Dates
- 1915-1939
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Vermont Edward Allen are divided into two series, Vermont Edward Allen Files and Katherine Merriwether Allen File.
Allen's papers consist of diaries for the years 1924 and 1925, clippings, correspondence, photographs, notebooks, writings, and publications.
The bulk of reading material in the collection is in Allen's diaries. Although the entries are brief (one day's events per page), Allen wrote consistently. Among the other materials in the collection are letters to Allen, many of them Christmas cards to him and Katherine, notebooks from high school and Rutgers, and publications relating to his work as a title searcher. There are also several of Katherine's notebooks.
Extent
0.4 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Acquisition Note
The Vermont Edward Allen Papers were donated to Rutgers University Archives by Paul McGreevy in 2005. McGreevy's mother, Kathryn McGreevy had contacted the Rutgers Office of Alumni Relations in early 2005 regarding whether Rutgers would be interested in Allen's diaries. Alumni Relations informed University Archivist Thomas J. Frusciano, who contacted Mrs. McGreevy to suggest the diaries be donated to Rutgers University Archives. Mrs. McGreevy directed Frusciano to her son Paul, to on whose behalf she was making the inquiries. Frusciano then arranged for him to donate the diaries and other Allen material in his possession.
Abstract
This collection consists of the diaries, correspondence, notebooks, and personal papers of Vermont Edward Allen, a 1924 graduate of Rutgers College. This collection also includes the notebooks of his wife Katherine Merriwether Allen. The diaries in particular document Allen's experiences as an African American, as a new college graduate looking for work, and as a teacher in the southern United States. The papers consist of two series I. Vermont Edward Allen Files, and II. Katherine Merriwether Allen File.
<emph render="bold">Biographical Sketch of Vermont Edward Allen</emph>
Vermont Edward Allen was born on February 9, 1901 in Metuchen, New Jersey to Broodwood Allen, a car cleaner, and Mary Anna Thorn Allen. He graduated from Metuchen High School in 1919 and entered Rutgers as a Liberal Arts student in September 1920. After graduating from Rutgers in 1924, he taught high school at the St. Athanasius School in Brunswick, Georgia (1924-1925) and at the Lincoln Academy in King's Mountain, North Carolina (1925-1926). He attended New York University law school in 1926 and 1927, became a title searcher for the state highway and worked as a freelance title examiner.
During his time in Georgia, Allen met fellow teacher Katherine Mae Merriwether, originally from Rome, Georgia. Merriwether attended Spelman Seminary (later College) and was a graduate of the Henderson Business Schoool at Memphis. Allen and Merriwether married on July 30, 1929. They lived in Metuchen and later moved to New Brunswick.
Allen died on October 19, 1961 at Saint Peter's Hospital in New Brunswick, after a short illness.
Arrangement Note
The Vermont Edward Allen papers are divided into two series:
- I. Vermont Allen Files.
- II. Katherine Merriwether Allen File.
- Title
- Guide to the Papers of Vermont Edward Allen, 1915-1939 R-MC 084
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Caryn Radick
- Date
- November 2005
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Part of the Rutgers University Archives Repository
Rutgers University Libraries
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
169 College Avenue
New Brunswick NJ 08901-1163
848-932-7510
732-932-7012 (Fax)
scua_ref@libraries.rutgers.edu