Location: Vault
ACCESS NOTE
This collection has been digitized and may be viewed by visiting the link below:
Ruby Pickens Tartt, originally Ruby Stuart Pickens, daughter of Fannie West Short and William King Pickens, was born on January 13, 1880. Ruby S. Pickens married William Pratt Tartt on October 18, 1904. The couple had one child, Fannie Pickens Tartt Inglis, born on June 21, 1906. R. P. Tartt died on November 29, 1974 in York, Alabama and was buried in Myrtlewood Cemetery in Livingston, AL.
Series Descriptions (Note: the abbreviation “RPT” refers to Mrs. Tartt in all instances)
Series 1: Genealogy
Series 2: Autobiographical Sketches
Series 2 Addendum: Autobiographical Sketches
Series 3: Biographical Sketches (Includes printed newspaper articles as well as manuscript articles about RPT.)
Series 3 Addendum: Biographical Sketches
Series 4: Correspondence
Series 4 Addendum: Correspondence
Series 5: RPT views on folklore
Series 5 Addendum: RPT views on folklore
Series 6: RPT views on her writing
Series 7: RPT views on folk music
Series 7 Addendum: RPT views on folk music
Series 8: Sketches, photographs and poetry
Series 8 Addendum: Sketches, photographs and poetry
Series 9: Songs collected by RPT
Series 9 Addendum: Songs collected by RPT
Series 10: Ring Games
Series 11: Folktales, animal stories collected by RPT
Series 12 Folklore, superstitions collected by RPT
Series 13: Folklore, quotations and folk sayings
Series 14: Slavery Tales
Series 14 Addendum: Slavery Tales
Series 15: Recollections of Post-Slavery Times
Series 15 Addendum: Recollections of Post-Slavery Times
Series 15A: Recollection of Post-Slavery Times Negro Sermons
Series 16A: Historical sketches written and collected by RPT. This Series contains articles written by RPT
Series 16A Addendum: Historical sketches written and collected by RPT.
Series 16B: Historical sketches written and collected by RPT. This series contains articles collected by RPT
Series 17: Biographic sketches of Sumter County people and John and Alan Lomax
Series 17Addendum: Biographic sketches of Sumter County people and John and Alan Lomax
Series 18: Notes and collected items by RPT
Series 18A: Addendum Notes and collected items by RPT
Series 19 Miscellaneous
Series 19A: Addendum Miscellaneous
Series 20: Diaries and Notebooks
Series 20A: Addendum Diaries and Notebooks
Series 21: Tapes
Series 22: Published Works
Series 23: Phonodiscs
Series 24: Nomination letters of RPT to “The Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame”.
Series 25: Installation of Ruby Pickens Tartt, Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame, October 23, 1980
This collection contains articles, clippings, stories, and memorabilia related to three prominent members from the University: Julia S. Tutwiler, Martha Young, and E. A. Young.
ITEM LISTING INVENTORY
Series 1– Genealogy[Items 4, 20l.]
Folder A/Box 1
Item 1: Letter to: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Gilbert, from Mrs. Clifford T. Inglis (Fannie Pickens). October 9, 1l. Re: Tartt family history.
Item 2: Letter to: Mrs. Clifford T. Inglis (Fannie Pickens), from Mrs. Paul F. Summers, Jr. (Mary O.).N.D. 8l. Re: Tartt family history.
Item 3: Letter to: Dr. Robert Gilbert (Bob), from Mrs. Clifford T. Inglis (Fannie Pickens). March 29, 1977. 3l. Re: Pickens family history.
Item 4: Letter to: Dr. Robert Gilbert (Bob), from Mrs. Clifford T. Inglis (Fannie Pickens). June 21, 1977. 8l. Re: Pickens and Chiles family history.
Series 2 – Autobiographical Sketches [Item 13, 25l]
Folder B/Box 1
Item 1: A personal story that happened at a tea attended by Ruby Pickens Tartt that she wrote. 3l.
Item 2: Ruby Pickens Tartt writing about “The Lomaxes” (John and Alan); her relationship with them as well as the Father Son relationship. 7l.
Item 3: Short sketches written by Ruby Pickens Tartt about her writing, collecting folk songs, painting portraits, and her job as county librarian. Included are quotations from Carl Sandburg, John Lomax and Dr. Arnold praising Ruby Pickens Tartt. 5l.
Item 4: In her own handwriting by Ruby Pickens Tartt lists some important dates in her life such as birth, college entrance, marriage, etc… 1l.
Item 5: Ruby Pickens Tartt writing about her New York experience. 1l.
Item 6: A brief biographical sketch of Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l.
Item 7: A listing of the anthologies that contain Ruby Pickens Tartt’s stories; collections of folk songs containing her work plus a short biographical sketch. 1l.
Item 8: A brief writing by Ruby Pickens Tartt assumed to be about life for her in a nursing home. 1l.
Item 9: A brief listing of dates concerning Ruby Pickens Tartt’s birth, college years, teaching and marriage. 1l.
Item 10: A short listing of dates at college, studying art in New York, etc. written by Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l.
Item 11: A short sketch about the number of songs recorded and how rich this area was in folk-lore written by Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l.
Item 12: A favorite quotation from the Bible of Ruby Pickens Tartt that encouraged her in difficult times.
Item 13: A brief sketch written by Ruby Pickens Tartt about how she met John Lomax. 1l.
Series 2A– Addendum Autobiographical Sketches [Item 3, 4l]
Folder B-1/Box 23
Item 1: A brief listing of RPT’s name, vocation, place and date of birth, patent’s names and her education written in her handwriting. 1l.
Item 2: A listing of the anthologies that contain RPT’s stories written in her handwriting. 1l.
Item 3: Letter to Annie Little, from RPT, March 1, 1952. 2l. Incomplete letter giving a sketch of her life.
Series 3 – Biographical Sketches [Item 32, 72l.]
Folder C/Box 1
Item 1: Letter to: Carl Carmer, From Caroline Rogers, Associate Editor, “Reader’s Digest”. March 7, 1961. 1l. Re: Rejection notice of his article on Ruby Pickens Tartt, “My most unforgettable character”.
Item 2: Letter to Fannie Pickens Inglis, from Mrs. Carl Carmer. March 13, 1961. 1l. Re: Rejection by ” Reader’s Digest” of her husband’s article, “Miss Ruby, My most unforgettable character”.
Item 3: A booklet printed by Livingston University presented at the ceremony when Fannie Pickens Inglis gave the “Tartt Papers” to Livingston University, May 30, 1975. The booklet contains “Miss Ruby, My most unforgettable character” by Carl Carmer together with a letter from the author. 1l.
Item 4: Wedding invitation of Fannie Pickens to Clifford Thomas Inglis, May 9, 1939. 1l.
Item 5: A brief listing of dates in Ruby Pickens Tartt life, such as birth, her parents names, dates of college graduations, marriage, name of daughter, death, etc. 1l.
Item 6: Newspaper article on Ruby Pickens Tartt, “The Florida Times- Union”, Jacksonville, February 18, 1966. Re: Her talents with brush, pen and song. 1l.
Item 7. Newspaper article in “The Florida Times-Union”, Jacksonville, November 24, 1964. Re: A cross-stitched sampler depicting the childhood of Fannie Pickens, was done by Ruby Pickens Tartt in 1936 for Fannie Pickens. 1l.
Item 8: An article written about the Primrose Club paying tribute to Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l. 2-copies.
Item 9: An article published in “Library Notes”, March, 1961, “She knew her people; a tribute to a great lady” [re: Ruby Pickens Tartt.] 2l.
Item 10: News release written by Dr. Robert Gilbert when Ruby Pickens Tartt completed a portrait of Elisha Ashe Young for Livingston State College. 1l.
Item 11: Newspaper article in “The Birmingham News”, May 28, 1963. Re: Ruby Pickens Tartt paints portrait of Elisha Ashe Young for Livingston Stat College. 1l.
Item 12: Newspaper article in “The Birmingham News”, November 6, 1960. Re: Ruby Pickens Tartt from a series, “Women at work”. 1l.
Item 13: Newspaper article paying tribute to Ruby Pickens Tartt. No date. 1l. Written by Jack Kytle.
Folder D/Box 1
Item 14: Newspaper article written by Ruby Pickens Tartt reviewing “Folk Song, U.S.A.” by Allan and John Lomax. No date. 1l.
Item 15: Newspaper article in “Our Southern Home”, June 29, 1960. “Letter to the editor” written by Ruby Pickens Tartt protesting the type memorial planned to honor war veterans. Also a reply from the Editor. 1l.
Item 16: A paper on Ruby Pickens Tartt written by Dr. Robert Gilbert for a talk he was making on her. Also a letter to the Editor of “Library Notes” from Dr. Gilbert informing her he was enclosing his paper on the speech he had given on Ruby Pickens Tartt. 8l.
Item 17: Letter to: Fannie Pickens Inglis, from unknown author. February 23, 1975. Re: Informing her he had written a paper on her mother, “The remarkable Miss Ruby”. Author later identified by Tina N. Jones as Frank Grove 3l.
Item 18: A paper entitled “The remarkable Miss Ruby”. Author unknown. Author later identified by Tina N. Jones as Frank Grove. 12. L.
Item 19: Newspaper article in “The Birmingham News”, December 1, 1974. Re: The death of Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1 l.
Item 20: Newspaper article in “The Sumter County Journal”, December 4, 1974. Re: Death of Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l. 2-copies
Item 21: Newspaper article in, “The Home Record”, December 4, 1974. Re: Death of Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l. 2-copies
Item 22: An article written by Rev. James A. Hand, former minister of Ruby Pickens Tartt at her death for “The Home Record”. November 29, 1974. 2l.
Item 23: An article written by Waights Taylor, former Editor of “Our Southern Home”, at the death of Ruby Pickens Tartt for “The Home Record”. November 29, 1974. 1l.
Item 24: Xeroxed copies of the holdings on Ruby Pickens Tartt in the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Al. 11l. See Series 4, Box 2, Folder f-1. Item 4, Folder f-2, Item 11
Item 25: Bibliography of Ruby Pickens Tartt compiled by Dr. Neil Snider and Margaret Gilbert, 1977. 3l.
Item 26: Article written by Dr. Neil Snider and Margaret Gilbert. Published in “The Alabama Librarian”, May/June, 1977. Re: Description of the “Tartt Papers” owned by Livingston University Library. 1l.
Folder E/Box 1
Item 27: News release written by Dr. Neil Snider concerning an exhibit on Ruby Pickens Tartt in the Livingston University Library. October, 1976. 1l.
Item 28: An article published in “Journal of Academic Librarianship”. September 1977, written by Dr. David Mathews. 1l.
Item 29: “History of Ruby Pickens Tartt Library”, written by Celeste Kaul, 1976. 3l.
Item 30: Printed invitation to the ceremonies renaming the Livingston Public Library to Ruby Pickens Tartt Library, May 31, 1975. 1l.
Item 31: Printed program for the ceremonies renaming the Livingston Public Library to Ruby Pickens Tartt Library, May 31, 1975. 1l.
Item 32: Newspaper picture in “The Home Record”, June 11, 1975, of Fannie Pickens Inglis displaying the portrait she had painted of her Mother for Ruby Pickens Tartt Library. 1l.
Series 3A – Addendum Biographical Sketches [Item 4, 15l.]
Folder E-1/Box 23
Item 1: A printed program from The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts entitled “Mother-Daughter Exhibit”. 1l.
Item 2: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt, from John Patterson, Governor, State of Alabama. November 23, 1959. 1l. Re: The appointment of RPT to the Board of Registrars of Sumter County.
Item 3: Newspaper article in Tallahassee Democrat”, March 16, 1958. Re: Copies in oil of Gamble portraits by RPT. 1l.
Item 4: Article from Virginia Quarterly Review, 66(1): 294-305, Spring 1990, entitled “The Strange County” by Howell Raines. 12l. Re: Ruby Pickens Tartt’s role in the writing of Stars Fell on Alabama by Carl Carmer.
Series 4 – Correspondence (1940-1968) [item 24, 40l.]
Folder F-1/Box 2
Item 1: Letter to Miss Miles, from Ruby P. Tartt. February 26, 1940. 1l. Re: Sumter County History.
Item 2: Letter to Houghton, Mifflin & CO., from Ruby P. Tartt. August 23, 1945. 1l. Re: The companies’ interest in her writings.
Item 3: Letter to Miss Stover, from Ruby P. Tartt. November 8, 1950. 1l. Re: Advising she was enclosing three stories for possible publication
Item 4: Letter to Mrs. Owen, from Ruby P. Tartt. Easter Sunday, 1951. 2l. Re: Requesting help for Robert Gilbert in writing he dissertation on Sumter County. “See also” Series 3, Box 1, Folder D, Item 24.
Item 5: Letter to Ed Smollet, from Ruby P. Tartt. September 5, 1957. 1l. Re: The Vacation reading program at the Sumter County Public Library.
Item 6: Letter to Mr. Roberts from Ruby P. Tartt. N.D. 3l. Letter has missing pages. Re: Her work in the Sumter County Public Library, her writing and song collecting.
Item 7: Letter to the Primrose Club, Livingston, Ala., from ruby P. Tartt. N.D. 1l. Re: Her resignation from the club.
Item 8: An incomplete note written by Ruby P. Tartt. N.D. 1l. Re: Serving on the Sumter County Board of Registrars.
Item 9: Letters to Margaret, from Ruby P. Tartt. N.D. 12l. Letter has missing pages. Re: Her writing and song collecting.
Item 10: Letter to Mr. Asa Green, from Fannie P. Inglis (Mrs. Clifford T. Iglis). March 7, 1975. 2l. Re: Advising she was sending additional papers to be added to the Tartt Collection.
Folder F-2/Box 2
Item 11: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt, from Marie Bankhead Owen, April 2, 1951. 1l. Re; The request of Ruby P. Tartt for assistance for Robert Gilbert in writing his dissertation. “See Also” Series 3, Box 1, Folder D, Item 24.
Item 12: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt from Mody C. Boatright. N.D. 1l. Re: Ruby P. Tartt’s request for addresses.
Item 13: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt, from B.A. Botkin. April 9, 1949. 1l. Re: Requesting Mrs. Tartt to send him some of her stories, songs and articles to be included in his book, “Treasury of Southern Folklore”.
Item 14: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Hal Courlander. September 19, 1950. 1l. Re; Application to Viking Fund from Ruby P. Tartt.
Item 15: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Martha Foley, N.D. 1l. Re: Permission to publish “Alabama Sketches” in foreign editions.
Item 16: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt, from Ed Cray. N.D. 2l. Re: Invitation to Ruby P Tartt to be a charter member of the American Folk Music Council.
Item 17: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt, from Father James Keller. March 29, 1961. 1l. Re: Thanking her for a donation to The Christophers and her interest in serving our youth, etc.
Item 18: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt from Mrs. Henry I Laumann, December 2, 1946. 1l. Re: Mrs. Tartt’s Request for patterns and stencils.
Item 19: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt, from Ruby T. Lomax. December 2, .1l. Re: Advising Mrs. Tartt of sending her a list of Livingston recordings for the Library of Congress.
Item 20: Letter to Ruby P. Tartt from Dr. Ralph M Lyon. May 19, 1964. 1l. Re: Invitation to Ruby P Tartt for membership to “The Society of the Golden Key”.
Item 21: Letter to Ruby P Tartt form James B McMillian. May 12, 1950. 1l. Re: Thanking Mrs. Tartt for sending a picture of herself.
Item 22: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ira S Puritt Jr. October 29, 1950. 1l. Re: Sitting area at the Sumter Nursing Home.
Item 23: Memo and news release to Ruby P Tartt form C H Schaeffer. March 16, 1l. Re: Two oil portraits painted by Mrs. Tartt for the Gamble Mansion.
Item 24: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John D. Wade. June 23, 1947. 1l. Re: Requesting an article on Southern middle class white folk’s songs for “The Georgia Review”.
Series 4A – Addendum Correspondence (1931-1970) [items 97, 171l.]
Folder FF/Box 24
Item 1: Letter to John Lomax, From Ruby P Tartt. February 3, 1939. 2l. Re: John Lomax plans to visit Ruby P. Tartt.
Item 2: Letter to Eunice Howsmen, from Ruby P Tartt. October 16, 1940. 2l. Re: Ruby P Tartt asking for a leave of absence from a project she was working on.
Item 3: Letter to John Lomax, from Ruby P. Tartt. November 3, 1941. 1l. Re: Canceling a recording trip due to inclement weather.
Item 4: Letter to Alan Lomax, from Ruby P Tartt. November 3, 1941 2l. Re: Her appreciation for the opportunity of working with John Lomax.
Item 5: Letter to Alan Lomax, from Ruby P Tartt. December 10, 1942 2l. Re: Requesting recordings made in Sumter County.
Item 6: Letter to Letter to B.A. Botkin, from Ruby P Tartt. July 31, 1943. 1l. Re: A thank you for several favors and a request for a copy of a letter from Mr. Lomax.
Item 7: Letter to Mr. Seigmeister from Ruby P Tartt. April 9, 1943. 1l. Re: Thanking him for sending her a copy of his book.
Item 8: Letter to Dick Smith, from Ruby P Tartt. September 29, 1961. 1l. Re: Requesting he publish “Vacation Reading Club” winners.
Item 9: Letter to Henry Snow from Ruby P Tartt. March 16, 1962. 2l. Re: Sumter Court Board of Registrars & RPT’s views on race.
Item 10: Letter to Alan Lomax from Ruby P Tartt. N.D. 2l. Re: Thanking him for a check and the possibility of working with him.
Item 11: Letter to the Primrose Club from Ruby P Tartt. N.D. 1l. Re: Recommending that Mrs. Elisha Young be made a life member and not to accept her resignation.
Folder FF-1/Box 24
Item 12: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Betty Carmer. April 2, 1931. 3l. Re: Miscellaneous news from the Carmers and expressions of their friendship for Ruby P Tartt.
Item 13: Letter to Ruby P Tartt and Fannie P Inglis from Carl Carmer. June 6, 1933. 4l. Re: Requesting information needed for inclusion in his about to be published book.
Item 14: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Betty Carmer. April 1, 1935. 4l. Re: A letter of friendship.
Item 15: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Betty Carmer. April 26, 1937. 4l. Re: Advice concerning RPT’s writing and miscellaneous news from the Carmers.
Item 16: Letter to Ruby P Tartt, from Carl Carmer. January 6, 1963. 1l. Re: Thanking RPT for a telegram.
Item 17: Letter to Ruby P Tartt, Pratt and Fannie Pickens from the Carmers. January 24, 1l. Re: The Carmers writing and work.
Item 18: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Carl Carmer, March 2, 2l. Re: His disappointment of how Alabamians accepted his writing of them.
Item 19: Letter to Fannie Pickens from the Carmers. May 19, 1l. Re: Making plans for their trip South and news of their work.
Item 20: Letter to Fannie Pickens from Carl Carmer. N.D. 1l. Re: Sending an article written by RPT and pleased he was that “Miss Ruby Day” had been successful.
Item 21: Letter to Fannie Pickens, from the Carmers. N.D. 2l. Re: A letter of friendship and news from the Carmers.
Item 22: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from the Carmers. N.D. 2l. Re: Pleased that RPT liked his newly published book, future writing plans and news from the Carmers.
Folder FF-2/Box 24
Item 23: Photocopies of miscellaneous letters written to or about Ruby P Tartt concerning her work with Alan and John Lomax on file in The Library of Congress.
Item 24: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Alan Lomax, N.D. 2l. Re: Royalties on recordings and future plans for recordings
Item 25: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Alan Lomax, N.D. 1l. Re: Contract for songs recorded in Sumter County.
Folder FF-3/Box 24
Item 26: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. November 6, 1939. 4l. Re: Advising her of his two books completed, This Singing Country and American Ballads and Folk Songs; beginning to write The Adventures of a Ballad Hunter.
Item 27: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. December 4, 1940. 4l. Re: Offering to buy her a home and advising her he was sending Doc Reed a Christmas gift.
Item 28: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. August 9, 1941. 2l. Re: Plans to visit Livingston and also an apology.
Item 29: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. October 28, 1941. 1l. Re: Informing her of her employment with The Library of Congress for $150.00 per month.
Item 30: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax. November 11, 1941. 1l. Re: Regret for cancellation of recording trip to Livingston and Our Singing Country is completed.
Item 31: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax. January 23, 1942. 1l. Re: A thank you letter and one of news from the Lomaxes.
Item 32: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. December 19, 1942. 1l. Re: A letter of friendship and acknowledging a letter in which she praised a book of his and asking for more of her Negro stories.
Item 33: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. December 21, 1942. 1l. Re: Requesting more stories from Rich Amerson.
Item 34: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax. April 6, 1943. 1l. Re: Acknowledging receipt of one of her stories, requesting a copy of Josh Horn’s will and news from the Lomaxes.
Item 35: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. April 27, 1943. 1l. Re: Requesting information on Josh Horn and Rich Amerson for inclusion in a book he was writing.
Item 36: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. May 31, 1943. 2l. Re: Asking her to send him an itemized Doctor bill for Doc Reed and praising her writing ability of the southern Negro.
Item 37: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. October 14, 1943. 1l. Re: Advising her he had sold her story “A Pair of Blue Stockings” for $50.00 and asking her to get copies of all her stories and send to him.
Folder FF-3/Box 24
Item 38: Letter to Ruby P Tartt, from John Lomax. October 25, 1943. 1l. Re: Urging her to get copies of her stories-“they will make your name immortal.”
Item 39: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. November 15, 1943. 2l. Re: Urging her to get her materials together so that a book can be compiled.
Item 40: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. November 24, 1943. 1l. Re: Advising her, her story of Rich would be published in Southwest Review and possibly Reader’s Digest: urging her to collect her writings.
Item 41: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax. November 30, 1943. 1l. Re: Expressing sorrow for her illness.
Item 42: Copy: Letter of Ruby P Tartt to John Lomax June 10, 1944. 1l. Re: Doc Reed opens box of clothing.
Item 43: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax, June 20, 1944. 1l. Re: Receiving her letters and encouraging her to make a story of them and explaining why they sent her copies of her letters.
Item 44: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. December 16, 1944. 1l. Re: Sending Doc Reed Christmas money for her to give him; advising her that his bookAdventures of a Ballad Hunter was about to be printed, and of his poor health and news from the Lomaxes.
Item 45: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. January 12, 1945. 1l. Re: Urging her to write a story about Doc Reed and praising her writing ability.
Item 46: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. January 22, 1945. 1l. Re; Stating his inability to write about Doc Reed and praising her writing ability; advising he was keeping all of her beautiful letters.
Item 47: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. June 18, 1945. 1l. Re: Advising he was returning the letters she had sent him to read and various news of him and his family.
Item 48: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. June 28, 1945. 1l. Re: A letter of friendship and on the reverse side a letter to John Lomax from Emily Schossberger of Univ. of Nebraska Press.
Item 49: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. June 27, 1945. 1l. Re: Houghton-Mifflin requesting Southwest Review to release her stories entitled “Alabama Sketches.”
Item 50: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. July 4, 1945. 1l. Re: Informing her he had sent biographical data on her to Martha Foley, and requesting she send her negro stories to him so that he could sell them to national magazines.
Item 51: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax. July 12, 1945 1l. Re: Trying to relieve her mind on copyright laws.
Item 52: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. July 12. 1945. 1l. Concerning copyrights laws pertaining to her stories.
Item 53: Letter to Ruby P Tartt. July 26, 1945. 3l. Re: Expressing happiness that she had located Federal Writers’ Material encouraging her to put material in book form.
Item 54: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. August 6, 1945. 1l. Re: Urging her again to get her story together.
Item 55: Letter of high recommendation of Ruby P Tartt for her writing of the Southern negro. The letter is addressed Gentlemen, from John Lomax. November 17, 1945. 1l.
Item 56; Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax, January 14, 1946. 1l. Re: Expressing her joy in reading her stories in Best Short Stories.
Item 57: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John Lomax. March 22, 1947. 1l. Re: An Apology.
Item 58: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax, February 15, 1948. 1l. Re: Thanking her for her letter of sympathy at the death of John Lomax.
Item 59: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Ruby T Lomax. N.D. 1l. Re: Advising her of John Lomax’s illness.
Item 60: An incomplete letter from John Lomax. N.D. 1l. Re: Miscellaneous news from him and his family.
Folder FF-4/Box 25
Item 61: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer, dated February 28, 1932. 3l. A memorial to Julia S Tutwiler.
Item 62: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer, December 3, 1936. 3l. A letter of friendship and informing her of the sculpture she was working on.
Item 63: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer. April 7, 1945 5l. Re: A letter of friendship and encouraging RPT to write her stories of negroes and her childhood, etc.
Item 64: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer. July 25, 1946. 3l. A letter of friendship and news.
Item 65: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer. July 1, 1948. 3l. Re: A letter of appreciation and admiration for RPT as well as news from Miss Mercer.
Item 66: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer. May 27, 1959. 2l. Re: Thanking RPT for an enjoyable visit.
Item 67: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer. May 27, 1959. 9l. Re: Her joy that the library at Livingston State College had been named “Julia Tutwiler.”
Item 68: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Geneva Mercer. March 2, 1972. 3l. Re: Giving a statue entitled “Joyous Boy” to “Julia Tutwiler Library.”
Item 69: Letter to Fannie Pickens Inglis, from Geneva Mercer. August 14, 1972. 3l. Re: Geneva Mercer giving a short biography of her life.
Folder FF-5/Box 25
Item 70: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Myrtle Miles. July 8, 1938. 2l. Re: Thanking her for her fine material sent to Federal Writers’ Project.
Item 71: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from B.A. Botkin. December 16, 1942. 1l. Re: Advising that he was sending her three recordings containing Sumter County songs.
Item 72: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Phifer Smith, April 10, 1943. 2l. Re: Advising her how to make money from the sale of negro songs.
Item 73: Letter to Ruby P Tartt from B.A. Botkin, July 22, 1943. 1l. Re: Expressing regret that he cannot send her material because at present it is frozen in the Library of Congress.
Item 74- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from B. A. Botkin. September 1, 1943. 1l. Re: Advising her that her WPA folklore manuscripts would be loaned to her for two months.
Item 75- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Donald Day, November 6, 1943. 2l. Re: Requesting she send more of her stories to “Southwest Review”
Item 76- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from R. B. Patton. November 11, 1943. 3l. Re: Giving her two Negro stories to polish for print.
Item 77- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Elie Siegmeister. April 25, 1945. 1l. Re: Expressing his regret on her accident and offering his friendship.
Item 78- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Glenn Sisk. July 18, 1945, 2l. Re: Requesting her to write about the Black Belt Negro from 1870-1930 for his Ph. D. thesis.
Item 79- Letter to Houghton-Mifflin from Marcus E McConnell Jr. December 18 1945. 1l. Re: Recommending RPT for an author’s contest.
Item 80- Letter Ruby P Tartt from R. B. Patton. January 24, 1947. 2l. Re: Sending her a Negro tale.
Item 81- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from John D Wade. June 23, 1947. 1l. Re: Requesting stories on Southern white share-croppers, mill workers, etc.
Item 82- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Elizabeth M Stover . January 16, 1948. 1l. Re: Requesting she send information about herself to Miss Foley.
Item 83- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Allen Maxwell. July 12, 1949. 1l. Re: Advising her she would receive royalties from Son – have – Gun Stew.
Item 84- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Carl Sandburg July 10, 1951. 1l. Re: Thanking her for a letter she had written to him.
Item 85- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Max Rogers. January 11, 1952. Re: Advising her he was returning two articles she had loaned him.
