Charles William McVicar Papers

1514 WFCHS

Scope and Content: This collection contains correspondence, diaries, account books, and various records of Charles William McVicar and his family. The diaries and correspondence are from the time of the Civil War, including wartime letters to his sister celebrated journalist for several local newspapers, Kate McVicar.
(3 boxes) Last updated 07/13.

Biographical/Historical: Charles William McVicar was born on May 2, 1841, in Winchester, VA His parents were John McVicar and Catherine Thatcher McVicar. Charles married Amanda Melissa Lewis in 1869. They had six children. Charles W. McVicar served in Chew’s Battery, Stewart’s Horse Artillery of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. After the Civil War, the McVicars established a carriage-making shop across the street from their home at the north end of Winchester near the intersection of Cameron and Loudoun Sts. About 1904, a fire destroyed the carriage shop, and Charles moved to Newport News, VA, to work for the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. He died in 1906 and is buried at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, VA.

Bibliography: Quarles, Garland R. Some Worthy Lives. Winchester, VA: Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society, 1988.

Cite As: Charles William McVicar, 1514 WFCHS, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

Organization:

Box 1

Carriages made and sold by C.W. McVicar, 1865 – 1883, 1 item, 11 leaves,
manuscript (photocopy)

Carriages made and sold by C.W. McVicar, 1865 – 1891, 1 item, 11 leaves, manuscript

Civil War Diary of Charles William McVicar – Horse Artillery, compiled and edited by
Ada Bruce Desper Bradshaw, 1977, limited edition #81 of 100
1 item, typescript and manuscript – (photocopy)

Civil War Times, 1980. 1 item, printed

Correspondence from McVicar to family members, 1862-1864 (transcripts), 18 items, manuscript (photocopies of originals), typescript, transcripts

 

Salutation	Origin of letter
Well Father	Warren County, March 28, 1862
Dear Mother	Hagerstown, July 11, 1863
Katie Dear Sister	Hagerstown, July 11, 1863
Dear Mother	Culpeper County, July 28, 1863
Dear Sister	Culpeper County, August 18, 1863
Miss Annie Campbell	Culpepper County, August 28, 1863
Well Katie	Culpepper Court House, September 1, 1863
Kate, Mother	Gordonsville, September, 20, 1863
Dear Sister	Orange County, September 26, 1863
Dear Sister	Orange County, October 4, 1863
Well Father	Orange County, October, 1863
Dear Sister, Dear Mother	Rappahannock River, October 22, 1863
Katie, Dear Sister	Charlottesville, March 7, 1863
Dear Sister– Mother	Gordonsville, April 14, 1864
Dear Sister	Petersburg, June 28, 1864
Dear Sister	Sussex County, July 18, 1864
Dear Mother, Katie Dear Sister	Charlottesville, August 20, 1864
Dear Sister	Gordonsville, August 26, 1864

 

Correspondence from McVicar to family members (originals), March 28, 1862-March 7, 1864, 16 items, 18 pages, manuscript, 1 envelope, manuscript

 

Salutation	Origin of letter
Well Father	Warren County, March 28, 1862
Dear Mother	Hagerstown, July 11, 1863
Katie Dear Sister	Hagerstown, July 11, 1863
Dear Mother	Culpeper County, July 28, 1863
Dear Sister	Culpeper County, August 18, 1863
Miss Annie Campbell	Culpeper County, August 28, 1863
Well Katie	Culpeper Court House, September 1, 1863
Kate, Mother	Gordonsville, September, 20, 1863
Dear Sister	Orange County, September 26, 1863
Dear Sister	Orange County, October 4, 1863
Well Father	Orange County, October, 1863
Dear Sister, Mother	Rappahannock River, October 22, 1863
Dear Sister, Dear Mother	Gordonsville, April 14, 1864
Dear Sister	Petersburg, June 28, 1864
Dear Sister	Sussex County, July 18, 1864
Dear Sister	Gordonsville, August 26, 1864

 

Glengary (home of Mrs. Charles Wm.)–Civil War Damage Reimbursement Action, 1862-1913, 5 items: 2 leaves, manuscript and printed (photocopy); 3 leaves, manuscript and typescript

Lewis Family Genealogy, 4 leaves, typescript (photocopy)

McVicar, Ann Melissa (Mrs. Charles W.) obituary, 1844(?)–March 6, 1916, 1 leaf, printed (photocopy)

