Papers of J. Samuel Barcus (1865–1948), President of Southwestern University from 1924 to 1928, and other members of his family. Barcus was a Methodist minister as well as a teacher at Southwestern University. J. Samuel Barcus created most of the papers, including memoirs, correspondence, sermon notes, daily journals, and brief histories of Texas Methodist churches. Other materials, mostly created by his family members, include family photographs, Southwestern University memorabilia and publications, and scrapbooks.

Memoirs: 1865–1940 The memoirs series is J.S. Barcus’ 188 page handwritten autobiography of his life from his birth in 1865 until about 1940, supplemented with a separate 35 page file on his preaching appointments in Denton and McKinney, Texas. Events of interest include his presidency at Southwestern University (SU) from 1924–1928, his active promotion to keep SU located in Georgetown during his presidency, his description of SU and Georgetown life during his position as theology professor, and his various placements as a minister.

Correspondence: 1885–1944 Throughout his life, J.S. Barcus corresponded with many people and stayed in close contact with his family. Most of the correspondence in this collection are between him and members of his family. The earliest letters are from his older brother J.M. Barcus, dating from 1885. Letters written by Barcus to his family are through 1944, while letters from his family end in 1941 with a happy 75th birthday greeting from his daughter Annie. The other correspondence is from past or present members of his congregation and old collegiate friends who had also become Methodist ministers. These letters range from 1895–1921. The most notable non-family letters were written in 1913. These are written by fellow pastors in positive response to J.S. Barcus’ article “The Appointing Power of the Episcopacy.”

Sermon Notes, Church Histories, and Other Papers: n.d., 1893, 1932––1937 This series includes a collection of sermon notes that Rev. Barcus kept in a file folder. The series is organized by Biblical book. For example, the first comes from Genesis and the last one comes from Revelations. The collection is further broken down into “New” and “Old” Testament folders. Almost all of the notes were handwritten by Barcus. There are a few that are typed, either his own personal notes or in some cases newspaper clippings which featured his Sunday sermons. Also found here are notes regarding the histories of area churches and other miscellaneous papers and documents concerning his family and the church.

Daily Journals: 1935, 1938, 1940, and 1947 The 1935 journal records J. S. Barcus’ daily events. The 1938 journal is primarily a collection of other people’s inspirational poetry interspersed with anecdotes and sermon notes J.S. Barcus wrote in every Sunday entry. The 1940 journal comments on the Second World War in Europe and America’s involvement , and describes J. S. Barcus’ church work and parishioners. The 1947 journal was kept by J. S. Barcus’ wife, Minnie, as noted at the end of the journal, because J. S. Barcus was unable to write. This journal records the visitors at the Barcus’ household that year in addition to daily weather notes.

Photographs, Post Cards: n.d.; c.1915–1957 Subjects are primarily relatives of the Barcus family. Items of interest include: a c. 1915 copy of a photograph of J. S. Barcus and his immediate family, a 1947 photograph of son Jim Barcus’ Sunday School class, and photographs of J. Sam Barcus’s daughter, Annie Edward, as an infant.

Southwestern University Memorabilia: n.d.; 1908–1958 This series is a collection of SU memorabilia primarily from J. S. Barcus’s tenure as president of SU from 1924 to 1928. Sub-series include items retained by his wife, Minnie Williams Barcus, and his daughter, Annie Edward Barcus Minga. Items of interest include the “Book of Southwestern: 1873–1923, Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of SU;” “Bulletin of Southwestern University,” Series 24, 25, and 27; “A Dedication to Action,” a brochure publicizing the fundraising effort to build the Laura Kuykendall residential building; and a 1922 program for the “SU May Fete.”

Scrapbooks: n.d.;1913–1964 Scrapbooks total eleven in all, kept by various people. The majority of them were kept by J.S. Barcus’ son J.S. (Jim) Barcus Jr. and contain clippings from the Georgetown and SU papers. They are principally composed of articles about the Barcus family, SU news, marriage announcements, obituaries, and Texas Methodist news of preachers and parishes. Local news articles include information about Archer City, Clarksville, Georgetown, McKinney, and Sulfur Springs. One scrapbook was kept by Ruth Horner, a 1914 graduate of SU, during her senior year and contains SU and graduation memorabilia.