John M. Phelps II Collection, PC.1994

The collection includes:

Various campaign materials, including letters, newsletters, press releases, statements, flyers, brochures, news articles from the Jesse Helms 1972 Senate race; also a smaller quantity of Skipper Bowles for Governor material, 1972; Lawrence Davis in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary election, 1978, and miscellaneous items, including a position booklet, 1980, by Sen. Robert Morgan (D-NC).

Papers of Dr. John M. Phelps primarily from his terms in the NC House of Respresentatives between 1955 and his death in 1961, includes correspondence, seat charts and legislative directories, Tryon Palace restoration, and General Assemby resolution and other records pertaining to Phelps' passing. Also of note are Wake College commencement programs for 1928 and 1930, and a lease to let space to the federal government for a post office in Creswell, Washington County.

Papers of Caredwyn (Carrie) Phelps including her appointment to the NC House after the death of her husband, correspondence from her term as a representative, services on NC boards and commissions, and involvement with the NC Democratic party.

Lastly, there are records arranged as subject files, but often related to the Phelps family work with the Democratic party. This is also reflected in the small number of photographs of Doctor and Carrie Phelps, but there are also photos of John L. Phelps (father of Dr. Phelps), and Teddy Rosevelt at Lexington, NC, in 1916.

Dr. John Mahlon Phelps was born in Plymouth, NC on August 11, 1906 to John L. and Ida Walker Phelps. He graduated from Wake College in 1928, and then received medical training at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, receiving his M.D. degree in 1932. He went on to practice medicine in Creswell, NC, and during World War II served as a captain in the Medical Corps. Phelps was a democrat and served Washington County as a member of the NC House of Representatives in 1955, 1957, 1959, and 1961 sessions of the General Assembly. Dr. Phelps died unexpectedly on March 26, 1961, at his home in Creswell, NC.

In 1934, Dr. Phelps had married Caredwyn "Carrie" Sheets, and four days after the death of her husband, Governor Terry Sanford appointed Carrie Phelps to finish Dr. Phelps' term in the NC House. She was subsequently a member of the NC Medical Care Commission, and was active in NC politics and social organizations . Carrie Phelps was born on August 29, 1906 in Philadelphia to Mr. and Mrs. David Thomas, and she attended the Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She was married to Edgar Sheets for six years until his death in 1930, and with him had two sons, Robert and Donald Phelps. Carrie Phelps died on March 27, 1973.

John M. Phelps II is the son of Donald Phelps, and he was born in 1958 in Harnett County, NC., and studied at Campbel University where he received a law degree. He subsequently was in private law practice, and served as local counsel for County of Harnett public utility enterprises, before joining the NC League of Municipalities in 1995.

1. Political Campaign Materials, 1928-1984

2. Dr. J. M. Phelps Papers, 1928-1961

3. Caredwyn (Carrie) Phelps Papers, 1955-1972

4. Subject Files and Photographs, 1916-1979

Helms, Jesse

Morgan, Robert

Phelps, John Mahlon

Phelps, Caredwyn

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Youth for Helms

Democratic party

North Carolina. General Assembly. House of Representatives

Political campaigns

Gift