Hightower, Montgomery, Perkins, Castles, and Stiles families papers
Scope and Contents
The Hightower, Montgomery, Perkins, Castles, and Stiles families papers contain the papers of the members of five Mississippi families related by marriage. Much of the material concerns three families: the Perkins, Hightower and Montgomery families. The papers include family correspondence, a small number of business and legal documents, and a variety of other documents that record predominantly the lives of the female members of the families. The collection includes a number of publications, including a collection of children’s books from the turn of the twentieth century. A large number of photographs, including many snapshots, document the members of the families and their friends. An important feature of the collection is the clothing and accessories, including Louise Stiles Perkins’ wedding dress. There are also three boxes of artifacts, mostly mementoes and ephemera.
The papers are divided into nine series. The first, Perkins Family, is a large series and contains material related to the family of John B. and Louise Stiles Perkins. There is correspondence between John and Louise during their courtship and letters which reveal the opposition of Louise’s father to the marriage. The series includes correspondence between John and Louise subsequent to the wedding in 1884 and with their children. A group of materials document Louise Stiles’ education and there are a number of financial and legal documents, most notably a ledger for John Perkins’ store and a plat of the property he owned in Starkville, Mississippi. Also included are groups of materials related to all the Perkins children except Meta. The postcard albums of Alice and Elise Perkins contain a variety of postcards from the early twentieth century. The Seleta Elise Perkins Jones subseries also includes a copy of the 1912 yearbook of the Mississippi Synodical College in Holly Springs.
Series two, Hightower Family, contains documents concerning Meta Perkins Hightower and her husband, George B. Hightower, as well as a folder of biographical material on Meta’s father-in-law, former Mississippi A&M College president George R. Hightower. The materials related to George B. Hightower include his diplomas and documents pertaining to his military service during and after World War I. There is a group of correspondence in the Meta Perkins Hightower subseries including a postcard album of similar vintage to those of her sisters, and a scrapbook put together during the 1920s. An interesting item is the autobiographical essay titled ‘One of the Perkins Girls’, written by Meta Hightower in 1924. Also included are diplomas, school materials, a few financial documents, and a colored pencil drawing of Meta by Martha Simpson. The Mr. and Mrs. George B. Hightower subseries contains various documents, including their marriage license, real estate records, and newspaper clippings featuring a copy of the March Field army base newspaper announcing George Hightower taking leave to get married in 1918. A group of publications on subjects such as music, religion and shoeing army horses completes the series.
The third series, Montgomery Family, documents the family of Meta P. Hightower Montgomery and her husband Hugh B. Montgomery. It also includes materials related to Hugh’s father and mother, and his uncles, aunt and grandmother. A noteworthy group of documents are the personal and official items found in Deputy Marshall Hugh Montgomery’s portable desk. These include duplicate warrants and subpoenas issued during his service in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, before his murder in 1901. The Agnes D. Montgomery and William B. Montgomery subseries contain documents pertaining to the settlement of their estates but the latter also includes a souvenir booklet produced in 1907 when William taught at Freeman Public School in Pontotoc County. The Hugh B. and Meta Hightower Montgomery family subseries features items related to Hugh’s military career, copies of Meta’s genealogical research, a pencil portrait of Hugh, and some items from the family’s time in Japan, including caricatures of Hugh and Meta. A copy of ‘The Review’, a newspaper produced by the Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington in 1941 reports Hugh’s close encounter with a mountain lion while serving as adjutant at Camp Trask in Oregon.
Materials related to Annie D. Perkins Castles are contained in the fourth series, Castles Family. This small series includes her 1903 commencement program and diploma from North Mississippi Presbyterian College in Holly Springs, correspondence, a teaching certificate, and some legal and financial documents.
Series five, Stiles Family, is also limited in scope. A newspaper clipping notes the 100th birthday of Mary E. Stiles, and there is some correspondence concerning her sister, Annie E. Stiles Perkins, and her nephew, Charles F. Stiles. A small Bible owned by Annie’s husband Charles S. Perkins is included.
A small number of miscellaneous items make up the sixth series, Miscellany. It includes some family history information, a watercolor painting and a livestock—possibly cattle—lineage chart.
Publications is the seventh series and it has a group of children’s books from the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries, some in poor repair. There are also children’s textbooks related to geography, science and music, and a 1922 issue of the magazine ‘American Cookery’.
The collection contains a very large number of photographs in series eight, Photographs. The great majority are snapshots of Meta P. Hightower and her family with Hugh B. Montgomery. But there are also portraits of the Perkins family extending back to the 1870s, as well as carte de visit albums compiled by Louise and Annie Stiles containing images from the same era. An album compiled by Meta Perkins between 1906 and 1918 features photographs taken at Mississippi Synodical College in Holly Springs. Three daguerreotypes linked to the Stiles family are included. Images of Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Trask circa 1941, Mississippi State College circa 1940, and Hugh B. Montgomery’s colleagues while serving in Japan during the mid-1950s are of interest.
Series nine, Clothing and Accessories, includes 78 pieces of historic clothing and accessories such as costume jewelry, hair pins, cloth badges and bags owned by Louise C. Stiles Perkins, Annie E. Stiles Perkins, Annie D. Perkins Castles, Alice M. Perkins and Meta P. Hightower Montgomery. Louise Stiles Perkins wedding dress is a notable piece. There is a variety of women’s clothing from underwear to hats, and one man’s evening coat, all dating to the early part of the twentieth century. A full inventory can be found in Appendix 1.
The last series, Artifacts, is a group of memorabilia, costume jewelry, accessories and ephemera. Noteworthy items include a photographic button pin of the 1906 University of Mississippi baseball team, a Mississippi A&M College pin and medallion, a badge and ribbon belonging to George R. Hightower from the 1925 ‘Know Mississippi Better’ train, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Hugh Montgomery’s portable desk. An inventory is in Appendix 2.
Dates
- 1848 - 1997
- Majority of material found within 1881 - 1960
Access Restrictions
Open to all researchers.
Use Restrictions
Any requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce materials from this collection must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian for Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Mississippi State University 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.
Biographical Information
John Bolivar Perkins’ (1859-1941) marriage to Louise Christine “Tinie” Stiles (1855-1948) in 1884 is the starting point of the linkages between the five families described in the collection. John Perkins’ grandfather, Joseph Perkins (1784-1847), moved to Lowndes County, Mississippi, from Virginia before 1821. Joseph then moved to Oktibbeha County in 1835, establishing a grist mill and tannery at Agency, near Sessums. John Bolivar was the second oldest of five children born to John Ussery Perkins (1818-1896), a store owner, and his second wife Jane Martin Ware Perkins (1831-1898). The other children were: Mary Adele “Dell” (b. 1858), whose first husband was John T. Stallings; Thomas Ware (b. 1861); Margaret (b. 1863), who died young; William Robert (1865-1939), who was extension service director at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; Harriet Lelia (b. 1868), who married Pickens Watson; and David Eugene (b. 1871).
Louise Stiles’ father, John Easter Stiles (1819-1887), was from North Carolina and arrived in Sessums in 1818, buying land from the Choctaw Indian Agency. He built a large house on his land in 1868. John Stiles and his first wife, Seleta Eugenia McGee Stiles (d. circa 1857), had six children including Louise: Annie Eliza “Pet”, who married Charles Sears Perkins from New York; William Mortimer and Elizabeth Zephora, both of whom died in childhood; Mary Emily “Mittie” (1850-1954); and John Francis, who married Lucy Charles Turnbull Cameron and had four children. The children of John Francis Stiles include Charles Francis, who had two wives, Lottie Altizer and Gladys Smith, and Lucy Lynn who married Frank L. Castles.
