Incoming, Woodward, Sol

The S.H. Woodward Series contains five subseries: Diaries, Personal Correspondence, Business Correspondence, Business and Legal Papers, and Miscellaneous.

The Diaries Subseries contain records of daily activities, prices of iron and other industrial products, weather, and to-do lists. The entries are fairly consistent, as S.H. never went more than two or three days without making an entry. Personal and business notes are included. S.H. Woodward used pocket-sized, bound, dated notebooks for recording. They are arranged chronologically.

The Personal Correspondence Subseries is divided into outgoing and incoming correspondence. Outgoing correspondence is chronologically arranged. Incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically according to person or company, then chronologically. It is important to note that because the Woodwards were involved in a family business, their correspondence will reflect both business and private concerns. Thus, a personal letter may briefly discuss business and a business letter may contain family and personal information as well. Outgoing personal correspondence consists of letters from S.H. Woodward to family and friends, mainly family. Incoming personal correspondence includes letters to S.H. Woodward from family and friends--this correspondence is mostly family.

The Business Correspondence Subseries includes outgoing and incoming correspondence. Outgoing business correspondence consists of S.H. Woodward's letterbook from 1866-1878, as well as individual letters from 1852-1881. Of particular interest is correspondence with his sons, J.H. Woodward and W.H. Woodward, concerning the development of their Alabama holdings. Incoming business correspondence is comprised of correspondence from business associates and includes information on the inner workings of Bailey, Woodward and Co., Jefferson Iron Works and LaBelle Iron Works.

The Business and Legal Papers Subseries is mostly of a personal nature, although some LaBelle and Bailey, Woodward and Co. papers are intermixed. This subseries contains deeds, contracts, estate settlements, ledgers, account books, receipts, cancelled checks, and invoices.

The Miscellaneous Subseries contains various publications and papers. Included are S.H. Woodward's obituary, a things-to-do notebook, a phrenological evaluation, and newspapers, as well as political materials dealing with elections and politics in early West Virginia.