Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Watson Family Papers, 1937-1980
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Watson family.
- Title
- Watson Family Papers
- Dates
- 1937-1980 (inclusive)19371980
- Quantity
- 2.7 cubic ft. (6 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 11738
- Summary
- Correspondence and personal papers of four African-American brothers who served in the United States military during World War II.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Watson family was an African-American family composed of Paul and Millie Watson and their sons, who lived in Philadelphia. Four sons served in the United States military during World War II. LeRoy Watson joined the Navy and served on the USS Mason. This ship was one of two US Navy ships with largely African-American crews. William Watson was a gunnery sergeant in the Army Air Force, serving at Tuskegee, Alabama, and Fort Myers, Florida. Jack Watson served in the Army, and Thomas (Buddie) also served in the Navy. James Watson, the youngest, remained at home.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Watson family papers include correspondence among family members and with friends. The bulk of the correspondence is from March 1942, when Thomas Watson joined the US Navy, through early 1946, when the four brothers were discharged from the military. Also included are postcards, greeting cards, photographs, report cards, certificates of service, newspaper clippings, and programs.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by the Watson family at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThe collection was purchased from Elliott Mittler in 2010.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was arranged and described by Daniel Riedel and D. Claudia Thompson in 2020.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Certificates and Diplomas - Watson Family | 1938-1977 |
| 1 | Church and School Records - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1937-1941 |
| 1 | Correspondence - Watson Family/James Watson | 1940s |
| 1 | Correspondence - Watson Family | 1952-1980 |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1942, November-December |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1943, January |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1943, February-June |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1943, July-September |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1943, October-December |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1944, January-March |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | 1944, May-December |
| 1 | Correspondence - Jack Watson | undated |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1942, November-December |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1943, August-October |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1943, November |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1943, December 1-19 |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1943, December 20-31 |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1944, January |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1944, February |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1944, August-December |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1945, January-May |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1945, July-August |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1945, September-December |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | 1946, January |
| 2 | Correspondence - LeRoy "Grubb" Watson | undated |
| 2 | Correspondence - Millie Watson | 1943 |
| 2 | Correspondence - Millie Watson | 1944, January-June |
| 2 | Correspondence - Millie Watson | 1944, July-December |
| 2 | Correspondence - Millie Watson | 1945 |
| 2 | Correspondence - Paul Watson | 1943 |
| 2 | Correspondence - Paul Watson | 1944, January-May |
| 2 | Correspondence - Paul Watson | 1944, June-December |
| 2 | Correspondence - Paul Watson | 1945 |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1939 |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1940-1941 |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1942 |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1943, January-May |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1943, June |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1943, July |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, August 1-10 |
| 3 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, August 11-20 |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, August 21-30 |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - to Millie and Paul | 1943, August |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, September |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - to Millie and Paul | 1943, September |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, October 1-20 |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, October 21-30 |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - to and from Millie and Paul | 1943, October |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - from Ruth Mitchell | 1943, November |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson - to Millie and Paul | 1943, November-December |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, January-February |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, March |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, April |
| 4 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, May |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, June-July |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, August-September |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1944, October-December |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1945, January-February |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1945, May-August |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1945, September |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1945, October-December |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1946, January-February |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1950-1953 |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1954 |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1955 |
| 5 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1956 |
| 6 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1957, January-June |
| 6 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1957, July-December |
| 6 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1957, unknown month |
| 6 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | 1958-1959, 1963 |
| 6 | Correspondence - Thomas "Buddie" Watson | undated |
| 6 | Correspondence - William "Bill" Watson | 1942, August-December |
| 6 | Correspondence - William "Bill" Watson | 1943, January-September |
| 6 | Correspondence - William "Bill" Watson | 1943, October-December |
| 6 | Correspondence - William "Bill" Watson | 1944, January-June |
| 6 | Correspondence - William "Bill" Watson | 1944, July-December |
| 6 | Correspondence - William "Bill" Watson | 1945-1946 |
| 6 | Newspaper Clippings | 1940-1958 |
| 6 | Photographs (mainly unidentified) | 1940s, undated |
| 6 | Printed Material (menu, religious and patriotic pamphlets, post cards of Ft. Bragg, concert program) | 1940s |
| 6 | Printed Material - Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church | 1954, 1967 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- World War, 1939-1945 -- African Americans.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, African American.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American.
Corporate Names
- Mason (Destroyer escort)
Processed by Daniel Riedel and D. Claudia Thompson
2013
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
