Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Separated Material

Administrative Information

Description of Series

Correspondence

Family Papers

University of Texas San Antonio

A Guide to the Aline B. Carter Family Papers, 1823-1970 (bulk 1885-1955)



Descriptive Summary

Creator:Carter, Aline B.
Title:Aline B. Carter Family Papers,
Dates:1823-1970
Creator Abstract: Aline B. Carter is most widely known for her work as a poet, but she was also interested in music, art, philosophy and astronomy. Aline served as Poet Laureate of Texas from 1947-1949 and as vice-president of the Poetry Society of Texas. Aline was widely admired for her charity. She visited jails to comfort and encourage prisoners to practice religion in daily life.
Content Abstract:Correspondence, notebooks, diaries, newsclippings, photographs and a historical fiction manuscript documents the life of Aline B. Carter and five generations of her family. The bulk of the collection consists of a series of letters documenting life in San Antonio as it was experienced and described by the Carter family from 1823-1970.
Identification:MS 94
Extent:5.5 linear feet (approximately 4,000 items)
Language:Materials are in English.
Repository: Archives and Special Collections Department, The University of Texas at San Antonio Library

Biographical Sketch

1st Generation (Alines's Great Grandparents): Elizabeth Mary Minefee and Wilson I. Riddle ([1811]-1847) married in 1841 in Tennessee. The couple moved to San Antonio where Wilson was a merchant and owned three lots of land in San Antonio's first settlement known as La Villita. In 1842 Wilson was captured by the Mexicans and imprisoned in Perote following the invasion of Rafael Vásquez. His wife Elizabeth escaped and fled to Gonzales with their baby, Sarah. Wilson was released from prison in 1843, but died a few years later in 1847. A widow with two children at age 27, Elizabeth later married Harvey Canterbury with whom she had four additional children.

2nd Generation (Aline's Grandparents): James Wilson Riddle, son of Elizabeth and Wilson I. Riddle, served in the Civil War and later became a wholesale and detail dealer in general merchandise, importing Mexican products and paying cash for pelts and wool.

Sarah Elizabeth Riddle (1842-1947), sister of James Wilson Riddle, was the first Anglo-American girl born in San Antonio. She married Robert Eager of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1867 at the age of 25. Together they had three daughters: Florence, Blanche and Fannie. Sarah never remarried after Robert's death in 1893. She was a member of the Daughters of the Revolution and was employed by the state of Texas as the manager of the Alamo in the early 1900s. Sarah lived at 434 South Alamo Street until her death in 1947 at the age of 105.

3rd Generation (Aline's Mother and Aunts): Florence C. Eagar Roberts (1867-1969), daughter of Sarah Riddle Eagar, was one of the most popular society women in San Antonio of her time. At the age of 40, she married Major Harris Lee Roberts and moved to Manila, Philippines where Major Roberts was stationed in the Army. By 1913 they had returned to the United States and settled in Galveston. Florence was no stranger to traveling abroad. Prior to her marriage, she had taken several trips to California and New York, and had cruised on the Adriatic in 1895 and traveled to Canada in 1901. She was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and of the opposing faction, the DeZavala Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. An artist who had studied in New York, Florence illustrated her good friend Clara Driscoll's book titled In the Shadow of the Alamo. Florence was also appointed custodian of the historical exhibit in the Texas State Building at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1907.

Blanche Eagar Badger (1867-19??), twin sister of Florence, married Frank J. Badger. They had two children: Charlotte Blanche (1893-1906) who died of illness in her youth, and Aline [1892]-1972.

Fannie Henrietta Eagar McCullough (1869-19??), sister of Florence and Blanche, married Edward J. McCullough in 1890. Edward was part owner of Mensing & McCullough Wholesale Druggists in Galveston, TX. The couple had three children.

4th Generation (Aline Badger Carter): Aline B. Carter ([1892]-1972) is most widely known for her work as a poet, but she was also interested in music, art, philosophy and astronomy. Her aim in life was to work through the arts for world peace. Aline was privately tutored and then attended Wellsley in 1913. She also studied harp at the Boston Conservatory. In 1915 she married Henry Champe Carter (1861-1948), a well-known Texas attorney, Judge and former president of the State Bar Association of Texas. They raised three sons: Henry Champe, Frank and David.

Aline served as Poet Laureate of Texas from 1947-1949 and as vice-president of the Poetry Society of Texas. She was a charter member of Avalon and encouraged aspiring poets through the annual Aline B. Carter Peace Prize. She also frequently awarded prizes for poems by high school students and adults. Aline published and illustrated her first book of poetry, Halo of Love, donating all proceeds to charity. In 1968 she published a second book, Doubt Not the Dream. Her books were on exhibit at the Woman's Pavilion during HemisFair in 1968. Her work also appeared in numerous publications and anthologies. One of Aline's final works is a 1,000 page historical fiction manuscript entitled Light Beyond the Hills, based on the life of her grandmother Sarah Riddle Eagar, in Old San Antonio. The manuscript was never published, but is in this collection.

Known as the "White Angel" in her flowing white organdy dresses, Aline was widely admired for her charity. She visited jails to comfort and encourage prisoners to practice religion in daily life. The collection contains several letters from prisoners who wrote Aline asking for her influence upon the court and seeking inspiration to better their lives. She was also legendary for throwing an annual Christmas party for the children of a San Antonio orphanage. Deeply centered in her faith, Aline maintained a chapel in her home at 119 Taylor Street and at the family vacation beach property in Port Aransas. Both residences are still maintained by her sons.

5th Generation (Aline's Sons): Aline and her husband Henry Champe Carter raised three sons.

Henry Champe Carter, Jr. (1917-1960) had earned a pilot's license, but took up a life of crime and was killed at age 43.

Frank J. Carter (1919-) attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1938 and entered the Navy in 1942. Frank wrote his mother about his training as a Range Finder, and his service experience during WWII.

David Paul Carter (1921-) also served in WWII. He was in the Army and stationed in New York City as a commanding officer at the 38th Station Hospital. Following his discharge in November 1945, David traveled to Alaska, which is documented in his letters home. He later attended the University of Houston and South Texas, and became a well-respected lawyer in San Antonio.

Sources:

San Antonio Light, May 5, 1947.

San Antonio Express News, Oct. 10, 1948.

South Texas: the newsletter, Summer, 1998. Vol. IV No. 3.

Handbook of Texas Online, "La Villita Earthworks", accessed June 14, 2001.

Return to the Table of Contents


Scope and Content Note

The Aline B. Carter Family Papers vividly document this prominent poet and five generations of her family in the form of correspondence, notebooks, diaries, newsclippings, a few photographs and a historical fiction manuscript. The bulk of the collection consists of a series of letters that document life in San Antonio as it was experienced and described by five generations of Carter family members and friends. The earliest letters are from Aline's great grandmother and continue through to her sons' generation. The collection is divided into two series: Correspondence (1823-1970) and Family Papers (1841-1969).

Correspondence (1823-1970) contains the bulk of the collection, and consists of personal letters written among family members and their friends over the course of more than a century. The correspondence is arranged by generation beginning with Aline Carter's great grandmother, Elizabeth Mary Minefee, and concluding with Aline's sons. Under each generation the letters are arranged according to who wrote them (beginning with the oldest generation and proceeding to the youngest). The majority of the letters date from 1885-1950 and because the letters were so frequently written from one generation to the next, they provide insight into daily life of an early San Antonio family, especially during the late 19th to mid 20th centuries. Correspondents describe social expectations, health, travel, local news and town gossip, family updates, and land prospects and disputes. In addition to understanding family roles and social customs, one is also able to gain a strong sense of the expectations and roles of women of their class as they describe their daily routines and concerns. Most of the correspondents were originally from San Antonio and wrote while away for extended periods in places such as New York or California, or after moving to towns in Texas such as Galveston.

