Ruth Holmes Hawks papers

Collection

Identifier: WA-0027

Content Description

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The Ruth Holmes Hawks papers contain correspondence with family and friends, most prominently with her daughter Ruth Wales du Pont. In Ruth du Pont’s correspondence with Ruth Holmes Hawks, she addresses Ruth Holmes Hawks using several different nicknames, such as “baby dove,” “charfor darlen,” and “mamady,” and she signs her correspondence using "Pettie", "Pett", and "Lou T." Ruth Holmes Hawks’ correspondence with her lawyers and Henry Francis du Pont primarily details banking and investment concerns and taxes, as well as the settlement of the estates of her mother and of her husband. Also included in the correspondence are stationery for Ruth Wales and Henry Francis du Pont’s wedding and responses to wedding invitations. Ruth’s papers also include records related to her apartment on Fifth Avenue, including a lease and blueprint; banking records; bills and receipts that are primarily for groceries and clothing; ledgers; photographs; drawings; art books; newspaper and magazine clippings; and telegrams.

Dates

Creation: 1885 - 1932

Creator

Hawks, Ruth Holmes, 1862-1932 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Ruth Holmes Hawks was born in New York City in 1862 to Francis L. Hawks and Gertrude Richards Holmes Hawks (1829-1918). She had one brother, Archie McLean Hawks (1865-1963). On December 17, 1885, she married Edward Howe Wales (1856-1922) in Providence, Rhode Island. Their only child, Ruth Wales (1889-1967), married Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969) in 1916. She died in 1932.

Full Extent

22 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into eight series and two subseries. Folders are arranged by series and then alphabetically by folder title.

Series 1: Correspondence Sub-series A: With Ruth Holmes Hawks (Jr.) Sub-series B: General Correspondence Series 2: Legal Documents/Correspondence Series 3: Banking/Investment Records Series 4: Receipts/Bills Series 5: Donation Records Series 6: Publications and Clippings (Magazine/Newspaper) Series 7: Photographs/Artwork Series 8: Miscellaneous

Custodial History

Collection is owned by the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. It was assembled over years, from 1969-1975 by transfers and gifts from various sources: in 1969, from the clerical division of the Wilmington, DE office of Henry Francis du Pont and the H.F. du Pont House; in 1970 from the financial division of the Wilmington, DE office of Henry Francis du Pont; in 1972 from the office of properties and gardens; in 1973 from the H.F. du Pont House; in 1974 from the Coach House and in 1975 from the main museum building.

Related Materials

The papers of Edward Howe Wales are housed at the Hagley Museum and Library. WA-0010 Ruth Wales du Pont papers WA-0003 Gertrude Holmes Hawks papers WA-0009 Edward Howe Wales papers

WA-0038, OB 002, Series 72RH6. This is a dried flower. WA-0038, OB 003, Series 72RH6. This is a metal name plate with "Elihu Root Jr. Mysoginist" written on it. WA-0038, OB 004, Series 74RH6. This is cotton material cut on a bias. WA-0038, OB 005, Series 74RH6. This is dried plant material. WA-0038, OB 006 a-b, Series 74RH6. These are cotton and silk material swatches. WA-0038, OB 007, Series 69RH6. This is a cotton handkerchief.