Palmer Family papers

Collection — Box: 154

Identifier: MSS 1-18

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains materials about the history of the Palmer family in Halifax County, Virginia, poetry of Mary Bebecca Gassaway Palmer, and an issue of the Florida Medical Association's journal, with an article by Theresa Yaeger Palmer and Hugh Archer Palmer about physicians as a family tradition. There is a Civil War history by Mrs. Clarence W. Maxwell that mentions Dr. T. M. Palmer. There are newspaper clippings about Mary Martha Reid, a friend of Dr. Thomas Palmer, dated September 29, 1968. There are also letters from John C. Hill to Dr. Palmer at the Florida State Hospital, from Richmond, Virginia. Some of these materials are photocopies of a typescript or manuscript.

Dates

1924-1968

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Palmer family came to Halifax County, Virginia from England with the early settlers in the 17th century. A branch of the Palmer family came to Florida from the Pendleton district of South Carolina, settling in Monticello in 1829. Martin Palmer brought 9 children, slaves, and household goods. He became a successful planter and the owner of a store and tavern. The home he built was thought to be similar to the old family home in Halifax County, Virginia. The house is still owned by the Palmer family and is operated as a bed and breakfast. The Palmer family cemetery is also on the grounds, the only family cemetery in Jefferson County still associated with a family home.

One son, Thomas Martin Palmer, was the first physician in a family that went on to have at least 14 physicians. Dr. Thomas Martin Palmer was born in 1821 and served as a surgeon for the 2nd Florida Infantry. His brother, son, and nephew all went on to become physicians. Three Palmer family members have served as President of the Florida Medical Association.

Extent

3.00 folders (3 folders.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Processing Information

Processed May 1979.

Subjects

Florida State University Libraries. Manuscripts Collections Subject Source: Local sources
Florida--History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Medicine Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Monticello (Fla.) Subject Source: Lcnaf