Williams C. Wickham Papers, 1903-1944: Finding Aid
Published in May 2010
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 406
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Williams C. Wickham Papers
- Dates: 1903-1944
- Size: 0.83 linear feet
- Container Summary: 2 manuscript boxes
- Creator: Wickham, Williams C., 1887-1985
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Williams Carter Wickham was member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1909 and an officer in the U.S. Navy who served primarily aboard destroyers and cruisers. The Williams C. Wickham Papers primarily span Wickham's career from 1918 through 1944 and are composed mainly of correspondence between Wickham and his wife Credilla during periods of deployment, treating mainly of personal domestic matters.
Biography of Williams C. Wickham
Williams Carter Wickham was born July 17, 1887 in Hanover County, Virginia and graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1909. Credilla Miller was born April 17, 1890, and married Williams on April 22, 1912. Together they had three children: Williams, known as "Billy," Laurence, known as "Whoppy," and Credilla, known as "Dale" or "The Red Head." Laurence later served as a Marine lieutenant during the Second World War.
Wickham served aboard many ships during his career, including the destroyers, U.S.S. Reid, U.S.S. Shaw, U.S.S. Crowninshield, U.S.S. Litchfield, U.S.S. Dent and U.S.S. Pillsbury, and the heavy cruisers, U.S.S. Chester, U.S.S. Minneapolis and U.S.S. Houston. From 1939 to 1940 he commanded the heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Quincy, and in 1941 was assigned as Commandant of the Georgia Tech Naval ROTC Station in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1944 Captain Wickham was a patient at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Credilla Wickham died in January 1965 and Williams C. Wickham on July 11, 1985. They are buried together in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery.
Description of Contents
The Williams C. Wickham Papers, comprising 0.83 linear feet of documents, primarily spans Wickham's career from 1918 through 1944. It is composed mainly of correspondence between Wickham and his wife Credilla during periods of deployment, and treats mainly of personal domestic matters. The couple discusses the difficulties of moving households and raising children and the loneliness and tedium of long separations. Several of the children's letters to both parents are included, as is a letter to Credilla from her father prior to her marriage. Several letters to Wickham from fellow officers address their endorsement of him for membership in the New York Yacht Club. There is a small collection of business correspondence regarding banking, real estate, taxes and billing for household repairs and services.
Arrangement
- Series 1: U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, 1903
- Series 2: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1904-1944
- Series 3: PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1919-1931
- Series 4: BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE, 1919-1944
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Williams C. Wickham Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts and Archives in March 2007. Accession No. 07-03.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional materials pertaining to Williams C. Wickham and the Wickham family can be found in the Wickham Family Papers, 1754-1977 (Mss1 W6326 c FA2), Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va. [http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vhs/vih00017.xml]
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Williams C. Wickham Papers, MS 406
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Liz Coelho in May 2010. Finding aid written by Liz Coelho in May 2010.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Navy spouses
- United States. Navy -- Family relationships
- Wickham, Credilla Miller, 1890-1965
- Wickham, Williams C., 1887-1985
Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
Contents List
Series 2: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1904-1944 Boxes 1-2
Series DescriptionPERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE contains letters between husband and wife, and includes letters from their three children, a letter to Credilla from her father, and a letter to Credilla from her friend "Jane." In cases where other materials were enclosed with the letters, such as business correspondence, they are left in situ.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically.