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Miles Family Papers

8 boxes, 3 oversize folders (8.5 linear feet)

(1862 – 2010)

bulk 1880s-1940s

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2017.097
Creator(s) Miles, Elizabeth Thomas; Miles, Harry B.
Acquisition

Donated by Cynthia Hermann, executor of the estate of Elizabeth "Betty" Miles in 2017 and 2019 (2017.097/2019.020)
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Ian Post
Related Materials None
Separated Materials

Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Thomas Fairmount Academy certificate, 1916 (SEPARATED)

Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Family Documents Album of Betty J. Miles (with important documents), 1868-1910s (SEPARATED)

Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Elsie Cox certificates, 1908-1947 (SEPARATED)
Abstract

The Miles family papers document the Upper Fairmount, Somerset County, Maryland family from 1862 to 2010, though primarily from the 1880s to the 1940s. The correspondence, photographs, business records, church records, and more center around Harry B. Miles and Elizabeth (Thomas) Miles, as well as their children, Harry Budd and Betty J., and other Thomas and Miles family members. From 1916 to 1961, Harry Miles served as one of Somerset County's primary undertakers. The family also played a role in managing the Upper Fairmount Methodist Episcopal Church

Biographical History

Harry Budd Miles was born on January 15, 1877 in Somerset County, Maryland and was the son of Daniel W. Miles and Leah Hall. Elizabeth Thomas was born in 1898 in New Castle County, Delaware and was the daughter of William J. Thomas and Emma Parker. Harry and Elizabeth married on March 5, 1923; they had two children: Elizabethy "Betty" in 1927 and Harry Budd in 1929. Harry served as an undertaker in Somerset County from 1916 to 1961. Harry died in 1968 and Elizabeth died in 1980.
 

Scope and Content Note

The Miles family papers document the Upper Fairmount, Somerset County, Maryland family from 1862 to 2010, though primarily from the 1880s to the 1940s. The collection centers around Harry B. Miles (1877-1968) and Elizabeth (Thomas) Miles (1898-1980). The first series contains documents personally related to Harry and Elizabeth, including items from their childhood, records related to their work on the Board of Education and for the Frontier Press, management records for the Upper Fairmount Methodist Episcopal Church, personal finances, and correspondence. Letters between Harry and Elizabeth in the 1920s documents their courtship when Harry was a widower. In 1903, Harry kept a diary that documented his experience in a California gold mine that turned out to be fake. Another significant portion of the first series includes the undertaking business records of Harry Miles from 1916 to 1961.

The subsequent series relate to other family members, with general Miles and Thomas family and genealogical materials (including scrapbooks put together by Betty J. Miles) grouped in series 2. Of note are the letters and other condolence materials related to the First World War influenza death of William E. Miles, World War II letters and other items from Elsie and George Cox, and photographs of most of the Miles, Thomas, and Parker family members.

Arrangement Statement

Series 1: Harry and Elizabeth Miles

  • Subseries 1.1: Personal family documents
  • Subseries 1.2: Correspondence
  • Subseries 1.3: Finances
  • Subseries 1.4: Church management
  • Subseries 1.5: Undertaking business

Series 2: Family Documents from Miles and Thomas families

Series 3: William E. Thomas

Series 4: Elsie Cox

Series 5: Photographs

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Death Records
    • Ledger
    • Miles Family
    • Personal correspondence
  • Location Terms
    • Fairmount (Md.)
    • Somerset County (Md.)

Inventory List

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Box 1

  1. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Thomas Fairmount Academy certificate, 1916 (SEPARATED)
  2. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Jane Miles school certificates, 1916-1940
  3. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Thomas letter of recommendation, 1918
  4. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Thomas writing assignments, 1922
  5. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Thomas Miles vital documents (birth and marriage), 1923, 1960
  6. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth and Harry Miles wedding book, 1923
  7. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Harry Miles identification cards, 1921-1967
  8. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Jane Miles baby book, 1927-1930, 1948
  9. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Elizabeth Jane Miles autograph book, 1946-1947
  10. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Diary of Harry B Miles, 1903
  11. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Harry B. Miles land records, 1960-1964
  12. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Family funeral receipts and notes, 1902-1968
  13. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Family funeral condolence cards, 1968
  14. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Family farming records, 1925-1945
  15. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Board of Education correspondence, 1940-1942
  16. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Board of Education financial documents, 1941-1942
  17. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Board of Education reports and certificates, 1936-1941
  18. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Frontier Press correspondence, 1957-1968
  19. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Frontier Press photographs, undated
  20. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Frontier Press – “The Sales Dynamo,” 1951-1953
  21. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Frontier Press – Forging Ahead with Volume Library, undated
  22. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Baltimore Weekly Sun newspaper clipping, 1888
  23. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Newspaper Clippings, 1973-2001
  24. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Religious pamphlets and cards, 1920s-1940s
  25. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Typescript religious poems, undated
  26. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Handwritten notes, undated
  27. Subseries 1.1 (Personal documents): Envelopes and address, 1920s-1960s
  28. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Elizabeth Thomas to Harry Miles, 1922
  29. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Elizabeth Thomas to Harry Miles, 1923
  30. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Elizabeth Thomas to Harry Miles, 1925
  31. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Elizabeth Thomas to Harry Miles, undated
  32. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letter from Harry Miles to Elizabeth Thomas, 1921
  33. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Harry Miles to Elizabeth Thomas, 1921
  34. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Harry Miles to Elizabeth Thomas, 1922
  35. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Harry Miles to Elizabeth Thomas, 1923
  36. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Harry Miles to Elizabeth Thomas, 1925-1928
  37. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Harry Miles to Elizabeth Thomas, undated

 

Box 2

  1. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters to Harry Miles, 1896-1967
  2. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters and photograph J. Millard Tawes to Elizabeth Miles, 1960, 1966
  3. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Harry Budd Miles to Harry and Elizabeth Miles, 1946-1947
  4. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Elizabeth Miles to Betty Miles, 1956-1969
  5. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters to Betty Miles, 1951-2007 (1/2)
  6. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters to Betty Miles, 1951-2007 (2/2)
  7. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Betty Miles, 1947-1964
  8. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Letters from Effie McCarty, 1947-1955
  9. Subseries 1.2 (Correspondence):  Miscellaneous family correspondence, 1940-1974
  10. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Bank of Somerset, 1918-1948
  11. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Equitable and Guarantee and Trust Company, 1907-1914
  12. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Modern Woodmen of America, 1908-1912
  13. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Taxation documents, 1918-1970
  14. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Sarah Hall Register of Wills account, 1920
  15. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Equity Summons for Elizabeth Jane Miles, 1981
  16. Subseries 1.3 (Finances): Miscellaneous financial documents, 1880s-1940s
  17. Subseries 1.4 (Church): History and photo of Fairmount Methodist Church, circa 1940-1973
  18. Subseries 1.4 (Church): Correspondence with other Methodist Churches, 1948-1949
  19. Subseries 1.4 (Church): General Correspondence, 1929-1962
  20. Subseries 1.4 (Church): State Convention programs and ephemera, 1928-1947
  21. Subseries 1.4 (Church): Pastors Report, 1931
  22. Subseries 1.4 (Church): Insurance papers, 1928-1948
  23. Subseries 1.4 (Church): Finances, 1929, 1961
  24. Subseries 1.4 (Church): Sunday School, 1922
  25. Subseries 1.4 (Church): World War II service and honor roll, circa 1940s

 

Box 3

  1. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Undertaking licenses and business information, 1916-1962
  2. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Business correspondence, 1923-1953
  3. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Business receipts, 1916-1950s
  4. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Business ledger (incomplete), 1915-1916
  5. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Stock book and undertaking ledger, 1902-1910, 1916-1961
  6. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Undertaking Account Ledger transcription and reproduction, 1916-1961
  7. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Coffin, casket, urn, and other burial product catalogs, 1930-1932
  8. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Burial garment, catalogs, 1928
  9. Subseries 1.5 (Undertaking): Miscellaneous undertaking products, circa 1930s-1950s
  10. Subseries 2 (Family Documents): “The New World Book of Miles” and other genealogical notes, 1997
  11. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Family bible genealogical records, 1800s
  12. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Handwritten transcription of church records, 1862-1922
  13. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Biography of Daniel J. Miles, undated
  14. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Daisy B. Miles teaching and other certificates, 1891-1954
  15. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Daisy B. Miles correspondence and notebook, undated
  16. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Daisy B. Miles class assignments and Fairmount Academy report card, 1880s
  17. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Daisy B. Miles History lesson plan book and class photo, circa 1900
  18. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Commencement program of J. Richard Miles, 1925
  19. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Golden Anniversary of Clyde and Serverine Miles program, 1978
  20. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Miles Family Documents binder, 1900s
  21. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Thomas Family Documents binder, 1900s
  22. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Family Documents Album of Betty J. Miles (with important documents), 1868-1910s (SEPARATED)
  23. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  General Store ledgers (D.W. Miles), 1882-1903 (SEPARATED)
  24. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  General Store ledger, 1880s-1900 (SEPARATED)
  25. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  Order book of C.H. Miles, 1902-1903

 

Box 4

  1. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  World War I letters from William E. Thomas, 1918
  2. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Condolence and compensation letters for Thomas family (after death of William E. Thomas), 1918-1920
  3. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Condolence, memorial, and Veterans Administration letters and papers, 1927-1940
  4. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Thomas Family rent agreement, 1916
  5. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Letter to Emma Thomas from GL Parker, 1924
  6. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Last Will and Testament of Emma J. Thomas, 1929
  7. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Funeral Service Programs, Essell Parks Thomas, 1978
  8. Subseries 3 (William E. Thomas):  Miscellaneous Thomas family financial documents, 1927-1941
  9. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Passport of Elsie Cox, 1960s
  10. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Obituary and Will of Elsie Cox, 1980
  11. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Diaries and Notebooks of Elsie Cox, 1930-1964
  12. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  George and Elsie Cox calling cards, undated
  13. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1932-1936
  14. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1941-1942
  15. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1943
  16. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1944
  17. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1945
  18. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1946-1947
  19. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1952-1959
  20. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1960-1962
  21. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1966-1970
  22. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1975-1976
  23. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1977
  24. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1978
  25. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, 1979
  26. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Letters to Elsie Cox, undated
  27. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Maryland Society for the Prevention of Blindness, 1950s-1960s
  28. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Richard and George Cox newspaper clippings, 1930s-1940s
  29. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Elsie Cox school assignment, circa 1900
  30. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Elsie Cox check stubs, 1971
  31. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Nantucket Yacht Club Island Theatre program, 1937
  32. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  John Hopkins Hospital 50th Anniversary program, 1939
  33. Subseries 4 (Elsie Cox):  Elsie Cox certificates, 1908-1947 (SEPARATED)
  34. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Thomas and other family photograph album, 1870s-1880s

 

Box 5

  1. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Unidentified family photo album, circa 1880s-1890s
  2. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Miles, Parker, and other families photo album, 1880s-1890s
  3. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Miles and Thomas family photo album, 1920s-1960
  4. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Miles family photo album, 1950s-1960s
  5. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Miles family photographs, 1880s-1960s (1/2)
  6. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Miles family photographs, 1880s-1960s (2/2)
  7. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of Harry Miles Sr., 1890s-1910s
  8. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of Elizabeth Thomas Miles, 1960s-1980
  9. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of Betty J. Miles, 1920s-2010
  10. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of the Thomas family, 1870s-1910s
  11. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of Essel Thomas, 1910s-1930s
  12. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of the Parks family, 1890s-1910s
  13. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Elsie, George, and other Cox family photos, 1930s-1950s

 

Box 6

  1. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of the Dryden family, 1890s-1910s
  2. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Photos of Shirley Bach, 1940s
  3. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Church and convention photos, 1930s
  4. Subseries 5 (Photographs):  Miscellaneous Miles and other family photos, 1880s-1990s

 

Box 7

  1. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  General Store ledgers (D.W. Miles), 1882-1903 (SEPARATED)

Box 8

  1. Subseries 2 (Family Documents):  General Store ledger, 1880s-1900

Artifacts

IN PROCESSING

Attachments

None