Virginia. He was a teller of the U.S. Bank in Norfolk, Virginia. Robertson married Helen Proby on October 23, 1816 in Norfolk, Virginia and was a member of Christ Church. He died on February 9, 1838 and was buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Source: Thomas L. Willcox by donation

Preferred Citation: Thomas L. Robertson Diary, MSS 0000-632, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed November 23, 2016.

Box and Folder Listing

Box 8: Filing Cabinet Manuscripts

Folder 1: Diary of Thomas L. Robertson, 1831-1837

Diary ranges in date from March 6, 1831 through October 23, 1837. In addition to diary entries, book also includes list of monies owed to the bank in January 1834, expenses incurred during Robertson's convention trip in 1834, a list of deaths in 1836, a list of family marriages between 1839 and 1856, and Robertson's last will and testament. Diary is located in MSS 0000-632 Box 1.

Folder 2: Correspondence, 1838, undated

Item 1: Card, undated: Two sides include printed sketches of people; one side includes a cross and the words, "Easter, Oh the changes, All Gone Over" while the other side includes a cross with the words, "E. P. Tabb, Norfolk, Va."
Item 2: Correspondence, J. M. Steed to Helen Robertson, 1838 June 25: Letter thanks recipient for allowing the writer to read from pages, likely from Thomas Robertson's diary.
Item 3: Correspondence, Thomas L. Robertson to George W. Camp, undated: Document asks George W. Camp to sign a check for Mrs. Mary Sharp for the amount invested through her deceased husband from the Norfolk Provident Society.
Item 4: Correspondence, Reverend M. P. Parks to Mrs. Ellen Robertson, 1838 February 10

Folder 3: Photocopies and Transcriptions, undated

Item 1: Transcription, Robertson's Diary, undated: Transcriptions from Thomas L. Robertson's diary date from March 6, 1831 through July 15, 1832.
Item 2: Photocopies, Interment Cards, undated: Interment cards include two individuals named Robert Robertson, along with Helen Robertson, Thomas L. Robertson, Sallie J. Robertson, Virginia Robertson, Elizabeth T. Robertson, and Mary Eliza Robertson. Includes handwritten notes and a typed diagram of Robertson family members buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Item 3: Transcription, Letter from J. M. Steed to Mrs. Helen Robertson, undated: Original letter dated June 25.
Item 4: Photocopies, Christ Church Records, undated: Photocopies of records from Christ Church in Norfolk, Virginia relating to Thomas L. Robertson.
Item 5: Photograph, Diary of Thomas L. Robertson, undated: Two copies. Black and white photograph taken of open diary, correspondence to Mrs. Ellen Robertson, and 1834 convention trip expenses.