Item 86- Letter to Dr. Hudson Storde, from Harold Coutlander, April 26, 1953. 1l. Re: Seeking the address of Ruby P Tartt.
Item 87- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Edith Stewart. August 26, 1955. 1l. Re: Advising her letters had been received.
Item 88- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Fletcher S Roberts. July 6, 1959. 1l. Re: Requesting she send him a history of cake recipes served at Christmas time in Alabama.
Item 89- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Lucretia M Somers. April 3, 1961. 1l. Re: Asking her permission to publish an article about her in Library Notes.
Item 90- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Jay Mark. June 4, 1963. 1l. Re: Advising her they were sending her two copies of ” The Last Month of the Year”
Item 91- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Elizabeth Beamguard. October 23, 1963. 1l. Re: Thanking her for her letter and enclosing a negative of a picture of her.
Item 92- A photo static copy of a poem to Allen Tartt and a letter to Fannie P Inglis from Allen Tartt. November, 1970. 2l. Re: Advising he was sending her a copy of the poem and RPT’s home was being cared for.
Item 93- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from R. B. Patton. N .D. 2l. Re: Assuring her that she had his permission to publish in her name the story about Bing Oliver and Dink Yarbough.
Item 94- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Jimmy Bailey, N. D. 2l. Re: Expressing to her his pleasure in reading a story about her in the newspaper.
Item 95- A memo to Ruby P Tartt from Elizabeth Beamguard. N. D. 1l. Re: Assuring her that their tribute to her was sincere.
Item 96- Letter to Ruby P Tartt from Hal Courlander. N. D. 1l. Re: Thanking her for letter and the newspaper copy of a story she had sent him.
Item 97- Letter to Ruby P Tartt, from Eleanor Daniels Editorial Department, Houghton Mifflin Co. April 25, 1944. 1l. Re: Asking if RPT was working on a book of Negro lore that they might publish.
Series 5 – RPT views on folklore [Items 3, 36l.]
Folder G/Box 2
Item 1- Ruby P Tartt gives her views and definition of folk-lore, field hollers, and blues, play party or ring games, folk rhymes and superstition. Written on index cards in her handwriting. 20l. “See Also” Series 9 for blues; Series 12 for folk rhymes and superstitions; Series 10 for play party or ring games.
Item 2- Ruby P Tartt gives her views on folk-lore and how it happened to come about and the contribution the Negro has made. This is not in her handwriting, but it is her views because this collection contains these ideas elsewhere in her hand-writing. These are missing pages. 2l.
Item 3- Ruby P Tartt answers questions about herself such as; When she first heard these tales from the Negro; the type stories she heard such as animals, ghost, slavery tales, rhymes and jingles, and superstitions; She gives the origin of folk-lore especially animal stories; When she began collecting songs and when and how she begin writing. These are duplicate copies and it is assumed she was polishing this for an interview or speech as they are on index cards and in her hand writing. “See Also” Series 11 for folk tales; Series 12 for superstition.
Series 5A – Addendum RPT views on folklore [Items 3, 36l.]
Folder G-1/Box 25
Item 1- RPT stating her purpose in writing her stories in the Negro dialect. 2l.
Item 2- RPT states the purpose and reason for folk-lore.
Series 6 – RPT views on her writing [Items 10, 16l.]
Folder H/Box 2
Item 1- Miscellaneous papers written by Ruby P Tartt with Negro sayings, her thoughts on dialect stories and field hollers. 1l.
Item 2- In her own hand writing Ruby P Tartt discusses how she wrote about the Negro, and the compliments Mr. Lomax paid her about her writing. 1l.
Item 3- A brief note written by Ruby P Tartt in her hand writing stating what she hoped she had achieved in writing about the Negro. 1l.
Item 4- A single typewritten page that has missing pages in which Ruby P Tartt talks about writing a short story and the purpose of her writing. 1l.
Item 5- A criticism of an unknown book that is not in the hand writing of Ruby P Tartt. 1l.
Item 6- A review of “Folk Song, U.S. A.” by Allen and John Lomax written by Ruby P Tartt, but not in her hand writing. “See Also” Series 3, Box 1 Folder D, Item 14. 2l.
Item 7- A single typewritten page that has a missing page. A duplicate of a review of “Folk Song, U. S. A.” by Allan and John Lomax. 1l.
Item 8 – A typewritten story by Ruby P Tartt entitled, “A story Miss Ruby told.” The story is about two elderly ladies living in poverty. This story reveals the character of Ruby p Tartt. 2l.
Item 9- An account written by Ruby P Tartt revealing her thoughts about her writing. There are missing pages. 5l.
Item 10- A hand written account by Ruby P Tartt explaining her style and purpose in writing including a poem.
Series 7 – Ruby P Tartt views on Folk Music [item 20, 106 l.]
Folder I-1/Box 3
Item 1- Miscellaneous papers written by Ruby P Tartt about Negro singing, religion, and their spirituals. These are missing pages. 3l.
Item 2- Typewritten pages in which Ruby P Tartt names the people she helped in collecting songs for their books and her own collecting of field hollers and a paragraph about the Negro spiritual. 1l.
Item 3- Ruby P Tartt discusses the origin of Negro folk songs and why he sang them. These papers are incomplete and not arranged in the sequence in which they were written and could be parts of other works. 7l.
Item 4- Fragments of Ruby P Tartt’s views and description of “Blues.” 3l.
Item 5- A single hand-written page in pencil of Ruby P Tartt describing the rhythms and origins of Negro spirituals, work and chain gang songs. 1l.
Item 6- typewritten pages in which Ruby P Tartt discusses folk music. There are missing pages that are not arranged in the sequence in which they were written and could belong to other works. 10l.
Item 7- typewritten pages in which Ruby P Tartt explains field hollers. This is incomplete and most probably belonged to a larger paper. 2l.
Item 8- Hand written pages in which Ruby P Tartt discusses the beautiful Negro spiritual. These are fragments and were not written as a single paper, but probably belonged to a larger more complete paper.
Item 9- Fragments of Ruby P Tartt views on folk songs. These papers are incomplete and not arranged in the sequence in which they were written. 3l.
Item 10- A miscellaneous paper written by Ruby P Tartt about folk music and a wonderful quotation from an old Negro registering to vote. 1l.
“See Also” Series 5 and 10
Folder I-1/Box 3
Item 11- Hand written questions and answers for an impromptu radio interview with Dr. Robert B Gilbert and Ruby P Tartt, State Teachers College, Livingston, Alabama. 4l.
Item 12- Type written questions asked by Dr. Robert B Gilbert to Mrs. Tartt probably in an interview. 2l.
Item 13- Hand written questions and answers for an interview with Mrs. Tartt and Dr. Robert Gilbert. These are some duplicate copies as well as missing pages. 9l.
Item 14- A brief hand written torn piece about Mrs. Tartt interest in the Negro and the African influence of hand-clapping in their singing and children’s’ games. 1l.
Item 15- A single type written account of the Lomaxes song collecting and the important part Ruby P Tartt and Livingston Alabama played in their work. There are missing pages. 1l.
Item 16- A hand written account by Ruby P Tartt of Negro folk music. There are duplicate copies as well as missing pages. 22l.
Item 17- Miscellaneous papers about folk music and folklore written by Ruby P Tartt. These papers are incomplete and not arranged in the sequence in which they were written and could be part of other works. 5l.
Item 18- Hand written by Ruby P Tartt questions and answers about folk-music, how she knew the Negro singers, blues, ring games, field hollers and spirituals. There are duplicate copies of questions and answers. 14l
Item 19- Hand written papers by Ruby P Tartt about Negro folk music. There are missing pages, and this is a similar copy to Item 16 in this series. 7l.
Item 20- A published booklet that accompanied “Ethnic Folkways Records” with a forward by Ruby P Tartt. 6l.
Series 7A – Addendum Ruby P Tartt views on Folk Music [item 6, 6 l.]
Folder I-3/Box 25
Item 1- An incomplete piece on American folk tunes written by RPT. 1l. “See Also” Series 7, Box 3, Folder I-1.
Item 2- An article on folk music written by RPT. 1l.
Item 3- An incomplete sketch about the beginnings of folk music written by RPT. 1l.
Item 4- A brief sketch written by RPT describing field hollers and the people in Sumter County who had recorded them. 1l. “See Also” Series 7, Box 3, Folder I-1.
Item 5- A sketch written by RPT about Vera Hall and Doc Reed. 1l. “See Also” Series 7, Box 3, Folder I-2, Item 19.
Item 6- RPT writing about field hollers and work songs. 1l. “See Also” Series 7, Box 3, Folder I-1, Item 1.
Series 8 – Sketches, Photographs and Poetry [Items 18, 25l.]
Folder J-1/Box 3
Item 1- A sketch of an eagle, possibly for “Blue-Gray” football game program. Ruby P Tartt had done the program for several years for her brother, Champ Pickens, who promoted this game. 1l.
Item 2- A stencil of flowers. This could be a pattern Mrs. Tartt requested from Mrs. Laumann. “See Also” Series 4, Item 18, Box 2, Folder F-2. 1l.
Item 3- Ink Sketch of woodland scene. 1l.
Item 4- Xerox copy of a sketch Mrs. Tartt placed in the Library of Congress. Sketch is of a Negro sermon and Enoc, who recorded field hollers. 1l.
Item 5- Pencil sketch of a house. 1l.
Item 6- Photograph of Josh Horn. 1l.
Item 7- Photograph of a Negro baptizing. 1l.
Item 8- miscellaneous photographs of churches and people, but identification could not be made. 7l.
Item 9- Photograph of “Livingston Female Academy” 1l.
Item 10- Sketch of “Choctaw Tavern” Livingston Alabama, from a newspaper print.
Item 11- A poem or song, “See Daniel in de Lions den.” 1l.
Item 12- A poem entitled, “The killing of the nine.” 2l.
Item 13- A poem with the first line, “A dat (or dot) of powder.” 1l.
Item 14- Poem with first line, “But at ninety plus, its hard.” 1l.
Item 15- Possibly a quotation Mrs. Tartt read and linked with the first line, “The world seemed to.” 1l.
Item 16- Seems to be Mrs. Tartt’s thoughts on old age that she penned. 1l.
Item 17- A poem with the first line, “A baby sunflower blooms.” 1l.
Item 18- Notes by Ruby P Tartt, assumed to be used for writing a poem, “A baby sunflower blooms.” 1l.
Series 8A – Addendum Sketches, Photographs and Poetry [Items 18, 25l.]
Folder JJ-1/Box 27
Item 1- A photograph of a carriage that cannot be identified. 1l.
Item 2- A photograph of an old black woman that cannot be identified. 1l.
Series 9 – Songs Collected by RPT [item 136, 237 l.]
Folder K-1/Box 4
Item 1- “Ain’t no stranger here.” 1l.
Item 2- “All for the men.” Three copies; two type-written and one hand-written. 4 l.
Item 3- “All time trouble in my heart.” 1l.
Item 4- “Ananias, Ananias.” 1l.
Item 5- “Ankle in Jesus.” 1l.
Item 6- “Anyhow.” 1l.
Item 7- “Anywhere, any time.” 1l.
Folder K-2/Box 4
Item 8- “The ballad- or story telling song.” 1l.
Item 9- “The beautiful city.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 10- “Been in de war so long.” 1l.
Item 11- “Blow Gab’le in de army.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 12- “Borrowed Land.” 1l.
Item 13- “Brother hold your light.” Four copies; three type written and one hand written. 4l.
Folder K-3/Box 4
Item 14- “Certainly, certainly, certainly Lord.” Three copies; one hand written and two type written. 3l.
Item 15- “Clear the line before you call.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 16- “Come en go wid me.” Two copies; two type written. 2l.
Folder K-4/Box 4
Item 17- “Darlin’ don’t you miss me.” 1l.
Item 18- “De las’ word I heered him say.” Two copies one type written one hand written. 2l.
Item 19- “De word can’t do me no harm.” 1l.
Item 20- “Dear Lord, take er me through.” Two copies; one type written one hand written. 2l.
Item 21- “Didn’t you hear my Lord call?” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 22- “Dis is er mean old world to live in.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 23- “Don’t let nobody turn you ’round.” 1l.
Item 24- “Down on me.” 1l.
Folder K-5/Box 4
Item 25- “Everybody ought to love their soul.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 26- “Fightin’ fer de city.” 1l.
Item 27- “For my Jesus ever more.” 1l.
Item 28- “Frog went a courtin’.” 3l.
Folder K-6/Box 4
Item 29- “Gimme Jesus.” 1l.
Item 30- “God-er-mighty knows I can’t stay down here.” 1l.
Item 31- “God gonna trouble the water.” 1l.
Item 32- “God knows I an the one.” Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 2 l.
Item 33- “God’s getting’ worried wid yo’ wicked ways.” Two copies; one type-written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 34- “Good bye Sonny” 1l.
Item 35- “Good news.” Two type written copies. 2 l.
Item 36- “Got Jesus in dat lan’ where I am bound.” 1l.
Item 37- “Great day.” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 3l.
Folder K-7/Box 4
Item 38- “He never sed er mumberlin word.” 1l.
Item 39- “He’s coming again so soon.” 1l.
Item 40- “He’s got his eyes on me.” On the reverse side is, “In that land.” 1l
Item 41- “Hear the banjo ring.” 1l.
Item 42- “Hello Mary” or “Wood-chopping song.” 1l.
Item 43- “Hit jes’ suits me.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 44- “Honey in the rock.” 1l.
Folder K-8/Box 4
Item 45- “I ain’t gonna lay my religion down.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 46- “I believe I’ll go back home.” 1l.
Item 47- “I doan know when ole death gwaine call me home.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 48- “I feel like my time ain’t long.” Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 2l.
Item 49- “I got a home in the rock.” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 50- “I heard the angles singings.” 1l.
Item 51- “I started to make heaven my home.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. On the reverse side of the hand written copy is a song entitled, “Cotton chopping song.” 2l.
