Title: Benjamin R. Strong Diaries

Date/Date Range :   1848-1946

Extent: 3.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The B.R. Strong collection consists of correspondence, diaries, contracts, ease agreements, bills of sale, court proceedings, advertisements, deeds, discharged notes, bills, receipts, releases, financial statements, income tax receipts and returns, mortgages, bonds, assignments, notes payable, property holdings, title abstracts, wills, an executor's report, an architect's certificate as well as a genealogical chart.

Call number: MS-0952

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Ronald Allen Donated this collection to the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library in 1977.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Benjamin R. Strong Diaries, MS-0952. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of two boxes divided into two series:

1. Series I: B.R. Strong Papers
2. Series II: B.R. Strong Diaries

B.R. Strong was the son of Albert (?) and Sophronia Strong. He had three brothers and two sisters, one of whom, Martha Strong, was the mother of W.E. Monday. This nephew eventually became B.R. Strong's business partner in real estate and his personal friend. Much of the correspondence in this collection concerns the large Monday family which descended from B.R. Strong's sister.

The B.R. Strong collection consists of correspondence, diaries, contracts, ease agreements, bills of sale, court proceedings, advertisements, deeds, discharged notes, bills, receipts, releases, financial statements, income tax receipts and returns, mortgages, bonds, assignments, notes payable, property holdings, title abstracts, wills, an executor's report, an architect's certificate as well as a genealogical chart. Strong, who died around 1920, was a leader in Knox County's civic affairs, as well as being one of the county's foremost land holders and dealers in real estate, He was a staunch supporter of public education, which is reflected in the provisions of his will. It was his desire to "assist to a practical education many unfortunate youths chained down by poverty and environment." His will included grants to the University of Tennessee for the construction of a woman's dormitory to be named after his mother, Sophronia Strong, and for the acquisition of an agricultural campus. Other bequests were directed to seven county school systems, the Knox County Industrial School, and also provided for the construction of an art center and museum.

• Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928.