The second series, Family Papers (1841-1969), contains a few legal and financial papers, however, the bulk of the series consists of personal items offering insight into the family's accomplishments, values, and traditions. Included are school notebooks and composition books containing essays and quotes, diaries, photographs, newsclippings, publications, recipes and an unpublished manuscript by Aline B. Carter. Two diaries exist in the collection. Florence Eagar Roberts (Aline's aunt) wrote her diary from 1879-1881 when she was 12-14 years old. Young Flo writes about the highlights of her day often including school, music lessons and time spent with her sisters. Also included is Aline's diary written in 1913 when she was 21 years old. That year Aline was seriously ill and residing in New York. Aline's deep faith and her close relationship with her family is evident in her entries. While the entries in either of the two diaries are not daily, they are frequent. Family Papers also includes a few photographs of Sarah Riddle Eagar and Aline in addition to some unidentified photographs. Newsclippings and publications highlight the accomplishments of Aline Carter and contain information on Sarah Riddle and her daughters. A post card collection of early San Antonio sites gathered by Sarah Riddle is located in this series. Also of note are several sex education pamphlets from the early 1900s. A highlight of this series is the 1,000 page historical fiction manuscript entitled "Light Beyond the Hills", written by Aline B. Carter based on her grandmother Sarah Riddle Eagar's life in Old San Antonio.

Return to the Table of Contents


 

Arrangement

The papers are arranged as follows:
Correspondence
Family Papers

Return to the Table of Contents


Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish from the collection must be obtained from the Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

Return to the Table of Contents


Index Terms

Persons
Badger, Blanche Eagar, 1867-1969.
Carter, Aline, B.
Carter, David Paul, 1921-.
Carter, Frank, 1919-.
Carter, Henry Champe, 1861-1948.
Driscoll, Clara, 1881-1945.
Eager Family.
Eager, Sarah Riddle, 1842-1947.
McCullough, Fannie Eagar, 1869-.
Roberts, Florence Eagar, 1867-1969.
Organizations
Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Topics
Frontier and pioneer life--Texas.
Prisoners--Texas.
Sex instruction--United States--History.
Soldiers--Texas.
Women pioneers--Texas.
Women poets, American--Texas.
World War, 1939-1945.
Genres/formats
Clippings.
Correspondence.
Diaries.
Manuscripts for publication.
Photographs.

Return to the Table of Contents


Related Material

Collections related to the Aline B. Carter Family Papers are available at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library in San Antonio.

The Eagar Family Papers, 1866-1966, include correspondence, printed material, financial documents, and legal documents for several members of the Eagar family, particularly Robert Eagar, Sarah Eagar, Florence Eagar Roberts, and Harris L. Roberts. Personal material is primarily correspondence, printed material, and financial documents. Also included is material associated with a number of organizations, in particular the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. DRT material includes items related to the custody of the Alamo and its operation as a historic site. Some items relate to Harris L. Roberts and his military careet, including letters, orders, and military manuals.

The Florence Eagar Roberts Papers, 1905-1944, include correspondence and printed material, including personal letters, letters concerning the activities of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the custody of the Alamo, and clippings concerning the Clara Driscoll opera Mexicana. Several letters from Clara Driscoll are included. Some items are associated with Mrs. Roberts' mother, Sarah Eagar.

Return to the Table of Contents


Separated Material

A list of publications that were separated from the collection and placed in Special Collections is located in the Archives accession file.

Return to the Table of Contents


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Aline B. Carter Family Papers, 1823-1970, MS 94, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

Acquisition Information

The papers were donated by David Carter in March 2000 (Acc. #2000-011).

Processing Information

Processed by Toni Jeske, Assistant Archivist, November 2001.

Return to the Table of Contents


Detailed Description of Collection

 

