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William R. Keen Papers

 Collection — legal box: PC 4
Identifier: PC00004

Scope and Contents

These papers, including chattel mortgages, real estate mortgages, crop liens, and other records of debts owed to the Keen business.

Dates

  • Record Keeping: 1991 October 28
  • 1919-1929

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Please send requests to heritagecenter@johnstonnc.com or through the ArchivesSpace request form.

Conditions Governing Use

The nature of the Johnston County Heritage Center’s various collections means that copyright and other information about restrictions on the use of materials may be difficult or even impossible to determine. The Heritage Center claims only physical ownership of most materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility in the use of materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal, state, county or municipal right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Johnston County and the Johnston County Heritage Center assumes no responsibility.

Researchers are advised that the Heritage Center maintains physical stewardship of these collections under varying terms and agreements. To more fully understand use restrictions for particular collections please consult with the Archivist or Director.

Biographical / Historical

William R. Keen (1882-1931) was a merchant in Four Oaks from around 1910 until his death. He was also mayor of the town for a number of years in the early 20th century. He was an active member of the Four Oaks Methodist Church and the Four Oaks Masonic Lodge. A native of Ingrams Township, he was the son of John W. and Lou Tiner Keen and was married to Helen Pierce.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 legal halfbox.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The first group of records including liens, mortgages, and notes are arranged chronologically. Following those materials are Accounts Receivable that are arranged chronologically as well.

Other Finding Aids

The original finding aid can be found on the main webpage for the Johnston County Heritage Center. From the main page navigate to "Image Archives" then "View the Online Collections" then navigate to the finding aid for the William R. Keen Papers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The William R. Keen Papers is one of the original collections that were accumulated in the Johnston County Room of the Public Library of Smithfield and Johnston County. The library has put these collections on permanent loan and physically transferred the materials to the Heritage Center upon its creation. These papers were turned over to Congressman Edward W. Pou, an attorney in Smithfield, when William R. Keen's estate was being settled in the early 1930s.

Processing Information

Preliminary Resource record created by Bennett Chapman, November 2019. Finding Aid reviewed and updated by Bennett Chapman, July 2020.

Title
Finding Aid to the William R. Keen Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Bennett Chapman
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Johnston County Heritage Center Repository

Contact:
241 E Market St, Smithfield, NC 27577
Smithfiled North Carolina 27577 United States
(919) 934-2836