The collection contains various original documents and some copies, diaries, correspondence, family histories, artwork, newspaper clippings, programs, and various sources relating mostly to the Jenkins and Robinson ancestors of Angelica Shirley Carpenter. Items date from 1843 to 2003. The files are arranged alphabetically by name of individual/topic. The Emmanuel Episcopal Church file includes various programs and booklets, reminiscences from the Robinson family, and histories of the church in Webster Groves, Missouri. (B1/f.2). The Family folder contains pages from family bibles and miscellaneous genealogical sources (B1/f.3). Many Jenkins and Robinson ancestors are represented in the collection with materials created either by them or about them. However, two individuals have more materials than other family members: Angelica “Daisy” Lockwood Robinson Jenkins, the donor’s great-grandmother, and Henrietta Averill Jenkins, the donor’s great-great-grandmother. Angelica “Daisy” Lockwood Robinson Jenkins (1869-1959) was a life-long resident of Webster Groves, Missouri. From 1893 to 1902, Daisy recorded family events, daily activities such as receiving visitors to her home, and visits she made, in seven small pocket diaries. Angelica Shirley Carpenter transcribed many of the entries in her book, Readers, Writers, & Musicians: A Shirley Girls’ Family History (Ch.9, see MHS Library.) In addition, there are a few letters written by Daisy, newspaper clippings about her wedding in 1891, and family history narratives she wrote in 1936 and 1937 with notes added at a later date. In her Robinson family research, Daisy explained her relation to artist Charles Peale. Henrietta Averill Jenkins (1834-1930) wrote about events in her life and in her husband’s life. In 1916, she wrote a small memoir, with a handwritten copy, about her pursuit of art education that took her from the Midwest to New York City and Buffalo, “An Art Chapter in the Life of an Octogenarian.” She arrived in New York before telling her children what she had done and later sold one of her works in Buffalo after a gallery tour. Henrietta explained that she could not leave New York to attend her second son’s wedding, William Marshal to Angelica Lockwood Robinson, in 1891 (B1/f.14). As a memento of her time studying, Henrietta collected small art works from fellow art students in a small volume, much like school children collected signatures and verses. These small pieces of art appear in various media such as watercolor, ink, and graphite and are signed by their creators (B1/f.15). Two examples of Henrietta’s own work include a Valentine’s Day card and a small watercolor of a rose entitled, “Clippings” (B1/f.16). Henrietta wrote two items relating to her deceased husband, “Extracts from the Diary of an Army Officer” and “In Memoriam.” In “Extracts from a Diary,” she copied letters written during Walworth’s sea journey to Fort Duncan, Texas in late 1854, for her son William (B1/f.19). “In Memoriam” contained transcriptions of letters written by Walworth during the Civil War, particularly at the time of the Battle of Bull Run, a post-war letter from W. T. Sherman, several posthumous tributes, and family history (B2/f.1). Some of the earliest items in the collection are copies of letters and a poem by Walworth Jenkins (location of originals unknown). The Soldier’s Pocket Book carried by Jenkins during the Civil War is also included. It is a published volume with psalms and prayers and contains one handwritten inscription informing the reader that Jenkins carried the book (B2/f.5). In her retirement, Jean Shirley, formally Frances Eugenia Starkel Shirley, co-authored children’s biographies with her daughter Angelica Shirley Carpenter. Three folders relate include Jean’s correspondence, a baby book, assorted documents, obituaries, and newspaper clippings (B2/f.10-12). There is also an autographed note from entertainer Bob Crosby. Jean corresponded with her cousin Bruce Jenkins when he was writing Goodbye: In Search of Gordon Jenkins. Gordon Hill Jenkins, Jean’s uncle, pursued a career in music, writing songs and arranging music for entertainers such as Frank Sinatra. Items in his file include a promotional brochure for Manhattan Tower with Decca Records, obituaries, and newspaper clippings. Gordon wrote a letter to a fictitious character who was supposed to live in his childhood home (B1/f.13). Jean Shirley also correspondence with Carey C. McDaniel, possibly a cousin, and her goddaughter, Kathy Ellinger. Amongst Jean’s ephemera are two copies of sheet music, “Let the Infant Jesus Sleep,” with music by Marshall Jenkins, her brother, and words by Jean Shirley published in 1955. There is also a 1937 yearbook page of seniors from the Echo with signatures.