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Tom Boyett Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: MC 1677

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists primarily of correspondence between Tom and Evelyn during the periods 1924-1925, after Tom had left Hope, and 1942-1945, when Tom served in the Navy. Other correspondence includes a letter commending Tom’s military service signed by James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy during World War II, and a couple of letters to Tom from his mother, Ida. Remaining items include greeting cards from 1904 and the 1940s, an oil and gas lease for Tom and Evelyn for land in southwest Arkansas in 1937, and papers concerning Evelyn’s hire at the Soil Conservation Service in 1935. Also included are three photographs, one of Tom from 1945, one of Tom’s friend “Red Ass” from 1944, and one of unidentified people from a 1963 birthday party attended by Evelyn.

Dates

  • 1904-1963

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

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.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions.

No Interlibrary Loan.

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

Biographical Note

Thomas J. Boyett, Jr., son of Thomas J. and Ida Boyett, was born on August 13, 1907 in Hempstead County, Arkansas. He grew up in Hope, Arkansas, graduating from Hope High School. He attended the University of Arkansas in 1925-1926. In the early-1930s he worked near Alto, Texas, with refrigeration. Evelyn Lewis, daughter of James L. and Martha Lewis, was born on December 11, 1908 in Stephens, Arkansas. She worked as a stenographer after graduating from Hope High School and in 1935 was hired by the Soil Conservation Service office in Hope. Between 1935 and 1937 Tom and Evelyn married.

They were living in Little Rock when the United States entered World War II in 1941. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and was assigned to the 22nd Naval Marine Construction Battalion, a "Seabees" unit. After training in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 1942, his battalion shipped out to Sitka, Alaska. He worked in Sitka and later Attu, Alaska, until March 1944, when his battalion moved to Camp Parks, California, near San Francisco, where he served for the remainder of the war.

Tom died in September 1983 and Evelyn died on March 27, 1996, both in Hope.

Extent

.4 Linear Feet (1 box)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by topic.

Acquisition Information

The Tom Boyett Correspondence was donated to Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries on August 14, 2006, by James Finck of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Processing Information

Processed by Matthew Lammers; completed in September 2006.

Creator

Source

Title
Tom Boyett Correspondence
Status
Completed
Author
Matthew Lammers
Date
2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444