Robert H. B. Becraft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 12 Oct 1894 1
Christening:
Death: 14 Dec 1933 1
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Inventory, University of Virginia Library, Special Collections Department
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/ead/eadB.browse.html• Census, Federal, 1900 in Wytheville, Wythe Co, VA
A Guide to the Robert H. BeCraft World War I Letters
Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
The entire work <http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/browse-ead?id=viu01023&images=/lv6/workspace/ead&data=/lv6/workspace/ead/done&tag=viu01023.sgm> (10 KB)
Funding Note
Scope and Content
The collection consists of ca. 120 letters, 1918-1933, chiefly love letters written by Private Robert H. BeCraft (October 12, 1894--December 14, 1933) while serving in the United States Army at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia, as a member of the 10th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade, and subsequently with the 39th Company, 10th Training Battalion. His letters are addressed to Maude Harmon of Wytheville, Virginia, whom he married in 1922.
BeCraft's letters discuss his army activities during World War I which consisted mainly of drills and training. He mentions the deaths of four men from the effects of excessive heat and woundings that took place on a rifle range, August, 10, 1918; and an outbreak of influenza in his camp, September 28 and October 14, 1918.
Miscellaneous items in the collection include a "Permanent Good Conduct Pass," 1918, for BeCraft; his American Legion Membership Card for McDowell County Post Number 8 in Welch, West Virginia, 1930-1931; an electrostatic copy of a newspaper obituary and funeral notice regarding BeCraft's death in Wythe County, 1933; and various items pertaining to life insurance veteran's benefits.
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open to research.
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased on November 7, 1986.
Lettie B Becraft, b May 1870, age 30y, born VA, married 10 years, (5 children, 5 living), born VA; son Robt A, b Oct 1894, age 5y, born VA; son Harry L, b July 1890, age 9y, born VA; dau Lillian A, Oct 1892, age 7y, born VA; dau Eunice, Oct 1896, age 3y, born VA; son Ralph B, Apr 1900, 1/12y, born VA.• Census, Federal, 1910 in Wytheville, Wythe Co, VA
Ward 2• Census, Federal, 1920 in Wythe Co, VA
Robert L Becroft, age 44y, born VA; wife Lillie, age 40y, born VA; son Harry L, age 19y, born VA; dau Lillian A, age 17y, born VA; son Robert H, age 15y, born VA; dau Eunice C, age 13y, born VA; son Ralph V, age 11y, born VA; son Oscar C, age 8y, born VA; dau Elizabeth P, age 5y, born VA; dau Mildred C, age 3y, born VA.
Robert L Becraft, age 52y; dau Lillian A, age 26y; son Robert H, age 25y; son Ralph B, age 20y; son Oscar K, age 18y; dau Pauline E, age 14y; dau Mildred C, age 12y.• Census, Federal, 1930 in Welch, McDowell Co, WV
Robert Becraft, age 34, 1895, VA; Maude, age 33, 1896, wife; Ralph age 30, 1899, brother.
Parents
Father: Robert Lee Becraft
Mother: Lettitia Harkrader
Spouses and Children
1. *Maude Harmon
Marriage: 1922
Status:
Sources
1. Leonard A Becraft, Research done by Leonard.