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Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph Papers

Anna RandolphMs. Collection No. 238

 

Introduction

The papers of Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph were donated by Joseph Vance Rindom in 1993 so that the collection could be arranged and described, and microfilmed. The Lyon County Historical Society (Emporia, Kansas) is in possession of a duplicate copy of the microfilm. Citations referring to this collection should include "Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph Papers, Ms. Collection 238, State Archives & Library, Kansas Historical Society." Information concerning copyright is available in the repository.

Biography

Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph, 1838-1917, was a member of a large network of families. She was born into the Quaker family of John Hampton Watson and Mary (Lester) Watson in Germantown, Ohio. John Hampton Watson was a well educated man who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a medical degree in 1829. Watson moved to Ohio in 1835 where he practiced medicine for a few years, then endeavored to secure admission to the Ohio bar in Greene County in 1844.

Two historical movements of the nineteenth century, combined with Watson's tenacious zeal for abolitionism, worked together to inspire him to move his family westward to Kansas. One was the growing debate over slavery in America; the other was the growth of territories and states on America's western frontier. As the Kansas Territory was opened to white settlement, the federal government decreed that the issue of the establishment of slavery in Kansas would be decided by popular sovereignty. Whether or not slavery would be permitted in Kansas would be determined by a majority of its citizens. This issue inspired Watson to move his family from his successful law practice and comfortable lifestyle in Ohio to the Kansas Territory in an effort to contribute to the number of anti-slavery citizens. A significant part of this manuscript collection — in particular, the diary written by John Watson's daughter, Anna — pertains to the Watson family's arduous and difficult move from Ohio to Kansas.

With such a background as this, it is little wonder that John Watson's children would be deeply involved in the social movements and political issues of the time. Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph, whose papers make up the principal part of this collection, was not only an enthusiastic supporter of abolitionism, but also the temperance movement, suffrage for women, populism, and when war broke out in Europe in 1914, she was passionate in her appeal for American neutrality. Anna's convictions manifested through her life were remarkable enough to inspire a television production by June Underwood in 1982 entitled "Glad Spirit: Anna Watson Randolph."

Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph came from and married into large families. The primary families of this clan are FitzRandolphs, the Keelers, the Randolphs, the Rindoms, the Vickreys and the Watsons. A characteristic of these families is a sense of patriotism: Thomas Keeler (1764-1861) was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, Clinton Keeler (1828-1896) served with the Indiana artillery during the Civil War, and Joseph Rindom Keeler served with the United States Marine Corps during World War I. The extended family as a whole rose to be prominent socially, professionally, politically and financially in the Emporia community. John Hampton Watson and F. O. Rindom were both judges. Watson nearly secured an appointment to the Kansas Supreme Court. Ora Grant Rindom was mayor of Emporia during World War II. The various branches of these families were involved in several real estate transactions, indicating an ability for profitable speculation.

Scope and Content

This collection is contained in seven boxes and one flat oversize box. The Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph Collection contains a wide variety of material from a large number of people related to her. The earliest item in this collection is a page of notes from an Abolitionist meeting in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1701. From there, the collection spans through the Watson and Keeler families, reaching down to Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph whose papers make up the largest part of the collection. From her, this clan of families and the papers it generated spread through later descendants of the Keelers (spelled Keelor in generations previous to Clinton Keeler, born in 1828), the Randolphs, the Vickreys, and the Rindoms. Because family relationships are so important to this collection, a set of pedigree charts follow this Scope and Content note.

This collection is arranged alphabetically by name. The papers of married women are arranged according to married names. There is an index in the back to facilitate finding items not prominently listed in the Container List.

Related Material: When this collection was accessioned by the Kansas State Historical Society in 1993, it came with a vast number of photographs and photo albums. These items have been removed from the literary manuscript portion of the collection and those photos identifiable have been catalogued separately in the photo card catalog.

 

Contents List

(Series 1) Personal Papers.
(Series 2) Genealogy.
(Series 3) Miscellaneous.

Series 1: Personal papers

Box

Folder

AMWR= Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph.

   
     

Gibson, Frank C.,

1

1

Letter, 1961 October 5, addressed to “Aunt Alice.”

