Richard Branscomb and Lewis Branscomb papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0205

Scope and Contents

This collection consists chiefly of materials relating to Methodist Minister Richard Edwin Branscomb (1902-1980), including his account book for the period 1922-24, two diaries or journals (with illustrations) of trips to Europe and the Middle East, 1926 and 1930, and what might be termed his “spiritual diary” for 1935. As an indicator of the contents of the last, the opening entry begins “I need more faith — confidence that things which have not been accomplished may be done. Never fear tacking a job because it looks hard. Never fear prospect of failure. Worst failure is lack of faith and courage. Grateful for progress made in year 1934….” Along with these books are a miscellany of notes and papers, some of which record Branscomb’s professional activities during late 1926 and part of 1927.

The collection also includes a single item — a Condensed Minute Book for the Use of Presiding Elders and Pastors of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church — belonging to Lewis Capers Branscomb (1865-1930), father of Richard Edwin Branscomb, and like his son a Methodist Minister. To the cover of this book, somebody, presumably R. E. Branscomb, affixed a note that states “His Last Quar[terly] Conf[erence] Record.

Dates

1922-1935

Creator

Branscomb, Lewis Capers (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Lewis Capers Branscomb (1865-1930) was a prominent Methodist Minister in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Alabama. He was assigned to a variety of churches on the Wheeler circuit — Bessemer, Decatur, Huntsville, St. John’s Birmingham, Talladega district, Talladega station, and First Methodist Church, Birmingham. He also edited the Alabama Christian Advocate.

Richard Edwin Branscomb (1902-1980) was one of six children born to Lewis Capers Branscomb and his second wife, Minne McGehee Branscomb. He too, was a Minister, in Guin, Alabama.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Diary, travel journals, and account book of Richard Edwin Branscomb (1902-1980), Methodist Minister from Guin, Alabama, and Condensed Minute Book for Presiding Elders of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church belonging to Branscomb’s father, Lewis Capers Branscomb (1865-1930).

Provenance

Purchased from Cather and Brown Books, 1989

Related Materials

Related materials may be found in the Branscomb family papers (MSS.4017), University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama. Please see staff for assistance.

Other materials may be found in the Midway, Alabama, city records, A. S. Williams III Americana Collections, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama. Please see the staff for assistance.

General

To provide faster access to our materials, this finding aid was published without formal and final review. Email us at archives@ua.edu if you find mistakes or have suggestions to make this finding aid more useful for your research.