Item 52- “I’m gwine home tomorrow.” Two copies; two hand written. 2l.
Item 53-“I’m so glad I got my religion on time.” Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 3l.
Item 54- “If you ain’t got religion you can’t cross.” Two copies; type written. 2l.
Item 55- “Israelites shoutin’ in the heaven.” Three hand written copies with similar words. 3l.
Folder K-9/Box 4
Item 56- “Jesus gonna make up my dying bed.” Two hand written copies. 2l.
Item 57- “Jesus knocking at your door.” 1l.
Item 58- “Job oh Job.” Three copies with similar words; one type written and one hand written. 6l.
Item 59- “John saw that number.” 2l.
Item 60- “Jumpy up Hymns.” 1l.
Folder K-10/Box 5
Item 61- “Let dat liar er lone.” 1l.
Item 62- “Let me lose.” 1l.
Item 63- “Little bird.” 1l.
Item 64- “Little lap dog.” Lullaby. 1l.
Item 65- “Lord I feel like I got to go to Jurden.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 66- “Lord, I wonder where he’s gone.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 67- “Lord, I’m gonna tell the news.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 68- “Lord, pray wid de heaven.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written, On the reverse side of the hand written copy is a song entitled, “Lord I’m on my way.” 2l.
Item 69- “Lord, trouble so hard.” Two type written copies. 2l.
Item 70- “Lovin babe.” 1l.
Item 71- “Low down chariot and let me ride.” Three copies; to hand written and one type written. 3l.
Folder K-11/Box 5
Item 72-“Move de member.” Three copies; one type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 73- “My good Lord done been here.” 1l.
Item 74- “Nora (Noah) built the ark.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 75- “Nothing but joy joy once there.” On the reverse side is a song entitled, “Let hit shine.” 1l.
Folder K-12/Box 5
Item 76- “Oh death.” Two type written copies. 2l.
Item 77- “Oh didn’t it rain.” Two hand written copies. 2l.
Item 78- “Oh John preachin’ in de wil’ erness.” Two copies; one hand written and one type written. On the reverse side of the hand written copy is a song entitled, “De las’ word I heer’ed him say.” 2l.
Item 79- “Oh Lord, I’m in your care.” 1l.
Item 80- “The old ark’s er movin’.” Two type written copies. 2l.
Item 81- “Old Dan Tucker.” 1l.
Item 82- “Over in Zion.” Two type written copies. 2l.
Folder K-13/Box 5
Item 83- “Po’ Laz’us (Poor Lazarus).” 1l.
Item 84- “Po’ sinner, fare you well.” Two copies; 2l.
Item 85- “Pretty Betsy.” Answering- back song. 1l.
Item 86- “Rock my soul in de bosom of Abraham.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 87- “Live ter gether little chillen.” “Rocky chillen.” 1l.
Item 88- “Rough rocky road, en you ‘most done travelin’.” 1l.
Folder K-14/Box 5
Item 89- “Samson an’ Lila.” 2l.
Item 90- “Sangaree.” Two copies. 2l.
Item 91- “Servant choose yo’ seat en set down.” 1l.
Item 92- “Shepherd, Shepherd.” 1l.
Item 93- “Short’nin’ bread.” Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 2l.
Item 94- “Sinner man.” Two type written copies. 2l.
Item 95- “So soon, so soon I’ll be home.” 1l.
Item 96- “Stay in de field ’till de war is ended.” 1l.
Folder K-15/Box 5
Item 97- ‘Taint gwine rain no mo.” Two hand written copies. 2l.
Item 98- “Tall angel at de bar.” Three copies; one type written and two hand written. 3l.
Item 99- “Thank God Almighty I’m free at last.” Three hand written copies. 5l.
Item 100- “Thanky fer de risin’ sun.” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 101- “There’s sumpin on my mind what’s worryin’ me.” Two type writtten copies. 2l.
Item 102- “Time is windin’ up.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 103- “Traverlin’ shoes.” 1l.
Folder K-16/Box 5
Item 104- “Walk in Jerusalem.” 1l.
Item 105- “We gonna have a good time bye and bye.” Two copies; one type written and one hand written. 2l.
Item 106- “Wheel in the middle uv the wheel.” Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 2l.
Item 107- “Whose hat is that where mine ought to be?” Three copies; one hand written and one type written. 2l.
Item 108- “Work on the building for the Lord.” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 109- “Wouldn’t mind dying if dying was all.” 1l.
Folder K-17/Box 5
Item 110- “You can’t cross there.” On the reverse side is a song entitled, “Watch-a-man.” 1l.
Item 111- “You gonna need that pure religion.” 1l.
Item 112- “You jes’ as well get ready.” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 3l.
Item 113- “You got ter move.” On the reverse side is a song entitled, “Seal up your book John.” 1l.
Folder K-18/Box 6
Item 114- Untitled song with the first line: “I’m troubled, I’m troubled ’bout my soul.” 1l.
Item 115- Untitled song with the first line: “Pray hard fer enter de gate.” 1l.
Item 116- Untitled song with the first line: “We are almost home.” 3l.
Item 117- Miscellaneous verses to several songs. 1l.
Item 118- Untitled song with the first line: “Me an’ my wife we live jes…….” 2l.
Item 119- Untitled song with the first line: “God told the angel.” 1l.
Item 120- Untitled song with the first line: “Over my head I see trouble in the air.” 1l.
Item 121- Untitled song with the first line: “Ha ole hen cackle.” 1l.
Item 122- Miscellaneous verses to several songs. 1l.
Item 123- Untitled song with the first line: “Sit down member I can’t sit down.” 1l.
Item 124- Untitled song with the first line: “O Lord I’m so glad.” 1l.
Item 125- Miscellaneous papers with several songs. 5l.
Item 126- Untitled song with the first line: “Oh I got to stand at the bar of judgement.” 1l.
Item 127- Untitled song with the first line: “You don’t miss your water till the well go dry.” 1l.
Folder K-19/Box 6
Item 128- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “Black Woman.” 1l.
Item 129- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “Sinnah, wha yuh down dere?” 1l.
Item 130- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “Roll Jurdan roll.” 1l.
Item 131- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “I’m goin’ home to die no more.”
Item 132- Lists of song titles with the first title being, “Low down chariot let me ride.” 5l.
Item 133- List of John A Lomax recording trip, 1940. This list is incomplete. 1l.
Folder K-19/Box 6
Item 134- List of song titles with the first title being, “All time trouble in my heart.” 3l.
Item 135- Type written list of song titles with the first title being, “Acting crazy.” 3l.
Item 136- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “Barbara Allen.” 1l.
Series 9A – Addendum Songs Collected by RPT [item 9, 12 l.]
Folder KK-1/Box 27
Item 1- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “Jesus gonna make up my dying bed.” 2l.
Item 2- A list of songs entitled, “Songs sung by Doc Reed and Adele Ward sometimes called Vera Hall of Livingston, Alabama.” 1l.
Item 3- Miscellaneous list of songs with the first title being, “There must be a God somewhere.” 1l.
Item 4- A list of songs entitled, “Songs by Doc Reed and Vera Hall.” 1l.
Item 5- A list of songs entitled, “John A Lomax Recording Trip- 1940.” 3l.
Item 6- A copy of the sheet music entitled, “The Last Month of the Year” (What Month was Jesus Born In?) Words and music by Vera Hall, adapted by Ruby Pickens Tartt and Alan Lomax. 1 Copy.
Item 7- Newspaper clipping from The Home Record, Jan 3, 1979. Re: The library of Congress holdings of Sumter County songs collected by John and Alan Lomax and Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l.
Item 8- Newspaper clipping from The Home Record, Jan 17, 1979. Re: Death of Doc Reed, famous Sumter County folk singer. 1l.
Item 9- Funeral Service program of Doc Reed, Jan 10, 1379. 1l.
Series 10 – Ring Games [item 22, 39l.]
Folder L/Box 6
Item 1- List of ring games. 3l.
Item 2- Definition of ring games written on an index card by Ruby Pickens Tartt. 1l.
Item 3- “Bird eye.” 2l.
Item 4- “Blue bird blue bird.” 2l.
Item 5- “Bober needle.” Also under the title of “Bubba Neal” Bob a needle, and Bubble needle.” 2l.
Item 6- “Charlie over the ocean.” 2l.
Item 7- “Green green rocky road.” 2l.
Item 8- “I must see.” 2l.
Item 9- “I wonder and I wonder.” 2l.
Item 10- “Loo-by-loo.” Also under the title of “Loop de loop.” 2l.
Item 11- “Mary Mack.” 2l.
Item 12- “My gold eyed needle.” 3l.
Item 13- “Oh Johnie Brown.” 1l.
Item 14- “Old Lady Sally want to Jump.” 3l.
Item 15- “Peep Squirrel.” 1l.
Item 16- “Rosie darlin’ Rosie.” 2l.
Item 17- “Steal Miss Liza.” 1l.
Item 18- “Stoopin’ on the window.” 2l.
Item 19- “That ole mule Bay.” 1l.
Item 20- “Uncle Johnny sick a bed.” 2l.
Item 21- “Watch that lady how she holds that key.” 1l.
Item 22- “Whoa mule can’t git de saddle on.” 1l.
Series 11 – Folktales, Animal Stories Collected by RPT [item 16, 60l.]
Folder M-1/Box 6
Item 1- “Waitin’ on de Lawd fer salvation.” Three copies. This story was told to Ruby Pickens Tartt by Rich Amerson and was published in “Southwest Review, Spring, 1952. 8l.
Item 2- A hand-written copy by Ruby Pickens Tartt of “Waitin’ on de Lawd fer salvation.” This is incomplete, but it is assumed she was polishing this story for publication. 4l.
Item 3- “Four Negro Stories” by Ruby Pickens Tartt published in “Southwest Review,” Spring, 1952. 2l.
Folder M-2/Box 7
Item 4- “Animal story” told to Ruby Pickens Tartt by Brant Bolden. Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 2l.
Item 5- “How come de dog bark” told to Ruby Pickens Tartt by Brant Bolden. Two copies; one hand written and one type written. 3l.
Folder M-3/Box 7
Item 6- An animal story about Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Wolf and Br’er Fox told to Ruby Pickens Tartt by Flarida Hampton of Livingston, Alabama. Two type written copies. 4l.
Item 7- An incomplete hand written copy of the same animal story about Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Wolf and Br’er Fox told to RPT by Flarida Hampton as in Item 6. Also two typewritten fragments of this same story. 3l.
Folder M-4/Box 7
Item 8- “De Devil an’ Mr. Bobtail.” Three typewritten copies. Silina Lewis, Livingston, Alabama, told this story to RPT. 3l.
Folder M-5/Box 7
Item 9- “Blue jay and hawk.” 5l.
Item 10- “Butcher bird and frog.” 4l.
Item 11- “Dragon fly and honey bee.” 3l.
Item 12- “Elephant and frog.” On the reverse side is a story entitled, “Jackal and camel.” 1l.
Item 13- Two short untitled animal stories. 1l.
Item 14- “The lion and the jackal.” Four copies. This story was published in “Southwest Review.” Spring 1952. 7l.
Item 15- “Meetin’ of de animals an’ fowls to reform.” This story was published in “Southwest Review,” Spring 1952. Three copies. 4l.
Item 16- “Rabbit and wolf.” 6l.
Series 12 – Folklore. Superstitions collected by RPT [items 11, 28l.]
Folder N/Box 7
Item 1- “Omens of death” – Superstitions and customs concerning the disposal of the dead. Two copies; one hand-written and one type written. 5l.
Item 2- “Home-made remedies.” Also included are superstitions. 2l.
Item 3- A hand written list of homemade remedies and superstitions. 1l.
Item 4- “Superstitions of a negro midwife.” Three copies; two type written and one hand written. 8l.
Item 5- A hand written list of superstitions. 1l.
Item 6- One superstition written on an envelope. Rich Amerson gave this superstition to RPT. 1l.’
Item 7- A hand written page of superstitions of a negro midwife. 1l.
Item 8- Twenty-one (21) hand written homemade remedies. 1l.
Item 9- “Superstitions and cures.” 1l.
Item 10- A hand written list of homemade remedies. 1l.
Item 11- Miscellaneous papers with the “Jay bird superstition.” Also included are superstitions and homemade remedies. 6l.
Series 13 – Folklore. Quotations and folk sayings [item 38, 39l.]
Folder O/Box 8
(Also included in this series are quotations gathered by RPT from known literature and other sources.)
Item 1- Miscellaneous sayings written in pencil on a small piece of paper with the first line being, “Chicken my chicken.” 1l.
Item 2- A quotation written on the back of an envelope with the postmark, Dec. 14, 1970. The first line of the quotation is, “The notorious thing about.” 1l.
Item 3- Miscellaneous paper with various sayings and quotations with the first one being, “This has been a hard days nights.” Included is an interesting quotation about child portrait paintings. 1l.
Item 4- Miscellaneous paper with three quotations; the first one being, “Let it be our daily practice….” 1l.
Item 5- A quotation entitled, “The Jew in American life.” 1l.
Item 6- Miscellaneous paper with various quotations with the first line being, “Pictures trance-actions on (modern) transgressions.” 1l.
Item 7- Miscellaneous paper with various sayings from Sumter County negroes written on notebook paper. 1l.
Item 8- A paper with three quotations about “Mountain Folk.” 1l.
Item 9- A quotation from Rev. Chauncy Giles with the first line being, “So many say so and so was God’s will.” This is written on an envelope. 1l.
Item 10- Quotations written on a small yellow piece of paper with the first line being, “Comes a roar.” 1l.
Item 11- Two sayings from two Sumter County negroes- one from the cook of RPT. The first line is, “Sara George’s cook.” 1l.
Item 12- Miscellaneous papers with various sayings. “Negro Blessing” is included on both leaves. 2l.
Item 13- Miscellaneous papers with various sayings with the first line being, “What it like out” 1l.