   

Hollister, Joanna (Randolph) Kelley, 1870-

1

2

Scrapbook, c. 1900-1950, concerns primarily the Randolph

   

family.

   

Jukes Family.

1

3

Three letters; one written by Frank Jukes, 1873 December 23, addressed to his sister and brother; and two written by Lydia A. Jukes, 1883-1884, addressed to her children.

   

Keeler, Clinton, 1828-1896.

1

4

Civil War materials of Clinton Keeler while serving in the U.S. Army, Indiana artillery, 19th battery, including letters, 1864-1865, written to Caroline (Jukes) Keeler, and two $50.00 bills in Georgia currency.

   

Keeler Family, Clinton.

1

5

Wedding announcement for Inda B. (Keeler) Ward and R. E. Ward, a wedding invitation for Bertha (Carlin) Borges and Fredric G. Borges; and a quarterly ticket for Caroline (Jukes) Keeler in a Methodist Episcopal Church.

   

Keeler, Frank,

1

6

A letter, n.d., addressed to Frank Keeler and an obituary, n.d., of Frank Keeler.

   

Keeler, Frank Marion, 1854-1925.

1

7

A letter, 1893 [?] 19, addressed to his brother, and a stock certificate for the Bank of Merit.

   

Keeler, Frank Marion, 1925 –

1

8

Memorandum concerning the wisteria bush of the Watson family home in Ohio. See also Box 2, folder 7.

   

Keeler, Joseph Randolph, -

1

9

Letters, 1917-1918, while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd division, 79th company, 6th regiment, in Europe; and a newspaper clipping announcing the wedding of Joseph Randolph Keeler to Pearl Rosamond (Carter) Keeler.

   

Keeler, Mary Frank, -

1

10

Emporia Grammar School diploma, 1908 May 29, photocopy. Original is in Oversize storage.

   

Keeler, Mary Lester (Randolph), 1863-1936.

1

11

Papers concerning Mary Keeler’s horticultural business; a letter from Anna Margaret (Watson) Randolph; a cemetery lot deed, and Mary Keeler’s funeral service.

   

Keeler, Thomas, 1764-1851. See Thomas Keelor.

   

Keeler hair.

1

12

Locks of hair taken from a Keeler family Bible.

   

Keelor, Thomas, 1764-1851.

1

13

Papers, 1896, concerning the Revolutionary War service of Thomas Keelor.

   

Lease, Mary Elizabeth (Clyens), 1850-1933.

1

14

Newspaper clippings concerning Mary E. Lease.

   

Maxson, Perry Burdick, 1826-1920.

1

15

“Life of Perry B. Maxson—Pioneer of Kansas.” Author unknown.

   

Perley, Mary J. (Allen), 1839-1915.

1

16

Biographical notes.

   

Randolph, Anna Margaret Watson, 1838-1917.

   

Biographical notes.

1

17

Contract.

1

18

1903 August 1, made with Mary Jane (Watson) Short for

   

living arrangements.

   

Daughters of Temperance.

1

19

Paintersville, Ohio Chapter. Constitution and Bylaws,

   

not dated.

   

Diary, 1858 August 17 – 1873 January 1

1

20

Essays.

   

(loose notes).

1

21

(grouped notes).

1

22

Drought.

2

1

Emporia – Fourth of July Celebrations.

2

2

Emporia – Schools.

2

3

(See also Box 3, folder 10)

   

“Mott, Lucretia.”

2

4

“Quakers.”

2

5

“Slavery”

2

6

“Wisteria.”

2

7

(See also Box 1, folder 8.

   

Letters received.

2

8

3 items, 1889-1927. Other letters addressed to AMWR can be found in other sections of this collection. See also George Hall Randolph, Hampton Watson Randolph, and Mary Jane (Watson) Short.

   

Letters sent.

2

9

8 items, 1891-1907. Some letters contain information on the women’s suffrage movement. Other letters written by AMWR can be found in other sections of this collection. See also Mary Lester (Randolph) Keeler.

   

See also Oversize storage for a letter, n.d., addressed to Sallie [?].

