George Washington Varner Papers
Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
11-9-2018
Inclusive Dates--Span
1867-1994
Inclusive Dates--Bulk
1891-1919
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains records of George Washington Varner's ministry and business career. The collection consists of personal correspondence between Varner and his family, family-written poems, deeds of property, and photographs. Of special note are two ledgers filled with records of Varner's business transactions with had written marginal notes and articles of personal interests to Varner pasted onto the pages. Another feature of this collection are fragments from The Christian Leader, 1906 - 1919, containing articles submitted by George Washington Varner, and the obituary of his wife, Angela Varner.
Biographical Note
George Washington Varner was born to William and Letitia Varner in 1839. He served in the Civil War and received an honorable discharge due to blindness in one eye. He married Angela Daniel and settled in Pleasants County, West Virginia in 1867. They successfully operated a farm in Cloverdale for many years where the Cloverdale Church of Christ was founded in 1891. In addition to farming Varner managed a lumber business supplying his own lumber. Oil discovered on his property provided for Varner in his last days. Considered among the pioneering preachers in the Churches of Christ in West Virginia, he submitted many articles to religious journals throughout the West Virginia and Ohio area, The Christian Leader among them. Varner also served as a traveling preacher in the northwestern part of Virginia.
Donor Note
Mary Louise Meifner Durham
Arrangement
Multiple Folders,Oversized Book, Quilt
Content List
Series I. Personal Items Folder 1 - 1994 Introduction to the collection: Letter introducing the collection and its origin, hand-written outline of what is included within the collection. Folder 2- 1931 Genealogy: two typed accounts of George Washington Varner's family and life, one hand- written family tree. Folder 3- 1867-1888 Marriage Certificates: George Washington Varner and Angela Virginia Daniel's marriage Certificate, hand written marriage certificate for one of the Varner's daughters. Folder 4- Family Poems: Two hand- written poems Folder 5- 1871-1896 Personal Correspondence: letter written by William Varner explaining the death of Oliver Varner to George Washington Varner, letter from George Washington Varner during the Civil War. Folder 6 - 1883-1895 Letters of Recommendation: letters George Washington Varner would use when traveling to various congregations in the area to preach. Series II. Legal Documents Folder 1- 1869-1896 Deeds: deeds for various properties connected with the Varner business and farm. Folder 2 - 1896 Oil Leases Folder 3- 1899-1919 Tax Receipts Series III. Ledgers Ledger 1- small, payment accounts in the front, the back was used as a diary Ledger 2- long, payment accounts throughout, articles of personal interest to Varner are pasted throughout the ledger. Ledger 3 - booklet that held important legal documents such as oil leases and tax receipts. Series IV. Clippings Folder 1- 1892-1908 Articles from The Christian Leader(copies): three copies of three different articles. Folder 2 - 1906-1919 The Christian Leader Fragments: of note is one article written by George Washington Varner, and the obituary of Angela Varner. Series V. Photographs Folder 1- pictures of George Washington Varner, Angela Varner, and their family members, pictures of the Cloverdale Church of Christ and the congregation
Subjects
Churches of Christ
Language
ENGLISH
Extent of Collection
2 Boxes : 1 box 1.5 linear ft. 1 box 3 linear ft.
Manuscript Number
Center for Restoration Studies Manuscript #295
Physical Location
Center for Restoration Studies
Preferred Citation
George Washington Varner Papers, 1867-1994. Center for restoration Studies MS # 295. Milliken Special Collections, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.
Use Restrictions
Open to researchers. Contact Milliken Special Collections to make an appointmen
Processing Status
Processed
Finding Aid created by
Jeaniece Silas
Subjects--Personal Names
Varner, Angela Virginia Daniel
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
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