I. W. Gabbard Papers

Collection — Container: 1

Identifier: BCA 0018 SAA 017

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection is comprised of seven notebook-diaries (1936-1956) of I. W. (Isaac) Gabbard. The notebooks include details about local and national events, farming conditions, crop sales, weather, and family genealogical data. Also included in the collection is biographical information about Gabbard and the acquisitions of the collection.

Dates

created: 1936-1955

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

Federal copyright regulations apply; cite all information.

Extent

1.00 ms_boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

I.W. Gabbard was a farmer and justice of the peace in Owsley County, Kentucky. The notebook/diaries he authored are unique in that they record not only day-to-day events, but contain genealogical information and comments on the local and national political scene of the day. The notebook/diaries span the period of approximately 1936 to 1955, with several gaps in that period. They are rich in detail about farming conditions, Mr. Gabbard’s genealogical descent, crop sales, and weather [since the Owsley County Courthouse has burned several times in this century, the records in this collection contain information which may no longer be available elsewhere].

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged in two series: Series 1: Background Information; Series 2: Notebook/Diaries

Notes to Researchers: Notebooks/diaries are in a dilapidated condition and thus need to be handled carefully. Please note that each page is interleaved with an acid-free sheet. The bindings of the notebook/diaries have not been removed; while using these documents please try to make sure that the acid-free sheets remain or are returned to their proper positions.

The notebooks/diaries in the collection are numbered arbitrarily.

Method of Acquisition

The I. W. Gabbard Collection of notebook/diaries was obtained through the auspices of Alfred H. Perrin, president of the Friends of the Berea College Library, from T. J. Wood, former chairman of the Berea College Board of Trustees. The collection was obtained in October, 1974, by Mr. Wood from Berta Gabbard, sister of the author. The only restriction Mr. Wood placed on the donation of this collection was that he be allowed to temporarily withdraw it from Special Collections Department of Hutchins Library for personal genealogical research whenever he desired to do so.