John Bolivar Perkins was a businessman based for many years in Birmingham, Alabama, who ran a store, dealt in real estate, stock—particularly Jersey cattle—and farm machinery. Louise Stiles was a pupil of Sellars Institute, Starkville, and then graduated from Mary Sharp College, Winchester, Tennessee, in 1875. She taught in Lowndes County until her marriage. John bought a large property on Gillespie Street in Starkville and in 1894 built the family home which features in many of the collection photographs. John and Louise Perkins had seven children: Annie Dell (also spelled Delle) (1885-1976); John Bolivar, Jr. “Buddy”, (1886-1976); Louise Christine “Tennie” (1888-1984); Emily Jane (1891-1894); Seleta Elise (1893-1971); Lelia Almeta “Meta” (1895-1960); and Alice Margaret (1898-1927). Annie Perkins graduated from North Mississippi Presbyterian College in Holly Springs in 1903 and became a teacher. She taught in the Osborn community and at Overstreet School in Starkville. She became the second wife of Henry Paul Castles (1879-1951) in 1926 and had no children. The Castles family had moved from Georgia to Moon Valley near Osborn, Mississippi, in 1880 and then to Sessums. Henry Castles’ brother, Frank Lafayette, married Annie’s cousin, Lucy L. Stiles.
John Bolivar Perkins, Jr., graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi A&M College in 1904, and then studied law at the University of Mississippi, graduating in 1907. He married Annie Lydia Muldrow (b. 1888) in 1913. John, Jr., was Oktibbeha County prosecuting attorney in 1916-1917, before serving in the army in France during World War I and rising to the rank of captain. He was elected state senator for Oktibbeha County in 1919 while still abroad but he resigned the following year for health reasons. He moved his family to Alpine, Texas, and established the firm of Perkins and Kirwin in Midland, Texas. John, Jr. served in World War II and retired as a colonel. He and Annie had three children. Dorothy Ann (b. 1915) married Donald Traynor but reverted to her maiden name after their divorce. She had a daughter, Dianne (b.1939), who married Bill Nichols in 1958 and had a son, John William Nichols. John Perkins’ other children include Louise Adele (b.1917), and John Muldrow (b.1925) who married Betty Jane McMillian in 1950.
Annie Dell’s surviving sisters all attended Mississippi Synodical College in Holly Springs. Louise graduated in 1907 and married Arnoldus Brumby in 1912. Brumby was an instructor in agricultural engineering at Mississippi A&M College and, after a period as a draftsman in Ohio, he became a professor of mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University. Elise graduated in 1912, married veterinarian Kenneth Uttley Jones (1892-1969) in 1918 and later moved to Birmingham, Alabama. After her graduation in 1917, Alice worked as a stenographer and secretary at Mississippi A&M College until 1924. She died four days after an operation to have her appendix removed at Ivy Hospital, West Point, on February 12, 1927.
Meta Perkins graduated in 1915 and became a teacher. She taught at Osyka High School as a primary teacher in 1915-16 and subsequently at Ackerman, Mississippi. She married George Bishop Hightower (1893-1942) in 1918. George Hightower was the son of George Robert Hightower (1865-1958) and Sallie Pearl Bishop Hightower (1873-1952). The Hightowers had moved to Mississippi in 1834 and settled at Smiths Mills. George Robert had been a teacher and education administrator before entering the Mississippi legislature in 1899, serving as both a congressman and senator. He became president of Mississippi A&M College in 1912 but resigned in 1916 when Theodore Bilbo became governor. George Robert bought Brandon Hall at Stanton near Natchez and farmed there, becoming a successful producer of vegetables and stock. He served on the state tax commission from 1925 to 1928 and the state parole board in the 1940s. He had two other sons: Robert Beall (b. 1907), and Lynwood (b. 1905) whose children include George Marion, Lynwood, Jr., Mary Pearl and John Robert. George Bishop Hightower was born in New Albany and attended Mississippi A&M College, graduating in 1913. He completed a law degree at the University of Mississippi in 1915 and became a lawyer in Ackerman. He joined the army aviation signal corps during World War I as a second lieutenant stationed firstly at Rich Field, Waco, Texas, and then at March Field, Riverside, California, until his discharge as a first lieutenant in 1919. He and Meta lived in California briefly after their marriage but returned to Mississippi after his discharge. Their daughter, Meta Perkins “Daughter” Hightower (1919-1996) was born in Starkville. George worked in real estate, as an agricultural agent, and with his father. George and Meta appear to have lived at Stanton for some time during the 1920s but their daughter attended school in Starkville. After George’s death in 1942, Meta became the society editor of the Starkville News, holding that position until just before her death in 1960.
Meta P. Hightower attended Starkville High School and then completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Mississippi State College (MSC) in 1940. Meta was in the Varsity Club and may have been the first woman to receive an athletic letter from MSC as a member of the rifle team. She met Hugh Battles Montgomery (1916-1987) at MSC and they married in 1940. Hugh’s grandparents were William Battles (1827-1905) and Caroline Hall Montgomery (1840-1919). They had seven children: Jonnie, Hosea and Charles, all of whom died in early childhood; Annie (b. 1877), who married James B. Waters; Hugh (1876-1901); David (b. 1880); and William Battles (1883-1950). Hugh became Deputy United States Marshal of Pontotoc County from about 1899 until his murder in 1901. His brother David succeeded him in the position. William Battles graduated from Millsaps College with a degree in engineering but taught at Freeman Public School in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, before joining the office of the county surveyor of Hinds County, Mississippi, in 1913. Apart from eight years in private practice as a civil engineer in Jackson, Mississippi, William was Hinds County surveyor until his death in 1950. He was succeeded briefly in the job by his wife, Agnes Dorman Montgomery (circa 1894-1955). William and Agnes had two sons: William Burton and Hugh Battles Montgomery. Hugh graduated from the Gulf Coast Military Academy in 1936 and attended Mississippi State College until he entered the army in 1940. Lieutenant Montgomery served as adjutant at the Civilian Conservation Corps’ Camp Trask in Tillamook, Oregon, before being stationed with the army air corps at Blytheville, Arkansas, and later at Walker Army Air Field in Kansas. Hugh and Meta’s first two children, Meta Agnes “Ag” Montgomery (b. 1941) and Alice Perkins “Tuts” or “Sisser” Montgomery (b. 1943), were born during this period. Captain Montgomery was later stationed in Guam. Hugh Battles, Jr. “Bud”, was born in 1949. Hugh was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in the early 1950s before moving to Kyushu, Japan, in 1953 and later to Korea. Major Montgomery’s last posting was to Fort McClellan, Alabama, in 1965, one year before his retirement. Meta Agnes married Charles Robert Mueller in 1959. Alice married Charles Dorries and had two children: Susan and Steven.
Sources:
Hightower, Montgomery, Perkins, Castles, and Stiles families papers.
Bellar, George W. Mississippi A. & M. College, Starkville and Oktibbeha County, 1913, p.23.
McCain, William D. The Story of Jackson. Vol. 2. Jackson: Hyer Publishing, 1953, pp. 254-256.
Seitz, Mrs. Morris. History of Sessums Community Through 1976. Available at: www.oktibbehamsgenealogy.org/Sessums_Booklet.pdf, pp. 10-11, 38.
Extent
33.8 Cubic Feet (: 7 Record Cartons; 1 SMO folder; 1 OS folder; VMP; VMArt; OSArt; 1 SMOArt folder; 1 LgOS folder; SVMP; VMCP; SMOCosT; OSCosT; Artifacts; SMOA)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Series 1. Perkins Family-Boxes 1-2, 6-7; Small Oversize Manuscripts Box 40; Oversize Manuscripts Box 14; Visual Materials: Photographs Box 22; Visual Materials: Art Box 1; Oversize Art Box 1
Series 2. Hightower Family-Boxes 2-3, 6; Small Oversize Manuscripts Box 40; Oversize Manuscripts Box 14; Visual Materials: Photographs Box 22; Small Oversize Art Box 1
Series 3. Montgomery Family-Boxes 3-4, 7; Small Oversize Manuscripts Box 40; Visual Materials: Photographs Box 11; Visual Materials: Art Box 1; Small Oversize Art Box 1
Series 4. Castles Family-Box 4; Oversize Manuscripts Box 14
Series 5. Stiles Family-Box 4
Series 6. Miscellany-Boxes 4, 6; Small Oversize Art Box 1; Large Oversize Manuscripts 12
Series 7. Publications-Box 5; Small Oversize Manuscripts Box 40
Series 8. Photographs-Box 5; Small Visual Materials: Photographs Boxes 1-3; Visual Materials: Photographs Boxes 18-22; Small Oversize Photographs Box 1; Visual Materials: Cased Photographs Box 1
Series 9. Clothing and Accessories-Small Oversize Costume/Textile Boxes 1-2; Oversize Costume/Textile Boxes 1-9
Series 10. Artifacts-Artifacts Boxes 9-11; Small Oversize Artifacts Box 2
Appendix 1. Clothing Inventory.
Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 1
Contains mostly Annie D. Perkins Castles items:
1. White lingerie dress with over apron, machine sewn with hand sewing technique (1920s or late 1910s. Larger size.) (537-CosT-3)
2. All-in-One. (537-CosT-18) (may/may not belong to A.D.P)
3. Corset cover. (537-CosT-20)
4. Corset cover. Larger size. (537-CosT-21)
5. Corset cover. Patched. (537-CosT-22)
6. Bodice/corset cover. 100% cotton. Larger size. (537-CosT-23)
7. Silk brassiere. Larger size. (537-CosT-24) (may/may not belong to A.D.P.)
8. Brassiere. Larger size-Gossard size 36. (Early example) (537-CosT-25)
9. Silk teddy with enredeaux, ribboned silk rose embellishment. (purchased with label size 38) (537-CosT-34)
10. Dark peach silk nightgown with cotton lace and netting, trimmed with bouillon roses. Larger size (38?) 1920s? (537-CosT-35)
11. Peach colored chemise nightgown, hand embroidered with an appliqué stitch. Stained. (537-CosT-6)
Oversize Costumes/Textile Box 2
Contains Annie Dell Perkins items:
1. Sheer waist. (537-CosT-1)
2. 100% cotton pink waist with puffy sleeves and ecru lace trim. Machine sewn, not purchased. (537-CosT-2)
3. Pintucked cotton petticoat, with self-ruffle with cotton lace trim. Small size. (537-CosT-4)
4. Waist. (537-CosT-13)
5. Brown silk fitted jacket, machine sewn, pre 20th century, 1890s (?). Ruching trim fully encircling bodice with a purhcased passementary trim. (537-CosT-26B)
6. Waist, 100% cotton with cotton netting and silk trim. Very poor condition, rubbed/shredded 1890s-1900. (537-CosT-41)
Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 3
Possible wedding costume, cream colored voile with cotton lace and ribbon trim:
1. Waist with puffed sleeves. (537-CosT-37)
2. Extra sleeves, long. (537-CosT-38)
3. Skirt, long. (537-CosT-39)
Oversize Costume/Textiles Box 4
Louise Stiles Perkins Wedding Costume:
1. Black slip, ca. 1884. (537-CosT-14)
2. Dark blue flounce, of type arrange over skirt in photo, ca. 1884. (537-CosT-15)
3. Dark blue jacket with jabot, velvet collar and cuff; rhinestone buttons, varied. Machine sewn. (537-CosT-16)
Oversize Costume/Textiles Box 5
Louise Stiles Perkins Wedding Costume:
1. Dark blue skirt, ca. 1884. (537-CosT-17)
Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 6
1. Oriental dress, purchased in Japan on trip. (537-CosT-54)
2. Starched linen and cotton voile dropped waist dress, stiffly tailored. Small size. 1910? (537-CosT-26A)
3. Cotton petticoat/skirt, tie waist with eyeleted ruffle at bottom; pin tuck decorative trim. ("A.E. Perkins" (Annie Eliza Stiles Perkins) on waist area) (537-CosT-40)
4. Petticoat/skirt. ("A.E. Perkins" on waist area) (537-CosT-72)
5. Flannel petticoat/skirt, machine sewn with French sewing technique. (537-CosT-8)
6. Cotton petticoat. Middle sized. (537-CosT-9)
Oversize Costume/Textiles Box 7
1. Silk skirt tucked. Bad condition. (537-CosT-59)
2. Silk waist. Bad condition. (537-CosT-60)
