Davis, John W. (John William), 1873-1955.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Beatrix Farrand to John Thacher in response to his letter of August 4 (D:JT 1941.08.04) confirms financial details regarding Beatrix Farrand's Agent account and the contributions from Mildred Bliss, Beatrix Farrand, savings form James Bryce's garden budget, and Dumbarton Oaks as coverage for Anne Sweeney's salary. Beatrix Farrand suggests that the ill health of her husband, Max Farrand, could delay a planned visit from Anne Sweeney to Bar...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Mildred Bliss offers her thoughts on Orion and Bootes chairs, the wall for Lilac Circle, the placement of the Unicorn Lady, adding Dumbarton Oaks and Dumbarton Oaks Park insciptions on the Forsythia arch with an iron gate, cost of designing and having Ruth Havey do some of the design work, new position for the old Forsythia seat, the Star Garden lantern with the Gemini and Corona constellations in the panel, swinging seat for the Terrior...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Mildred Bliss tells her the law suit about Farrand's grandmother's estate has been decided in her favor. "As you know, perhaps, Elisina felt this part of the estate [Edith Wharton's estate] should go to her and had asked and received three different legal opinons as to whether she might claim the whole of my granmother's trust and each legal advisor urged her to accept the compromise offered her on my behalf last autumn of a half and half...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Beatrix Farrand to Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss (Mildred Bliss) expresses her thoughts on the death of William Gray and the loss to Dumbarton Oaks and his family. Beatrix reports that Ellis Russell has written that James Bryce has been given William Gray's head [gardener] position at Dumbarton. She discusses Mrs. Mudski (Mary Cadwalader Jones) her mother and lantern slides that Robert and Mildred enjoyed, and Elisina Tyler inheriting Sainte Claire [du Chateau] as...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from G. Frederick Coles to Robert Woods Bliss enclosing photographs of the scale model as per Mr. [John W.] Davis' instructions. He fears the photographs are not very successful due to the lack of equipment for interior photography. The colors on the model do not record in black and white very well. Mr. Waterman is to have a photographer at Dumbarton Oaks very soon and perhaps can send you some satisfactory ones. He reports experiencing the first and welcome relief from...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from John Thacher to Beatrix Farrand responds to her two letters of June 23 (D:BF 1941.06.23 and D:BF 1941.06.23B) regarding Beatrix Farrand's financial arrangements which are entirely clear in his mind. John Thacher also answers her earlier questions regarding the budget, his address while he's away, the use of the gardens for schoolchildren to be on hold until September, and work being done by John W. Davis, architect in the library at Dumbarton Oaks. Includes...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter dated July 27, 1938 and July 29, 1938 with handwritten signature from Mildred Bliss to Beatrix Farrand (Trix) tells her it is distressing news to hear about the illness and surgery of Robert Millikan. Mildred comments on Farrand's letter of July 12 and 14, 1938 on Helen Reid and prices for Nerines, and she lists questions and comments on Casa Dorinda. Mildred Bliss addresses Dumbarton Oaks building new wing and the landscape, seeking out consultation about trees from Van...

Scope and Contents: Dictated typescript letter with handwritten signature and postscript from Mildred Bliss to Beatrix Farrand. Mildred Bliss was hoping that Beatrix Farrand would stop in Washington, D.C. on her way to Calfornia as she had much to talk over with her. She thanks her for the recent letter and photographs. She reports the Garden Club met at Dumbarton Oaks and Anne Sweeney gave a talk about the Catalogue House. Royall Tyler leaves for New York and Robert Bliss is going to hear him speak at the...

Scope and Contents: Copy of typescript letter from Mildred Bliss to Ruth Havey responds to Havey's letters of December 14th, 16th, and 17th, 1939. Mildred Bliss reports feeling a lot of pressure in the last days and instructs Havey not to take up any other work. She reports the inscriptions for the forsythia gate pediment have been turned over to Coles; Beatrix Farrand will be meeting with John Thacher to go over modifications to finials; drawings for two coats of arms have been turned over to John Thacher and...

Overview:

Materials relating mainly to Felix Frankfurter's work on the Supreme Court and Elman's work with the Solicitor General. Includes numerous notes from Frankfurter pertaining to cases before the Supreme Court, particularly the historic cases of Willie Francis, Rosenberg, Brown v. Board of Education, and Cooper v. Aaron.