   

Marriage certificate,

2

10

1859 December 12 with Joseph Vance Randolph.

   

Obituaries (of AMWR).

2

11

Real estate indentures.

2

12

Seven items, 1872-1910, for the conveyance of real estate in Emporia, Kansas. See also Box 2, folder 22.

   

Speeches:

2

13

“First Ball in Emporia, The.”

   

“On Military Preparedness”

   
     

Student notebooks.

2

14

N.D.; some of these notebooks contain written accounts of AMWR’s trips and vacations.

   

Will, 1906 December 17.

2

15

Randolph, Edward T., - 1977.

2

16

Contains a court decree, 1977 November 14, from the California Superior Court, concerning the estate of Edward T. Randolph. Also contains letters from the California Superior Court, addressed to Ora Grant Rindom and Mary (Keeler) Rindom.

   

Randolph, George Hall, 1861 –

2

17

A commencement invitation, 1912 May 29, for Emporia High School; a letter, 1898 May 25, addressed to AMWR; and articles of co-partnership, 1887 January 1, with Joseph Vance Randolph and AMWR for an ice business in Emporia, Kansas.

   

Randolph, Hampton Watson, 1874 –

2

18

Also known as Watson H. Randolph; papers include invitations and programs for his graduation from Emporia High School in 1891; orations, 1896-98 entitled “The New Social Spirit” and “An Evening with Riley” and letter, 1898-1914, addressed to AMWR.

   

Randolph, John, 1805-1865.

2

19

Letter, 1864 February 29, concerns the Democratic Party addressed to his children (otherwise unidentified).

   

Randolph, John Hampton, 1866-1871. See John Hampton Watson. Box 5, folder 3.

   

Randolph, Joseph Vance, 1834-1900.

   

Certificate of Appointment.

2

20

1897 January 28, (photocopy) of Randolph to the

   

State Board of Pardons, granted by Governor John W.

   

Leedy. Original located in Oversize storage.

   

Letters.

2

21

Seven items, including a letter, incomplete, n.d.,

   

written by John H. Randolph [?] while serving in

   

Company H, 102nd Pennsylvania [infantry?] regiment;

   

letters, n.d., to Governor Lewelling; and a letter

   

concerning FitzRandolph genealogy.

   

Marriage certificate. See Box 2, folder 10.

   

Real estate indentures.

2

22

1859-1883, for the purchase of land in Emporia, Kansas.

   

Related material found in Oversize storage.

   

See also Box 2, folder 12.

   

Randolph, Lucile, 1877-1959.

2

23

Real estate indentures, 1954, for land in Emporia; and her funeral service, 1959 February 28.

   

Randolph, Watson H., 1874 - . See Box 5, folder 3.

   

Randolph family. (See also Box 1, Folder 2)

   

Lease.

2

24

1936 February 24, between the City of Emporia, and

   

Mary (Keeler) Rindom, Emma L. Randolph, Dan

   

Rowland and Fanny (Randolph) Vickrey, and Lucile

   

Randolph.

   

Map.

2

25

Undated photocopy, entitled “Randolph Addition to the

   

Town of Emporia.” Original located in Oversize storage.

   

Miscellaneous.

2

26

Contains a guest register and two newspaper clippings.

   

Randolph Sisters Millinery.

   

Day book, n. d.

2

27

Day book, enclosures.

2

28

Rindom, Frank Oscar, 1881-1949.

2

29

Newspaper clipping, n.d., photocopy.

   

Rindom, Gail Grant, 1920 –

2

30

Nine items, include primarily letters addressed to Gail

   

Grant Rindom.

   

Rindom, Joseph Vance, 1914 –

2

31

Letters, 1921, to Santa Claus.

   

Rindom, Mary (Keeler), -

   

Letters received, 1913-1979.

2

32

Primarily from Ora Grant Rindom while in New York,

   

New York in 1945.

   

Membership certificate.

2

33

1915 April 19, for Mary Keeler in the Daughters of the

   

American Revolution. Located in Oversize storage.

   

Miscellaneous papers.

2

34

Primarily essays, entitled “The Tiffany Building,” and

   

“Split Level Musings from Molly Yesteryear.”

