Inventory of the Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990

Inventory of the Sam J. Ervin Papers,
Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990

Collection Number 3847B

Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Collection Information

Descriptive Summary

Administrative Information

Online Catalog Headings

Biographical Note

Collection Overview

Detailed Description of the Collection

17. Correspondence, 1898-1987.

18. Writings, 1920s-1985.

19. Subject Files, 1915-1985.

20. Financial and Legal Materials, 1927-1985.

21. Biographical Material, 1918-1987.

22. Margaret Bell Ervin, 1948-1990.

23. Collected Material, 1914-1986 and undated.

24. Audio-Visual Materials, 1940s-1980s.

25. Museum Items, undated.

Items Separated

Contact Information:: Manuscripts Department; CB#3926, Wilson Library; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890; Phone: 919/962-1345; Fax: 919/962-3594; Email: mss@email.unc.edu; URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/
Processed by: Carolyn Hamby
Date Processed: June 1995
Encoded by: Lynn Holdzkom
Date Encoded: June 2003

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Southern Historical Collection

Creator: Ervin, Sam J. (Samuel James), 1896-1985.

Title: Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers, 1898-1990

Call Number: 3847B

Extent: 40,350 items (63.0 linear feet)

Abstract

Samuel James Ervin, Jr., was a Burke County, N.C., attorney, North Carolina legislator, judge, United States senator, and long-time champion of civil liberties. Ervin was first appointed to the North Carolina General Assembly in 1923, where he also served in 1925 and 1931. After the death of his brother Joseph W. Ervin (1901-1945), Ervin was appointed to the House of Representatives. In 1954, Ervin was appointed to the United States Senate, where he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Rackets Committee (Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor Management), and the Watergate Committee (Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. The Private Papers Subgroup contains letters, subject files, financial material, and writings chiefly of Ervin and his wife Margaret. The bulk of the material is dated after his Senate appointment in 1954. Earlier items include letters from Ervin while he was stationed in France during World War I, 1917-1919; collegiate material from the University of North Carolina, 1913-1917, and Harvard University Law School, 1919-1922; and letters relating to Ervin's judicial appointments, 1930s-1954. Post-1954 items include letters from colleagues, family members, and others; subject files documenting his chief interests, including constitutional law, Watergate, the Equal Rights Amendment, and school desegregation; and speeches, articles, and books by and about Ervin. Also included are Ervin family history materials; biographical materials; items relating to the estates of Ervin family members; photographs of Ervin; films, videos, and audio tapes he recorded; and items relating to trips the Ervins made and to organizations in which they were active, especially the North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions to Access: No restrictions.

Provenance: Received from Samuel James Ervin, Jr., 1979-1984; the estate of Samuel James Ervin, Jr., 1985-1989; and Jean Conyers Ervin, 1987.

Processing Information: Sam Ervin's Senate papers have been filed and described as Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup A: Senate Records (#3847A).; Series 16 is not used.

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], in the Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup B: Private Papers #3847B, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Copyright Notice: Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Burke County (N.C.)--Social life and customs.

Civil rights--United States--History--20th century.

Equal rights amendments--United States.

Ervin family.

Ervin, Margaret Bell, 1898-1986.

Ervin, Sam J. (Samuel James), 1896-1985.

Estates (Law)--North Carolina--History--20th century.

Harvard Law School--Students--Social life and customs--20th century.

Judges--North Carolina--History--20th century.

Lawyers--North Carolina--History--20th century.

Legislators--North Carolina--History--20th century.

Legislators--United States--History--20th century.

North Carolina--Politics and government--1865-1950.

North Carolina--Politics and government--1951- .

North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C.

School integration--United States--History--20th century.

Soldiers--United States--Correspondence.

United States. Congress. Senate.

United States--Constitution.

United States--Economic conditions--20th century.

United States--Foreign relations--1945- .

University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Students--Social life and customs.

Watergate Affair, 1972-1974.

Biographical Note

See biographical note in Sam J. Ervin Papers, Subgroup A: Senate Records (#3847A).

Collection Overview

Subgroup B contains the letters, subject files, financial material, and writings of Sam J. Ervin and his family. The bulk of the material dates after his Senate appointment in 1954.

Early items include letters from Ervin while he was stationed in France during World War I (1917-1919), collegiate material from the University of North Carolina (1913-1917) and Harvard University Law School (1919-1922), and letters relating to Ervin's judicial appointments (1930s-1954). The post-1954 items include letters, subject files, collected material, and writings. Files on Ervin's financial dealings with the William Morris Agency of New York City highlight his contracts with ABC News and American Express.

Writing show that Ervin was a prolific writer. He wrote numerous articles on the United States Constitution. He was the author of three books: The Whole Truth (a work on Watergate), Preserving the Constitution (autobiography); and Humor of a Country Lawyer. Ervin was also the subject of many books. The most acrimonious correspondence surrounds Richard L. Dabney's A Good Man: The Life of Sam J. Ervin (1975).

Ervin and his wife Margaret Bell Ervin maintained memberships in several historical and genealogical organizations, such as the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the Confederacy. There are also family histories and genealogical materials about the Ervin family.

Organization of Collection

17. Correspondence
17.1. General Correspondence
17.2. Family Correspondence
17.3. Greeting Cards and Notes
17.4. Invitations Accepted and Declined
18. Writings
18.1. Speeches and Statements
18.2. Articles
18.3. Books
18.4. Notes
19. Subject Files
19.1. General Subject Files
19.2. North Carolina Courts
19.3. North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C.
20. Financial and Legal Materials
20.1. Income Tax Returns
20.2. Advertising Contracts
20.3. Insurance Policies and Claims
20.4. Banking Information
20.5. Property
20.6. Ledger Books
20.7. Estate of Laura Powe Ervin
20.8. Estate of Margaret J. Bell
20.9. Travel
20.10. Organizations
20.11. Social Security Benefits
21. Biographical Material
21.1. Books
21.2. Articles
21.3. Clippings
21.4. Awards and Citations
21.5. Calendars
21.6. Interviews
21.7. Editorials
21.8. Programs from Speaking Engagements
21.9. Death of Sam J. Ervin
21.10. Biographical Sketches
21.11. Miscellaneous
22. Margaret Bell Ervin
22.1. Calendars
22.2. Financial and Legal Materials
22.3. Correspondence
22.4. Printed Material
22.5. Presbyterian Church
22.6. Converse College
22.7. Funeral Documents
23. Collected Material
23.1. Newsletters
23.2. Printed Materials
23.3. Watergate Materials
23.4. Ruth Kramer Materials
23.5. Family History
24. Audio-visual Materials
24.1. Pictures
24.2. Film
24.3. Videotape
24.4. Audiotape
25. Museum Items
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Items Separated

Separated items include oversize papers (OP-3847B/1-21); an oversize volume (V-3847B/S-1); photographs (P-3847B/1-88); audiotapes (T-3847B/1-5); films (F-3847B/1-2); and museum items (MU-3847/1-22).

Detailed Description of the Collection

17. Correspondence, 1898-1987.

About 18,400 items.

Letters, cards, and invitations relating to Sam Ervin and his wife, Margaret Bell Ervin. It is divided into four subseries. The general correspondence consists primarily of letters written to Ervin by his friends, political colleagues, and admirers across the country. The subjects covered by the letters changed as Ervin became more well known. Family correspondence includes letters written by Ervin's children, as well as more distantly related relatives and close friends. The third subseries contains greeting cards and notes from family members, friends, and political associates. The final subseries includes invitations, accepted and declined, for some of the political and private social functions the Ervins were asked to attend.

17.1. General Correspondence, 1921-1985.

About 9,600 items.

Arrangement: chronological and alphabetical by last name.

Letters written to Sam Ervin on various subjects and copies of his replies. Topics changed over time as Ervin moved from the local political scene to the national arena. The earliest letters discuss the Ervins' upcoming marriage. On 24 May 1924, Edwin Bridges wrote, "I congratulate you and extend to her my sympathy." As Ervin became more widely known in North Carolina as an able lawyer, the letters shifted from personal matters to political ones. On 10 November 1936, P. Cleveland Gardner wrote to Ervin that he would make a fine North Carolina Supreme Court justice: "[Y]our friends know and admit that your age, training, learning and all around qualifications point to you alone as the most logical man for an able judge--one that would be progressive, liberal minded, and a representative of our age and generation, and not a `moss back' type of the stone age."

The letters jump very quickly from discussions of North Carolina politics and Kiwanis Club activities to the post-Watergate era. After his retirement, Ervin received large amounts of mail. Because of the fame Ervin gained as a result of his Watergate hearing activities, the bulk of the letters in the 1970s are requests for assistance. Correspondents asked for Ervin's advice on their own legal problems, appointments to the service academies, and money. One letter, dated 5 February 1975, asked Ervin to help start a movement to pardon Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Some of the correspondents wrote Ervin just to tell him what a fine job he had done on the Watergate Committee and to wish him happy retirement. On 4 April 1975, the sixth grade class of Shiply Elementary School in Wilmington, Del., sent Ervin a copy of the class constitution. Ervin responded by telling the class, "This is a tremendous document and the writers are to be commended for the diligent efforts in behalf of the Sixth Grade." Ervin also received a few letters from people who were obviously emotionally and mentally troubled.

Ervin's fellow legislators in Congress frequently wrote to him. folder 19 contains copies of letters from President Gerald Ford thanking Ervin for his work on bills that passed after his retirement. Other letter writers were senators Thurmond, Kennedy, Baker, Dole, Inouye, and Helms. Ervin gave advice and, when asked, spoke for or against various pieces of legislation his former colleagues were working on.

By the early 1980s and until his death, Ervin's correspondence became more involved in subjects that interested him personally. He wrote many letters urging North Carolinians not to amend the state constitution to allow governors successive terms. He also wrote in favor of a balanced budget amendment to the United States constitution. Letters from admirers still arrived, but most of these writers asked for autographs (many filed as "Requests") rather than personal assistance. Despite the large volume of mail, Ervin answered every letter.

Folder 1

1921-1944

Folder 2

1945-1966

Folder 3

1967-1974

Folder 4-5

1975: A

Folder 6-10

1975: B

Folder 11-14

1975: C

Folder 15-16

1975: D

Folder 17-18

1975: E

Folder 19-20

1975: F

Folder 21-22

1975: G

Folder 23-25

1975: H

Folder 26

1975: I

Folder 27-28

1975: J

Folder 29-30

1975: K

Folder 31-33

1975: L

Folder 34-35

1975: Mc

Folder 36-39

1975: M

Folder 40-41

1975: N

Folder 42

1975: North: Carolina: Press: Association: Letters

Folder 43

1975: O

Folder 44-46

1975: P

Folder 47

1975: Q

Folder 48-49

1975: R

Folder 50-52

1975: Requests

Folder 53-56

1975: S

Folder 57-58

1975: T

Folder 59

1975: U

Folder 60

1975: V

Folder 61-62

1975: W

Folder 63

1975: X-Z

Folder 64

1976: A

Folder 65

1976: B

Folder 66

1976: C

Folder 67

1976: D

Folder 68

1976: E

Folder 69

1976: F

Folder 70

1976: G

Folder 71-72

1976: H

Folder 73

1976: I

Folder 74

1976: J

Folder 75

1976: K

Folder 76

1976: L

Folder 77

1976: M

Folder 78

1976: N

Folder 79

1976: O

Folder 80

1976: P

Folder 81

1976: R

Folder 82-83

1976: Requests

Folder 84

1976: S

Folder 85

1976: T

Folder 86

1976: V

Folder 87

1976: W

Folder 88

1976: X-Z

Folder 89

1977: A

Folder 90-91

1977: B

Folder 92

1977: C

Folder 93

1977: D

Folder 94

1977: E

Folder 95

1977: F

Folder 96

1977: G

Folder 97

1977: H-I

Folder 98

1977: J

Folder 99

1977: K

Folder 100

1977: L

Folder 101

1977: M

Folder 102

1977: N-P

Folder 103

1977: R

Folder 104-105

1977: Requests

Folder 106

1977: Succession Amendment

Folder 107

1977: S-V

Folder 108

1977: W-Z

Folder 109

1978: A

Folder 110-111

1978: B

Folder 112

1978: C

Folder 113

1978: D

Folder 114

1978: E-F

Folder 115

1978: G

Folder 116

1978: H

Folder 117

1978: I-K

Folder 118

1978: L

Folder 119-120

1978: M

Folder 121

1978: N-O

Folder 122

1978: P

Folder 123

1978: R

Folder 124-125

1978: Requests

Folder 126

1978: S

Folder 127

1978: T-V

Folder 128

1978: W-Z

Folder 129

1979: A

Folder 130-131

1979: B

Folder 132

1979: C

Folder 133-134

1979: Constitutional Convention

Folder 135

1979: D

Folder 136

1979: E

Folder 137

1979: F

Folder 138

1979: G

Folder 139

1979: H

Folder 140

1979: I

Folder 141

1979: J

Folder 142

1979: K

Folder 143

1979: L

Folder 144

1979: Mc

Folder 145

1979: M

Folder 146

1979: N

Folder 147

1979: O

Folder 148

1979: P

Folder 149

1979: R

Folder 150-151

1979: Requests

Folder 152-153

1979: S

Folder 154

1979: T

Folder 155

1979: V

Folder 156

1979: W

Folder 157

1979: X-Z

Folder 158

1980: A

Folder 159-160

1980: B

Folder 161

1980: C

Folder 162

1980: D

Folder 163

1980: E

Folder 164

1980: F

Folder 165

1980: G

Folder 166

1980: H

Folder 167

1980: I

Folder 168

1980: J

Folder 169

1980: K

Folder 170

1980: L

Folder 171

1980: Mc

Folder 172

1980: M

Folder 173

1980: N

Folder 174

1980: O

Folder 175

1980: P

Folder 176

1980: R

Folder 177-178

1980: Requests

Folder 179-180

1980: S

Folder 181

1980: T

Folder 182

1980: V

Folder 183-184

1980: W

Folder 185

1980: X-Z

Folder 186

1981: A

Folder 187

1981: B

Folder 188-189

1981: C

Folder 190

1981: D

Folder 191

1981: E

Folder 192

1981: F

Folder 193

1981: G

Folder 194

1981: H

Folder 195

1981: I

Folder 196

1981: J

Folder 197

1981: K

Folder 198

1981: L

Folder 199

1981: Mc

Folder 200

1981: M

Folder 201

1981: N

Folder 202

1981: O

Folder 203-204

1981: P

Folder 205

1981: Q

Folder 206

1981: R

Folder 207-208

1981: Requests

Folder 209

1981: S

Folder 210

1981: T

Folder 211

1981: U

Folder 212

1981: V

Folder 213

1981: W

Folder 214

1981: X-Z

Folder 215

1982: A

Folder 216

1982: B

Folder 217

1982: C

Folder 218

1982: D

Folder 219

1982: E

Folder 220

1982: F

Folder 221

1982: G

Folder 222

1982: H

Folder 223

1982: I

Folder 224

1982: J

Folder 225

1982: K

Folder 226

1982: L

Folder 227

1982: Mc

Folder 228

1982: M

Folder 229

1982: N

Folder 230

1982: O

Folder 231

1982: P

Folder 232

1982: R

Folder 233

1982: Requests

Folder 234

1982: S

Folder 235

1982: T

Folder 236

1982: U

Folder 237

1982: V

Folder 238

1982: W

Folder 239

1982: X-Z

Folder 240

1983: A

Folder 241

1983: B

Folder 242

1983: C

Folder 243

1983: D

Folder 244

1983: E

Folder 245

1983: F

Folder 246

1983: G

Folder 247

1983: H

Folder 248

1983: J

Folder 249

1983: K

Folder 250

1983: L

Folder 251

1983: M

Folder 252

1983: N

Folder 253

1983: O

Folder 254

1983: P-Q

Folder 255

1983: R

Folder 256

1983: Requests

Folder 257-258

1983: S

Folder 259

1983: T

Folder 260

1983: U-V

Folder 261

1983: W

Folder 262

1984-1985: A

Folder 263

1984-1985: B

Folder 264

1984-1985: C

Folder 265

1984-1985: D

Folder 266

1984-1985: E

Folder 267

1984-1985: F

Folder 268

1984-1985: G

Folder 269-270

1984-1985: H

Folder 271

1984-1985: I

Folder 272

1984-1985: J

Folder 273

1984-1985: K

Folder 274

1984-1985: L

Folder 275

1984-1985: M

Folder 276

1984-1985: N

Folder 277

1984-1985: O

Folder 278

1984-1985: P-Q

Folder 279

1984-1985: R

Folder 280

1984-1985: Requests

Folder 281-282

1984-1985: S

Folder 283

1984-1985: T

Folder 284

1984-1985: U

Folder 285-286

1984-1985: W

Folder 287

1984-1985: X-Z

17.2. Family Correspondence, 1898-1987 and undated.

About 1,800 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Letters, sympathy cards, wedding invitations, thank you letters, and vacation post cards documenting the Ervins' daily family life.

Letters dated through 1963 are primarily from close family members, including those from the Ervins' children Samuel J. Ervin III, Laura Powe Ervin, and Leslie Ervin at college. In 1948, Samuel J. Ervin III began his studies at Harvard Law School after being graduated from Davidson College. Samuel J. Ervin III letters from Harvard discuss how difficult his studies were, his lack of preparation, and bad weather. He also asked his parents to send money: "If you'd send me a check for $15.00 I'll stop bothering you" (6 April 1949).

Leslie Ervin attended Duke University for a while and then transferred to the University of North Carolina. Unhappy at Duke she wrote on September 1948, "[I]t took me the whole night to discover a North Carolinian. I didn't realize there were so many Yankees in spite of all the warnings." Laura Powe Ervin attended St. Mary's College in Raleigh and the Woman's College at Greensboro.

After the Ervins' children left college and started families of their own, correspondence is chiefly with friends and more distantly related relatives. Cousin Bertha, a patient at the State Hospital in Morganton, N.C., frequently wrote poignant letters, including one, dated 21 January 1956, in which she thanked the Ervins for their Christmas gift of The State magazine and remarked that "I was pretty well informed about dear old North Carolina ('before I went crazy' got 'dumped' in the 'bug house' You know why people gave it that name? So many roaches on these wards running everywhere)."

Letters in this series contain only occasional references to the political scene, chiefly in postscripts to letters that ask if "everything was okay in Washington" following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Even Ervin's work on the Watergate hearings did not elicit much commentary except for pride in his achievements.

Folder 288

1898-1947

Folder 289

1948

Folder 290

1949-1950

Folder 291

1951

Folder 292

1952

Folder 293-294

1953

Folder 295

1954-1957

Folder 296

1958-1960

Folder 297

1961-1963

Folder 298

1964

Folder 299

1965

Folder 300

1966

Folder 301

1967

Folder 302

1968

Folder 303

1969-1970

Folder 304

1971-1972

Folder 305-308

1974

Folder 309

1975

Folder 310

1976-1977

Folder 311

1978

Folder 312

1979

Folder 313

1980

Folder 314

1981-1982

Folder 315

1983-1984

Folder 316

1985-1987

Folder 317-319

Undated

17.3. Greeting Cards and Notes, 1950-1983.

About 1,000 items

Arrangement: by type.

A sample of greeting cards including birthday, Christmas, Easter, and get-well cards received by the Ervins. There are also cards, letters, and telegrams for the Ervins' 50th wedding anniversary and congratulatory letters concerning Ervin's appointment to and retirement from the Senate and his receiving the Congressional Distinguished Service Award in 1976 (see also series 24.4 for an audio tape from the award ceremony). Many of Ervin's congratulatory letters are alphabetized by correspondent and bound into books.

Folder 320-321

Greeting cards and notes

Folder 322-323

Christmas cards

Folder 324-327

50th Wedding Anniversary, 1974

Folder 328-329

Letters of congratulation, 1954

Folder 330

Telegrams of congratulation, 1954

Folder 331

Letters of congratulation, 1975

Folder 332-334

Letters of congratulation, 1976

Folder 335-339

Retirement letter acknowledgements

17.4. Invitations Accepted and Declined, 1923-1985.

About 6,000.

Arrangement: chronologial.

Invitations to speaking engagements and social functions, including symposia, installations, graduation ceremonies, and various club functions. The vast majority of these occasions occurred after Ervin's retirement from the Senate in 1974. From 1975 to 1985, files are split between engagements accepted and those declined.

Folder 340

1923-1956

Folder 341

1957

Folder 342

1959

Folder 343

1960

Folder 344

1961

Folder 345

1962

Folder 346-347

1963

Folder 348

1964-1965

Folder 349

1966

Folder 350

1967-1969

Folder 351

1970

Folder 352

1971

Folder 353-354

1972-1974

Folder 355-372

1975: Accepted

Folder 373-396

1975: Declined

Folder 397-408

1976: Accepted

Folder 409-424

1976: Declined

Folder 425-434

1977: Accepted

Folder 435-446

1977: Declined

Folder 447-458

1978: Accepted

Folder 459-470

1978: Declined

Folder 471-482

1979: Accepted

Folder 483-494

1979: Declined

Folder 495-504

1980: Accepted

Folder 505-516

1980: Declined

Folder 517-526

1981: Accepted

Folder 527-538

1981: Declined

Folder 539-550

1982: Accepted

Folder 551-562

1982: Declined

Folder 563-569

1983: Accepted

Folder 570-581

1983: Declined

Folder 582-591

1984: Accepted

Folder 592-603

1984: Declined

Folder 604-605

1985: Accepted

Folder 606-608

1985: Declined

Folder 609

Invitations pending

Folder 610

Invitations without response

Folder 611

Invitations, undated

18. Writings, 1920s-1985.

About 8,300 items.

Articles, books, and speeches written by Sam Ervin. Most writings are on political or constitutional topics, however, some early articles are on colonial North Carolina history. In many writings, Ervin displayed his love for the American Constitution and its unique nature. "The Constitution is the most precious instrument of government the earth has ever known," he wrote in a speech on the Supreme Court. Many speeches were later printed as articles, often in law reviews, although one of his articles on privacy was printed in Prism, a journal of the American Medical Association. Among his books are The Whole Truth, which is about Watergate; Preserving the Constitution, an autobiography; and Humor of a Country Lawyer.

18.1. Speeches and Statements, 1917-1983.

About 4,800 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

Speeches and statements, the earliest of which is Ervin's address to his graduating class at the University of North Carolina in 1917. Most speeches are from his senatorial days.

Ervin often kept several copies of the same speech adapted for presentation to different groups. Only those that were changed significantly have been retained.

In addition to his speeches, Ervin also kept copies of his official press statements. Some of these statements were acknowledgements of deaths; the Condolences and Eulogies folder contain announcements of the deaths of Winston Churchill, Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and William Kerr Scott.

In many speeches, Ervin cited the Constitution as the premier instruction manual for governing society, his narrow interpretation making him an opponent of civil rights legislation and the Equal Rights Amendment and an advocate of separation of church and state and the right to privacy.

The themes of many of Ervin's speeches overlap (e.g., his views on privacy can be found in the privacy folders, as well as folders on government spying, the computer and privacy).

Folder 612

ABM

Folder 613

Administrative Procedures Act

Folder 614

Agriculture

Folder 615

America's Magnificent Dream

Folder 616

America's Vanished Dream

Folder 617

American Legion

Folder 618

Anecdotes of Senator Sam Ervin, Jr.

Folder 619

Anti-Trust Law and Organized Sports

Folder 620

Appalachian State University: Dorm Dedications

Folder 621

Appointments and Resignations

Folder 622-623

Army Spying

Folder 624

Averasboro: Dedication of Monument

Folder 625

Aycock, Charles Brantly

Folder 626

Bail Reform

Folder 627

Barnhill, Maurice V.

