Request This Item

Otis S. Twilley Collection

1 carton, 1 oversize folder (2.25 linear feet)

(1918 – 1998)

bulk 1950-1981

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

Identifier 2021.033
Creator(s) Twilley, Otis S.
Acquisition

This collection was donated by Twilley's daughter, Mary Scott, in 2021.
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 Malone Dampier, February 2022
Related Materials

Otis Twilley papers (1972 – 2015)
Separated Materials

Oversized Folder: Masonic Degrees + UMD Bachelor's Degree
Abstract

The Otis S. Twilley Collection documents the life and business of Otis Spooner Twilley, founder and long-time owner of the Otis S. Twilley Seed Company. Among the collection are his college yearbooks from the University of Maryland, newspapers containing articles written about his life and business, and seed catalogs from his company dating from 1924 to 1988. There are dozens of pictures of Twilley and his farms, as well as correspondence between him and Arthur C. Abbott of Abbott and Cobb, Inc., the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Wicomico County School District.

Biographical History

Otis S. Twilley was born in 1899 in Dorchester County, Maryland and was raised on his father’s farm. He began experimenting with seeds at 13 and paid for his college education at the University of Maryland by selling his tomato seeds. Twilley worked for W. Atlee Burpee & Co., another seed distributor, from 1926 until 1936 and was responsible for up to half of the seeds in their catalog during those years. From 1936 onwards, Twilley focused on officially beginning the Otis S. Twilley Seed Co., among other things like teaching at Wicomico High School and working for the US Department of Agriculture. In 1978, Arthur C. Abbott of Abbott & Cobb, Inc, another seed distributor, bought the Otis S. Twilley Seed Co. and merged into the Twilley Seed Company with Twilley still as president and in charge of the catalogs. Twilley was also a Freemason and achieved the highest title of Master Mason by the time he died from a home accident in 1980.

Scope and Content Note

The Otis S. Twilley Collection is a collection of personal items belonging to Otis S. Twilley and business papers and catalogs from the Otis S. Twilley Seed Company. Twilley’s personal items include his college yearbooks and degree from the University of Maryland, his degrees from the Salisbury Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, photographs of himself and his seeds, newspapers about his business, correspondence about getting married; seeds; and experience, and records relating to his death and funeral. From the Company, there are seed catalogs, advertisements, pamphlets, and paperwork from the sales agreement with Arthur C. Abbott.

 

Arrangement Statement

The Otis S. Twilley collection is organized into two series; his personal effects (Series 1) and then business-related materials (Series 2), mostly in chronological order. 

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Agriculture
    • Farming Life
  • Corporate Names
    • Freemasons
    • Scottish Rite
    • The United States Department of Agriculture
    • Twilley Seed Company
    • University of Maryland
    • Wicomico High School

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Box 1

Series 1

1.      Maryland State College of Agriculture Yearbook, 1919

2.      Maryland State College Yearbook, 1920

3.      University of Maryland Yearbook, 1921

4.      University of Maryland Bachelor’s Degree, 1921 [Separated]

5.      Newspapers and Clippings, 1972-1998

6.      Correspondence, 1936-1982

7.      Certificates, 1923-1950

8.      Masonic Degrees, 1944-1957

9.      Death Records, 1972-1981

10.   Photographs, 1921-1971

Series 2

11.   Seed Company Sales Agreement, 1978

12.   Marketing Materials, 1918

13.   Marketing Materials, 1918 (2) 

14.   Seed Catalogs, 1924-1950

15.   Seed Catalogs, 1951-1954

16.   Seed Catalogs, 1955-1965

17.   Seed Catalogs, 1966-1967

18.   Seed Catalogs, 1969-1973

19.   Seed Catalogs, 1974-1977

20.   Seed Catalogs, 1978

21.   Seed Catalogs, 1979

22.   Seed Catalogs, 1980

23.   Seed Catalogs, 1981-1988

Artifacts

Freemason Gavels

Letterman Jacket Letter

Twilley Seed Company seed bag

"Rose Campion" Plant Label

Attachments

None