| Scope and content |
Collection consists of a typescript copy of a memoir that describes life around Washington, N.C., during the Civil War. While it is unclear who authored this memoir, it appears that the first section of the text relates the experiences of an unnamed acquaintance of Mrs. Foy, and the remainder of the memoir discusses Mrs. Foy's experiences during the Civil War. Of particular significance are Mrs. Foy's accounts of the fall of New Bern to Federal troops in 1862 and its subsequent occupation; raids by General Foster's troops around the Washington, N.C., area; and the Confederate Army's preparation for the defense of Richmond in 1865. She also describes the effect of the Civil War on the social lives of those in her area, including the lack of food and wartime restrictions; confrontations with Union and Confederate troops; Union raids on the Foy family home; and the poor condition of the Southern troops. Foy also stated that the family slaves remained with the family after the war. She recalled giving them "trophies of war" (given to her by Confederate soldiers) to make into clothes. |
| Access restriction | No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
Agnes Paton Foy Memoir (#362), Special Collections Department, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Mrs. Graham Barden. |
| Biographical note | Agnes Charlotte Paton, daughter of Anne Farrow and David Paton, was born December 1, 1845, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her father relocated to North Carolina from Scotland in 1833 to accept the position of architect for the new Capitol building in Raleigh. While in North Carolina, he met Miss Farrow and they married. After the completion of the Capitol building, they returned to Scotland but returned to North Carolina when their daughter was seven years old and settled near Washington. Miss Paton married Claudius E. Foy of Jones County. Agnes P. Foy died in New Bern on January 1, 1921. |