Correspondence

The majority of the letters date from 1885-1950 and because the letters were so frequently written from one generation to the next, they provide insight into daily life of an early San Antonio family, especially during the late 19th to mid 20th centuries. Correspondents describe social expectations, health, travel, local news and town gossip, family updates, and land prospects and disputes. In addition to understanding family roles and social customs, one is also able to gain a strong sense of the expectations and roles of women of their class as they describe their daily routines and concerns. Most of the correspondents were originally from San Antonio and wrote while away for extended periods in places such as New York or California, or after moving to towns in Texas such as Galveston.
The correspondence is arranged by generation beginning with Aline Carter's great grandmother, Elizabeth Mary Minefee, and concluding with Aline's sons. Under each generation the letters are arranged according to who wrote them (beginning with the oldest generation and proceeding to the youngest).
BoxFolder
1Elizabeth Mary Minefee (Canterbury)
1From Parent, 1845
2From Siblings, 1849-1875
3From Husband Harvey Canterbury, 1857
4From Daughter Sarah Elizabeth Riddle, 1858, undated
5From Son James Wilson Riddle, 1864-1890
6From Son John Warner Canterbury, 1899
7From Daughter Mildred Lee Canterbury, 1823
8From Son Harvey Canterbury, 1888
9From Nieces and Nephews, 1864
10From Grandchildren, 1894-1899
11From Others, 1852-1886, undated
12From Organizations, 1891, 1893, 1899
Sarah Elizabeth Riddle (Daughter of Elizabeth Mary Minefee)
Few letters written by Sarah Riddle exist in the collection, but there are several letters to Sarah from her daughters Fannie, Blanche and Florence from 1879-1917. Fannie often wrote of her children's activities and occasionally mentioned situations with her servants. Blanche wrote about her husband and children, especially her fears during her daughter Aline's serious illness in 1913. Florence often wrote of her travels, her time in New York, and visits with friend Clara Driscoll. In her earlier letters, Florence contemplated settling down, but she married relatively late. Once married, she wrote of the conditions in Manila where her husband was stationed in the military, and her social responsibilities as a military wife. Also included is correspondence from organizations with which Sarah Riddle and her daughters were involved, including the DeZavala Chapter and General Society of Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Battle of Flowers Association, and the Alamo City Woman's Democratic Club.
13From Aunt, 1878, 1880
From Brother James Wilson Riddle
141880-1888
151889-1891
16From Sister Mildred Lee Canterbury, 1901-1910, 1933
17From In-Law E.L. Watkins, 1881-1893
BoxFolder
2From Daughter Florence C. Eagar (Roberts)
11879, 1893-June 1894
2July 1894-1900
3January 1901-June 1901
4July 1901-1902
51905-1917
From Daughter Blanche Eagar "Dear" (Badger)
61894-1898
BoxFolder
311901
21902-1914
From Daughter Fannie Henrietta Eagar (McCullough)
31893-1894
41898-May 1901
5June 1901-September 1901
6October 1901-December 1901
BoxFolder
41January 1902-June 1902
2October 1902-1903
31905-1910
4From Son-In-Law Edward McCullough, 1898, 1906
From Niece Carrie Watkins
51901
61903-1935
7From Nieces and Nephews, 1884-1916, 1946
From Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
8Aline Badger Carter, 1912-1914, undated
9Elizabeth Roberts, 1910
10Eagar McCullough, 1908-1910
11Champe Carter, 1938
From Others
General
121843-1899
BoxFolder
511901-1902
21903-1909
31910
41912-1968, undated
5Concerning the Alamo, 1907-1910
6Invitations, 1848-1946, undated
Legal and Financial matters
71870-1895
BoxFolder
611900-1916
2From Organizations, 1883-1936
James Wilson Riddle (Brother of Sarah Riddle)
Two Civil War era letters from John Wilson Riddle (Aline's great uncle) exist in the collection. John Wilson Riddle also often wrote his sister Sarah about his mercantile and import business from Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Mexico, during the 1880s. In these letters he discusses finances, sends money to his sister to pay bills, requests items to be sent him, and talks of selling property in San Antonio on Main Street and Houston Street.
3Court Case, 1842
4From Brother John Warner Canterbury, 1884
5From Others, 1861, 1888
6Will and Testament, 1893
John Warner Canterbury (Brother of Sarah Riddle)
7From Willie Male, 1866
Mildred Lee Canterbury (Sister of Sarah Riddle)
8From Fanny Hale, 1866-1867, undated
Robert Eagar (Husband of Sarah Riddle)
9From Brother Gerry, 1879
10From Others, 1875-1883
Florence C. Eagar (Daughter of Sarah Riddle)
11From Mother Sarah Riddle Eagar, 1889
12From Fannie Eagar, 1894-1906, undated
13To Husband Major Roberts, 1910
14From In-Laws, 1905, 1924, undated
15From Aunts and Uncles, 1894-1906
16From Cousins, 1902-1903, undated
17From Nephews, 1931, 1960
From Others
181889-1905
191906-1947, undated
BoxFolder
71From Clara Driscoll, 1904-1944, undated
2From Woods National Bank, 1906
3From Organizations, 1905-1941
Harris Lee Roberts (Husband of Florence Eagar)
4To first wife Jennie, 1899-1900
Blanche Eagar Badger (Daughter of Sarah Riddle)
5From Sister Fannie Eagar, 1894, 1901, 1907
6From Sister Florence Eagar, 1901
7From Husband Frank, 1943, undated
8To Husband Frank, 1901
9From Cousin Carrie Watkins, 1899, 1901
10From Grandson David Carter, 1943, 1946
11From Others, 1901-1902, 1907
Fannie Eagar McCullough (Daughter of Sarah Riddle)
12From Aunt Mildred Canterbury, 1899
13From Cousin Carrie Watkins, 1880
14From Son Eagar, 1910
15To Sons, 1893, 1917
16Others, 1885-1903, undated
Aline Carter (Daughter of Blanche Eagar Badger)
In Aline's correspondence there are several letters from prisoners who she supported in the legal system and encouraged to improve themselves. Aline and her sons David and Frank also wrote frequent letters while the sons were serving in WWII. In her letters, Aline encouraged her sons and updated them on the activities of their father, friends and brothers. David and Frank wrote about their daily schedules, activities, and impressions during their military service.
From Son Frank Carter
171938-1942
BoxFolder
811943-1944
21945, undated
From Son David Paul Carter
31942-1946
41951-1952, undated
5From Son Henry Champe Carter, Jr., 1940-1942
6From Aunts, 1890, 1901
7From Poet Lucia Trent, 1951, 1952, 1970, undated
8From Friend Rene Malcolm Bozarth, 1944-1946, undated
From Inmates and their Relatives
9Martin Butler, 1935
10Percy Howard, 1930, 1934, undated
11Robert McClellan, 1932-1939, undated
BoxFolder
9John "Pete" McKenzie
11930-1952, undated
2Letter fragments, undated
3Letters to John, 1930-1939
4Woodrow Stockman, 1935-1936
5Will Wright, 1933-1934
6Other inmates, 1929-1952
From Others
71909, 1929-1936
81937-1945
BoxFolder
1011946-1952
21953-1957, undated
31967-1970, undated
4To Others, 1969, undated
5From Organizations, 1934-1970
David Carter (Son of Aline Carter)
6From Grandmother Blanche Eagar, 1943-1944
From Mother Aline Carter
71937-1940
81942
91943
BoxFolder
111January-May, 1944
2June-December 1944
3January-August 1945
4September 1945-1947
51951-1952, undated
6From Father Henry Champe Carter, 1940, 1942, 1945
7From Brothers, 1948, undated
8From Others, 1934-1955
Henry Champe Carter, Jr. (Son of Aline Carter)
9From Mother Aline Carter, 1933, 1943
10From Brother David Carter, 1943, undated

Return to the Table of Contents




 

Family Papers

BoxFolder
121Emma Canterbury: Speech on the Alamo
2Mildred Canterbury: Composition book, 1873
3Sarah Riddle Eagar: Postcard collection of San Antonio, undated
Florence Eagar Roberts
4Diary, 1879-1881
5Legal and Financial matters, 1934, 1958, undated
6Blanche Eagar Badger: General Papers, 1880, 1907
Aline B. Carter
7Diary, 1913
Manuscript: Light Beyond the Hills: A Tale of Old San Antonio
8Chapters 1-11
9Chapters 12-24
10Chapters 25-36
BoxFolder
131Chapters 37-46
2Chapters 47-54
3Notebooks, 1910, undated
4Sketchbook, undated
5Writings, 1948, undated
6Newsclippings, 1904-1969, undated
7Photographs of family, 1909, 1943, undated,
8Programs and menus, 1889-1951
9Publications with family mention, 1939-1948
10Publications of organizations, 1872-1873, 1932
11Recipes, undated
12Sex Education Pamphlets, 1901-1933
13Miscellaneous, 1841, 1902, 1953, undated

Return to the Table of Contents