This collection is an aggregation of primary source documents associated with the Broun Family of Northumberland County, Virginia, created during the antebellum, Civil War, and postbellum periods of American history, spanning from approximately 1833 to 1883. These documents offer valuable insight into personal experiences and perspectives during one of the most turbulent eras in American history.

The first series of this collection predominantly features transcribed correspondence during the American Civil War. Central figures in this correspondence include Bettie Lee Broun (1846-1927), Edwin Broun (1819-1904), Harriet C. Johnson Broun (1824-1908), and Captain William Broun (1842-1908), along with others. Their diverse experiences and viewpoints, captured in these letters, offer a rich tapestry of life during this period.

The second series encompasses records and correspondence of the Broun family that predate and postdate the Civil War, ranging from approximately 1833 to 1883. The contents of these records provide a broader context of the family's life and social conditions during the nineteenth century. This series has not yet been transcribed, potentially allowing for further scholarship and exploration.

A notable figure in the collection, Captain William Broun (1842-1908), served in the 47th Virginia Infantry Regiment of the Confederate States of America Army. The collection follows his life journey, beginning with his attendance at the University of Virginia in October 1860, through his involvement in the succession crisis and the Civil War, until 1864.