Folder 628

Belk, William Henry

Folder 629

Bicentennial

Folder 630

Brown Mountain Lights

Folder 631

Budget: Federal

Folder 632

Burke County

Folder 633

Campus Disorders

Folder 634-638

Civil Rights and Desegregation

Folder 639

Commencement Speeches

Folder 640

Compulsory Unionism

Folder 641

Computers and Privacy

Folder 642

Condolences and Eulogies

Folder 643

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act

Folder 644

Congressional Salamagundi

Folder 645

Constitution and Founding Fathers

Folder 646

Constitution and Freedom

Folder 647-648

Constitution and Religion

Folder 649

Consumer Protection Agency

Folder 650

Craven, Judge J Braxton

Folder 651

Crisis in Confidence

Folder 652-653

D.C. Crime Bill, 1970

Folder 654

Darlington Case

Folder 655

Democratic Party

Folder 656

Direct Election of the President

Folder 657

U.S.S. Durham: Commissioning

Folder 658

Equality and Liberty

Folder 659-662

ERA

Folder 663

Everlasting Things

Folder 664

Executive Privilege

Folder 665-666

Federal Employees Bill of Rights

Folder 667

Federal Jury Reform

Folder 668-669

First Amendment

Folder 670

Flag Day Speech

Folder 671

Foreign Aid

Folder 672

Fortas, Abe

Folder 673

Fourth Amendment: Exclusionary Rule

Folder 674

Free Enterprise

Folder 675

Freedom

Folder 676

Freedom of Peril

Folder 677

Freemasonry

Folder 678

Genocide Convention

Folder 679

Gettysburg

Folder 680

Good Government Society

Folder 681

Government in Caring Society

Folder 682

Gravel Case

Folder 683

Hibernians

Folder 684

Huffman, Robert O.

Folder 685

Huguenots, Contributions to America

Folder 686

Humanities

Folder 687

Humor, Wise and otherwise

Folder 688

Indians

Folder 689

Jackson, Andrew

Folder 690

Jones, John Paul

Folder 691

Judicial Verbicide

Folder 692

Junior Order

Folder 693

John F. Kennedy Library: Interview

Folder 694

Kings Mountain Battle

Folder 695

Labor

Folder 696-668

Law Day Speeches

Folder 699

Law Enforcement

Folder 700

Lie Detector: Twentieth Century Witchcraft

Folder 701

Lincoln, Abraham

Folder 702-703

Lung Cancer and Smoking

Folder 704

Marshall, Thurgood

Folder 705

McCarthy, Joseph: Censure Resolution

Folder 706

Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence

Folder 707

Meditation on Old Age

Folder 708

Memorial Day Speech

Folder 709

Mentally Ill

Folder 710-711

Military Justice

Folder 712

Military Justice Act

Folder 713

Military Personnel and Constitutional Rights

Folder 714

Miranda v. Arizona

Folder 715-718

Miscellaneous, 1955-1980s and undated

Folder 719

Moose, Loyal Order of

Folder 720

National Penitentiary Reform

Folder 721

News Column, 31 December 1974

Folder 722

Nixon, Richard M.: Pardon and Impeachable Offenses

Folder 723-725

No-Knock Laws

Folder 726

Our Heritage: A Blessing and an Obligation

Folder 727

Our Inheritance: An Indestructible Union of Indestructible States

Folder 728

Poetical Sense and Political Nonsense

Folder 729

Prayer in Public Schools

Folder 730

Presidential Succession and Disability

Folder 731-732

Press, Rights and Responsibilities of

Folder 733-735

Preventive Detention

Folder 736-139

Privacy

Folder 740

Psychosurgery

Folder 741

Public Works

Folder 742

Pugh, Robert L.

Folder 743

Pursuit of Happiness

Folder 744-745

Religious Liberty

Folder 746

SALT Agreement

Folder 747

School Busing

Folder 748

Senatorial Responsibility

Folder 749

Separation of Powers

Folder 750

Sir Walter Raleigh's Dream

Folder 751

Speedy Trial

Folder 752-753

Subversive Activities Board

Folder 754-755

Supreme Court

Folder 756

Truth We Hold Concerning the Individual

Folder 757

Trade Policies (Textiles and Tariffs)

Folder 758

University of North Carolina

Folder 759

Veterans' Day

Folder 760

Vietnam

Folder 761-762

Voting Rights Act, 1965

Folder 763

Warlick, Judge Wilson

Folder 764-766

Watergate

18.2. Articles, 1917-1985.

About 150 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Articles published in various journals, including the American Bar Association Journal, Vital Speeches, and Modern Age. Many of Ervin's speeches were later turned into articles. The earliest articles, written while studying at the University of North Carolina, are on colonial history. Both of these articles appeared in the James Sprunt Historical Collection series.

Also included is correspondence between Ervin and journal editors about editorial changes and offprint requests.

Folder 767

1917-1968

Folder 768

1968-1970

Folder 769

1971-1972

Folder 770

1973

Folder 771-772

1974

Folder 773

1975-1981

Folder 774

1982-1985 and undated

18.3. Books, 1964-1985.

About 2,600 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by title.

Drafts, publicity, and correspondence relating to Humor of a Country Lawyer, Preserving the Constitution, "Freedom Against Tyranny," "Essentials of the Constitution," and The Whole Truth. Two books, "Essentials of the Constitution" and "Freedom Against Tyranny," were not published. "Essentials of the Constitution" was to be a guidebook to the Constitution, but the Ervin's duties kept this work from being finished. "Freedom Against Tyranny" was to be a collection of his articles and speeches, but Ervin was unable to find a publisher.

Correspondence is chiefly between Ervin and his publishers. There are also letters requesting autographed copies of books. Publicity files contain book reviews and advertisements.

Folder 775-777

Essentials of the Constitution: Draft

Folder 778

Essentials of the Constitution: Correspondence

Folder 779-782

Freedom Against Tyranny: Draft

Folder 783-787

Freedom Against Tyranny: Final Draft

Folder 788

Freedom Against Tyranny: Correspondence

Folder 789-791

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Draft

Folder 792-794

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Edited Draft

Folder 795

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Index Manuscript

Folder 796

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Orders

Folder 797

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Publicity

Folder 798-800

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Business Correspondence, 1981-1982

Folder 801-806

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Correspondence

Folder 807

Humor of a Country Lawyer: Miscellaneous

Folder 808-812

Preserving the Constitution: Draft

Folder 813

Preserving the Constitution: Lists

Folder 814

Preserving the Constitution: Publicity

Folder 815

Preserving the Constitution: Miscellaneous

Folder 816-823

Preserving the Constitution: Correspondence

Folder 824

The Whole Truth: Uncorrected Proof

Folder 825-828

The Whole Truth: Draft

Folder 829

The Whole Truth: Publicity

Folder 830-838

The Whole Truth: Correspondence

Folder 839

The Whole Truth: Miscellaneous

18.4. Notes, 1920s-1980s.

About 750 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by topic; bound volume at end.

Notes probably relating to "Freedom from Tyranny." There is also a folder of miscellaneous notes on a variety of subjects and a notebook on partnership law from Ervin's Harvard Law School days.

Folder 840-841

"Every Man's Home is his Castle"

Folder 842-843

First Amendment

Folder 844-846

McCarthy, Joseph

Folder 847

Miscellaneous

Folder 848-849

Religious Freedom

Folder 850-852

Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights

Folder 853

Partnership Notes

19. Subject Files, 1915-1985.

About 7,950 items.

Letters, articles, and other items relating to topics that were of special interest to Ervin, privately and professionally. Subseries 19.2 is devoted to Ervin's tenure as a North Carolina Superior and Supreme Court justice. Subseries 19.3 relates to the North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., in which Ervin and his wife were active.

19.1. General Subject Files, 1918-1985.

About 6,600 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical.

Professional and personal files, including some on his brother Congressman Joseph W. Ervin (1901-1945), who committed suicide on Chirstmas day 1945. Ervin took his brother's place in Congress as a compromise candidate. Ervin also kept files on his brother-in-law, James King Hall (1975-1948), psychiatrist and president of the American Psychiatric Association, 1941-1942.

Ervin's subject files show the wide range of his views. Some of the most interesting letters involve Ervin's fight against school prayer.

Folder 854

Bail and Preventive Detention

Folder 855-858

Busing School Children

Folder 859

Campaign Reports, 1955-1974, 1981

Folder 860-861

Civil War Veterans

Folder 862

Coates, Albert

Folder 863-864

Commission to Study the Administration of Justice in North Carolina, 1932, 1947-1949 and undated

Folder 865

Committee on Constitutional Integrity

Folder 866

Congress, Directories and Miscellaneous Items

Folder 867-870

Congress

Folder 871-872

Congress, 1946

Folder 873

Congressional Record, Copies

Folder 874-876

Constitutional Convention

Folder 877

Consumer Protection Agency

Folder 878

Counterpart Funds, 1965-1966 and undated

Folder 879-880

Democratic National Convention, 1964

Folder 881

Editorials (Senator McCarthy's Censure), June-December 1954 and undated

Folder 882-883

Equal Rights Amendment, 1975

Folder 884

Equal Rights Amendment, 1976

Folder 885-889

Equal Rights Amendment, 1977

Folder 890-894

Equal Rights Amendment, 1978

Folder 895-896

Equal Rights Amendment, 1979

Folder 897

Equal Rights Amendment, 1980

Folder 898

Equal Rights Amendment, 1981-1982

Folder 899-900

Equal Rights Amendment, 1983

Folder 901

Equal Rights Amendment, 1984-1985

Folder 902

Equal Rights Amendment, Miscellaneous

Folder 903-907

Ervin, Joseph W.

Folder 908

Exclusionary Rule

Folder 909

Federal Courts

Folder 910

Filing Guidelines for Federal Records Center

Folder 911-914

First Amendment Notes

Folder 915

First Amendment Notes and Articles

Folder 916

Freedom of Speech

Folder 917

General Alumni Association of University of North Carolina

Folder 918

Genocide Convention

Folder 919

Great American Achievements Program

Folder 920-924

Hall, James King

Folder 925

Helms-Hunt Senatorial Campaign

Folder 926

Kings Mountain Correspondence

Folder 927

Lobbying Act, 1983

Folder 928

Lenoir-Morganton Airport, September 1943-July 1945

Folder 929-930

Mayflower Society

Folder 931

McMurray, John: Court case

Folder 932-936

Miscellaneous, 1915-1985 and undated

Folder 937

Morganton Kiwanis Club, 1922, 1924, 1941, 1953

Folder 938-939

National Election Reports, 1964

Folder 940-942

National Guard, 1932-1937

Folder 943

National Guard: Strike at Belmont, N.C., 1934

Folder 944-945

New River Correspondence

Folder 946

Nixon, Richard M.: Pardon, September 1974

Folder 947

North Carolina Congress: Miscellaneous Items

Folder 948

North Carolina Courts: Notes and 1936 Audit

Folder 949

North Carolina State University

Folder 950

Office Personnel Information

Folder 951-953

Panama Canal Treaty, 1978

Folder 954

Photographic Information

Folder 955-956

Politics

Folder 957

Printed Material, 1954, 1964

Folder 958

Rabbitt, Robert W.

Folder 959

Religion, Federal Cases

Folder 960-963

Religion, Prayer and Constitution

Folder 964-965

South Piedmont Plan, 1944-1949 and undated

Folder 966

Taxes: Withholding, 1983

Folder 967

Tuition Tax Credit

Folder 968

United States Courts: Various Cases

Folder 969-970

University of North Carolina and HEW

Folder 971

Voting Record, 1974-February 1975

Folder 972-973

Voting Rights Act

Folder 974

Watergate Reorganization and Reform Act

Folder 975

Watergate Committee Letters

Folder 976

World War I

Folder 977

World War II, 1942-1946

19.2. North Carolina Courts, 1932-1954.

About 1,000 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by type of court.

Correspondence and clippings about Ervin's judicial appointments and elections. Ervin served as both a North Carolina Superior Court judge and a Supreme Court hustice. There are many letters of congratulations on both positions, as well as letters urging Ervin to consider running for governor.

Folder 978

North Carolina Supreme Court, 1939-January 1948

Folder 979

North Carolina Supreme Court, 1 February 1948-5 February 1948

Folder 980

North Carolina Supreme Court, 6 February 1948-10 February 1948

Folder 981

North Carolina Supreme Court, 11 February 1948-1954 and undated

Folder 982

North Carolina Supreme Court, 1948-1950

Folder 983

North Carolina Supreme Court, 1951-1954 and undated

Folder 984

North Carolina Superior Court, 1931-February 1932

Folder 985

North Carolina Superior Court, March 1932

Folder 986

North Carolina Superior Court, April-December 1932

Folder 987

North Carolina Superior Court, 1933-January 1937

Folder 988

North Carolina Superior Court, April 1937-1943

Folder 989

North Carolina Superior Court, undated

19.3. North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., 1930s-1974.

About 350 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

Correspondence, membership information, account books, press releases, and scrap books for the North Carolina Society of Washington, D.C., founded on 1 February 1913. The Society was a social club, one of many state clubs in the District of Columbia. Its purpose was to bring together "men and women from the State of North Carolina; to foster acquaintance and friendship among its members through social entertainment; to stimulate and strengthen patriotism, pride of citizenship and loyalty to the Nation and the State of North Carolina, its traditions and institutions." The club offered a non-political social arena for North Carolinians working or living in the area. The Ervins were active members of the organization; Margaret Ervin served as the second vice-president and on the board of governors. Laura Powe Ervin was the 1957 Cherry Blossom Princess.

Folder 990

Account Book, 1946-1947

Folder 991

Banquets, Balls, Parties, 1937-1974 and undated

Folder 992

Constitutions, 1930, 1938, 1942 and undated

Folder 993

Correspondence, 1935-1966

Folder 994

Membership. 1941-1944, 1958-1959 and undated

Folder 995

Officers' Reports and Meeting Minutes, 1937-1939

Folder 996

Press Releases and Newsletters, 1935-1938, 1947-1948 and undated

Folder 997

Scrapbook, 1935-1936

Folder 998

Scrapbook, 1937-1938 (oversized volume)

Folder 999

The State Magazine, 24 December 1938

20. Financial and Legal Materials, 1927-1985.

About 2,090 items.

Tax records, tax returns, banking transactions, insurance policies, automobile information, and information about income generated from stocks, bonds, property, speaking engagements, and advertising contracts. Included are notes documenting how much Ervin tipped bell-boys, taxi drivers, and maids on his 1977 European trip.

Also found here are papers from the estates of Ervin's mother Laura Powe Ervin and mother-in-law Margaret J. Bell.

20.1. Income Tax Returns, 1927-1984.

About 850 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Joint federal and state income tax returns filed by the Ervins. From 1975 until 1981, Ervin received honoraria from several states where he had lectured. When applicable, he paid state income tax in these states. Ervin also paid state taxes on income generated from his American Express commercials, television contracts, and insurance commercials. Along with the tax returns, there is some correspondence with tax officials about depreciations allowed for a law library, stock dividend information, and other states' tax laws.

Folder 1000

1927-1936: United States Tax Returns

Folder 1001

1928-1936: North Carolina Tax Returns

Folder 1002

1933: North Carolina Tax Return for Mrs. Ervin

Folder 1003

1937-1941: United States Tax Returns

Folder 1004

1937-1941: North Carolina Tax Returns

Folder 1005

1942: United States Tax Return

Folder 1006

1942: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1007

1943: United States Tax Return (no 1943 North Carolina return)

Folder 1008

1943: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1009

1944: United States Tax Return

Folder 1010

1944: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1011

1945: United States Tax Return

Folder 1012

1945: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1013

1946: United States Tax Return

Folder 1014

1946: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1015

1947: United States Tax Return

Folder 1016

1947: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1017

1948: United States Tax Return

Folder 1018

1948: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1019

1949: United States Tax Return

Folder 1020

1949: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1021

1950: United States Tax Return

Folder 1022

1950: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1023

1951: United States Tax Return

Folder 1024

1951: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1025

1952: United States Tax Return

Folder 1026

1952: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1027

1953: United States Tax Return

Folder 1028

1953: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1029

1954: United States Tax Return

Folder 1030

1954: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1031

1955: United States Tax Return

Folder 1032

1955: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1033

1956: United States Tax Return

Folder 1034

1956: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1035

1957: United States Tax Return

Folder 1036

1957: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1037

1958: United States Tax Return

Folder 1038

1958: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1039

1959: United States Tax Return

Folder 1040

1959: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1041

1960: United States Tax Return

Folder 1042

1960: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1043

1961: United States Tax Return

Folder 1044

1961: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1045

1962: United States Tax Return

Folder 1046

1962: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1047

1963: United States Tax Return

Folder 1048

1963: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1049

1964: United States Tax Return

Folder 1050

1964: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1051

1965: United States Tax Return

Folder 1052

1965: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1053

1966: United States Tax Return

Folder 1054

1966: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1055

1967: United States Tax Return

Folder 1056

1967: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1057

1968: United States Tax Return

Folder 1058

1968: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1059

1969: United States Tax Return

Folder 1060

1969: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1061

1970: United States Tax Return

Folder 1062

1970: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1063

1971: United States Tax Return

Folder 1064

1971: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1065

1972: United States Tax Return

Folder 1066

1972: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1067

1973: United States Tax Return

Folder 1068

1973: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1069

1974: United States Tax Return

Folder 1070

1974: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1071

1975: United States Tax Return

Folder 1072

1975: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1073-1074

1975: Other States Tax Returns

Folder 1075

1976: United States Tax Return

Folder 1076

1976: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1077

1976: Other States Tax Returns

Folder 1078

1977: United States Tax Return

Folder 1079

1977: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1080

1977: Other States Tax Returns

Folder 1081

1978: United States Tax Return

Folder 1082

1978: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1083

1978: Other States Tax Returns

Folder 1084

1979: United States Tax Return

Folder 1085

1979: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1086

1979: Other States Tax Returns

Folder 1087

1980: United States Tax Return

Folder 1088

1980: North Carolina Tax Return (no returns for other states)

Folder 1089

1981: United States Tax Return

Folder 1090

1981: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1091

1981: Other States Tax Returns

Folder 1092

1982: United States Tax Return

Folder 1093

1982: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1094

1983: United States Tax Return

Folder 1095

1983: North Carolina Tax Return

Folder 1096-1097

1984: United States Tax Return

Folder 1098

1984: North Carolina Tax Return

20.2. Advertising Contracts, 1971; 1975-1984.

About 400 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Correspondence and other documents about Ervin's work in television, film, and records. After the Watergate hearings, Ervin became a celebrity, in high demand for graduation speeches and civic groups. He worked as a television commentator on the AM America show for ABC News, spokesman for American Express Cards and National Home Life Assurance Company, and recording artist. Ervin contracted his advertising and television appearances through the William Morris Agency of New York City. He also made a series of films for junior high school students with Alexsa Company on politics and the Constitution.

Ervin made television commercials. He is best known for his American Express Card commercials, but he also did advertisements for National Home Life Assurance Company. The correspondence and contracts surrounding the National Home Life Assurance Company make up the bulk of these materials. Some letters criticized these activities; Ervin also had problems with receiving regular payment from National Home Life.

Folder 1099

1971?, December 1974

Folder 1100

January 1975-February 1976

Folder 1101

October 1977-December 1978

Folder 1102

January 1979-May 1984

20.3. Insurance Policies and Claims, 1969; 1981-1986.

About 150 items.

Arrangement: by type of insurance.

Insurance policies and medical claims, most of them from when the Ervins were in poor health the last few years of their lives. Ervin had lymphoma and his wife suffered from glaucoma and heart disease.

Folder 1103

Auto Insurance, 1982-1985

Folder 1104

Home Owner's Insurance, 1969, 1977-1986

Folder 1105-1110

Medical Claims, 1976-1984

Folder 1111

Office Insurance, 1972, 1978, 1981-1986

Folder 1112

Valuable Items Insurance, 1981-1986

20.4. Banking Information, 1965; 1986.

4 items.

Sample of check stubs from Ervin's bank accounts with First National Bank and Wachovia Bank in Morganton, N.C.

Folder 1113

1965

Folder 1114

1969-1970

Folder 1115-1116

1985-1986

20.5. Property, 1962; 1979.

About 75 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Letters, rent agreements, tax returns, tax receipts, and information about a addition to the Ervins' home and about a building Ervin and his siblings owned in Morganton.

Folder 1117

1962, 1970-1973

Folder 1118

1967, 1979

20.6. Ledger Books, 1927-1985.

21 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Annual ledgers kept by the Ervins detailing their financial affairs. These ledgers include information about income and expenditures. Some ledgers also contain lists of guests, members of the "Sandwich Club," and Christmas card lists. During the 1968 campaign, Ervin kept a ledger on campaign contributions. In addition to the ledger, there is a photocopy of a list of 1968 campaign contributions from the North Carolina Department of Archives and History. Most volumes have indexes compiled by Ervin.

Folder 1119

1927-1946

Folder 1120

1936-1947

Folder 1121

1945-1947

Folder 1122

1947-1952

Folder 1123

1956-1961

Folder 1124

1963-1964

Folder 1125

1965-1966

Folder 1126

1967-1968

Folder 1127

1968

Folder 1127A

1968

Folder 1128

1969-1971

Folder 1129

1972-1973

Folder 1130

1974

Folder 1131

1975-1976

Folder 1132

1977-1978

Folder 1133

1979-1980

Folder 1134

1981

Folder 1135

1982

Folder 1136

1983

Folder 1137

1984

Folder 1138

1985

20.7. Estate of Laura Powe Ervin, 1944-1958.

About 250 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Chiefly court documents, correspondence, tax returns, and other documents relating to Ervin's serving as co-executor of his mother's estate. Laura Powe Ervin died on 14 June 1956. The earlier folders contain income tax returns and information about the estate of Ervin's father Samuel J. Ervin, Sr. In the 1954-1955 folder, there is a small calendar in which Laura Powe Ervin wrote out bequests before her death. Of her son, Samuel J. Ervin, Jr. she wrote, "Samuel never seemed to need help. ... He did much for us."

Folder 1139

1944

Folder 1140

1950-1953

Folder 1141

1954-1955

Folder 1142-1144

1956

Folder 1145-1147

1957

Folder 1148

1958

Folder 1149

Undated

20.8. Estate of Margaret J. Bell, 1924; 1937-1947.

About 175 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Chiefly papers from the estate of Margaret J. Bell for which Margaret Bell Ervin served as executor. Margaret J. Bell died 24 January 1943. Also included are letters regarding the estates of Margaret J. Bell's brother John C. Leslie and father William Bell.

Folder 1150

1924, 1937-1942

Folder 1151

1943

Folder 1152

1943

Folder 1153

1944-1947 and undated

20.9. Travel, 1958-1977.

About 50 items.

Arrangement: by type.

Materials relating to the Ervins' various trips to Europe, Acapulco, and San Diego, especially their September 1977 trip to England, Scotland, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland. The trip was organized around a speaking engagement at Uppsala University's quincentennial celebrations.

Folder 1154

Itineraries, Flight Schedules, and Financial Receipts

Folder 1155

Business Cards, Invitations, Travel Brochures

Folder 1156

General Correspondence

20.10. Organizations, 1979-1985.

About 65 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Membership renewals, correspondence, and other papers about the many professional and other organizations to which the Ervins belonged.

Folder 1157

Organizations

20.11. Social Security Benefits, 1965-1983.

About 50 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Correspondence about the Ervin's social security benefits and Medicare services.

Folder 1158

Social Security Benefits

21. Biographical Material, 1918-1987.

About 1,850 items.

Books, articles, news clippings, awards, engagement calendars, interviews, editorials, and items relating to Ervin's funeral. The series focuses on various aspects of Ervin's life through the print media, through his own records, and through awards given to him. His Watergate activities made him the topic of a few books. His judicial stance and knowledge of the Constitution gave him renown in legal circles. Ervin was honored by his home state, by the nation, and by other states throughout his life.

21.1. Books, 1970s-1980.

About 500 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by author's surname.

An unpublished manuscript, an imprint, and a finished manuscript on Ervin. The unpublished manuscript is a collection of Ervin's humorous stories and sayings. Author Bruce G. Tindall, son of George B. Tindall, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, did not publish his work. Ervin's sister, Jean Conyers Ervin, published a pamphlet entitled The Sam Ervin I Know. This imprint is a series of remarks and reminiscences by Jean Conyers Ervin, Harry Gatton, Archie K. Davis, Dan K. Moore, and Albert Coates. The pamphlet is a part of the North Caroliniana Society's series of imprints and was issued as part of the awards ceremony given in Ervin's honor.

Most items relate to the writing of A Good Man: The Life of Sam J. Ervin by Richard L. Dabney. At first, Ervin was enthusiastic about the project, but he was later horrified at Dabney's portrait of him. In one letter, dated 17 November 1975, Ervin wrote, "The manuscript is not in any real sense a biography of me. It is in the main a fictitious story of a reprobate created in large measure by your imagination. ... The manuscript is as full of untrue and libellous statements as a mangy hound is of fleas." Dabney did very little to alter the book's content, but in a letter to Ervin dated 9 January 1976, he expressed remorse: "If I could have my wish, it would be that you had not seen my biography of you, because it has given you pain, and this has been a torturing experience for me."

Folder 1159-1163

Dabney Manuscript

Folder 1164

Dabney, A Good Man Correspondence

Folder 1165

Dabney, Letters from Ervin about A Good Man

Folder 1166

Dabney, A Good Man, Edited Galleys

Folder 1167

Dabney, A Good Man, Ervin's notes

Folder 168

Dabney, A Good Man, Publicity

Folder 1169

Ervin, Jean Conyers, The Sam Ervin I Know

Folder 1170-1171

Tindall Manuscript

21.2. Articles, ca. 1967-1974.

7 items.

Articles from publications such as the New Republic, Progressive, and Church & State. Topics include Ervin's strict constitutional interpretations as they pertained to various Senate bills and civil rights legislation.

Folder 1172

Articles

21.3. Clippings, 1920s-1987 and undated.

About 400 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Newspaper and magazine clippings about Ervin and his family, including wedding announcements for his daughters and daughter-in-law, obituaries of friends and family members, and articles about Watergate. The bulk of these clippings concern Ervin's role in Watergate. The clippings are from North Carolina, Washington, other newspapers around the United States, and from weekly news magazines such as Time and Newsweek.

Folder 1173

1920s-1940s

Folder 1174

1950s-1960s

Folder 1175

1970

Folder 1176-1176

1971

Folder 1178

1972

Folder 1179-1185

1973

Folder 1186-1188

1974

Folder 1189

1975-1987

Folder 1190

Undated

21.4. Awards and Citations, 1918-1987.

About 200 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Certificates and other honors granted Ervin, beginning with a commendation of Ervin's activities in France during World War I. Ervin was awarded a Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross. Also included are certificates honorary degrees from Colgate, Drexel, UNC-Charlotte, and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Fraternal orders such as the Knights of Pythias, Free Masons, and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine also presented awards to Ervin. Ervin was accorded the title of Colonel by the Confederate States of America's "Air Force" and the Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Lubbock, Tex., and an honorary Texas citizen. Ervin was also acknowledged later in life by various veterans association.

Other organizations honoring Ervin included the National Wildlife Federation, the North Carolina Navy, First Presbyterian Church, and various North Carolina historical societies.

Folder 1191

1918-1945

Folder 1192

1951-1967

Folder 1193

1968-1973

Folder 1194

1974-1979

Folder 1195

1980-1987

Folder 1196

Undated

21.5. Calendars, 1956-1983.

21 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Engagement calendars of Ervin and Margaret Ervin, containing times and places for a variety of social engagements. Occasionally, Ervin would write his travel expenses in his appointment books. Also included is Ervin's 1969 Congressional Pictorial Directory.

Folder 1197

1956

Folder 1198

1957

Folder 1199

1959

Folder 1200

1961

Folder 1201

1965

Folder 1202

1967

Folder 1203

1968

Folder 1204

1969: Pictorial Directory

Folder 1205

1970

Folder 1206

1971

Folder 1207

1972

Folder 1208

1974-1977

Folder 1209

1978-1983

21.6. Interviews, 1970-1977.

3 items.

Interviews from Liberty magazine, Yale Reports, and the newsletter of the American Waldensian Aid Society. The issues discussed are Ervin's constitutional views and the Waldensians' connection with Ervin.

Folder 1210

Interviews

21.7. Editorials, 1954-1979.

About 40 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Editorials primarily from North Carolina newspapers commenting on Ervin's public service.

Folder 1211

Editorials

21.8. Programs from Speaking Engagements, 1923-1983.

About 80 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Programs from various ceremonies at which Ervin was a speaker, including high school graduations, Democratic Party functions, and dedications. Also included is a transcript of Ervin's television appearance on Firing Line.

Folder 1212

1923-1965

Folder 1213

1967-1974

Folder 1214

1975-1983 and undated

21.9. Death of Sam J. Ervin, 1985.

About 550 items.

Sympathy cards, condolence letters, memorial gifts, and newspaper clippings relating to Ervin's death on 23 April 1985. The cards, letters, and gifts came from all over the country from friends, former political colleagues, and admirers. The memorial gifts were given mainly to the Burke County Historical Society.

Folder 1215-1219

Sympathy Cards

Folder 1220-1225

Condolence Letters

Folder 1226

Flowers

Folder 1227-1229

Memorial Contributions

Folder 1230

Acknowledgements

Folder 1231-1234

Newspaper Clippings

Folder 1235

Clippings Scrap Book

Folder 1236

Miscellaneous

21.10. Biographical Sketches, undated.

16 items.

Biographical sketches of Ervin, some of which appeared in Current Biography, The Americana Annual, and The Celebrity Register. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader did an in-depth study of Ervin and his voting patterns, printed in 1972, highlighting not only Ervin's voting records and congressional work, but reviewing the North Carolina political scene in the early 1970s.

Folder 1237

Biographical Sketches

21.11. Miscellaneous, 1958-1982 and undated.

13 items.

Term papers, poems, and pages from books on Watergate and North Carolina politics. The term papers examine Ervin's legislative record, the New York Times portrayal of Ervin, and Ervin and the Watergate tapes. The book pages are from David Halbersham's The Powers That Be, Neal R. Peirce's The Border South States, and two other books. Poems are from staff members and admirers.

Folder 1238

Miscellaneous

22. Margaret Bell Ervin, 1948-1990.

About 770 items.

Engagement calendars, financial records, personal correspondence, and other items of Margaret Bell Ervin. Many of the records in this series are concerned with her work with the alumnae association of Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and her work with the Presbyterian Church.

22.1. Calendars, 1960-1964, 1971, 1985.

7 items.

Engagement calendars filled with church-related, Senate-related events, and notations about around-the-clock home nursing care.

Folder 1239

1960

Folder 1240

1961

Folder 1241

1962

Folder 1242

1963

Folder 1243

1964

Folder 1244

1971

Folder 1245

1985

22.2. Financial and Legal Materials, 1948-1985.

About 200 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Information primarily about the stocks owned by Margaret Bell Ervin, her monthly dividend received, and other interest-bearing accounts. The remainder of this series includes financial and medical documents from Ervin's death in 1985, her own death in August 1986, and repayment of a loan to her estate in 1990.

Folder 1246

Ledger, 1948-1964 (152 pp.)

Folder 1247

Ledger, 1965-1975 (152 pp.)

Folder 1248

Ledger, 1970-1981 (284 pp.)

Folder 1249

Ledger, 1982-1990 (284 pp.)

Folder 1250

Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Leslie Ross

Folder 1251-1252

Deeds

Folder 1253-1255

Hospital and Medical Claims, 1985

Folder 1256

Tax Information, 1985

Folder 1257-1258

Financial Information, 1985

Folder 1259

Insurance Policies

Folder 1260-1261

Medicare and Medical Insurance, 1986

Folder 1262

Social Security, 1986

Folder 1263

Monthly Household Account, 1986

Folder 1264

1986 Tax Information

Folder 1265-1267

Domestic Social Security and Unemployment

Folder 1268

Miscellaneous Financial

22.3. Correspondence, 1948-1984.

About 250 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Letters, programs, invitations, and meeting minutes kept by Margaret Ervin. Files from the late 1940s to the early 1950s contain invitations, rosters, church programs and other church-related materials, newspaper clippings, corporate notices, and minutes of meetings from the Converse College Alumnae Association of which Margaret Ervin was a board member. From the 1950s through 1984, documents consist primarily of congressional invitations and itineraries, including notices from the Women's Democratic Club and the Ladies of the Senate. Also included are a number of carbon copies of invitations sent to Ervin and a compendium of history and anecdotes about the "Ladies of the Senate." An assortment of guest lists from parties and events organized by Margaret Ervin are also included.