3. Dress, nylon or rayon, with net and satin ribbon trim. Possibly reproduction such as a 1920s pageant dress. (537-CosT-19)
4. Man's long evening coat, wool of a double breasted style (extra button holes). Ready to wear. Mended. (537-CosT-27)
Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 8
Hats and hatpins:
1. Green hat with gold trim, cloche hat. (537-CosT-5)
2. Multicolored hat with gold trimming with a bow. (537-CosT-6)
3. Cloche beige hat with circles inside diamond shape. (537-CosT-7)
4. Red cotton velvet bonnet. (537-CosT-32)
5. Blue straw hat with pink and cream flowers . (537-CosT-42)
6. Black velvet hat with top seaming, flowered lining, purchased "Melinda Original" (537-CosT-43)
7. 3 hat pins. (537-CosT-44)
Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 9
Various items:
1. Rag doll, handmade. (537-CosT-65)
2. American Sugar Refining Company bag. (537-CosT-55)
3. Purina Layena bag. (537-CosT-56)
4. Cotton flour bag. (537-CosT-57)
5. Cotton flour bag with reddish blocks. (537-CosT-58)
6. Battenburg table cloth. (537-CosT-69)
7. 5 pieces of lace. (537-CosT-70)
8. Battenburg lace scarf. (537-CosT-73)
9. Scarf, red with gold trimming. (537-CosT-75)
Small Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 1
Reticule/Purses:
1. Beaded reticule. (537-CosT-10)
2. Purple beaded reticule. (537-CosT-11)
3. Purse, brown velvet. (537-CosT-12)
4. Brown leather coin purse. (537-CosT-49)
5. Shell purse with initials MHM (Meta Hightower Montgomery). (537-CosT-62)
6. Black macramé handbag with clear handles. (537-CosT-63)
Small Oversize Costumes/Textiles Box 2
Various items:
1. Hair comb, black and brown. (537-CosT-51)
2. Hair comb, tan with blue rhinestones. (537-CosT-52)
3. Black glasses case, beaded. (537-CosT-53)
4. Pink beads. (Possibley belonged to Alice M. Perkins) (537-CosT-66)
5. Headband, brown and red beaded. (537-CosT-1)
6. Epaulet with two buttons. (537-CosT-30)
7. Crocheted baby bootee. (537-CosT-31)
8. Green garters. (2) (537-CosT-28)
9. Sachet, round, pink, green, and ivory. (537-CosT-67)
10. Sachet, heart, pink, and ivory. (537-CosT-68)
11. Collar, gold with tie. (537-CosT-64)
12. Handkerchief, purple trimmed in tan and yellow with design in corner. (537-CosT-74)
13. Handkerchief. (537-CosT-50)
14. Apron, hand-sewn, with peach pink embroidered trim. (537-CosT-29)
15. Dresser scarf. (537-CosT-33)
16. Two pieces of ribbon. (Annie D. Perkins Castles suitcase). (537-CosT-45)
17. Ribbon. (Annie D. Perkins Castles suitcase). (537-CosT-46)
18. Tea towel. (537-CosT-47)
19. Ivory fan, poor condition. (Annie D. Perkins Castles suitcase). (537-CosT-48)
20. Round tapestry scarf/doily or hot pad. (Annie D. Perkins Castles suitcase). (537-CosT-61)
21. Mississippi State 'target' cloth badge (Rifle team?). (537-CosT-76)
22. 'Colonels' cloth badge. (Belonged to Meta P. Hightower Montgomery). (537-CosT-77)
23. Athletic letter, M300. (537-CosT-78)
Appendix 2. Artifacts Inventory.
Artifacts Box 9
Flowered cardboard box:
Miniature glass scent bottles (one broken). (2)
Symphony Lawn cardboard box ("Seleta Elise Perkins, Booneville, Dec. 25, '12, Feb. 18, '13" written on lid):
Belt buckle.
Spools of thread, multiple colors. (6)
Paintbrush handle.
Metal 'California Nugget' tobacco tin:
"1904" green and white flag lapel pin.
"H" lapel pin.
Lock and key charm bracelet.
Silver fob.
Cherub charm.
Heart-shaped pendant.
Straw box:
Metal Wimco No. 5 40cc veterinarian's syringe with two needles and instructions for use, in Memphis Serum Co. box.
Wooden jewelry box:
Small box marked "Trinkets" containing heavy glass perfume stopper.
Women's Auxiliary Presbyterian Church Life Member lapel pin in velvet lined cardboard box.
Women of the Church Presbyterian Church Honorary Member lapel pin in plastic case.
American Waltham sidewinder pocket watch, hands missing, c. 1902.
Japanese paper and wood fan.
Stanley Line metal initials (H) box.
Toccopola Academy music medal, 1884, presented to Mattie Beall.
Toccopola College Excellence in Elocution medal, 1885, presented to Mattie Beall.
Army sewing kit.
Small diary key.
Leather 'M G' ('M C' ?) medallion.
Small decorated painter's palette "Jennie" on reverse.
Framed printed poem, "For Mother."
Key.
Beeman’s Pepsin chewing gum wrapper.
Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs seal.
Trifold cardboard folder ‘Correspondence Secretary’, belonged to ‘MPH’.
World Bible box labeled “family trinkets”:
Broken shell necklace and necklace pieces.
Japanese match box.
Flower brooch.
Aluminum Davey Crocket ring.
Buttons.
Plastic rose pin.
Tie tack.
Beaded “Montgomery” bracelet, broken.
Arrowhead.
Five chandelier pieces, faux crystal.
Wicker bracelet.
Clear locket with lock of hair inside.
Moon and star pendant.
Four shell belt buckles.
Plastic and wood bird pin.
Two army star lapel pins.
Large brass diaper/safety pin.
Two plastic owl pins.
Unidentifiably shaped faux gold pin.
Gold toned llama brooch.
Velvet drawstring bag.
One black onyx cuff link.
Broken silver spoon, belonged to Louise C. Perkins Stiles.
Schaeffer fountain pen, belonged to Meta P. Hightower, given by George B. Hightower.
Mississippi State Fair, 1937 pennant embroidered with the words "Meta and Hugh".
Framed oval floral print.
World War Two army air force badge.
Mississippi A&M College medallion, belonged to Meta Hightower Montgomery.
Japanese Anti-Tuberculosis Society seal, 1953-1954.
"George R. Hightower, Farmer Natchez", "Know Miss. Better Train, August 19th-29th, 1925" badge and ribbon.
Stone arrowhead, belonged to Louise C. Stiles Perkins.
Artifacts Box 10
Portable desk, belonged to Deputy U.S. Marshal Hugh Montgomery:
Glass ink bottle.
Wooden nib pen.
Wooden jewelry box:
Broken red beaded necklace.
Small ivory nail buffer, chamois in poor condition.
Large ivory nail buffer, handle detached.
Independence Safety Matchbox:
Half ounce weight.
Miniature iron, possibly Monopoly game piece.
Miniature washboard and washtub.
Heart-shaped lock.
The Little Webster 18,000 Words.
Lighter.
Bracelet and matching brooch with multicolored stones.
Brass chain bracelet.
Cuff bracelet with yellow stones.
Large brooch with blue stones.
‘J.M.C.’ (military) cap badge.
Mississippi A&M College pin.
Brass belt buckle.
Scottie dog pin.
Necklace with leaf shaped charms.
Two Japanese paper and wood folding fans.
Strand of faux pearls.
Miniature plastic baby.
Shoe-shaped pocket knife.
Two Japanese pocket knives.
Brass bracelet with horse head figure.
Manicure tool.
Heart-shaped pendant.
Butter knife.
Two Wilsnap tie tacks.
Bejeweled belt buckle piece with multicolored stones.
Rhinestone and red earrings.
Rhinestone and pear earrings.
Bronze pearl earrings.
Metal bracelet.
Ornamental piece, possibly for a door or trunk.
Small metal jewelry box with flowered lid:
Bell earrings.
Japanese figure.
One pearl dangling earring.
One silver dangling earring.
Marble.
Two sterling silver pieces.
Metal safe box: “Insurance Service, ‘Two Hartfords’, Mrs. J. B. Hogan Agent, Starkville Mississippi” written on box.
Artifacts Box 11
Large leather wallet (?), belonged to John B. Perkins.
Ladies leather billfold.
From Annie D. Perkins’ trunk:
Miniature “Violet Talc Powder” container.
Broken pen.
Black bead bracelet.
Coin purse.
Beaded thong necklace.
University of Mississippi baseball button pin with ribbons, 1906.
Lapel pin picturing Paris Opera House.
Tie pin.
Pistol shell (REM-UMC 18), and flattened bullet(?).
Aluminum engraved cuff bracelet inscribed “Love Meta, Guam 1945”.
Straw purse, belonged to Annie Dell Perkins:
Flat floral pin cushion with several blue tipped straitpins.
Photograph lapel pin of unidentified woman.
“Wichita, Kan. in a Nutshell” souvenir: tag and walnut.
“Nazeptic Wool” medicine in original box.
Ivory nail buffer, intact.
“The Gregory Tours” button pin.
Floral hatbox.
SMOA 2
Braided locks of hair. (2)
Unboxed
Small suitcase, belonged to Annie D. Perkins Castles.
Processing Information
Newspaper clippings were copied and disposed of. Prints and some photographs were unframed and the frames disposed of. Duplicate items and some scraps of fabric were disposed of.
- Brumby, Louise C. (Louise Christine)
- Business records.
- Carpenter, Martha V. (Martha Virginia)
- Castle, Annie D. (Annie Dell)
- Castles, Henry P. (Henry Paul)
- Civilian Conservation Corps -- Oregon.
- Doran, Meta A. (Meta Agnes)
- Dorries, Alice P. (Alice Perkins)
- Dorries, Stephen.
- Dorries, Susan.
- Education -- Mississippi.
- Family -- History.
- Family life -- Mississippi.
- Guam.
- Hightower, George B. (George Bishop)
- Hightower, George R. (George Robert)
- Hightower, John.
- Hightower, Mary P. (Mary Pearl)
- Hightower, Meta (Lelia Almeta)
- Japan.
- Jones, Elise (Seleta Elise)
- Jones, Kenneth U. (Kenneth Uttley)
- Korea (South)
- Mississippi State College
- Montgomery, Agnes
- Montgomery, Agnes (Meta Agnes)
- Montgomery, Caroline
- Montgomery, David
- Montgomery, Hugh
- Montgomery, Hugh B. (Hugh Battles)
- Montgomery, Meta P. (Meta Perkins)
- Montgomery, William B. (William Battles)
- Nichols, Dianne
- Oktibbeha County (Miss.)
- Perkins , Louise C. (Louise Christine)
- Perkins, Alice M. (Alice Margaret)
- Perkins, Annie
- Perkins, Charles S.
- Perkins, Dorothy A. (Dorothy Ann)
- Perkins, John B. (John Bolivar)
- Perkins, John B. (John Bolivar)
- Perkins, John M. (John Muldrow)
- Perkins, Louise A. (Louise Adele)
- School children.
- Soldiers.
- Starkville (Miss.)
- Stiles, Annie E. (Annie Eliza)
- Stiles, John E. (John Easter)
- Stiles, Mary E. (Mary Emily)
- Waters, Annie
- Watson, Harriet
- Watson, Pickens.,
- Women -- Mississippi.
- Title
- Hightower, Montgomery, Perkins, Castles, and Stiles families papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Gerald Chaudron
- Date
- March 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts Repository