Guide to the Michael Mathews Collection

Record Group 180 

Date Span:  ca. 1850 – 1955

Extent:  0.66 cubic feet

Biographical Sketch:  Mr. Mathews's family of Petermans, Rolands, and Mathews originated in Delaware and immigrated through Georgia into the Wiregrass of Alabama in the 19th century.  Mr. Mathews served as Vice President of Human Resources at UAB and is retired.  He lives in Birmingham (as of 2014).

Benjamin Peterson's family, including Henry George Peterman and Thomas Edward (T. E.) Peterman (1835-1923), moved to Henry County from Oglethorpe County, GA, in 1857.  T. E. married Julia Armstrong (1841-1921) of Oglethorpe Co, in 1859.  Their daughter, Minnie (1878-1950), married George Roland.  Minnie and George Roland's daughter Virginia married a Mathews.  Their son, Mike Mathews, donated this collection to the Wiregrass Archives.  Little is known of the Roland family.

Scope / Content Note:  Documents multiple generations of the Peterman – Roland – Mathews family in Dothan, AL, and the surrounding area.  Contains many photographs of family members (and unidentified others), legal and military records, school and church records, obituaries and other death notices, correspondence, and ephemera.  Also contains a genealogical report on the Benjamin Peterman branch of the family.  An accretion added postcards, ca. 1907-1910, a souvenir book of postcard views from Troy State College, 1955, and a panoramic photograph of a 1925 KKK meeting in Dothan, AL.

Organization:  Organized into 2 Series:  1. Family Papers and Photographs.  2. Miscellaneous Photographs.  Series 1 is arranged by individual in generational order, even if families mixed.

Preferred Citation:  Michael Mathews Collection, RG 180, The Wiregrass Archives, Troy University Dothan Campus, Dothan, AL

Access / User Limits:  Open per gift agreement, 9/28/2014

Publications about this collection:  

Olliff, Martin T.  “It Came from the Archives: The Wiregrass Archives' Oldest Photos.” TroyToday (blog). April 23, 2018. https://today.troy.edu/perspectives/wiregrass-archives-oldest-photos/.

 

Inventory

Series 1:  Family Papers and Photos, 1850-1955 (31 Items or folders).  Contains photographs of members of the Peterman, Roland, and Mathews families, including 5 daguerreotypes. Also includes folders of ephemera, genealogical charts, and certificates.

File I.D.                             File Label

180-14-0924-001-001     T. E. Peterman

180-14-0924-001-002     Julia Peterman (nee Armstrong)

180-14-0924-001-003     T. E. and Julia Peterman Home, 501 N. Oates, Dothan

180-14-0924-001-004     Henry M. Roland CSA Records

180-14-0924-001-005     John Peterman

180-14-0924-001-006     M. D. Peterman

180-14-0924-001-007     Turner Peterman

180-14-0924-001-008     Charles W. Peterman

180-14-0924-001-009     Minnie Roland (nee Peterman)

180-14-0924-001-010     George E. Roland

180-14-0924-001-011     Corine Hall (nee Peterman)

180-14-0924-001-012     Julian Peterman at "Ecodell," Jakin, GA

180-14-0924-001-013     Iona Espy (nee Peterman)

180-14-0924-001-014     Alex Peterman

180-14-0924-001-015     Thomas E. Roland

180-14-0924-001-016     Mabel Roland

180-14-0924-001-017     Harry Roland

180-14-0924-001-018     Raymond Roland

180-14-0924-001-019     Lois Roland

180-14-0924-001-020     Virginia Mathews (nee Roland)

180-14-0924-001-021     Miscellaneous Business Ads, Calling Cards, Newsclips

180-14-0924-001-022     Peterman Genealogy and Obituaries

180-14-0924-001-023     Peterman Family Genealogy

180-14-0924-002-001     Daguerreotype -- T. E. Peterman

180-14-0924-002-002     Daguerreotype -- Henry George Peterman

180-14-0924-002-003     Daguerreotype -- Julia Peterman (nee Armstrong)

180-14-0924-002-004     Daguerreotype -- M. D. Peterman

180-14-0924-002-005     Daguerreotype -- Benjamin Peterman

180-14-0924-MAP-06      Lois Roland, Howell School Stage Photo, ca. 1914

180-14-0924-MAP-06      Patricia Ann Mathews, Cradle Roll, First Baptist Church, Dothan, July 1947

180-14-0924-MAP-06      Lois Roland, Seventh Grade Diploma, 1919

 

Series 2:  Miscellaneous Photos, ca. 1890s-1910s (21 items).  Cartes-de-visits, portrait prints, and tintypes of people associated with the Mathews family but not members or not fully identified.

File I.D.                             File Label

180-14-0924-001-024     Group Portrait [possibly church congregation]

180-14-0924-001-025     Carte-de-visit -- Group of women with piano [damaged]

180-14-0924-001-026     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Fireman, Tampa, FL

180-14-0924-001-027     Portrait -- Unidentified Toddler, Dark Brown Matte

180-14-0924-001-028     Portrait -- Unidentified Couple, Two-toned Matte, Oval

180-14-0924-001-029     Portrait -- Unidentified Toddler in paper Stand [broken]

180-14-0924-002-006     Tintype Album

180-14-0924-002-007     Tintype Album

180-14-0924-002-008     Carte-de-visit -- Carrie Faison, Waycross, GA (cousin of George & Minnie Roland), 1897

180-14-0924-002-009     Carte-de-visit -- [Turner Peterman?]

180-14-0924-002-010     Carte-de-visit -- [Minnie Roland (nee Peterman)?]

180-14-0924-002-011     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Man in Striped Tie

180-14-0924-002-012     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Woman, Scrolled Portrait

180-14-0924-002-013     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Man  

180-14-0924-002-014     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Baby

180-14-0924-002-015     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Toddler

180-14-0924-002-016     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Man, San Antonio, TX

180-14-0924-002-017     Carte-de-visit -- Unidentified Woman, Indianapolis, IN

180-14-0924-002-018     Young Man, labeled "Dr. Keyton" on reverse

180-14-0924-002-019     Unidentified Baby

180-14-0924-002-020     Portrait of Unidentified Baby, Grosgrain trifold holder

 

Contact Us

Wiregrass Archives
Troy University Dothan Campus
Everett 128
502 University Dr.
Dothan, AL  36303

Phone: 334-983-6556 x21327
Email: wiregrassarchives@troy.edu