McVicar Family Genealogy and History, 4 leaves, typescript; 2 leaves, typescript (photocopy); 1 leaf manuscript, photocopy; 1 leaf, manuscript on printed form photocopy

McVicar, John (father of Charles Wm.)–April 27, 1815-Dec. 31, 1901, 8 items, 1 leaf, manuscript, photocopy; 2 leaves, typescript; 2 leaves, printed (photocopy); 2 leaves, manuscript (photocopy)

Correspondence–C. W. McVicar and friends, 1855-1864, 8 items, 8 leaves manuscript (photocopy), 6 leaves, typescript transcript (photocopy), 3 pages, manuscript, 1 page manuscript (photocopy)

Correspondence – Charles McVicar to Kate McVicar (sister), July 11, 1863, Hagerstown, MD, 2 pages, manuscript (transcript inside folder, 2 pages, typescript)

Correspondence – Charles McVicar to Kate McVicar (sister), n.d. (probably 1864-5, letter mentions Petersburg, VA), 2 pages, manuscript

Deed – between Gile J. Wilson and Barnet Lewis and James Lewis, October 4, 1853, 2 pages, manuscript

Diaries and Ephemera–1864 and 1865 (transcribed in book, Civil War Diaries of Charles William McVicar–Horse Artillery), 3 items

Diary and transcript–1862-1863, 22 items: 1 book (small), 21 leaves, typescript (photocopy), transcript

Diary and transcript–1865, 3 items: 1 book, manuscript; 1 page, typescript and manuscript (transcript); 1 leaf, typescript (transcript)

Diary transcript – December 1862-May 1865, 103 leaves, typescript (copy of book Diary of Charles William McVicar During the Civil War)

Essay on John H. Burton, Part 1, 2 leaves, manuscript; Part 2, 9 leaves, manuscript

McVicar, Kate (sister of Charles Wm.)– 843-1920, Biographic Sketch, 2 items, 4 leaves, typescript (photocopy); 2 leaves, manuscript (photocopy)

Speeches written by C.W. McVicar–n.d. and Dec. 1891, 2 items, 9 leaves, manuscript (photocopy)

Stonewall Jackson’s Movements Map, 1 leaf, printed (photocopy)

Turner Ashby Camp No. 22–Confederate Veterans, 2 items: 1 leaf, manuscript on printed form (photocopy), 1 leaf, manuscript (photocopy)

Box 2

Chew’s Battery – Movements 19 December 1862-12 May 1865, 10 pages, manuscript, 34 leaves, manuscript

Chew’s Battery – Movements June and July 1863, 17 leaves, manuscript

Correspondence – Charles McVicar to General WH Cheek, 16 leaves, manuscript

(From "school of charm" binder) 24 items, includes the following:

Photocopy of a bill of sale for payment due by December 25, 1856
Articles announcing the death of Mrs. McVicar, dated March , 1916
Invitation to the Medical College of Virginia commencement, March 1, 1878, "Compliments of MH Lewis"
Articles on the deaths of Julia and Hugh Lewis
6 leaves, manuscript
"Chew’s Battery Stuart’s Horse Artillery", 9 leaves, manuscript
Letter from "Committee on Transportation & Sale of Meat Products, February 3, 1905, typescript
Letter dated December 1891, 3 leaves
"Chew’s Battery Stuart Horse Artillery’s Roll", 8 leaves
Article on Chew’s Battery, June 17, 1904
Article in Our Confederate Column – "Record of Chew’s Men" October 2, 1904, 2 leaves
5 leaves, manuscript
7 leaves, manuscript
Article on the suicide of an ex-Confederate
6 leaves, manuscript
5 leaves labeled 1-6 (page 3 missing)
Article, "Past Commander Presides at Camp," July 22, 1902
Article, "Stonewall’s Last Battle," no date
Article, "Brave and Fearless Girls"
Article in Our Confederate Column – "Old First at Gettysburg," October 16, 1904, 2 leaves
Article from June 7, 1896, "From a War Diary," entry from June 1864
Article, "In Retaliation"
Correspondence – Ben Ritter to Mrs. Bradshaw, January 24, 1984, 1 leaf, typescript
Correspondence – Mrs. Bradshaw to Ben Ritter, February 14, 1984, 2 leaves (one rough draft and one true copy), typescript

(From brown binder) 34 items, includes the following:

Typescript copy of "The Battle of Cedar Creek," 2 leaves
Letter of indenture, January 1, 1853, 1 leaf, manuscript
Deed, January 3, 1839, 3 pages (1 large folded leaf), manuscript
Correspondence – Michael Doyle to Mrs. Bradshaw, May 22, 1983, 1 leaf, manuscript
Article, "Captain M’Vicar Has Valuable War Relic" and "Confederate Veterans," 1 leaf, no date
Article, "To the Public," February 1, 1893
"The Rear Gaurd is Passing," (misspelling present in original), 2 pages, manuscript
Photocopy of marriage certificate between James Lewis and Juliett Ann Clark, May 11, 1844 (certificate created August 24, 1931), 1 leaf, typescript
Letter from Deputy Clerk J.W. Baker verifying a marriage license, August 24, 1931, 1 leaf, typescript
Marriage license for Charles McVicar and Melissa Lewis, January 13, 1869 (certificate created later), 1 leaf, typescript
Photocopy of Charles McVicar’s and Melissa Davis’ original marriage certificate
Photocopies from The War of the Rebellion, with mention of McVicar underlined in blue ink, 3 leaves
Correspondence –Clara McVicar Colbert to the Adjutant General of the War Department, March 5, 1931, 1 leaf, manuscript
Correspondence – from "Douglas" in the Maryland Adjutant General’s Office to Charles W. McVicar, April 15, 1982, 1 leaf, manuscript
Card containing notes on McVicar, 1 leaf, typescript, December 15, 1977
Correspondence – from General Turner Ashby Camp to Charles W. McVicar, December 20, 1906, 1 leaf, manuscript
Correspondence – Committee on Transportation and Sale of Meat to Capt. C.W. McVicar, February 8, 1905, 1 leaf, typescript
Obituary, "Mr. M’Vicar Dead in Newport News," 1 leaf, no date
Obituary, "Mrs. M’Vicar is Taken by Death at Newport News," March 1916
Article, Winchester Evening Star, "Steady City Growth Foreseen by M’Vicar as he Quits Post," December 31, 1949, 1 leaf
Obituary for Charles P. McVicar, Daily Press (Newport News), July 6, 1956
Obituary, "Mr. McVicar Dies at Newport News," November 15, 1906, 2 leaves
Correspondence – Thomas Rosser to Charles W. McVicar, October 13, 1904, 2 leaves, typescript
Article, "C.C. Brannon, Veteran court Clerk, Succumbs," June 26, 1939, 2 leaves
Correspondence – H.W. White to McVicar, May 16, 1898, 2 pages, manuscript
3 envelopes addressed to Charles W. McVicar, 1892-1905
Correspondence – H.W. White to McVicar, January 12 1905, 2 pages, manuscript
Correspondence –James Battle Avriett to McVicar, November 3, 1903, 2 pages, manuscript
Leaflet by James Battle Avriett, 3 pages manuscript and print, November 1, 1905
Correspondence – Major General C.H. Bridges to Clara M. Colbert, March 13, 1931, 1 leaf, typescript
Correspondence – Brig. General R.S. Frinkhouser(?)to Charles W. McVicar, May 31, 1904, 1 leaf, manuscript
Correspondence – Brig. General R.S. Frinkhouser(?)to Charles W. McVicar, May 10, 1905
Correspondence – to Charles W. McVicar (sender’s name illegible), February 27, 1906, 4 pages, manuscript
P.H. Reardon’s "Rear Guard’s Passing," manuscript copy, 2 pages
6 blank leaves with Gen. "Turner Ashby Camp" heading
Correspondence – Thomas Ellett to McVicar, October 16, 1891, 1 leaf manuscript
Notes on McVicar by Ada Bradshaw, 1 leaf, manuscript
Booklet, 9 leaves, photocopies of letter and envelope from McVicar to E.G. "Ned" Hollis, April 28, 1901

Box 3

(still in Photo Album) 67 items, includes the following:

Bill for "Lewis & Co." with a remaining sum of $14.30, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $20 dollars on April 7, 1844 for a delivery expected to be delivered "by 9 o’clock 8^th of April", 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for a $75 advance payment for wheat sold at $.80 per bushel, August 20, 1843, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill to James Lewis for $10.50, May 2, 1844, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill for cutting 20 cords of wood and other services for $11, 1 leaf, manuscript
Note from N. Clark to James Lewis advising him not to sell "Joe" for anything less than $50, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill for $112.95 on April 13, 1848, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill of sale/contract for the sale of "Negro man Bartlett" for one year for $128, to be returned to John B. Earle on of before December 25, 1857; contract written January 18, 1857,1 leaf, manuscript
Bill of sale/contract of $62.50 to be owed to Andrew Boyd; $27.50 for servant girl Martha, $30 for "boy" Elisha, and $5 for another "boy," Ethan (?), contract written January 3, 1853, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill for weighing services, March 12, 1855, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Bill for weighing services, August 26, 1854, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Bill for weighing services, November 6, 1855, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Agreement to pay $250, June 22, 1855, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $20 worth of stock with the Martinsburg and Winchester Turnpike Company, October 22, 1855, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Toll for $1.42 at the Martinsburg Turnpike, July 4, 1855
Bill for $2, March 28, 1856, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Bill for chopping 29? cords of wood, March 1860, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for payment in full from James Lewis to John W. Marvin at the Winchester Seminary for the tuition of Lewis’ son Hugh, July 2, 1860, 1 leaf, manuscript
Pass from the Provost Marshall for James Lewis to proceed to Valley Road, December 12, 1862, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill to pay Daniel Wright $407.45, October19, 1865, 1 leaf, manuscript
"Amount of debt of B&J Lewis; to 1 Jan. 1867," total $11,091.97, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $100 from B&J Lewis, May 22, 1878, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $50 received of James Lewis, May 11, 1879, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $50 received of James Lewis, May 20, 1870, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $100 received of James Lewis May (?) 7, 1870, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $150 received of James Lewis April 1, 1873, 1 leaf, manuscript
Charge by Redbud Mills to James Lewis for 76 flour barrels, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill from Charles W. McVicar’s carriage company for a December 1874 repair for $3.75, January 9, 1875, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Bill from Charles Baker to John Smith for $14.23, 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $1113.17 of James Lewis for fencing repairs, etc, March 1, 1875, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill for $10.75 (rest is too faded to read), 1 leaf, manuscript
Fine for failing to repair a road, $1.65, May 23, 1877, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill from April 1, 1878, very faded. 1 leaf, manuscript
Receipt for $100 from James Lewis to Robert Chamberlain
Receipt for payment of $3.75, May 7, 1844 (1894?), 1 leaf, manuscript
City tax, 1890, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
Receipt for 81 four casks, May 17, 1855, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill, 1 leaf, manuscript
Bill for bacon, $1.85, 1 leaf, manuscript
"To the Treasury of Frederick County," 1877, 1 leaf, manuscript and print
The Evening Star, "Mr. M’Vicar Dead in Newport News," Thursday November 15, 1906, 4 leaves, print
"Mr. McVicar Dies at Newport News," November 15, 1906, 4 leaves, print
"Veterans Cherish Memory of Comrade," 1 leaf, print
"Mrs. M’Vicar is Taken by Death at Newport News," 1 leaf, print
College of William and Mary tuition bill for $256.75, January 21, 1931, 1 leaf, print and manuscript
"Many Attend Last Rites of Noted Writer," 1 leaf, print
"Famous Virginia Poetess is Dead," February 12, 1920, 1 leaf, print
"Miss Kate McVicar (1843-1920)," 1 leaf, typescript
"Mrs. C.M. Colbert," 1 leaf, print
"Mrs. Colbert Rites at M’Vicar Home," 1 leaf, print
"Mr. E.L. Whissen’s Death Was Sudden," 1 leaf, print
"James MacVicar Succumbs Here," June 3, 1941, 1 leaf, print
"MacVicar Rites This Afternoon," June 3, 1941, 1 leaf, print
"MacVicar Rites This Afternoon," (different content than above), 1 leaf, print
"Early Risers Save Desper Garage and Auto This Morning," 1 leaf, print
"Charles P. McVicar Dies; Winchester Official, Merchant," July 5, 1956, 1 leaf, print
"Mrs. Desper Dies of Pneumonia in Lower Virginia," 1 leaf, print
"Mrs. Wagner Succumbs at Age of 87," article laminated into a bookmark, June 15, 1962, 1 item, print
"In Memoriam," from the Newport News Women’s Club Yearbook, 1 leaf, print

(moved to folder) 2 items;
1 leaf, manuscript; payment agreement for a Negro man
1 leaf, manuscript copy of a note from N. Clark to James Lewis

Photographs

See photograph index—People/Objects