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Fordyce Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 1311

Scope and Content Note

The collection includes business records of the Fordyce Bath House (1913-1985), clippings about various family members and their activities, correspondence, journals, and much genealogical material. Some of the items pertain to families linked to the Fordyce family by marriage. Of particular note are a Civil War diary (1862-1865) kept by Mary Jane (Mrs. W. D.) Chadick, mother- in-law of Samuel Wesley Fordyce; a typescript of an overland journey diary (1853-1854) kept by David Sloan Stanley, whose son David Sheridan married Jane Fordyce (daughter of Samuel Wesley Fordyce); and a collection of handwritten sermons (1868-1875) by A. W. Winfield, the maternal grandfather of Lillian Powell (Mrs. John Rison) Fordyce.

Some items are also in Manuscript Collections Oversize Box 12 (photocopies of these items are in the appropriate folders throughout the collection) and in the microfilm cabinet.

Dates

  • circa 1400-1992

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Access to an original journal is restricted due to fragility.

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 Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

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

Biographical Note

Samuel Wesley Fordyce built the Fordyce Bath House in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1914-1915. It operated as a bathhouse until 1962 and remained in the family until 1976. Family members were active in other areas as well. Samuel Wesley Fordyce (1840-1919) was a Civil War veteran and railroad builder. His son John Rison Fordyce (1869-1939) was an engineer, inventor, amateur historian and archaeologist, and candidate for U.S. Congress. He was a member of Dr. Frederick A. Cook's expedition to the Arctic in 1894 and in 1917 was commissioned Major of Engineers and put in charge of the construction of Camp Pike. John Rison Fordyce, Jr. (1903-1943), wrote about his experiences in north Africa during World War II.

Many members of the Fordyce family had an interest in history and saved (and sometimes published) historical records and family papers. Most of the genealogical material was collected and organized by Clifton Powell Fordyce (1901-1982), son of John Rison Fordyce.

Extent

6.5 Linear Feet (15 Boxes, 1 microfilm reel)

Arrangement of the Papers

Material is arranged and described in four series:

  1. Series 1. Genealogical material, 1400s - 1980s. Boxes 1-3.
  2. Series 1. Subseries 1. Genealogical correspondence, 1938-1980.
  3. Series 1. Subseries 2. Genealogical information, Fordyce and related families, 1400s - 1980s.
  4. Series 1. Subseries 3. Fordyce place names.
  5. Series 2. Personal papers, 1734-1992. Boxes 4-9.
  6. Series 2. Subseries 1. Early Fordyce family members (ca 1734-1882) and related family members (1828-1878).
  7. Series 2. Subseries 2. Samuel Wesley Fordyce (1840-1919).
  8. Series 2. Subseries 3. John Rison Fordyce (1869-1939).
  9. Series 2. Subseries 4. Lillian Powell (Mrs. John Rison) Fordyce and her family.
  10. Series 2. Subseries 5. Other family members.
  11. Series 3. Fordyce Bath House records, 1913-1985. Boxes 10-14.
  12. Series 4. Microfilm

Acquisition Information

Books and papers pertaining to the Fordyce family were donated to Special Collections by Edward Winfield Fordyce of St. Louis, Missouri, on March 23, 1995. E. W. Fordyce is the son of John Rison Fordyce and grandson of Samuel Wesley Fordyce.

Related Materials

Records relating to the Fordyce Family Papers include:

Col. John R. Fordyce Scrapbook 1927-1928 MC 1428

John Rison Fordyce Papers n.d. MS F759 357 (R)

Processing Information

Processed by Nan Lawler; complete in April 1995

Creator

Source

Title
Fordyce Family Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Nan Lawler
Date
April 1995
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