Folder 1269

1948-1952

Folder 1270

1953-1954

Folder 1271

1955-1956

Folder 1272

1957-1960

Folder 1273

1961

Folder 1274

1962

Folder 1275-1276

1963

Folder 1277

1964-1972

Folder 1278

1973-1984

Folder 1279

Undated

Folder 1280

Ladies of the Senate

Folder 1281

Clippings

Folder 1282-1283

Guest Lists

22.4. Printed Material, 1950-1978.

About 150 items.

An assortment of printed materials ranging from pamphlets on women's dresses and housewares, congressional banquet guides, theater programs, and various church-related materials.

Folder 1284-1288

Printed Materials

22.5. Presbyterian Church, 1948-1970s.

About 50 items.

Programs, yearbooks, directories, lists, and a constitution from the First Presbyterian Church in Morganton, N.C. There are also three copies of the newsletter Our Mountain Work, 1952-1953, detailing efforts of the Asheville Presbytery.

Folder 1289-1290

First Presbyterian Church

Folder 1291

"Our Mountain Work"

22.6. Converse College, 1950-1964.

7 items.

Materials relating to Alumnae Day and other Converse College matters.

Folder 1292

Converse College

22.7. Funeral Documents, 1956, 1986.

About 100 items.

Two funeral memorial books and an assortment of sympathy notes, telegrams, and contribution cards from the deaths of Ervin's mother in 1956 and Margaret Ervin in 1986.

Folder 1293-1294

Memorial Books

Folder 1295-1296

Death of Mrs. S.J. Ervin, Sr.

Folder 1297

Death of Mrs. S.J. Ervin, Jr.

23. Collected Material, 1914-1986 and undated.

About 870 items.

Arrangement: by type.

Items collected by or for the Ervins, especially materials on Watergate. There is also material on Ervin family history, senatorial newsletters, and brochures the Ervins collected during their travels.

23.1. Newsletters, 1974-1975.

14 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Newsletters sent out by Ervin and his staff while he served in the Senate, including a weekly newletter for North Carolinians called Sen. Sam Ervin Says, which discussed bills Ervin voted on and other political matters. These newsletters record the last three months of Ervin's senatorial career. On 19 December 1974, Ervin wrote, "As I contemplate retirement, I am grateful to the people of North Carolina for permitting me to serve them. ... I always demed [sic.] it comparatively easy to represent North Carolina in so far as my ideological views are concerned."

Folder 1298

Newsletters

23.2. Printed Materials, 1914-1981 and undated.

About 80 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Social engagement programs, sightseeing brochures, religious tracts, and historical societies' membership lists, including the Mayflower Descendants Society and the Roanoke Island Historical Association. Included are programs from luncheons in honor of Lady Bird Johnson and Pat Nixon, a program card for the University of North Carolina's Sophomore Dance of 1915, and a restaurant souvenir from Antoine's in New Orleans dated 1940.

Folder 1299

1914-1949

Folder 1300

1950-1951

Folder 1301

1952-1961

Folder 1302

1962-1966

Folder 1303

1967-1973

Folder 1304

1974-1981 and undated

23.3. Watergate Materials, 1972-1973 and undated.

About 500 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Photocopies of newspaper articles about the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up, originally mounted in a notebook or scrapbook, compiled by Bob Smith (probably Robert Bland Smith, Ervin's chief counsel on the Senate Government Operations Committee). The majority of the articles are from either the Washington Post or the New York Times. There is also an appendix of excerpts from the Congressional Quarterly. Also included are a transcript from a "60 Minutes" interview with Donald Segretti, notes and transcripts from the Watergate hearings, and some handwritten questions asked during those hearings.

Folder 1305

Press Clippings, 18 June 1972-9 September 1972

Folder 1306

Press Clippings, 11 September 1972-28 October 1972

Folder 1307

Press Clippings, 4 November 1972-27 January 1973

Folder 1308

Press Clippings, 28 January 1973-3 March 1973

Folder 1309

Press Clippings, 4 March 1973-31 March 1973

Folder 1310

Incident Enclosures, undated.

23.4. Ruth Kramer Materials, 1973-1986.

About 250 items.

Material collected by Ruth Kramer and correspondence with her. Kramer started a scrapbook on Watergate and sent it to Ervin. Over the years, she continued to send articles and to correspond with Margaret Ervin. Her correspondence with the Ervins discusses political issues, her health, and how much she admired the Ervins.

Folder 1311

Clippings, 1974-1980

Folder 1312

Correspondence, 1975-1986

Folder 1314

Greeting Cards

Folder 1314

Miscellaneous

23.5. Family History, undated.

About 20 items.

Material Ervin compiled on his and his wife's families. Ervin was an enthusiastic genealogist and member of many historical organizations, such as the Sons of the Confederacy, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Sons of the American Revolution. Included is an article by Anne King Gregorie on Ervin's grandfather John Witherspoon Ervin, South Carolina newspaper editor and fiction writer.

Folder 1315-1316

Ervin Family Histories

Folder 1317

Ervin Family Miscellaneous

24. Audio-Visual Materials, 1940s-1980s.

96 items.

24.1. Pictures, 1940s-1980s.

88 items.

Pictures of Ervin, 1946-1970s, and miscellaneous photographs. Included are an assortment of photographs from Japan--shots from Tokyo, Asahigawa, and various military and diplomatic buildings--and a small satirical poster of Ervin as Uncle Sam, which was used as a publicity poster for the Sam Ervin Fan Club.

Folder P-3847B/1

Portraits and sketches of Ervin, 1946, 1959

Folder P-3847B/2

Portraits, ca. 1960

Folder P-3847B/3

Portraits, 1970s

Folder P-3847B/4

Publicity photographs

Folder P-3847B/5

Japan photographs

Folder P-3847B/6

Miscellaneous photographs

Folder P-3847B/7

Poster of "Uncle Sam" Ervin

24.2. Film, 1956 and undated.

2 items.

A reel of film shot during the 1956 primary campaign and a small reel containing what appears to be an American Express commercial with 30-second and 10-second spots.

F-3847B/1: 1956 primary campaign

F-3847B/2: American Express commercial

24.3. Videotape, 1982.

1 item.

A VHS cassette of an Ervin program on public affairs at North Carolina State University.

V-3847B/1: Videotape

24.4. Audiotape, 1973-1983.

5 items.

Taped copies of radio programs, interviews, and a speech. Two of the cassettes contain a 1983 radio interview of Ervin on the Larry King Show. There is also a cassette tape of a meeting of former members of Congress held in Williamsburg, Va., in 1976, and an unrehearsed interview conducted by William Cooper, Jr., with Ervin in his office in 1977. Also included is a reel-to-reel tape of a speech given by Ervin at Delaware University in 1973 called "Crisis in Confidence."

T-3847B/1-2: Larry King Show, 1983

T-3847B/3: Williamsburg, Va., meeting, 1976

T-3847B/4: Interview with William Cooper, Jr., 1977

T-3847B/5: "Crisis in Confidence," 1973

25. Museum Items, undated.

22 items.

MU-3847/1-6: Stones painted as "Watergate bugs." Each "bug" bears the name of one of the senators on the Senate Watergate Committee.

MU-3847/7: Key to the city of High Point, N.C.

MU-3847/8-11: Confederate flag, North Carolina flag, state of North Carolina, and Tar Heel tie tacks.

MU-3847/12: United States Senate spouse photo identification card for Margaret Bell Ervin.

MU-3847/13: Engraving plate for Mr. and Mrs. Samuel James Ervin, Jr.

MU-3847/14: Medal, 13 January 1963.

MU-3847/15: Tape measure with the initials "SE."

MU-3847/16-18: United States Senate cufflinks and tie tack.

MU-3847/19: United States Army captain's bars.

MU-3847/20: Commemorative coin from the first national observance of Columbus Day, 11 October 1971.

MU-3847/21: Large gold bank ring.

MU-3847/22: Black-and-gold plastic button with the inscription "Watergate Mafia: Member in Good Standing."