Eloise Word Skewis Papers, 1777-1907 | Special Collections and University Archives

Materials are arranged chronologically within each series and sub-series.

Series I: Correspondence. This series is divided into two sub-series: A. Personal and B. Business.

Sub-series A: Personal. Contains personal correspondence dating from 1853 to 1907. The material is mainly correspondence among family members.

Sub-series B: Business. Contains business correspondence dating from 1842 to 1907. This material is primarily related to purchases, money owed, and workers.

Series II: Legal and Business Papers. This series is divided into two sub-series: A. Legal Papers and B. Business Papers.

Sub-series A: Legal Papers. Contains deeds, contracts, receipts, and court documents dating from 1777 to 1886.

Sub-series B: Business Papers. Contains tax documents, receipts, bank statements, bonds, promissory notes, credit bills, stock and bond certificates, certificates of indebtedness, bank notes, account books, and court orders dating from 1800 to 1899.

Series III: Newspaper Clippings. This series contains a small number of undated and miscellaneous newspaper clippings, probably from the Baltimore Sun.

Series IV: Miscellaneous. This series contains various miscellaneous and oversize items. Included are original Confederate currency and bonds, membership certificates for the Daughters of the American Revolution, an 1868 Life Insurance policy, an 1787 land indenture, and family trees for the Claiborne's of England and America and the Harrison's of James River.

The dominant family branch for Eloise Word Skewis are the Claiborne family of New England and America. Other branches include the Kilby and the Harrison families of the James River.

The Claiborne family of England and America are an ancient family that derived its name from the manor of Cleburne or Cliborne in Westmoreland, England, near the river of Eden. The manor is named in Doomsday Book (A.D.1086) and the family were for many generations lords of this place. The first of the line appearing in pedigrees is Hervey, to whom Henry II granted moiety of the manor of Cliborne.

The first of the Claiborne line to come to America was William Claiborne. He was born about 1587 and is first noticed in June 1621, when the Virginia Company engaged him to go to Virginia as surveyor. William came to Virginia with Governor Wyatt in 1621. In 1625 Governor Yeardley appointed him Secretary of State for the Colony and member of the Council. In 1642, the King appointed William as Treasurer of Virginia for life. He held several other public offices throughout his life. In 1631, William created a trading settlement on Kent Island in the Chesapeake. There he held many business contacts with several persons in London.