Item 14- Miscellaneous sayings from Sumter County negroes with the first line being, “Rich says. Enoc ain’t high stocked.” 1l.
Item 15- Miscellaneous sayings with the first line being, “Learnin’ what you buys don’t.” 1l.
Item 16- Miscellaneous sayings from Sumter County negroes with the first line being, “Some member of congregation asked.” 1l.
Item 17- Various quotations written in pencil on notebook paper. 1l.
Item 18- Miscellaneous paper with various sayings and quotations with the first line being, “Josh.” 1l.
Item 19- Various sayings written on notebook paper. Many of these sayings are from Rich Amerson, teller of tales and singer. 1l.
Item 20- Various sayings from Sumter County negroes. RPT also talks about Br’r Rabbit in animal stories. Written in ink on notebook paper. 1l.
Item 21- Miscellaneous sayings and quotations about a variety of subjects. The first saying is, “Time here is an incident to.” It is assumed these sayings were written by RPT in the nursing home during her last years. 1l.
Item 22- A very small piece of notebook paper with a quotation, measurement, and titles of books. The first line of the quotations is, “I shall retire in.” 1l.
Item 23- A single piece of paper with the three greatest masterpieces in literature listed, and a poem about a blue bird. 1l.
Item 24- A torn piece of paper with a list of negro names; on the reverse side seems to be some of RPT thoughts. 1l.
Item 25- A torn piece of paper with various sayings with the first one being, “He has devotion and.” 1l.
Item 26- Seems to be a short poem with the first line, “I’ll give you a paper of pins.” 1l.
Item 27- A short piece of paper assumed to be thoughts of RPT with the first line being, “I can’t give you your money.” 1l.
Item 28- Various sayings from negroes with the first one being, “In de eyes ov de world de.” 1l.
Item 29- A torn piece of paper with an assortment of quotations with the first line being, “Happiness says Dr. …..” 1l.
Item 30- A variety of quotations with the frost line being, “I decided to leave the.” 1l.
Item 31- A short poem entitled, “Belated to a mind.” 1l.
Item 32- A miscellaneous paper with a Scottish ballad and a riddle. 1l.
Item 33- Various sayings concerning grief, trouble, etc. With the first line being, “You are like Rachel mourning.” 1l.
Item 34- A short poem entitled, “If you ain’t got no bosom.” 1l.
Item 35- A listing of various titles such as, Giving, Daffodils, Courtesy, Columbus, etc. The page number is given after each title and it is assumed RPT found the poems in a book. 1l.
Item 36- A single page with the title, “Indians in a white world.” 1l.
Item 37- Various humorous sayings with the first line being “Think I’ll lecture on Confusions.” 1l.
Item 38- Various quotations assumed to be taken from “Harper’s”, 1933 by RPT. 1l.
Series 14 – Slavery Tales [item 37, 179 l.]
(Narratives of slavery days recorded by RPT from former slaves or their children. Arranged by informant or informant family.)
Folder P-1/Box 8
Item 1- Bell, Oliver. An ex-slave interview, hand written by RPT. 2l.
Item 2- Bell, Oliver. An ex-slave interview. Three copies; two type-written and one hand-written. 14l.
Folder P-2/Box 8
Item 3- Ank, Bishop. An ex-slave interview. This interview is incomplete. 2l.
Folder P-3/Box 8
Item 4- Chapman, Amy, ex-slave. Two quotations from Amy Chapman written by hand by RPT. 1l.
Item 5- “Interview with Aunt Amy Chapman, ex-slave.” Typewritten copy. 3l.
Item 6- “Interview with Aunt Amy Chapman. Ex-slave.” This is incomplete with various papers about Amy Chapman. 5l.
Item 7- Excerpts from various stories RPT had written about Amy Chapman. 3l.
Item 8- “De masters good but overseers mean”, written by RPT as told to her by Amy Chapman. 3l.
Folder P-4/Box 8
Item 9- “Amy Chapman’s funeral.” Three typewritten copies and one of the copies being in complete. 22l.
Folder P-5/Box 8
Item 10- “Aunt Amy Chapman.” Two copies. This story is very similar to “Amy Chapman’s funeral.” 20l.
Item 11- Fragments and pieces of the story of Amy Chapman. This is not complete nor in the proper sequence. 13l.
Folder P-6/Box 9
Item 12- Clark, Laura, ex-slave. “Chillun in ev’y grabeyard”, is a story told by RPT by Laura Clark. 16l.
Item 13- A hand-written accounts by RPT of life as a slave for Laura Clark. 1l.
Folder P-7Box 9
Item 14- Crocket, Emma, ex-slave. 3l.
Folder P-8/Box 9
Item 15- Garrett, Angie, ex-slave interview. Hand-written slave interview by RPT. 2l.
Item 16- Fragments and incomplete account of Angie Grarrett, ex-slave. 3l.
Item 17- “Mules be eatin’ and niggers be eatin”, a story told to RPT by Angie Garrett. Two type-written copies. 8l.
Folder P-9/Box 9
Item 18- Letter to RPT from Donald Day. November 22, 1944. Re: Possible publication of her account of the death of Josh Horn, ex-slave. Also a newspaper clipping of the death of Josh Horn written by RPT. 2l.
Item 19- Horn, Josh; wife Alice and their daughter Annie Grace Horn Dobson. See photograph of Josh Horn in Series 8, Item 6, Folder J-1, and Box 3. A story written by RPT entitled “Alice.” Two typewritten copies with one copy having the first page missing. Published in “Southwest Review”, Spring, 1949. 27l.
Folder P-10/Box 9
Item 20- “Chasing Guinea Jim, the runaway slave”, told to RPT by Josh Horn. Two copies; one typewritten and one handwritten. Published in “A Treasury of Southern Folklore” by B.A. Botkin, 1949. 14l.
Item 21- “Slave’y Tale” told to RPT by Josh Horn. 4l.
Folder P-11/Box 9
Item 22- Fragments and incomplete stories about Josh Horn and his family that could not be matched nor are they in the proper sequence. 20l.
Item 23- RPT writing about Josh Horn. There are missing pages. 5l.
Item 24- Two handwritten accounts of Alice and Josh written by RPT. 9l. “See Also” Series 15, Item 13, 14, Box 12, Folder Q-8, Q-9. Also for future reading about Josh Horn and Alice see a published story entitled “A Pair of Blue Stockings”, in “U. S. Stories”, edited by Martha Foley and Abraham Rothberg, 1949.
Item 25- Dobson, Annie Grace Horn. Fragments and incomplete stories about Annie Grace, daughter of Josh and Alice Horn. 4l.
Folder P-12/Box 10
Item 26- Jackson, Martha. “Heaps of dem yaller gals got sont Norf”, a story told by Martha Jackson to RPT. Two typewritten copies. 8l.
Item 27- Fragments and incomplete writings by RPT about Martha Jackson. These are not in the proper sequence. 4l.
Folder P-13/Box 10
Item 28- Johnson, Hagar. “Aunt Hager Johnson, Black’s Bluff Centenarian.” Two typewritten copies with one copy having a missing page. 5l.
Folder P-14Box 10
Item 29- Johnson, Hilliard, ex-slave. Three copies; Two typewritten and one handwritten. 10l.
Item 30- “Hoodooin’ de dogs” was told to RPT by Hilliard Johnson, ex-slave. And is similar to the above ex-slave interview of Hilliard Johnson. 1l.
Item 31- A short note written by Fannie P Inglis giving background information about Hilliard Johnson. 1l.
Folder P-15/Box 10
Item 32- Pollard, Carrie. “A husband couldn’t be bought” as told to RPT by Carrie Pollard. This story is incomplete and not in the proper sequence. 4l.
Folder P-15/Box 10
Item 33- Handwritten account by RPT about Carrie Pollard. This is incomplete and not in the proper sequence. 3l.
Folder P-16/Box 10
Item 34- Young, George. An ex-slave interview. Three copies; one typewritten, one Xerox copy and one handwritten copy. 10l.
Item 35- An incomplete story about George Young similar to the ex-slave interview. 3l.
Item 36- “Peter Had No Keys ‘cepin’ his’n.” Four copies; one Xerox copy and three typewritten copies. George Young told this story to RPT. 16l.
Folder P-17/Box 10
Item 37- Informant unknown. “How ‘White Oak Tom’ got his name.” 3l.
Series 14 Addendum – Slavery Tales [item 5, 10l.]
Folder PP-1/Box 26
Item 1- Bell, Oliver. An ex-slave interview. Photo static copy, incomplete. 3l. “See Also” Series 14, Box 8, Folder P-1, and Item 1 and 2.
Item 2- Bishop, Ank. An ex-slave interview. Photo static copy. 2l. “See Also” Series 14, Box 8, Folder P-2 and Item 3.
Item 3- Garrett, Angie, ex-slave interview. Photo static copy. 2l. “See Also” Series 14, Box 9, Folder P-8, Item 15, 16, 17.
Item 4- Green, Jake, ex-slave interview. Photo static copy.
Item 5- Pollard, Carrie, ex-slave interview. Photo static copy. 1l. “See Also” Series 14, Box 10, Folder P-15, Item 32 and 33.
Series 15 – Recollections of Post-Slavery Times [item 20, 185 l.]
Arranged alphabetically by informant.
Folder Q-1/Box 11
Item 1- Amason, Hattie (“Little Bit”). “Seeking salvation”, a story told by RPT by Hattie Amason. Three copies; two typewritten and one Xerox copy, 14l.
Folder Q-2/Box 11
Item 2- Amason, Rich. A story written by RPT entitled, “Richard, the tall-hearted”, told to her by Rich Amason. This story was published in, U.S. Stories: Regional Stories from the Forty-Eight States, Selected and foreword by Martha Foley and Abraham Rothberg, 1949. Two typewritten copies. 12l.
Folder Q-3/Box 11
Item 3- Amason, Rich. A single handwritten page by RPT with missing pages from “Richard, the tall-hearted.” 1l.
Item 4- Amason, Rich. A story entitled, “Rich” told to RPT by Rich Amason. 3l.
Item 5- Amason, Rich. Fragments and incomplete stories about Rich Amason that could not be matched nor are they in the proper sequence. Handwritten by RPT. 6l.
Item 6- Amason, Rich. An incomplete typewritten interview with Rich Amason. There are missing pages. 2l.
Folder Q-4/Box 11
Item 7- Amason, Rich. Fragments and incomplete stories told to RPT by Rich Amason that could not be matched nor or they in the proper sequence. Typewritten. 3l.
Item 8- Amason, Rich. A single incomplete page about Rich Amason written by RPT in her own hand-writing. The information is similar to Item 7 above. 1l.
Item 9- Amason, Rich and Hattie. (“Little Bit”). A story entitled, “I hopes I don’t never git dat hungry”, told to RPT by Rich and “Little Bit” Amason. Four copies; two typewritten and two Xerox copies. 6l.
Folder Q-5/Box 11
Item 10- Blind Jesse. A story written by RPT entitled, “Blind Jesse and His ‘macordium’.” Three typewritten copies. 12l.
Folder Q-6/Box 11
Item 11
Greenlee (General). A story written by RPT entitled, “On de white folks side”, told to her by General Greenlee. “See Also” Series 17, Box 17, Folder T4-9. for more information about Steve Renfroe. Three copies; two typewritten and one Xerox copies. 27l.
Folder Q-7/Box 12
Item 12- Godfrey, Anne. A story written by RPT entitled, “Anne Godfrey.” Three typewritten copies. 6l.
Folder Q-8/Box 12
Item 13- Horn, Josh. A story written by RPT entitled, “Trustworthy-kind-loyal”, told to her by Josh Horn. It is assumed that RPT was polishing this story for a book on Josh and his family that was never written. Three similar copies; one handwritten; one typewritten and one incomplete typewritten copy. 20l. “See Also” Series 14, Box 9, Folders P-9, 10, 11. Item 19-25 for additional information on “The Horn Family.”
Folder Q-9/Box 12
Item 14- Horn, Josh. A story written by RPT entitled, “Marse Ike’s Favorite” as told to her by Josh Horn. There are similarities in this story to others written about Josh Horn and his family. Four typewritten copies having the same title and the content of each copy is similar but not exact. 10l.
Folder Q-10/Box 12
Item 15- Johnson, Minnie. A story written by RPT entitled, “Four of my chillun ain’t no blood kin”, told to her by Minnie Johnson. Four copies; three typewritten copies and one incomplete handwritten copy assumed to be the original draft.27l.
Folder Q-11/Box 12
Item 16- Moore, Tom. A story written by RPT entitled, “Tom Moore and his death money.” Told to RPT by Tom Moore. Three typewritten copies. 12l.
Folder Q-12/Box 12
Item 17- Oliver, Bing. A story written by RPT entitled, “Bing Oliver is a pushing man”, as told to her by Bing Oliver. This story was published in U. S. Stories: Regional Stories from the forty-eight states”, selected and foreword by Martha Foley and Abraham Rothberg, 1949. Two typewritten copies. 4l.
Item 18- Wynn, Buck. This story was given to RPT but not written by her. Two copies; one typewritten and one Xerox copy. 2l.
Item 19- Informant unknown. A story written by RPT entitled, “We sold out to the boll weevil.” Three typewritten copies. 6l.
Item 20- Informant unknown. A story written by RPT entitled, “a-Bumpin’ an’ a-Bilin.” This story was published in Southwest Review, Spring, 1952, under the title “Four negro stories.” Two copies of the published story (one typewritten and one Xerox copy; two copies (one type written and one Xerox copy) of the story somewhat different from the published version along with a single handwritten page probably belonging to the original draft. 11l.
Folder QQ-1/Box 26
Item 1- Amason, Rich. A story written by RPT as told to her by Rich. Photo static copy. 6l. “See Also” Series 15, Box 11, Folder Q-3, Items 2-9.
Series 15 Addendum – Recollections of Post-Slavery Times [Items 1, 6l.]
