The Joseph Milton Nance Papers, 1875-1994, reflect the career and family history of Nance and contain correspondence, lectures, maps, classified files, edited drafts of books, business records, financial ledgers, and Nance family documents. Joseph Milton Nance’s academic correspondence, research notes, article and book drafts, classified files, and lectures, 1962-1994, document his research for publications on Texas history, his activities with the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) and other Texas historical and educational organizations, as well as his teaching activities at Texas A&M University. The drafts and research files, [ca. 1980s-1994], illustrate his research efforts for Dare-Devils All: The Texan Mier Expedition, 1842-1844, his relationship with editors, and his work with the TSHA and their publication, New Handbook of Texas. The research files also compile Texas historical notes and articles on the Mier expedition, the Texas revolution, the Republic of Texas, the U.S. Civil War, Brazos and Hays counties, assorted battle and military regimental histories, the Snively expedition, Moses Austin, Adrian Woll, and other topics. Furthermore, Nance annotated thirty-five 20th century maps within the collection for his research.

In addition to his professional papers, class notes, a draft of Nance’s Ph.D. thesis, typescripts of articles and essays, and organizational material, 1936-1941, relate to his student years at the University of Texas at Austin. Family correspondence, business records, and the financial ledgers pertain to the Nance, Hutchison, and Hanover families; Dr. T. H. Franklin; and the estate of Nance’s wife, Eleanor.