![\"artifacts.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/stories\/artifacts.jpg\" "\\"artifacts.jpg\\"")
<\/p>\nOXFORD, Miss. – Preserving the past is often a relay effort \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nThe Smith Collection, including original land deeds signed \nA Clarksdale native, Smith enjoyed an illustrious life in \nThe land deeds and letters were found in poor condition, \nThe Martin family had the artifacts restored, then decided \n“Mr. Smith was an extraordinary person whose collection \n“As a seventh-generation Mississippian, Uncle Ward would \nMartin describes her uncle as having had an IQ that equaled \nAs a Fulbright scholar, Smith studied literature and French \nWhile teaching at CCNY, he spent many of his 22 summers \nFor more information about the J.D. Williams Library, visit
\nfrom one generation to the next. Such was the case for
\nformer Memphian Nancy Martin, who has donated a collection
\nof artifacts circa 1800s to the University of Mississippi.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nby two former presidents and Civil War love letters,
\nbelonged to Martin’s uncle James Warders Smith Jr. They
\nwere found at his Memphis home following his death there
\nJan. 7, 2006, at age 80.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nacademia and taught for 22 years at City College of New
\nYork. Upon retirement, he moved to Memphis to be close to
\nhis sister, Mignon Smith Martin, and her family, including
\ndaughter Nancy and son George B. Martin III.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nsaid his niece. “This was so typical of Uncle Ward’s
\nbehavior,” she said. “He would collect and save very fine
\nand valuable books, photos, pictures, et cetera.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nto donate them to UM’s J.D. Williams Library for
\nsafekeeping.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nrepresents his varied interests,” said Jennifer Ford,
\ndirector of UM’s Department of Archives and Special
\nCollections. “These land deeds and letters are a
\nsignificant addition to our archives.”
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nlike to have known that his donation would generate a love
\nfor history, including the history of one’s family,” Martin
\nsaid.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nEinstein’s. His achievements included graduating as
\nvaledictorian at Bobo High School, earning his bachelors
\ndegree summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University,
\ncompleting master’s and doctoral degrees, becoming fluent
\nin six languages and being awarded a Fulbright
\nscholarship.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nat the University of Grenoble in France. He then did
\ngraduate work at Columbia University, followed by a
\nteaching stint at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nwith his Memphis family. In retirement, he taught part time
\nat the University of Memphis. Smith said her uncle’s last
\nwish was granted when he was buried in Riverside Cemetery
\nin “his beloved Friars Point, Miss., the only place he ever
\ncalled ‘home.'”
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.olemiss.edu\/depts\/general?library\/<\/a>.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"