Folder QQ-1/Box 26
Item 1- Amason, Rich. A story written by RPT as told to her by Rich. Photo static copy. 6l. “See Also” Series 15, Box 11, Folder Q-3, Items 2-9.
Series 15A – Recollections of post slavery times-negro sermons. [Items 3, 15l.]
Folder Q-13/Box 12
Arranged alphabetically by informant.
Item 1- Anderson, A. A. A sermon written in RPT’s hand writing exactly as she heard it. 1l.
Item 2- Hall, Birdell. A negro sermon told to RPT by Birdell Hall entitled “Five Were Foolish.” Three copies; two typewritten and one handwritten by RPT. 3l.
Series 16-A “HISTORICAL SKETCHES WRITTEN AND COLLECTED BY RPT [Item 17, 85l]
This series is divided into two parts. Series 16-A contains articles written by RPT; Series 16-B contains articles collected by RPT.
Folder R/Box 13
Item 1: “History of Demopolis, Alabama”, written by RPT. 3l.
FolderR-2
Item 2: “A short history of Livingston’s D. U. D’s”, written by RPT. 4l.
FolderR-3
Item 3: “Early history of Epes, Alabama”, written by RPT
Folder R-4
Item 4: Gainesville, Alabama, “Far away and long ago”, written by RPT. Three copies’ one hand written draft, one type written copy and one Xerox copy 8l.
Folder RÂ5
Item 5: A rough draft written in pencil by RPT of the history of Sumter County and Livingston, Alabama. This is not in the proper sequence nor complete, but it is assumed RPT was polishing this history for writing style and correct facts. 8l.
Folder R-6
Item 6: “Annual events in Sumter County” written by RPT. 1l.
Item 7: “Sumter County History” written by RPT.2l.
Folder R-7
Item 8: “Livingston Sumter County Library”, written by RPT. 2l.
Item 9: “Incidentally”, written by RPT giving her thoughts on instilling the love of reading in children. 2l.
Item 10: A collected item by RPT entitled “Library Ruled”. 1l.
Item 11: “Dancing Rabbit Club”, written by RPT to entice children to read by forming a competitive reading club. 2l.
Item 12: RPT reminiscing about Livingston, Alabama, the organization and history of the “Primrose Club, and the library. 10l.
Folder R-8/Box 14
Item 13: A story written by RPT about speaking the “Primrose Club” on “Hobbies”. 5l.
Item 14: “Indian names in Sumter County”, collected and written by RPT. 3L.
Item 15: “Ku Klux Tale” by George Young as told to rpt. Two copies: one hand-written and one typewritten copy. “See Also” Series 14, Box10, Folder P-16, Items 34, 35, 36. 5l.
Folder R-9
Item 16: “Notes on Livingston”, written by rpt. Two type written copies (complete); two type written copies with the first page missing for each; notes written by hand assumed to be notes for the original draft for this story. 17l.
Folder R-9/Box 14
Item 17: “Plant thou a tree”, written by rpt about architectural eyesores. 1l.
Folder R-1/Box 23
Item 1: “Early History of Gainesville”, written by rpt. Incomplete. 10l.
Item 2: “D.U.D’s is a New Year’s Tradition”, a newspaper article written by rpt. 1l.
Series 16-B HISTORICAL SKETCHES WRITTEN AND COLLECTED BY RPT [Items 39, 157l.]
Series 16-B contains articles collected by rpt. The arrangement is chronological.
Folder S-1/Box 14
Item 1: The Voice of Sumter, Livingston, Alabama, August 9, 1836. This article is about Sumter County History concerning Steve Renfroe and “The McGrews”. Two copies: one typewritten (14l) and one Xerox copy (15l.). 29l.
Folder S-2
Item 2: The Voice of Sumter, November 29, 1836, concerning a run-away slave. Copied by rpt in her handwriting. 2l.
Item 3: Sumter County Whig, January 30, 1844. Two pages from this newspaper. 2l.
Item 4: The Sumter Democrat, 1851. A marriage certificate copied by rpt in her handwriting. 1l.
Item 5: The Beacon, Greensboro, Alabama, March 12, 1858. Two newspaper clippings concerning “The burning of the Eliza Battle”, steamboat disaster, and one Xerox copy (3l.). 5l.
Item 6: Livingston Journal, April 25, 1868. A type written article entitled, “The Union League Coincidence”. 1l.
Item 7: Livingston Journal, May 23, 1868. Typed written copy concerning “Reconstruction”. 1l.
Folder S-3
Item 8: Friday, July 31, 1868. Typed written copy concerning “Reconstruction”. 3l.
Item 9: Friday, July 31, 1868. A typed written copy entitled, “the Freedmen’s Parade on the 18th”. 2l.
Item 10: The News, July 29, 1869. Typed written copy concerning “Reconstruction”. 3l.
Item 11: The News, August 27, 1870. A typed written copy entitled, “The reign of terror”. 3l.
Item 12: The News, October 29, 1870. Typed written copy concerning “Reconstruction”: one Xerox copy of the same. 2l.
Item 13: “Ku Klux of Sumter County” gathered from old Livingston, Alabama, newspapers by rpt. 17l.
Folder S-4/Box15
Item 14: Livingston Journal, March 24, 1871. A typed written copy entitled, “Sturges of the Meridian Riot”. 3l.
Item 15: Friday, July 25th, 1873. A typed written copy entitled, “News respecting Sumter”. 1l.
Item 16: Fayetteville (N. C.), Express, Friday, June 12th, 1874. A typed written copy entitled, “De Pervisions, Josiar”. 2l.
Item 17: Friday, August 28, 1874. A typed written copy entitled, “The Truth Boldly Spoken”. 2l.
Folder S-4/Box 15
Item 18: Livingston Journal, may 14, 1875. A typed written copy entitled, “Ten Years, A Disastrous Decade, 1865-1875, Retrospect of Reconstruction”. 3l.
Item 19 Livingston Journal, June 4, 1875, A typed written copy entitled, “The Death of outrage”. 3l.
Item 20: Gainesville Dispatch, August 14, 1875. Handwritten copy by rpt concerning the advertised sale of a free negroes sons’ by himself. 1l.
Folder S-5/Box 15
Item 21: Livingston Journal, March 3, 1876. Handwritten copy of miscellaneous items copied from the Livingston Journal. 1l.
Item 22: The Gainesville Dispatch, April 4, 1876. A hand-written copy concerning the cost and scarcity of food and clothing. 1l.
Item 23: Livingston Journal, 1879. Two typed written copies of a story entitled, “Gallows Ball”. 2l.
Item 24: Livingston Journal, Friday, June 10, 1881. Two copies entitled, “The Execution of Ben Perkins”: one typed written copy (4l.) and one incomplete hand-written copy (3l.). 7l.
Item 25: Livingston Journal, August 25, 1882. Two typewritten copies entitled, “A Diabolical Scheme”. One of the copies is incomplete. 2l.
Item 26: Livingston Journal, September 1, 1882. Two copies entitled, “Jack Turner Pays His Last Debt”: One typewritten and one Xerox copy. 10l.
Folder S-6/Box 15
Item 27: Livingston Journal, July 5, 1886. A brief hand-written copy concerning the weather, prices, health, and scarcity of products. 1l.
Item 28: Livingston Journal, November 10, 1887. A typed written copy entitled, “Annual Hunt”. 1l.
Item 29: The Sun, May 26, 1892. Typed written copy entitled, “After Jim Jones, Rapist…”. 2l.
Item 30: The Sumter Sun, August 24, 1893. A typed written copy entitled, “A terrible Oath”. 2l.
Item 31: Livingston Journal, October 5, 1894. A typed written copy entitled, “The Anti-Lynching Committee”. 4l.
Folder S-7
Item 32: Our Southern Home, May 20, 1903. A typed written copy entitled, “Alabama Normal College”. 1l.
Item 33: February 1938, Sherard, Mississippi. Two copies (one type-written and one Xerox copy). This copied article was authored by Frank Herr and entitled, “Reconstruction Times in Sumter County, Alabama”; also included is a story of Steve Renfroe. “See Also” Series 17, Box 17, Folders T4-9. 22l.
Folder S-8/Box 15
Item 34: Minutes of the Primrose Club. The Primrose Club was organized as study club for women, and their main goal was to sponsor the County Library, in which rpt was the librarian. 7l.
Item 35: Constitution of the Primrose club. 1l.
Item 36: Newspaper clipping entitled, “Sumter County History”. 1l.
Item 37: A listing of Confederate Soldiers of Sumter County. 2l.
Item 38: Newspaper clipping entitled, “Sumter Registrars absolved of charge”. Rpt served on the board of Registrars. 1l.
Item 39: Two typed written copies of a historical article entitled, “Grampian Hill”. It is unknown id this article was written or copied by rpt. 4l.
Series 17 BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES OF SUMTER COUNTY PEOPLE AND JOHN AND ALAN LOMAX [Items 22, 176l.]
Information in these sketches is either by rpt or copied from newspapers or others accounts. The sketches by rpt are noted, and the arrangement is alphabetical. Box 17 contains information about Stephen Renfroe, and the arrangement is chronological as it appeared in newspapers.
Folder T-1/Box 16
Item 1: Clark, Joe. A sketch on heroism written by rpt. The sketch is entitled “Greater love hath no man than this”. Two copies: one typewritten copy and one Xerox copy. 4l.
Folder T-2
Item 2: Culpepper, W. Cleon. A sketch of appreciation written by rpt entitled, “W. Cleon Culpepper-an appreciation”. 3l.
Folder T-3
Item 3: Lomax, John A. An incomplete sketch written by the wife of John Lomax for a newspaper. 1l.
Item 4: Lomax, John A. A newspaper clipping reprinted from the “Chicago Sun” on August 11, 1946, entitled, “Lomax…Folklorist of the West”. 1l.
Item 5: Lomax, Alan. A clipping from “Time”, September 22, 1952, entitled, “Just folk”: The article is incomplete. 1l.
Item 6: Lomax, John A. A newspaper clipping entitled, “John Lomax, great collector of folk songs, was Mississippian”. 1l.
Folder T-4/Box 17
Item 7: Renfroe, Stephen S. 1874. Items collected from newspapers by rpt about Sumter County’s outlaw sheriff that appeared during the year 1874. 30l.
Folder T-5
Item 8: Renfroe, Stephen S., 1875. Items collected by rpt form newspapers about Stephen Renfroe that appeared during the year 1875. 8l.
Folder T-6
Item 9: Renfroe, Stephen S., 1882. Items collected by rpt from newspaper about Stephen Renfroe that appeared during the year 1882. 2l.
Folder T-7
Item 10: Renfroe, Stephen S., 1885. Items collected by rpt from newspapers about Stephen Renfroe that appeared during the year 1885. 29l.
Folder T-8
Item 11: Renfroe, Stephen S., 1886. Items collected by rpt from newspapers about Stephen Renfroe that appeared during the year 1886. 18l.
Folder T-9
Item 12: Renfroe, Stephen S., undated. Article copied from newspaper entitled, “A sad shooting”. 2l.
Item 13: Renfroe, Stephen S., undated. The author of the article entitled, “S. S. Renfroe is unknown. Three copies: two typewritten copies plus one Xerox copy. 30l.
For additional information on Stephen S. Renfroe “See Also”
Series 15, Box 11, Folder Q-6, Item 11
Series 16-B, Box 14, Folder S-1, Item 1
Series 16-B, Box 15, Folder S-7, Item 33
Series 17 BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES OF SUMTER COUNTY PEOPLE AND JOHN AND ALAN LOMAX [Items 22, 176l.] (Continued)
Folder T-10/Box 16
Item 14: Rosenbush, Edwin. A hand-written article on Edwin Rosenbush by rpt. 1l.
Folder T-11
Item 15: Tutwiler, Julia S. A newspaper clipping entitled, “In Alabama’s Hall of fame”, October 15, 1953. 1l.
Item 16: Tutwiler, Julia S. An article written by rpt entitled, “A review of Julia S. Tutwiler”. 3l.
Item 17: Tutwiler, Julia S. The song “Alabama” copied from a newspaper by rpt with notes written in rpt’s hand-writing. 3l.
Item 18: Tutwiler, Julia S. An article written by an unknown author entitled, “Julia s Tutwiler: Woman pioneer of education is Alabama”. 12l.
Item 19: Tutwiler, Julia S. An article written by rpt. One typewritten copy and one Xerox copy along with two hand-written pages of notes in rpt’s handwriting. 4l.
Folder T-12
Item 20: Ward, Vera Hall. Handwritten account of Vera Hall Ward by rpt. 2l.
Item 21: Ward, Vera Hall. A brief account of Vera Hall Ward written by rpt. Two copies: one typewritten and one Xerox copy. 2l.
Folder T-13
Item 22: Winston, John Anthony. An article about John A. Winston written by rpt. Four copies: three type-written and one Xerox copy. 18l.
Series 17 ADDENDUM: BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES OF SUMTER COUNTY PEOPLE AND JOHN AND ALAN LOMAX [Items 1, 2l.]
Folder TT-1/Box 26
Item 1: Scruggs, Mrs. J. O. A tribute written by rpt. 2l.
Series 18 NOTES AND COLLECTED ITEMS BY RPT [Items 45, 92 l.]
This series contains copies of newspaper articles, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, book reviews of various subjects that were of interest to rpt.
Folder u-1/Box 18
Item 1: The Voice of Sumter, Livingston, Alabama, January 2, 1838. These copied items concern navigation of the Sucarnochee and circuit court. 1l.
Item 2: “Notes and collected items” by rpt copied from various sources concerning a variety of subjects. 6l.
Item 3: July 27, 1868, entitled “Proclamation”, copied by rpt, forbidding armed assemblages. 1l.
Item 4: Livingston Journal, May 3, 1872. These copied items concern Birmingham, Alabama, and Mr. and Mrs. Elnathan Tartt moving to Livingston, Alabama. Two copies: one typewritten copy and one hand-written copy that have the article about Birmingham and other items not included in the type-written copy. 2l.
Item 5: The Gainesville Dispatch, May 22, 1875, This copied article is entitled, “Birth and Parentage of P. B. S. Pinchback”. 1l.
Item 6: The Livingston Journal, October 2, 1874. This copied article is entitled, “The story of Joseph G. Hester’s adventurous career”. 6l.
Item 7: Gainesville Dispatch, April 1876. This copied item is in rpt’s handwriting, and concerns “War Times in the South”. 1l.
Item 8; Livingston Journal, August 12, 1881. This seems to be a letter to Dr. Brock from rpt attempting to prove the dates in which Julia Tutwiler was principle of Livingston Female Academy. 1l.
Item 9: Our Southern Home, May 2, 1901. A copied item by rpt entitled “considerable Difference”. 1l.
Item 10: Our Southern Home, August 5, 1936. Copied items by rpt concerning the value of libraries. 1l.
Folder U-2/Box 18
Item 11: Seems to be rpt’s review of a book. This item is written in rpt’s hand- writing possible while she was in the nursing home. To identify this page use handwriting on p. 329. 1l.
Item 12: A lovely item written in rpt’s handwriting concerning acts of God and how to deal with them. To identify the first line is “Take a storm calmly…”1l.
Item 13: Book reviews written in rpt’s handwriting possibly copied. To identify the first line is, “The book (I refer to)…” 1l.
Item 14: Thoughts and saying on various subjects possibly copied or could be original with rpt. Written by hand by rpt, but these miscellaneous items are incomplete. To identify the first line “The maid at the Inn”. 5l.
Item 15: Incomplete fragments of sayings and thoughts on the philosophy of life and writing. Written in rpt’s handwriting. To identify the first line is “A novelist describing on…” 5l.
Item 16: Thoughts and sayings written in rpt’s handwriting on various subjects. These items are not complete nor are they in the proper sequence. To identify the first line is “Down the hot road walked…” 5l.
Item 17: Incomplete and fragmentary thoughts and sayings written in rpt’s handwriting possibly when she was in the nursing home. To identify the first page it has “28×32 frame”. 4l.
Item 18: three items copied and written in rpt’s handwriting concerning roosters crowing Indian custom and “The first temperance pledge’. 1l.
Item 19: Items copied and written in rpt’s handwriting entitled, “Styles in May 1875”. 2l.
Item 20: Items copied from various sources by rpt in her own handwriting concerning “The Creation”, “Heaven”, “Hold fast your dream”. 1l.
Item 21: Livingston Journal, June 19, 1874. A copied item in rpt’s handwriting entitled, “Farm”. 1l.
Item 22: Two humorous stories copied by rpt in her handwriting concerning a hotel room and a lawyer. 1l.
Item 23: Miscellaneous quotes about writing and art copied by rpt in her handwriting. To identify the first line is, “to record facts is journalism…” 1l.
Item 24: A brief sentence written in rpt’s handwriting concerning the first newspaper. 1l.
Item 25: An article about tornadoes written in rpt’s handwriting with the first sentence beginning, “Prof. Loomis…” 1l.
Item 26: Type-written copy entitled, “An Indian Legend of the Tombigbee” collected by rpt. 1l.
Item 27: An item written in rpt’s hand writing concerning unusual names. To identify the first line is, “A person named Danger kept a…” 1l.
Item 28: A copied item written in rpt’s hand writing concerning a reward offered for a runaway slave, dated march 29, 1836. 1l.
Item 29: A collection of copied “Epitaphs” written in rpt’s hand writing. 3l.
Folder U-3/Box 18
Item 30: An item collected from a magazine by rpt entitled “Uncle Remus”. 1l.
Item 31: The table of contents from the book “From hell to breakfast” in which rpt had a story published, “Carrie Dykee-Midwife”. 1l.
Item 32: A collected item by rpt from a magazine. Item is, “Hail and farewell” by Charlotte E. Wilder. 1l.
Item 33: A collected item by rpt from a magazine. Item is “Alabama, Here we rest” by Eleanor Risley. 2l.
Item34: A newspaper clipping collected by rpt concerning the burial of a child in Washington and the invocation that was delivered. 1l.
Item 35: a collected item by rpt from a magazine. The item is entitled “A war-time Christmas” by Agnes Repplier. 1l.
Item 36: A collected article by rpt form Harpers Magazine, December 1926, entitled “America and the debts” by George Glasgow. 3l.
Item 37: A collected article by rpt from Harper’s Monthly Magazine entitled “what is Christianity?” by Harry Emerson Fosdick. 6l.
Item 38: a collected article by rpt from The Atlantic Monthly, December 1922, entitled “The America that used to be”, edited by Lawrence Shaw Maya. 5l.
Item 39: A collected article by rpt from a magazine with the article entitled, “Your obituary, well written” by Conrad Aiken. 4l.
Item 40: a collected item by rpt entitled, “Leo, the lonely lion” with an attractive drawing of Leo. 1l.
Item 41 A newspaper clipping collected by rpt entitled, “Popular song, nightgown and even beret, have adopted title”. The article is about how many people used Carl Carmer’s title “Stars fell on Alabama”. 1l.
Item 42: Birmingham Post Herald, November10, 1960, newspaper clipping collected by rpt entitled “The people speak…” by Samuel Lubell concerning the election of John F. Kennedy, to the presidency. 1l.
Item 43: An article entitled, “Incidentally” is about A. A. Milne’s ability to write children’s books, and it is assumed rpt wrote this article. 1l.
Item 44: Collected items from Library Club of America Publicity Supplement, March 1957, 4l.
Item 45: A collected article from The Christian Century, October 26, 1955, entitled “Ironies of ’55, Southern Style”, 1l.
Series 18 ADDENDUM: NOTES AND COLLECTED ITEMS BY RPT [items 20, 32l]
Folder UU-1/Box 27
Item 1 A story entitled, “The Wolf had Pups”. 2l.
Item 2: Handwritten notes of sayings entitled, “An Old Gaelic Prayer”. 1l.
Item 3: Two thoughts written by RPT expressing herself on death and artificial flowers 1l
Item 4: A poem that RPT collected in which she stated she wish she had written concerning you are the pilot of your cruise. 1l.
Item 5: Livingston Journal, June 10, 1886.Copied items concerning dogs. 1l.
Item 6: Livingston Journal, November 19, 1885. Copied item entitled, “Regarding Renfroe’s Pistol”. 1l.
Item 7: A Photostatted copy of a story entitled, “Tom’s Last Forage”. 10l.
Item 8: A newspaper clipping reviewing a book Folksongs of Alabama by Byron Arnold reviewed by Carl Carmer. 1l.
Item 9: Saturday Review of Literature, July 29, 1950. A story entitled “Folk Music, the Roots of Jazz”. 2l.
Item 10: A newspaper clipping entitled, “Beautiful Livingston”. 1l.
Item 11: A magazine article by Alistar Cooke entitled, “Small Town Life in America”. 2l.
Item 12: The Dallas Morning News, N. D. A newspaper article about the death of John Lomax. 1l.
Item 13: The Dallas Morning News, N. D. A newspaper article about Mrs. John Lomax. 1l.
Item 14: Montgomery Advertiser-Journal, June 11, 1961.A newspaper article and picture about the ground breaking for “Julia Tutwiler Library” in which RPT is pictured. 1l.
Item 15: A newspaper article dated April 5, 1959, featuring historical Tuscaloosa homes. 1l.
Item 16: A magazine article dated August 7, 1966, about Julia Tutwiler. 1l.
Item 17: The Montgomery Advertiser, October 25, 1961. Newspaper article featuring Gainesville, AL with pictures. 1l.
Series 18 ADDENDUM: NOTES AND COLLECTED ITEMS BY RPT [Items 20, 32l.]
Archival Folder UU-2
Item 18: Sumter County Whig, January 16, 1844. 1l.
Item 19: Sumter County Whig, February 6, 1844. 1l.
Item 20: Sumter County Whig, October 15, 1844. 1l.
Series 19 MISCELLANEOUS [Items 50, 75l.]
Fragments of stories, sermons, poems, etc. These items could not be matched to other items in the collection. Many are so fragmentary and illegible that proper identification could not be made.
Folder V-1/Box 19
Item 1: Five typewritten pages that are not related to each other, but could not be match to their proper stories. Some of the items are copied from newspaper articles and are concerned with the Ku Klux Klan and Steve Renfroe. Included also is the last page of a story written by rpt with a verse from the song, “Little Black Train”. 5l.
Item 2: Fragments of stories about the “Vacation Reading Club” organized by RPT to encourage young people to read and her thoughts on why one should read. 4l.
Item 3: An article written in RPT’s hand writing about the death of a fifteen year old girl, Amelia Simms, who died December 8, 1838, of scarlet fever. 1l.
Item 4: Written in rpt’s hand writing giving the address of Vera Hall Ward, and a brief statement giving Mr. Courlander Permission to record the voices of Vera, Doc and Rich. 1l.
Item 5: A list of children’s books written in rpt’s hand writing. 1l.
Item 6: An incomplete story written by rpt and in her handwriting on loose-leaf notebook paper. 2l.
Item 7: An incomplete story entitled “The nigger is the scapegoat in Alabama”. 1l.
Folder V-2
Item 8: Fragments of a story written by rpt and in her handwriting about Negroes plowing and also praying for rain. 2l.
Item 9: An incomplete article written in rpt’s handwriting giving a small insight into her character. 1l.
Item 10: RPT writing in pencil about friendliness and hospitality. 1l.
Item 11: An incomplete item written by rpt in her handwriting concerning public service. 1l.
Item 12: Typewritten outline of chapters possibly for a book on Josh Horn. 1l.
Item 13: Written by rpt in her handwriting giving her thoughts on O. Henry. 1l.
Item 14: An incomplete article written by rpt in her handwriting possibly on a negro sermon. 4l.
Item 15: Incomplete Negro sayings about life and religion written in pencil by rpt in her handwriting. 2l.
Item 16: Incomplete copied item entitled “Rube is killed”. 1l
Item 17: Our Southern Home, January 22, 1936. This copied article is about the value of public libraries. On the back of this article is a humorous tale about rpt telephone bill along with some other writings. 1l.
Item 18: This is assumed to be a sympathy letter written by rpt, but to whom it is written is unknown. 1l.
Item 19: An illegible piece written in rpt’s handwriting. To identify the number 2 is at the top of the page. 1l.
Item 20: A miscellany of notes written in rpt’s handwriting concerning the Primrose Club request for an iron fence around the town square, an old man’s advice to his son, quotations and some dates. 4l.
Folder V-3
Item 21: A difficult to read item written in rpt’s handwriting on loose-leaf notebook paper. To identify the first line is, “Job and his…” 1l.
Item 22: An article written by rpt in her handwriting concerning art. To identify the letterhead on the stationery is “Register of Circuit Court…” 1l.
Item 23: A difficult to read item written by rpt in her handwriting. To identify the first line is “A living poor house”. 1l.
Item 24: An incomplete item written by rpt in her handwriting concerning he beliefs and thoughts about Negroes and their philosophy on life. To identify the first sentence begins “Acquired a philosophy of adversity”. 2l.
Item 25: A miscellaneous item written by rpt in her handwriting that is difficult to read. To identify the first ling is “Few persons could state with…” 1l.
Item 26: A difficult to read item written by rpt in her handwriting. To identify the first word is “Interest”. 1l.
Item 27: A brief statement written in rpt’s handwriting concerning a way to live. To identify the letterhead is “Mrs. Ruby Pickens Tartt, Sumter Nursing Home-Box 68”. 1l.
Item 28: An incomplete article on the history of Sumter County that is typewritten. 1l.
Item 29: A handwritten item by rpt entitled “Alice adventures”. 1l.
Item 30: A handwritten item by rpt. This item is incomplete and the person she is writing about cannot be identified. To identify the first line is “A calm peace came over him”. 1l.
Item 31: A handwritten item in pencil by rpt that concerns Sumter County Negroes. To identify the first line is “About 7 A.M. the crowd began to gather”. 1l.
Item 32: Three small white sheets of paper with writings on various subjects that cannot be identified. To identify the first line on the first page begins “Our main business street in Livingston…” 3l.
Item 33: An item written on a small yellow paper by rpt about Mark Twain and his writing. 1l.
Item 34: An incomplete draft written in pencil by rpt resigning from the Primrose Club. 1l.
Item 35: Three item not written in RPT’s handwriting, and entitled “Flowers” and “Fate of the Apostles”. 3l
Item 36: An incomplete copied item entitled “The execution last Friday”. 1l.
Item 37: A collected item entitled, “Global War Stories”. 1l.
Item 38: An incomplete story written by hand by rpt entitled, “My most unforgettable character”, and it is about Rich Amerson. 1l.
Folder V-4
Item 39: A brief item naming Samuel Eskredge with dates of his birth, death and moving to Green and Livingston. 1l.
Item 40: A notice written for the newspaper by rpt advertising the dates the “Sumter County Board of Registrars” would be in session. 1l.
Item 41: An item with telephone numbers and addresses written in rpt’s handwriting. 1l.
Item 42: A program for a concert presented by “Society for the preservation of spirituals”, March 20, 1959. 1l.
Item 43: The criticism of an unknown poem and it is not known who wrote neither this criticism nor the title of the poem. 4l.
Item 44: A list of concerts some of which rpt attended, and written in her handwriting. 2l.
Item 45: The date is written by rpt when the town of Livingston was laid off. This item is incomplete and written in pencil. 1l.
Item 46: An incomplete list of Negro dialect words with the meaning explained. 1l.
Item 47: A list of terms used to class animals. 1l.
Item 48: A miscellaneous list of ring games, an incomplete song and two sayings. 1l.
Item 49: An item written by rpt in her handwriting concerning Dancing Rabbit Creek and the establishment of the first church is Gainesville, Alabama. 1l.
