Bessie Motley Blair Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MC 2534

Staff Only
Select files to request

Content Description

Family papers of Bessie Motley Blair, which were maintained by Blair's daughter, Mary Grace Blair. They include family correspondence, business papers, financial records, photographs, and Mary Grace Blair's genealogy research. Most records pertain to Washington County and Searcy County, Arkansas.

Dates

circa 1860-2000

Creator

Blair, Bessie Motley, 1886-1987 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Conditions Governing Use

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical / Historical

Bessie Bertie Motley was born October 25, 1886, in Sarcoxie, Missouri. On November 24, 1910, she married married Rufus Blair. She worked as a school teacher while they lived in Searcy County. The couple had four children, Ray, Mary Grace, William Joe, and Charles Hugh. Around 1926-1928, the family moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they at lived at 102 S School Street. In Fayetteville, the Blairs owned the Blair Grocery Store, which operated in the downstairs portion of their home. Bessie Motley Blair passed away August 10, 1987.

Extent

1.83 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Additional Description

Arrangement

Materials are arranged by family member and by topic.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Bessie Motley Blair Family Papers were donated by Blair's great-granddaughter, Heather Blair of Chicago, Illinois, on June 17, 2021. Additional materials (Box 2) were donated by Heather Blair on October 13, 2023.