   

Rindom, Ora Grant, 1889-1978.

   

Commonplace book, n. d.

3

1

Funeral papers, 1978 December – 1979 February.

3

2

Letters received, 1913-1978.

3

3

Letters sent. See Box 2, folder 32.

   

Mayorial papers, 1944, 1978.

3

4

Miscellaneous Papers.

3

5

Rindom, Mary and Ora.

   

Letters received, 1913-1977.

3

6

See also Box 2, folder 16.

   

Marriage.

3

7

Include wedding announcements; wedding service, 1913

   

June 13; and newspaper clippings concerning Rindom

   

wedding anniversaries.

   

Real estate papers.

3

8

1935-1972, for property in Emporia, Kansas.

   

Short, Mary Jane (Watson), 1830-1909.

   

Biographical notes.

3

9

Contract. See Box 1, folder 18

   

Emporia – Schools.

3

10

See also Box 2, folder 3

   

Letters, 1887-1898.

3

11

Two items, including a letter to AMWR.

   

Recipe book.

3

12

Tomlinson, Josephine (Keeler), 1910-1988.

   

Obituary, 1988 may 18, The Emporia Gazette.

3

13

Vickrey, Fanny (Randolph), 1865-1948.

   

Biographical notes.

3

14

Deed.

3

15

1924 February 20, for a cemetery lot in Maplewood

   

Cemetery, Lyon County, Kansas.

   

Essays.

3

16

“Social Worth.”

   

“Limitations.”

   

“The Spirit of the American Revolution.”

   

“Pioneer Women.”

3

17

Letters, 1910-1941

3

18

Miscellaneous papers.

   

Vickrey, Helen, -

   

Commonplace book, n.d.

3

19

Formerly an account book, Helen Vickery used this

   

bound volume to hold recipes and newspaper clippings.

   

Diaries, 1900-1903

4

1

Scrapbook, 1906-1924.

4

2

Whistling Soloist papers

4

3

Programs, sheet music and endorsements (including one

   

from William Jennings Bryan) concerning Helen

   

Vickrey’s abilities as a whistling soloist.

   

Vickrey, Horace Nation, - . Scrapbook, n. d.

4

4

Watson, Hanna (Lester), 1804-1879.

   

Commonplace book [n. d.]

4

5

Letter, 1857 July 31,

4

6

Photocopy and typescript copy, addressed to Lucy [?]

   

Original located in Oversize storage.

   

Watson, John, 1774-1864.

4

7

Nondescript fragment, 1841.

   

Watson, John Hampton, 1804-1883.

   

Account book, 1851.

5

1

Biographical notes.

5

2

Miscellaneous papers, 1828-1871.

5

3

Include cards of entry into the University of Pennsyl-

   

vania; a student notebook entitled, “Theory and Art of

   

Teaching,” a poem entitled “When Johnny Left Us”

   

(concerning the death of John Hampton Randolph

   

[1866-1871]), and Judge Watson’s instructions to a jury.

   

Watson, John M., - .

   

Notes on the death of John M. Watson

6

1

Watson family.

   

Abolitionist material, 1701-1857.

6

2

See also Oversize storage.

   

Map, n.d.

6

3

Reduction of original of the Midwestern United States

   

showing the route taken by the Watson family from Ohio

   

to Kansas in 1858. Original is located in Oversize

   

storage.

   

Newspaper clippings (photocopies)

6

4

White, William Allen, 1868-1944.

   

“What’s the Matter with Kansas?”

6

5

     

Series 2: Genealogical Notes.

   

Folders with more than one name contain overlapping material.

   

Family Name(s)

Box

Folder

FitzRandolph family.

6

6

FitzRandolph, Keeler, Randolph, Rindom, and Watson families.

6

7

See also Oversize storage (in the map storage area) for

   

genealogical chart.

   

Keeler family.

6

8

Keeler, Randolph, Watson families.

6

9

Randolph family.

6

10

Randolph, Watson families.

6

11

Randolph, Watson families (bound volume).

6

12

See also Box 1, folder 2

   

Watson family.

6

13

     

Series 3: Miscellaneous

   

Miscellaneous.

7