DeGolyer Library Archival Collections: N-P

This collection of New Birmingham, Texas maps includes a blueprint plat map (1889); Cherokee Land & Iron Company document (1889); a letter regarding appraisal of several lots in the town (1925); and an undated illustrated plat map of the town by the Cherokee Land & Iron Company. Part of the George W. Cook Dallas/Texas image collection.

This artificial collection contains New York, Ontario, and Western Railway Co. business records, correspondence, employee materials, and locomotive drawings. The railroad operated from 1869-1957 in New York state.

This collection documents various members and descendants of the O’Ferrall and Witt families of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Primary figures include: Colonel William Cluis O’Ferrall, Annie Lorena “Lola” Warren, Zoe Elizabeth O’Ferrall, Robert Edward Witt, and Zoe Ann Witt. Materials include correspondence, clippings, photographs and scrapbooks, printed materials and travel ephemera, artifacts, diaries, family histories and genealogical research.

Oram and Hill family papers, 1904-1960s - This first half of this collection contains the legal and real estate documents of Sarah Oram (1861-1946) and her son Edwin (1883-1961). The rest of the collection contains the papers of Sarah's daughter, Louise, and her husband, Clyde Walton Hill. Louise Oram was an organist and pianist, and she married Clyde Walton Hill in 1917. Included are Louise's correspondence and musical compositions, and plans for the house on 5227 Winton. Clyde Hill's files contain business documents, poetry, and research material for his publications. Part of the George W. Cook Dallas/Texas image collection.

Natalie Ornish was a Texas Historian, author, filmmaker, composer and playwright. Her most notable works includes Ehrenberg: Goliad Survivor Old West Explorer (the first biography of Herman Ehrenberg), “Texans All,” and Pioneer Jewish Texans (first comprehensive history of Jewish people in Texas from the conquistadors to modern times). Her papers comprise research files, drafts and manuscript materials, scripts, correspondence, audiovisual and film, sheet music, and photographs.

Richard Cleghorn Overton was an American railroad historian and author from Montclair, New Jersey. This collection contains Richard Overton's typescript speeches and articles, collection of locomotive photographs, railroad subject files, and Great Northern blueprint locomotive drawings.

The letters, generally addressed to his mother, Mrs. William Parker and other family members, relate Parker's experiences as a miner in several locations in Colorado, including Greeley, Leadville, and Tin Cup. An informative letter from Sam Carmichael, a mining partner, to Parker's mother, provides insight into the difficulties of their mining experiences.

Thomas Moore Paschal was a Texas lawyer, judge, and United States Congressman (1893-1894). This collection contains legal documents from his law practice, his father’s law practice, and other family legal papers. Correspondence, speeches, mining documents, and photographs are also included.

James Venn Paterson was a Scottish naval architect who was president of the Seattle Construction and Dry Dock Company in Seattle, Washington. This collection includes Paterson’s business files on early twentieth century shipbuilding, correspondence, blueprints, and photographs.

Junius Peak (1845-1934) was a Confederate veteran, Dallas city marshal, and Texas Ranger. His sister, Juliette Peak Fowler, bequeathed her land in East Dallas for orphans and retirees. Included in this collection is a short handwritten biographical note; a letter to his sister describing the Los Penitentes' self-flagellation procession he witnessed in New Mexico; a photograph of Junius Peak and Mike Thomas; and a deed for Juliette Fowler from Junius and her father for land in East Dallas. Part of the George W. Cook Dallas/Texas image collection.

Peters Colony was formed by a grant made in 1841 by the Republic of Texas to William S. Peters and his associates. After various legal battles, this North Texas colony brought little profit to the investors, but welcomed over two thousand families to Texas. This collection includes signed Texan Emigration and Land Company documents by William Myers (1846), George M. Massey (1851), Nelson Shields (1858), and Robert Skaggs' claim and oath (1850, 1852) with a special certificate. Part of the George W. Cook Dallas/Texas image collection.

Merz K. Peters was a financial analyst for Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Stock Exchange in New York City during the last half of the twentieth century. This collection contains Brown Brothers Harriman historical files, energy industry subject files, business correspondence, annual reports, and investment reports. Researchers interested in the history of the oil industry will find materials from the early 1920s-2000s.

This collection contains letters and ephemera of the Pirtle and Cook families in Texas. It is unclear how they are related in the collection. The bulk of the collection includes letters to Birtie Pirtle in Robinson, Indian Territory, and letters to Eva Watson Cook of Dallas, Texas. Also included are anniversary programs from various churches in Dallas, Texas, and programs for social events.

A bound journal with handwritten copies of letters, petitions, poetry and historical notes written by Potter in 1874 in which he recalls the taking of prisoners from Mexican General Jose de Urrea at the battles of San Patricio and Agua Dulce during the Texas Revolution. Along with Potter's narrative are documents concerning those prisoners, which he copied into his journal. Also includes an article written by Potter for the Magazine of American History: Potter, Reuben M. "The Prisoners of Matamoros: a Reminiscence of the Revolution of Texas," Magazine of American History (Vol. III, no. 5) May 1879, pp. 273-294.