Waverly D. Hanley Papers
Scope and Contents
The Waverly Dunlap Hanley Papers consist of a variety of papers, letters, personal and financial documents, and some photographs. The majority of the collection deals with W.D. Hanley’s papers. Other parts of the collection refer to the families to whom Hanley was related, or who had an impact on him in some way.
Dates
- Creation: 1859-1991
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1908-1985
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
Waverly Dunlap Hanley, son of William C. and Juliet Balfour Hanley, was born on August 13, 1911, and grew up in Como, Mississippi. Hanley graduated from the Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1929. At the start of World War II, he entered the United States Army on April 24, 1942. Hanley was a member of Company B of the 22nd Battalion, 3rd Platoon. He was first stationed at Branch Immaterial Replacement Training Center (BIRTC) at Fort McClellan, Alabama in May of 1942. By September of 1942, he was in Liverpool, England. From 1943-1946 he was stationed in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe, however, the exact locations are unknown. Over the course of his time in the Army, Hanley kept in close contact with his mother. Sadly, Juliet Hanley passed away on August 19, 1943. Hanley was on active duty at the time and was unable to attend the funeral service.
On June 13, 1946, Hanley was granted an honorable discharge. He was awarded the Eameto Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. Soon after his discharge, he married Marie Wicker, but the two divorced in December of 1946. He then married Martha Childress, and they settled in Como, Mississippi. Hanley was a member of Como United Methodist Church and the Memphis Rose Society.
Waverly Hanley died on Thursday, May 22, 1975 at North Panola Regional Hospital in Sardis, Mississippi. He was 63 years old. He was survived by his wife, Martha, and five cousins: Mrs. Wayne Johnson (Juliet), Mrs. Kathryn Balfour, Jeff and Andrew Balfour and Mrs. Ernest Pokorski.
Extent
1.35 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains personal and business correspondence, documents, photographs, and miscellaneous materials kept by Waverly Dunlap Hanley.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five series:
Series I: The Hanley Family
Series II: The Dunlap Family
Series III: The Balfour Family
Series IV: The Simpson Family
Series V: The Maddox Family
Series I is the bulk of the collection. It consists of name cards, business papers, financial documents, payment records, deeds and leases, and property maintenance records. There is correspondence between W.D. Hanley and his mother, as well as greeting cards. There is also correspondence between Hanley and friends and between Hanley and girlfriend Marie Wicker. Most of the correspondence dates to Hanley’s time in the Army during World War II. Two items of interest are a handwritten will penned by Hanley, as well as a copy of his obituary.
Series II deals with the Dunlap family. Hanley’s aunt, Kathryn Balfour, married into this family. This series consists of Dunlap name cards, property research, business papers and correspondence. An item of interest is Kathryn Dunlap’s wallet.
Series III consists of the genealogy and name cards of the Balfour family. Rounding out the series is correspondence concerning Juliet Balfour, E.W. Balfour, and Mrs. C.M. Balfour.
Series IV is composed of a newspaper clipping naming E.W. Balfour as the executor in Mrs. S. Simpson’s estate. There are also notes referring to Juliet Balfour that pertain to the settlement of Mrs. Simpson’s estate.
Series V consists of a letter written by John E. Maddox to his wife. The letter was written in 1859 and describes how Maddox will soon be returning from a long trip. He also makes reference to a remodeling project on the gin house. This letter is the only paper from this particular time period, or that refers to the Maddox family.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to McCain Library and Archives, University of Southern Mississippi by Mr. Jeff Balfour on June 14, 2004.
Photograph Log
M429-2 Woman on Porch Steps 2.5 X 2.75, B & W, circa 1940’s. A woman in a knee length dress stands on a set of steps leading to a residential dwelling. (Box 3, Folder 36)
M429-3 Army Men 3.5 X 5.5, B & W, circa 1940’s. A group of men in army uniforms are posed in front of a train. (Box 3, Folder 36)
M429-4 Luitpold Arena, Nuremberg, Germany 9.5 X 12, B & W, circa 1945. This photo was taken in Nuremberg, Germany and is of the Luitpold Arena. In April of 1945, the Luitpold Arena was dismantled. It was used as a rally arena and demonstration field in World War II. (Box 3, Folder 37)
M429-5 Zeppelintribune Grandstand 9.5 X 12, B & W, circa 1945. This is a photo of the Zeppelintribune Grandstand. The Zeppelinfeld, in Nuremberg, Germany was a demonstration field used by Hitler’s regime in World War II. (Box 3, Folder 37)
M429-6 Kongresshalle Construction 9.5 X 12, B & W, circa 1945. The Kongresshalle in Nuremberg, Germany, was constructed near the Danube Canal. In the photo, one can see the Kongresshalle was still under construction. An inscription on the back of the photo reads “Fur Erinneruug an Drine”. This has been tentatively translated as “In memory of the inside.” (Box 3, Folder 37)
- Title
- Waverly D. Hanley Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jessica Clark
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
