Edythe Stuart Floyd Collection

Although the collection was accumulated by Edythe Stuart Floyd during her life, the majority of the collection does not pertain to her but rather to her extended family and friends of the family. The main components of this collection are: correspondence from Albert W. Gilchrist to Jesse A. Owens, a relative of the Floyd family; letters and documents of the Floyd family; photos and photo albums of the Whitsett family of southern California and their travels; and miscellaneous photos, daguerreotypes, and other materials pertaining to family history. Most items are from the first half of the 20th century, although land records, Bibles, and some early images are 19th century.

Of particular interest is Governor Albert Gilchrist's letters, holiday cards, and postcards to Jessie Owens. His correspondence spans 1912-1926, comprising about 33 letters and 5 postcards. Topics range from the health and well-being of family members, to World War I, his election campaigns, and thanks for Owens' support of him throughout that time period. The collection also includes newspaper clippings about Gilchrist, and editorials written by him.

Family correspondence consists of post cards, newspaper clippings, and letters from Ida Lewis Floyd Whitsett, of California, to her sister Edythe Stuart Floyd Pillars, dating between 1916 and 1962. Other correspondence is addressed to Edythe and Ida's mother concerning land patents, tax records, and legal papers. Much of this is specifically related to land in Marion County.

A fairly extensive photo collection documents the lives of the Whitsett family in California and their travels around the United States and Canada. Besides their home in southern California, photos show visits and fishing trips to northern California and the North West, and to Cocoa and Rockledge, Florida, among other places. Photos seems to span the years 1910 to about 1950.

Additional photos, daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes are mostly unidentified, but apparently of family. There are also family Bibles and prayer books along with assorted memorabilia such as coupon books and cards.