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Old Dominion University Libraries

Special Collections & University Archives

Events & Exhibits

Hours

Monday - Friday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Other times by appointment

Location

The Special Collections is located on the east side of the Library on the 3rd floor. Take the stairs and turn left or take the elevator nearest the Circulation desk and turn right.

Contact Information

Patricia W. & J. Douglas Perry Library
Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0256
telephone (757) 683-4483
fax (757) 683-5954

 

THE PAPERS OF
FINLAY FORBES FERGUSON JR.

BIOGRAPHY

An architect and the descendant of a longtime Norfolk family.

SCOPE AND CONTENTS NOTE

The collection principally consists of material relating to Ferguson's numerous descendents, including family trees, birth and death registers, correspondence, certificates, receipts, deeds, remembrances, newspaper clippings, and a diary and will. Also, consists of material, notably photographs, relating to Ferguson's involvement in the restoration of several of Hampton Roads' historic houses, including the Willoughby-Baylor House, the Moses Myers House, and the Adam Thoroughgood house. Of special note is correspondence concerning New York Life Insurance Company's payment of insurance claims after intercourse between the United States and Confederacy was declared unlawful in 1861.

PROVENANCE

Gift of Anna Lawrence Redfern Ferguson (Mrs. Finlay F. Ferguson Jr.) and her daughter, Anne Stuart Ferguson Cantile, 1 February 1983.

ACCESS

Open to researchers with the only restriction being that no access to the collection will be permitted for any purposes to any representative of the New York Life Insurance Company or any successor of that company. Questions on literary property rights should be directed to the Special Collections Librarian.

SIZE

One Hollinger document case and one oversize box

COLLECTION NUMBER

MG - 50

CONTAINER LISTING

Folder

  1. Genealogical Materials - Family trees, Birth and Death records
  2. Notes on the Family of Henry Dickson and Hannah Longstaff Dickson
  3. Correspondence
    • Finlay F. Ferguson to William Finlay Ferguson - May 18, 1841
    • Peter Ferguson to Finlay F. Ferguson - October 25, 1860
    • Finlay F. Ferguson to his father - March 8, 1896
    • Chris Minter to Mrs. Finlay F. Ferguson Jr. - May 1, 1975
  4. The Gibson Family Papers (1803-1820) - includes correspondence, receipts, and a list of goods bought at auction
  5. Family Rembrances
    • Announcement of the funeral of Finlay Ferguson - March 27, 1812
    • "A Description of Myself" - Helen Atkinson Evans Ferguson, October 1890
    • "F. F. Ferguson, A Memorial" - Nov. 5, 1936
    • Speech by Harrell Ferebee in honor of F. F. Ferguson - May 3, 1938
  6. Last Will and Testament - Peter Ferguson (n.d.)
  7. New York Life Insurance Company
  8. Report Card of Finlay Forbes Ferguson, Woodberry Forest School - March 22, 1924
  9. Deeds and Indentures
  10. Receipts from Williams Wholesale Grocers - C.M. Ferguson and R.S. Broughton
  11. Notes and Payments
  12. Cancelled Checks
  13. "The Custom House" - a three page description (n.d.)
  14. The Little Theater of Norfolk - Programs
  15. Miscellaneous
    • "To the Customs Officers" (n.d.)
    • Drawing of Street Map and Lots
    • Handwritten Poem "The Forest"
    • Methodist Catechism 1823
    • Postcard "Many happy returns of the day"
    • Financial Statement 1866
  16. Photographs
    • Willoughby-Baylor House
    • Moses Myers House
    • Adam Thoroughgood House
    • Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences
    • Gay 90's party
    • "Shad Bake at Joe Walls Cottage"
  17. Newspaper Clippings
  18. Diary

Box 2 (oversize)

  1. Henry Fitzgerald - Masonic Temple Baltimore, Maryland
  2. Newspapers
    • Baltimore Sun - March 7, 1838
    • Southern Argus - Extra - Jan. 30, 1859