William H. Maness Collection

Collection

Identifier: Mss.Coll.005

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William H. Maness collection contains a variety of materials relating to his tenure as a judge in Jacksonville, FL, as well as issues of racism, social inequality, and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into five series, then chronologically within each series, where applicable. The series are: Books; Correspondence; Lists; Literary Productions; Printed Material. The William H. Maness collection contains a variety of materials relating to his tenure as a judge in Jacksonville, FL, as well as issues of racism, social inequality, and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into five series, then chronologically within each series, where applicable. The series are: Books; Correspondence; Lists; Literary Productions; Printed Material. The Literary Productions series includes many unpublished manuscripts and essays that document racism in the United States, particularly discussing what African Americans faced during a time of turmoil. In addition to the manuscripts and essays, this series also contains reports and research notes. The two reports of interest are from the Southern Regional Council explaining violent acts in the name of racism that occurred in Jacksonville, FL during March of 1964 (4:8). Moreover, the other report documents the details surrounding the sanitation workers' (racially motivated) strike in Memphis, TN during February of 1968 (4:9). The sanitation workers' strike is particularly interesting due to the fact that it took place years after the passing of the Civil Rights Act. The Printed Material series is by far the largest series in the collection containing a wide range of Printed Materials including booklets, magazines, newspaper clippings, postcards, and much more. Many of the materials in this series document and discuss racial issues in the United States (specifically in the South), social injustice, and actions taken to promote the well-being and equality of the human race.

Dates

Creation: 1957 - 2000

Creator

Maness, William H. 1916- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research of otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical / Historical

Education: * Attended Elon College from 1934-1938 (Class of 1938) * In 1940, attended Wake Forest University School of Law, but did not complete the program. At WFU he also managed the 1940 football team * In 1946, after WWII, he entered the John B. Stetson University School of Law in Florida * 1947, he transferred from Stetson University School of Law to Duke Law School for a fifteen-week summer session * He transferred back to Stetson University School of Law and graduated from there in September of 1948 Career: (2:2) No dates for these positions: * Prosecuting attorney * Legislator * Circuit Judge * Practicing lawyer * Sunday school teacher * Church leader * Appeal agent for selective service * 1938-1940: Worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a claims adjustor and an automobile policy salesman * 1940: Returned to Elon College as a fund raiser for the college, his official title was "Assistant to the President", Dr. Leon Edgar Smith * 1941: Became a naval aviator, drafted to fight in WWII * 1949: Accepted an offer from the law firm of Ragland, Kurz and Layton in Florida * After working with the Ragland law firm, he then accepted an offer from Harry H. Martin (county solicitor in Florida) to be his first assistant county solicitor * 1954: Gave up position as the assistant county solicitor * 1954: Elected to the seat in the Florida House of Representatives, Group 3, from Duval County * November 1, 1957: Accepted appointment by Governor LeRoy Collins as a Circuit Judge (Florida) Family: * In 1941, while Maness was participating in flight training for a naval aviator, he met his first wife Betty Jeanne Rowe * On January 9, 1941, they were married * In the summer of 1947, they had their first son, William Holt Maness, Jr. * By 1961, they had two children (Judith Ann and William Holt, Jr.) ready for college and three adopted children, ages 4, 5, and 7 * At age 70, William H. Maness divorced Betty Jeanne Rowe and married his current wife Betsy Memberships: (2:2) No dates for the following entries: * Executive Committee of Jacksonville Bar Association * Board of Governors * Florida Yacht Club * River Club * Federal Executives' Association * Committee of 100 of Emory University * General Board Rational Council of Churches * Chairman Community Relations Committee * Delegate to Jurisdictional Conference of the Methodist Church (Southeastern) * Committee on arrangements for the 1966 General Assembly of the National Council of Churches (NCC) * Southern Regional Council Awards: * 1968: Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Elon College Biographical Sources: Mss.Coll.#005, 2:2, folder titled "Finding Aid and Inventory" For additional biographical information see Mss.Coll.#005, 5:8 and Elon College Alumni Directory, 1948 pg. 37.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 archival boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The William H. Maness collection contains a variety of materials relating to his tenure as a judge in Jacksonville, FL, as well as issues of racism, social inequality, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, and the strides people took to promote the well-being and equality of the human race. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into five series, then chronologically within each series, where applicable. The series are: Books; Correspondence; Lists; Literary Productions; Printed Material.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into five series, then chronologically within each series, where applicable. The series are: Books; Correspondence; Lists; Literary Productions; Printed Material.

Physical Location

The collection is located in Belk Library Archives Satellite Shelving at Elon University. Please contact the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian for further details about the location.