P.O. Bledsoe Letters

Collection

Identifier: 2023.119

Content Description

The P.O. Bledsoe Letters collection houses correspondence from the Bledsoe family, primarily P.O. Bledsoe, J.M. Bledsoe, and Annie Gilliam. The collection, which dates from 1942-1945, consists mainly of correspondence between members of the Bledsoe family. P.O. and his brother, J.M., write each other regarding their experiences serving on different fronts of the war.

Meanwhile, Annie Gilliam and other members of the Bledsoe family write to the brothers about life back home. These often include updates on their personal lives and the surrounding communities.

Dates

Creation: 1942 - 1946

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

While the Montgomery County Archives houses an item, it does not necessarily hold the copyright on the item, nor may it be able to determine if the item is still protected under current copyright law. It is the user’s obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

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Perry Oscar Bledsoe was born on September 6, 1924, in Stanton, Tennessee, to Oscar Bledsoe and Addie Sink Bledsoe. P.O. had one brother, John Marshall (J.M.), and two sisters, Virginia and Eleanor. He spent most of his childhood in Haywood County, Tennessee, before moving to Montgomery County. Through his uncle Emmitt Gilliam, Bledsoe started a job working for the L&N railroad company in 1941. Around this time J.M. was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Pacific during World War II. In June 1944, P.O. was also drafted into the Army and trained at Camp Shelby and Camp Carson. He served in the European theater, spending most of his service in Italy. The two brothers frequently wrote to each other to exchange information and advice. After the war ended, both brothers spent some time finishing up the rest of their service. Eventually, P.O. returned to work at the railroad company, from where he later retired. Bledsoe owned a home on Maplemere Drive, which was right down the road from his aunt, Annie. He died on March 13, 1993.

P.O.’s aunt, Annie Sink Gilliam, was born on June 24, 1891, to Mashall and Ella Sinks. She was the twin sister to P.O.’s mother, Addie. Annie eventually married Emmitt Gilliam and started working as a bookkeeper for the L&N railroad company, where Emmitt also worked. In her free time, Annie was a member of several civic groups, including the Wednesday Club and a women’s book club. Although she had no children of her own, her letters indicate she kept close contact with her nieces and nephews. On May 29, 1984, Annie passed away at the age of 92 at Memorial Hospital in Clarksville, Tennessee.

While living in Clarksville, the Bledsoe family attended First Presbyterian Church and found community amongst its members. Specifically, friends from P.O.’s youth group, like Margaret Hiett, continued to keep in close contact with him during his time in the service. Additionally, W. L. McClogan, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, was close friends with P.O. and his family.

Full Extent

.42 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically by letter recipient.

Custodial History

The letters in this collection were sent between members of the Bledsoe family. Eventually, the letters were acquired by Eleanor Rogers (née Bledsoe). After Rogers’ passed in 2001, her husband, Robert, maintained possession of the letters until his passing in 2006. While their daughter, Barbara Grigsby (née Rogers), was cleaning out her parents’ home, she discovered the letters and began to care for them. Grigsby donated the letters to the Montgomery County Archives in 2023. In April of 2024, Grigsby donated an additional series of letters.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Barbara Grigsby, December 2023 and April 2026.

Processing Information

Materials were removed from their envelopes and flattened. Letters were arranged in chronological order by recipient and placed between acid-free paper.