Series 1: Correspondence, 1873-1952 (4 cubic ft.)
The bulk of this series consists of early William R. Cavitt correspondence (1873-1907).
Approximately 195 postcards (1905-1967), many documenting the Cavitt family's travels in Texas
and the American West. This series also contains photo postcards, some possibly taken by Fred
Cavitt, but others may be found in the Series Twelve.
Series 2: Finance (0.5 cubic ft.)
Since the Cavitts had their hands in law, land development, education, civic life and other
organizations, it is difficult to distinguish between personal and business records. This
series contains records dealing solely with financial records, such as account ledgers,
balances sheets and other notes make up the rest of these records. The bulk of this series
contains receipts for personal apparel.
Series 3: Legal/Professional (1 cubic ft.)
Deeds, abstracts of titles, and property maps make up the bulk of this series.
Series 4: Military (3 cubic ft.)
Contains correspondence, orders, bylaws and constitution, muster rolls, payrolls, supply
rolls, and enlistment documents resulting from Howard R. Cavitt's participation in the Bryan
Light Guard, 1902-1904.
Series 5: Education (0.5 cubic ft.)
Contains diplomas, programs, clippings, maps, 1920- 1921 and 1921-1922 copies of The
Corral, the Bryan High School yearbook, and a 1908-1909 Texas A&M calendar.
Series 6: Clubs & organizations (0.5 cubic ft.)
Cavitt family members actively participated in three organizations: First Presbyterian
Church of Bryan, Bryan Gun Club, and Bryan Women’s Club. General religious related
material, such as booklets, are included in this series. Correspondence, financial reports, and
member lists show the transactions of Bryan Gun Club stockholders or which Fred Cavitt was
Secretary. Women's Club material consists of correspondence, handwritten notes and one
1938-1939 Women's Club cookbook.
Series 7: Creative works (0.5 cubic ft.)
The origin of some records, such as early handwritten notes, is unclear and may represent
court notes by William R. Cavitt, club presentations, studies by other Cavitt family members,
or simply creative endeavors. Of note are two handwritten copies of the essay or speech
entitled, "Resolved that the Late War was Beneficial to the United States," January 28, 1970.
The series also contains periodical Nuggets (May 1923-March 1926) and monograph, Dunallan or
Know What You Judge, 1882.
Series 8: Hobbies (0.5 cubic ft.)
Contains music books and the guide, Lawn Tennis, 1893. Cavitt family members were active
tennis players. Photographs in Series 12 found under "Topical" and "People" show a tennis court
located on the Cavitt property.
Series 9: Travel (6 items)
Contains unidentified travel logs. The Cavitt family traveled throughout the United States,
mostly in the American West, and possibly abroad. Series 9 Postcards can be found in Series 1
and photographs, including some photo postcards, are found in Series 12.
Series 10: Ephemera (0.5 cubic ft.)
Contains advertisements, family and general medical information, photo processing packaging
and clippings.
Series 11: Family history (0.5 cubic ft.)
Contains genealogical charts, handwritten notes, photographs and clippings indexed and some
created by the Brazos Heritage Society (ca. 1876-1990s) along with correspondence and written
histories of the Cavitt house (1942-1976).
Series 12: Photography (6 cubic ft.)
This series contains approximately 2,200 vintage prints, the bulk consist of fiber-based
silver gelatin snapshots (ca. 1900-1949) taken by Fred Cavitt, who was an avid amateur
photographer. Approximately 1,100 of Fred Cavitt's original 3 ½" x 5 ¾" [cellulose nitrate?]
negatives were accessioned with the collection. These photographs document early Bryan life and
serve as an important source for images of historic Bryan buildings and homes; many of which
were reproduced in the monograph, Brazos County History, 1986. Photographs of Cavitt homes
include those in Bryan, Weelock, and Baston. Subjects also include dams and bridges, oil
fields, Texas A & M College, and City National Bank.
Series 12 also contains formal studio portraits in the following formats: cartes de visite (ca.
1869-1900?) cabinet cards (ca.1860's-1910's?), and 25 tintypes (1860-1900?). 52 cartes de
visite were later added from the Brazos Genealogy Association. Since the collection has been in
use before the current repository's ownership, some Cavitt photographs may be located in other
collections, such as the Brazos Genealogy Association Photographs.
