UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection (Rescans)

Dublin Core

Identifier

Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection (Rescans)

Title

Frances Cabaniss Roberts Collection (Rescans)

Description

Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts was born December 19, 1916 in Gainesville, Alabama, a daughter of Richard H. and Mary (Watson) Roberts. She graduated from Livingston State College, earning her B.S. in 1937, and then the University of Alabama, earning her M.A. in 1940, then her PhD in 1956. Her 1940 M.A thesis was "An Experiment in Emancipation of Slaves by an Alabama Planter;" her 1956 PhD dissertation was "Background and Formative Period in the Great Bend and Madison County," 1956.

She began her professional career as a public school teacher first in Sumter County, Alabama and then in Huntsville, Alabama, 1937-1952. In Huntsville, Roberts taught history at Huntsville High School and then at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where she was a vigorous participant in the formation of that University. (The Extension Center, then at West Huntsville High School, opened in January 1950.) From 1955 to 1956, she was the only full-time faculty member.

Dr. Roberts served in many roles at UAH: instructor 1953-1956; assistant professor, 1956-1959; associate professor, 1959-1961; professor of history beginning in 1961 until her retirement on August 31st, 1980. In 1988, Dr. Roberts was honored with the dedication of Roberts Recital Hall. The University System Trustees issued this statement concerning the special day: "Dr. Roberts was one of the founding faculty of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, established the University History Department, and was its first full-time history professor. She devoted 18 years to the public schools and 29 years of dedicated service to UAH and accepting only the highest scholarly standards and inspiring generations of students to expand their academic horizons."

The collection of Dr. Roberts’ papers reflects her total immersion in the education, social, religious, musical, and literary life of the community as she led by doing. Frances Cabaniss Roberts died November 5, 2000 at the age of 83, leaving a legacy of leadership and dedication to the community.

Collection Items

  • loc_robf_000341.pdf

    This pamphlet announces the opening of the Hotel Monte Sano on June 1, 1887 and lists the manager as "Mr. S.E. Bates." The first section of the pamphlet includes a brief history of Huntsville and a description of the city's amenities. The author extolls the health advantages of Huntsville as "most healthfully situated at the base of Monte Sano" and describes the city's lack of recent disease outbreaks. The second section of the pamphlet details the Hotel Monte Sano's furnishings and amenities. The author emphasizes the "healthful" environs of the mountain and the hotel and includes letters from Huntsville's "eminent physicians" as testimonials. The pamphlet includes illustrations of scenes from Huntsville and Monte Sano.
  • loc_robf_Weekly_Mercury_1896.jpg

    This is an image of page six of the Weekly Mercury from July 1896. W.L. Halsey and C.H. Halsey advertisements for their grocery stores are featured on this page. Other advertisements on this page include "C.C. Anderson Druggist", "W.R. Rison & Co. Bankers", "Sheffey & Dean", and "Herstein & Lowenthal, Proprietors."
  • loc_robf_tribune_19001129.pdf

    Published on Thanksgiving Day 1900, this issue of the Tribune includes stories, songs, and poetry; lists of dead Confederate soldiers from Huntsville and Madison Count; and coverage of the erection of the Confederate monument in downtown Huntsville. Much discussion is made as well of the "Lost Cause," a mythology that perpetuates the belief that the cause of the Confederate States was noble and just and denies that slavery played the central role in secession. Includes columns written by Virginia Clay-Clopton and John Tyler Morgan.
  • loc_robf_000339_000340.pdf

    Made for a size 32-inch bust, this nightgown pattern includes five pieces for the front, back, collar, sleeve, and sleeveband. The pattern does not include pieces for the yoke. The front of the pattern envelope lists the material required for each size, and the back describes garment construction. The pattern pieces are unprinted.
  • loc_robf_000337_000338.pdf

    Made for a size 34-inch bust, this house dress pattern includes pieces for "The Waist with Square Yoke and Standing or Rolling Collar, and the Five-Gored Skirt Joined to the Waist." The front of the pattern envelope lists all instructions for the construction of the garment as well as material required. The pattern pieces are unprinted.
  • loc_robf_000335_web.jpg
  • Frances Cabaniss Roberts_ Her Life and Legacy_default_599d46e8.mp4

    This virtual talk includes a lecture from Dr. Tom Reidy, editor of the 2020 edition of Frances Roberts' 1956 dissertation, with comments and moderation by UAH Head of Archives and Special Collections Reagan Grimsley and History Department Chair Stephen Waring. The talk was given as part of an Alabama Humanities Alliance grant, in partnership with the UAH M. Louis Salmon Library, the UAH Humanities Center, and the UAH History Department.
  • loc_robf_336web.pdf
  • loc_robf_000333_000334_web.jpg

    Folsom issued the proclamation on the same day that Roberts received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The text of the proclamation commends Roberts' service to the university and the community, noting that "Dr. Roberts combined her job of teaching, research and service with a much broader sense of responsibility which led her to do above and beyond what she was asked."
  • loc_robf_000332_web.jpg

    The Weeden House is located at 300 Gates Avenue in downtown Huntsville. The house underwent restoration in the 1970s and is now a historic house museum and garden open to the public.
  • loc_robf_000326_web.jpg

    Holliman was one of Roberts' students at Huntsville High School. She describes her first days at Randolph-Macon College and thanks Roberts for her excellent teaching.
  • loc_robf_000324_web.jpg
  • loc_robf_000321_web.jpg

    The letter notifies Roberts of her appointment as an instructor in history at the University of Alabama Huntsville Center. Morton notes that Roberts was to receive an honorarium of $200 for teaching January 6-March 20, 1950.
  • loc_robf_000320_web.jpg

    The house is located at 603 Randolph Avenue in downtown Huntsville. Frances Roberts lived there for much of her adult life.
  • loc_robf_000319_web.jpg
  • loc_robf_000318_web.pdf
  • loc_robf_000317_web.jpg

    Frances Roberts, shown at center, was named to the Madison County Women's Scroll of Honor in 1976. According to the Huntsville Times, recipients of the honor "are native to or identified most closely with Huntsville and Madison County and who have made significant contributions within their professional fields of activity or concern." Roberts was honored alongside Huntsville artist and poet Maria Howard Weeden (1847-1905). The award is a project of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.
  • loc_robf_000316_web.jpg
  • loc_robf_000315_web.jpg
  • loc_robf_000314_web.jpg

    In this letter, Jones thanks Roberts, then a history teacher at Huntsville High School, for the opportunity to meet her students on their recent trip to Washington, D.C.
  • loc_robf_000313_web.jpg
  • loc_robf_000311_web.jpg

    This page includes the photo of Frances Roberts, who later became a UAH history professor and the namesake of Roberts Hall. Roberts was a Senior II, or a junior, in high school at the time of this yearbook's printing.
  • loc_robf_000309_web.jpg

    Speakers included James Record, Frances Roberts, and Huntsville Mayor Joe Davis, with an invocation by Rev. Donald L. Bailey and a benediction by Rev. Lee Hudson. The program includes a map of Constitution Hall Park.
  • loc_robf_000294_000301.pdf

    Nancy Whitaker acted as a witness for the defendant, Abner Tate. Nancy responds to questions about Alexander Jeffries, her father, and Elizabeth Routt. She expresses her belief that her father was poisoned by Routt though she was not present until the morning after he died. Nancy details the dark color of her father's body and how it was swollen and "unnatural" in appearance. She also includes the rumors she has heard regarding several charges brought against Routt. She concludes by stating that it is her opinion that Routt is guilty in the case of her father's death.
  • loc_robf_000283_000293.pdf

    The Whitakers were witnesses for the defendant, Abner Tate. Joseph Whitaker's deposition is first. He answers questions regarding Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, particularly the death of Alexander Jeffries. Joseph states that it is his opinion that Jeffries was poisoned. He also states that rumors have spread that she had ordered a slave to murder Abner Tate. Newton Whitaker's desposition is second. He also answers questions regarding Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, including the death of Alexander Jeffries. Newton states that he is also of the opinion that Jeffries was poisoned. Like Joseph, he also adds that she is said to have destroyed the lives of her husbands, stole cotton, and sought to harm Abner Tate.
  • loc_robf_000272_000282.pdf

    Ashworth and Gill are witnesses for the defendant, Abner Tate. Ashworth's deposition is first. He answers questions regarding Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, particularly of her character and what others said and thought of her. He includes at the end that he has heard of her destroying the lives of her husbands, stealing cotton by way of her slaves, and was accused of having one of her slaves shoot Abner Tate. Thomas O. Gill's deposition follows. He is asked about Elizabeth Routt and her husbands as well, including her character and what others said and thought of her. Gill also confirms hearing of the "great many charges alleged against her." Gill is then cross examined by the plantiff's, Elizabeth Routt, counsel. He is asked whether the charges against her character are of his knowledge or the publics'. Gill names those whom he heard the information from and admits that the charges were rumors rather than facts. He also details the pamphlet written by Abner Tate that he received from an unknown sender. He was also asked about the sicknesses of Routt's husbands and the attending physicians which he was unable to answer.
  • loc_robf_000260_000268.pdf

    As a witness for the defendant, Abner Tate, Dr. Davies' deposition includes a list of the questions asked and the corresponding answers on the blue document. Davies is asked about Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, particularly Alexander Jeffries. Dr. Davies is asked his professional medical opinion about the cause of death to which he states was believed to be from "inflamation of the stomach and perhaps the bowels." Dr. Davies also states that he believed him to have been sick approximately six to eight weeks. He also compares the symptoms of Jeffries and Brown, Routt's fifth husband.
  • loc_robf_000250_000259_000269_000271.pdf

    The depositions include the questions asked and the answer. Daniel Curry's deposition is first. The questions regard Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, particularly her third, Alexander Jeffries, whom Daniel Curry knew well. He details his death, claiming he saw him the day he died and he did not appear sick at that time. Later questions interrogate Curry about Routt's character and ability to murder her husbands. Polly Curry was asked the same questions as her husband. Her responses were similar. She stated that Routt was well thought of prior to the death of her third husband, Jeffries, the lost her good standing after that. Polly adds that she heard Routt say that she was glad her second husband was dead following his death and that she wished her last husband, Mr. Routt, was also dead so she could "live in peace." She also includes the rumors that Mrs. Routt was "too intimate" and charged with sleeping with two of her slaves, and had stolen cotton previously.
  • loc_robf_000246_000249.pdf

    This page is most likely missing a few pages. The front details someone's statement, though the author is unknown. It tells of phrases spoken by Abner Tate that were overheard by Mrs. Hazel. The botton of the page inquires what the author/interviewee would think if they heard such phrases. The last line appears to have the initials S. D. G. that may be the author of the page. The back side includes questions 13 through 18 that were most likely asked in court.
  • loc_robf_000241_000243.pdf

    In his statement, William W. Sanders details the day Mrs. Hazel claimed to have seen Sawyer's body being burned by Abner Tate's slaves. He tells of how she told the story to him and that he was surprised when she relayed everything to him. Sanders ends by stating he believes Mrs. Hazel charged a "man of excellent character".
  • loc_robf_000240_000240_000244_000245.pdf

    In these pieces of John's statement, John corroborates that which his wife Sarah said in her statement. The small pieces of paper detail the strange stories told by Mrs. Hazel that were out of character and not representative of the people she spoke of. He also mentions what she stated of the murder of the man she cannot name and how a Mrs. Jones assisted by covering the "offensive smell." He also writes of Mrs. Hazel's accusations of Mrs. McDavid stealing her money and medicines. In the larger piece, John Pool brings up the porch location that she supposedly witnessed the murdered man from.
  • loc_robf_000238_000238.pdf

    Wellborn writes to her uncle requesting information on the case of her "Pa", Abner Tate, who was arrested and tried for murder. She informs her uncle that there was a supposed detailed report in a Huntsville publication but couldn't get her hands on a copy. She concludes by writing of their temporary living arrangements just outside of Memphis, Tennessee.
  • loc_robf_000235_000237_000239_000239.pdf

    The statement of Sarah Pool tells of her encounter with Mrs. Hazel in 1845 in Mississippi. She details the "strange stories" told by Mrs. Hazel and how she accused Mrs. McDavid of stealing and had "opened her bundle," a reference made in William Conner's letter to Abner Tate, that supposedly contained some medicines. Mrs. Hazel then asked Sarah to convey the story to Mrs. McDavid to which Sarah said Mrs. McDavid acted surprised at the accusations. Sarah also tells how Mrs. Hazel spoke of Mr. Tate and his right hand man involved in the murder of a man who she could not name.
  • loc_robf_000234_000234.pdf

    The deposition of T. O. Gill. In his statement, Gill calls for a retrial at this document certifies that despite Mrs. Hazel's statement, Abner Tate's kitchen could not be seen from any part of the porch. The statement further details other areas of the house pertaining to the witness's statement.
  • loc_robf_000231_000233.pdf

    This letter is William M. Conner's statement as written to Abner Tate. In this statement, Conner refutes Mrs. Hazel's testimony stating that he has never threatened to "cow hide" anyone. Furthermore, Conner writes that his wife "says most positively" that Mrs. Hazel never requested her to "examine her bundle the day before she left her mother's."
  • loc_robf_000225_000230.pdf

    This deed was created and finalized on June 19, 1843 between Samuel Conner and Elizabeth Routt (then High) following the death of her third husband, Alexander Jeffries. This indenture gives Samuel Conner a sum of two hundred and thirty seven dollars for a parcel of land. The land would be the Jeffries plantation that Elizabeth would live on until after the death of her sixth husband, Willis Routt, and following the dismissal of her lawsuit against Abner Tate.
  • loc_robf_000223_000224.pdf

    This receipt is from October 1, 1852 and notes Scott's wages and the price of wheat bushels.
  • loc_robf_000219_000222.pdf

    The letter to Abner Tate addresses the testimony of Barbara Hazel, confirming some parts but refuting more of it. It is clear that pages of the letter are missing as it ends in the middle of a sentence and has no author's signature on any page. Note: This could be Moore's statement which would match with the Note to Moore's Statement.
  • loc_robf_000217_000218.pdf

    The Note to Moore's Statement was signed A.T., alluding to the possibility that Abner Tate wrote this. The note discusses the testimony of Mrs. Willis and Colonal Sheid regarding a search for Sawyer, one of the murdered men. It traces Sawyer's known whereabouts prior to him going missing. The note claims that A.T. had never heard of Sawyer or Rein, the second victim, until August 1855.
  • loc_robf_000205_000216.pdf

    The author of this written statement is illegible. It appears that the first name of the author may be Francis but it being so faded, is difficult to discern. The author does state that he was living with Elizabeth Route at the time and managing her plantation, during which he became aquainted with Daniel H. Bingham. The written statement, recorded as the author was "called upon by Mr. Tate to state what my testimony was upon his trial...", details the interaction of the author with Bingham, who wished to marry Mrs. Routt, and Mrs. Routt, beginning in March 1854 through 1855.

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