Marian Justus Collection

Collection

Identifier: A-0288

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains photographs of the Justus family and its ancestors. These photographs range from an early 1870s tin type to color photographs of the late 1960s and early 1970s. These photographs include mostly posed portraits, but also have some candid photos. Most of the subjects are couples or families, but there are some school and other individual photographs.

Dates

Event: Donated 7/8/2013
Event: Addendum donated 09/25/2013

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Marian Justus collection consists of several photographs Ms. Justus collected from family members and friends throughout her years of living in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas. Most are of family related to her grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Clarence Elliott and Carolyn Pearl (Gray) Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott settled in Shelbyville after being married in the early 1910’s. Mr. Elliott was born in Panola county and grew up near Deberry, Texas. Mrs. Elliott was known in the area as “Miss Pearl” to friends and “Big Mama” (in a matriarchal sense) to her family.

The person pictured in the tintype is believed to be Mildred Ann (Bozeman) Gray, though the last name on the back of the photo is spelled incorrectly. Mildred, born in 1840, married Alexander Hamilton Gray in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. It is not known exactly when the Gray family moved to the east Texas area, but they arrived between 1880 and 1900 from Webster Parish, Louisiana. Mildred was the grandmother of “Miss Pearl” Elliott. Several of the descendants and other relatives of Alexander and Mildred are buried in Carroll cemetery near Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott and some of their relatives and descendants are buried in Shelbyville cemetery.

Ms. Justus’ mother, Ella Ronda (Elliott) Pullen married John Calhoun Pullen in 1932. Some of the photographs included are of the Pullen family. Mr. Pullen spent his early years in the east Texas area in the Neuville community and later he lived in Shelbyville.