Herbert Cookman Withey Collection

1.64 cubic feet

The records comprise a series of diaries and journals, correspondence, photographs and assorted magazines containing articles authored by Withey and others which afford an intimate view of the Angolan work. They represent a rich resource for studying the cultural, historic, economic and religious climates on the mission field. Place names that are mentioned include Kalundo, Sengue, Nhangue, Kamongua, Dondo, and Pampas. There is a useful description of his work on Quionga station and the resurgence of Roman Catholicism in the area. There is information about a missionary's program while on furlough, notes on Withey's work in the continuing translation of the Scriptures into the Kimbundu language, the effect of his ministry upon an African village and the effect of the Great Depression upon the mission work.

Withey provides much useful information concerning the Angolan mission and related topics. This is documented in a large collection of photos depicting mission facilities and missionaries. Withey's materials also include articles, clippings and photos. They greatly enhance the resources for learning of the Angola mission personal matters and finance while revealing the hardships and sacrifices made by missionaries and their families.

The collection is arranged in four categories. The first section contains his Diaries and Journals. In the second section is the correspondence which includes a variety of letters, some from him as well as letters from others to him. The third section contains publications from magazines which were either written by Withey or written about him. The final section holds an array of photographs which are divided into two parts. The first is a collection of family photos, and the second is a major assortment of images and photo scrapbooks depicting mission facilities and many of the missionaries who worked at these sites.

There are no restrictions regarding this collection.

Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.

• English

When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Herbert Cookman Withey Collection, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the items' call number as that is not a stable descriptor.

Prepared by Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant Archivist, and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist.