MenuGuide to the William Johnson Cole papers, 1910-1916 and undated
Abstract
Employee of the Lepetkatta Tea Co., Ltd., in Barbaru, Assam, India. Cole signed his letters "Johnson."
Collection comprises weekly letters Johnson wrote to his parents in England while he served as an engineer for a tea estate, and provides commentary written from a late-colonial perspective. There is information regarding the management of the tea estate, tea manufacture, tea prices and trade, and the transformation of work processes and personal lives by mechanization, the introduction of electricity, and brick making. In addition, Johnson wrote about local customs, labor, wildlife, weather, religious festivals, disease outbreaks (esp. cholera), and Indian politics. He also wrote about various engine repairs he undertook; transportation; his favorite pastimes (including hunting and playing polo); his various horses and pets; medical and dental treatments; people he met; as well as his activities in the volunteer British military guard, where he participated in military tests, drills, and sports, and served as Farrier Sergeant. His final letters contained extensive commentary on England's role in World War I, as well as the impact of the war on Assam. Includes a few postcards, one photograph, a clipping, and a tea invoice. There is also one undated letter written to Johnson by a native missionary who requested assistance.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Cole, William Johnson, b. 1886-
- Title
- William Johnson Cole papers, 1910-1916 and undated
- Language of Materials
- English
- Extent
- 207 items (1.0 lin. ft.)
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Collection comprises weekly letters Johnson wrote to his parents in England while he served as an engineer for a tea estate, and provides commentary written from a late-colonial perspective. There is information regarding the management of the tea estate, tea manufacture, tea prices and trade, and the transformation of work processes and personal lives by mechanization, the introduction of electricity, and brick making. In addition, Johnson wrote about local customs, labor, wildlife, weather, religious festivals, disease outbreaks (esp. cholera), and Indian politics. He also wrote about various engine repairs he undertook; transportation; his favorite pastimes (including hunting and playing polo); his various horses and pets; medical and dental treatments; people he met; as well as his activities in the volunteer British military guard, where he participated in military tests, drills, and sports, and served as Farrier Sergeant. His final letters contained extensive commentary on England's role in World War I, as well as the impact of the war on Assam. Includes a few postcards, one photograph, a clipping, and a tea invoice. There is also one undated letter written to Johnson by a native missionary who requested assistance.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllHistorical Note
Employee of the Lepetkatta Tea Co., Ltd., in Barbaru, Assam, India. Cole signed his letters "Johnson."
Subject Headings
- Tea--India--Assam.
- Tea plantation workers--India--Assam.
- Tea trade--India--History--20th century.
- British--India--Social life and customs.
- British--India--History--20th century.
- World War, 1914-1918--India.
- Cole, William Johnson, b. 1886-
- Great Britain. Army--Military life.
- Great Britain. Army. Indian division.
- Great Britain. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.
- Lepetkatta Tea Co., Ltd.
- Assam (India)--Description and travel.
- Assam (India)--History--20th century.
- Barbaru (India)--History.
- Great Britain--Colonies--History.
- Great Britain--Colonies--History--Sources.
- Great Britain--Colonies--India.
- Great Britain--Colonies--Social conditions.
- India--Politics and government--1857-1919.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the William Johnson Cole papers, 1910-1916 and undated, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
Purchase, 2008
Processing Information
Processed by: Alice Poffinberger, February 2010
Encoded by: Noah Huffman, February 2010
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2008-0054
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.