Item 50: An item written in rpt’s handwriting entitled “The imprint of Creole aristocracy”. 1l.
Series 19 ADDENDUM MISCELLANEOUS [Items 17, 20l.]
Folder VV-1/Box 26
Item 1: Notes for portraits rpt planned to paint of Mr. Clements and Dr. Jordon of Tuscaloosa, AL for Hale Hospital. 1l.
Item 2: Miscellaneous notes on various subjects written in rpt’s handwriting. 1l.
Item 3: A poem written by rpt entitled “On Going Blind”. 1l.
Item 4: An incomplete writing by rpt on “Library Reading Club”. 1l.
Item 5: An incomplete writing by rpt entitled, “Children’s Flower Show”. 1l.
Item 6: Apparently note written by rpt for a letter concerning certain songs and singers she had recorded. This is difficult to read. 1l.
Item 7: An incomplete article by rpt about Waights Taylor, newspaper editor. 1l.
Item 8: Two Negro sayings collected by rpt. 1l.
Item 9: An incomplete article written by rpt concerning slavery. 1l.
Item 10: Notes on a Negro sermon written by rpt. 2l.
Item 11: “Ole Mule” original folk song by rpt. 1l.
Item 12: rpt’s recipe for refinishing furniture. 2l.
Item 13: Excerpts from rpt’s letters to her daughter, Fannie Pickens Inglis, on refinishing furniture. 2l.
Item 14: A very funny tale told to rpt and she wrote the account. 1l.
Item 15: A cute story that occurred while rpt was in the nursing home. 1l.
Item 16: A poem written by rpt. 1l.
Item 17: An incomplete thought written by rpt on Joel Chandler Harris. 1l.
Series 20 DIARIES AND NOTEBOOK [Items 30]
These diaries and notebooks contain folk sayings, folk songs, sketches, quotations, addresses, historical information, autobiographical data on rpt and her family, drafts of articles and stories, rpt’s reflections on her life, records of interviews, recipes. These notebooks reveal the character, humor and intellectual interests of rpt, and speaking of her writing she said, “I would rather have a good notebook than a textbook”.
Box 20
Item 1: A small notebook containing songs, sayings, lists of names and amount of money paid, addresses, directions to homes and churches of possible informants, birth dates, sketches of glass patterns.
Item 2: A notebook containing humorous as well as inspirational sayings. This notebook gives insight into the humor of rpt.
Item 3: A notebook containing lists of things to be done by rpt, sayings, copied items from newspapers and songs.
Item 4: A black notebook with a note pasted on the cover by Fannie Pickens Inglis describing the contents. This notebook contains songs, Negro sayings, outline of a story on Josh Horn by Dr. Robert Gilbert, rpt’s thoughts on art, poetry, ring games. It also contains a list of books by Southerners, addresses, how to mix colors for painting as well tips on how to paint portraits, etc. ring games quotations, and Negro dialect interpreted. This notebook gives insight into rpt’s humor and intellectual interest.
Item 5: A notebook containing recipes, rpt thoughts on spirituals, Negroes, drafts for stories, songs and directions to the homes of possible informants.
Item 6: A notebook with a note from Fannie P. Inglis saying this notebook originally belonged to the mother of rpt. This notebook has quotations and sayings written in the handwriting of rpt as well as her mother.
Item 7: A notebook containing rpt’s ideas for the historical preservation of Gainesville, Ala.; forgiveness of sin; morality quoting different writers; philosophy of life and religious thought and beliefs of rpt.
Item 8: A notebook containing rpt’s thoughts on Negroes, their songs; quotations; the South; copied newspaper items; Negro names and sayings; superstitions and drafts for stories.
Item 9: A notebook containing hollers, folk-songs, ring games, rpt’s thoughts on growing up, marriage, and notes and measurements for a portrait.
Item 10: A notebook containing quotations sayings, addresses, historical notes, rpt’s thoughts on adversity and life, lists of books for children, note written in 1967 of a visit from the author Kathryn Windham, sketches of churches and orders for pictures.
Item 11: A notebook containing lists of song titles, songs and lists of book titles with prices.
Item 12: A notebook containing recipe for furniture polish, notes taken and used in rpt’s stories, quotations, rpt’s thought on various subjects, sayings newspaper clippings, list of New York photographers, writings about rpt’s husband and an article about cats.
Box 21
Item 13: A notebook containing sayings, copied items from newspapers, superstitions and epitaphs.
Item 14: A notebook containing miscellaneous writings on various subjects, Negro belief in conjuring, Negro superstitions, historical facts and copied items.
Item 15: A small notebook containing shopping lists, addresses measurements for antiques and frames, prices and sketches of antique furniture and clothes sizes for her husband (Pratt Tartt).
Item 16: A small notebook containing a list of books, addresses, clothes sizes for various people, a list of painting supplies, a list of cultural events in New York City, a list of painting colors, painting tips and shopping lists.
Item 17: A small notebook containing clothes sizes, measurements for fire place belonging to Fannie P. Inglis, measurements for frames, list of paint colors and addresses.
Item 18: A small notebook containing addresses, measurements for frames, list cutlery with prices, list of Negro churches and cabins and their location and sayings.
Item 19: A notebook containing directions and locations of antiques with prices and sometimes sketches of the antiques.
Item 20: a notebook containing assorted notes on book titles, addresses, songs, fold stories, superstitions, measurements for frames and antiques, lists of antiques with prices, sketches of furniture and home remedies.
Item 21: A notebook containing assorted notes on taking medication, sayings, art, antique and addresses.
Item 22: A notebook that has written on the cover “notes written in nursing home, 1964-1974”. This notebook contains lists of singers and tellers of tales, songs and quotations. This is difficult to read.
Item 23: A small notebook that has written on it, “Sumter Nursing Home notes after 1966”. This notebook contains addresses, sayings, sketches, measurement of frames, lists of books and publisher’s addresses, art, rpt reminiscing about her childhood, and her daughter’s ability as a child portrait painter. This notebook is difficult to read.
Item 24: A notebook that has written on the cover “Taken from rpt’s room (Sumter Nursing Home), October, 1974 by FPI”. This notebook contains personal thoughts of rpt on the advanced age, saying, quotations, rpt’s thoughts on life, poetry, historical notes, some dates and facts about the life of rpt, addresses and recipes.
Item 25: A notebook hat has written on the cover, “Sumter Nursing Home-F.P.I. -after 1964”. A notebook containing assorted notes on songs, addresses, notes for slave narratives, biographical data on rpt, sayings, quotations, newspaper clippings, comments on John Lomax, Vera Hall, Doc Reed and Negro lore, personal thought. It also contains sketches, copied newspaper items, humorous personal accounts by rpt, thoughts of rpt on various subjects, epitaphs, list of books and newspapers. Some of this notebook is difficult to read, but it is invaluable in that it gives so much insight into the character of rpt.
Item 26: A notebook possibly written when rpt lived in a nursing home. A notebook containing assorted notes on sayings, addresses, biographical data and quotations. This notebook is difficult to read.
Item 27: A notebook that is difficult to read, but seems to be a miscellany of rpt’s thoughts assumed to be written while she lived in the nursing home.
Item 28: A notebook according to Fannie P. Inglis belonging to Mary Champ Chiles Shorts (RPT’s grandmother). This notebook contains accounts and prices as well as daily events in her life.
Item 29: A notebook according to Fannie P. Inglis belonging to Mary Champ Chiles Shorts. This notebook contains accounts and records of her students, quotations, sketches and newspaper clippings.
Item 30: A notebook according to Fannie P. Inglis belonging to Mary C. Chiles Shorts (RPT’s grandmother), and described as a friendship book while she was a student.
Series 20 ADDENDUM: DIARIES AND NOTEBOOKS [Items 1]
Box 27
Item 1: A small notebook belonging to Mary Champ Chiles Shorts, grandmother of rpt, containing sayings and business accounts.
Item 1: Side 1
“No Room at the Inn”-Vera Hall
“Death Have Mercy”-Vera Hall
“Prayer Song”-Dock Reed and Vera Hall
“King David”-Rich Amerson and Earthy Anne Coleman
“Railroad 1”-Rich Amerson
“Brother Hawk, Brother Buzzard, and Brother Rabbit”-Rich Amerson
“Black Woman”-Rich Amerson
Side 2
Field Call-Annie Grace Horn Dodson
Complaint Call-Enoch Brown
“Mama’s Goin’ Up North-Satisfied”-Children of East School
An interview of Vera Hall by Alan Lomax
Item 2: Nathaniel Reed talking about rpt as a writer. Three copies. Also ¼ reel to reel.
Item 3: RPT interviewed by Dr. Robert B. Gilbert, August 10, 1975
Item 4: The ceremonies renaming the Livingston Public Library to Ruby Pickens Tartt Library, May 31, 1975.
Item 5: “Another Man Done Gone”, a song discovered by rpt and assumed to be sung by Odetta and Mississippi Delta Blues Man.
Item 6: One-fourth inch reel to reel tape. Rich Amerson with “Little Bit”, 1961
Item 7: Cassette taken from ¼” reel to reel by Alan Brown. Entitled: Rich Amerson
Series 22 PUBLISHED WORKS (BOOKS, ARTICLES, ETC.) [Items 28]
Item 1: Alabama: A Guide to the Deep South. Compiled by workers of the writers’ program of the work projects administration in the state of Alabama. RPT worked on this project.
Item 2: Akens, Helen Morgan and Virginia Pounds Brown,Alabama: Mounds to Missiles. For reference to rpt see, “Lullabies and cotton picking”, pp.196-201.
Item 3: Arnold, Byron, Folksongs of Alabama. For reference to rpt see, “Preface”, p. V, and “Ruby Pickens Tartt”, pp. 151-156.
Item 4: Boatwright, Mady C. and Donald Day, Eds. From Hell to Breakfast. For a story written by rpt see p. 21 “Carrie Dykes-Midwife”.
Item 5: Botkin, B. A., Lay My Burden Down. Two copies. For reference to rpt see pp. 271-286 plus the index p. 296.
Item 6: Botkin, B. A., A Treasury of Southern Folklore. For a story written by rpt see p. 594 “Guinea Jim”.
Item 7: Carmer, Carl, Holiday, 27: 50-59, March 1960. “Back to Alabama”.
Item 8: Carmer, Carl, Stars Fell on Alabama. For reference to rpt see “Author’s Note”, P. XLL. Mary Louise is the fictional name Carl Carmer gave to rpt in “Stars Fell on Alabama”, and Elie Siegmeister referred to rpt with this name in “The New Music Lovers Handbook”.
Item 9: Courlander, Harold, The Big Old World of Richard Creeks. This book has two characters included in it discovered by rpt; the characters are Rich Amerson and his sister Earthy Ann.
Item 10: Courlander, Harold, Negro Folk Music, U.S.A. For a reference to black singers discovered by rpt see “Preface”, p. VI.
Item 11: Courlander, Harold, Negro Songs from Alabama. For reference to rpt see “Introduction” p. 1; the Table of Contents is checked to indicate those singers discovered by rpt.
Item 12: Foley, Martha, Ed., The Best American Short Stories 1945. Two copies. For stories written by rpt see “Alabama Sketches” p. 272.
Item 13: Foley, Martha and Abraham Rothberg, U.S. Stories: Regional Stories from the Forty-Eight States. Three copies. For stories written by rpt see “Alabama Sketches” p. 307. See also “Biographical Notes” p. 679.
Item 14: Lomax, Alan, The Folk Songs of North America in the English Language. For reference to rpt and singers she discovered see pp. 497, 499, 500, 521,539.
Item 15: Sing Out, 14#3:30-31, July 1964. For an article on Vera Hall (singer discovered by rpt) see “The Passing of a Great Singer-Vera Hall”, p. 30.
Item 16: Lomax, Alan, The Rainbow Sign. The character, “Nora”, in this book is Vera Hall, singer discovered by rpt.
Item 17: Lomax, John A., Adventures of a Ballad Hunter. For references to rpt see “Alabama Red Land” p. 189. For a reference to Doc Reed and Vera Hall see p. 301.
Item 18: Lomax, John and Alan. Folk Song U.S.A. For references to rpt and the singers she discovered see pp. 225, 295, 398.
Item 19: Lomax, John and Alan. Our Singing Country: a Second Volume of American Ballads and Folk Songs. For references to Vera Hall, Doc Reed, Aunt Harriett (singers discovered by rpt) and rpt see “Preface” pp. XIII, XV. The songs these singers contributed in this volume are checked
Item 20: Sandburg, Carl, New American Songbag. For reference see “Another Man Done Gone” p. 84, a song sung by Vera Hall.
Item 21: Saturday Review of Literature, 33#2: 35-48, July 29, 1950. For references to singers discovered by rpt see “Folk Music, the Roots of Jazz” p. 35.
Item 22: Siegmeister, Elie, The New Music Lovers Handbook. On pp. 9-11 under “Letter from Alabama” is a discussion of Mary Louise, the fictional name Carl Carmer gave rpt in “Stars Fell on Alabama” along with some singers rpt discovered.
Item 23: Southwest Review, 34: 192-195, Spring 1949. A story, “Alice”, written by rpt.
Item 24: Southwest Review, 37: 137-140, Spring 1952. Written by rpt “Four Negro Stories”.
Item 25: Stover, Elizabeth Matchett, Ed. Son-of-a-Gun Stew. For reference to rpt see “Adventures of a Ballad Hunter”, p. 29; for a story written by rpt “Bing Oliver is a Pushin’ Man” see p. 103.
Item 26: Wimberly, Lowry C., Ed. Mid Country. Three copies. For a story “Earthy-Ann” see p. 343.
Item 27: Windham, Kathryn Tucker. Alabama: One Big Front Porch. For reference to rpt see p. 56.
Item 28: Tartt Memorabilia books from the childhood of Fannie Pickens Inglis, daughter of rpt. Harris, Joel Chandler.Uncle Remus
Kingsley, Charles. The Water-Babies.