Laura Foster Kirkpatrick papers, 1895-1983 ; (bulk, 1894-1938).

ArchivalResource

Kirkpatrick, Laura Foster, 1859-1938. Laura Foster Kirkpatrick papers, 1895-1983 ; (bulk, 1894-1938).

Laura Foster Kirkpatrick papers, 1895-1983 ; (bulk, 1894-1938).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/28409721

Autobiography (written ca. 1895-1896) and journal (1896-1933) in two volumes (247 pages) relating to Kirkpatrick's memories of the Civil War, her early life and education as daughter of the Rev. Gurdon Robinson Foster (1827-1887), a Presbyterian minister in Wetumpka, Alabama; her courtship and marriage, 1876, to the Rev. Robert McKemie Kirkpatrick, a Presbyterian minister from Ft. Deposit, Ala.; and married life at various pastorates, including Westminster (Oconee County, S.C.) where he died in 1888. As a young widow, Kirkpatrick returned to Alambama, where she was employed, ca. 1888-1889, as a teacher at the Orphans' Home of the Synod of Alabama in Talladega; while working at the orphanage, Kirkpatrick edited the institution's newsletter, Our Orphans' Home, and resumed her education, completing a four-year course in 1894 at the Chatauqua Literary and Scientific Circle; brief employment as matron in Columbus, Miss., and Fredericksburg, Va., and as a teacher in Bridgewater, N.C. Much of the journal documents the education and activities of her two sons, Robert (b.1877) and Gurdon (b.1886) Kirkpatrick, who also became ministers, and Laura Kirkpatrick's residency, 1900-1921, with her son Robert at his pastorates in Fairfield County (S.C.); Wapanucka (Indian Territory, Austin, Texas); Monroe (N.C.); Memphis (Tenn); Atlanta (Ga.); and Richmond (Va.), where Robert served as field secretary for Union Theological Seminary. Journal entries document Kirkpatrick's active church work as a Sunday school teacher, in organizing and teaching Sunday school classes for African American children; and the close ties that she maintained with friends in Westminster, S.C., and frequent visits to upstate S.C.; at various times, Kirkpatrick also resided at Brownsville (Texas), Summerville and Clinton (S.C.), and Montreat (N.C.). Collection also includes copies, 1980-1983, of genealogical and biographical information.

7 items and 2 v.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries