BASIL MANLY, Sr., 1818 - 1878

The Basil Manly, Sr., series is divided into these subseries: Genealogy and Biographical Material; Correspondence; Diaries; Register, Accounts, and Memoranda; Sermon Notes, Sermons, and Speeches; Classroom Notes; and Miscellaneous.

Basil used letters and diaries almost interchangeably, recording a great variety of information particularly in his diaries. The correspondence spans the years 1818 to 1868 with the greater concentration beginning in 1844. Basil Manly, Sr., was alert to the events of the day: slavery, secession, and war. He offered theological questions and economic practicalities. He discussed the schoolroom in detail, less so the plantation, and always with fervor, the Baptists. In his letters to his wife, Basil often had a delightful sense of humor and demonstrated an ample measure of kindness.

The diaries span the years 1825 to 1878. Basil Manly, Sr., died in 1868. In 1878, Basil, Jr. began writing in Diary 6 to keep his father's tradition of recording daily events. Basil, Jr.'s entries are dated October to December of 1878. His registers and account books compliment much of the subject information provided elsewhere, particularly the school registers and diaries.