“How Shall I Write to a Married Woman?” A Peek Into the Lives of Doraville’s Dora Akin and Carlos Jones

A peek into the lives of Dora Akin and Carlos Jones of Doraville, Georgia.

By Jennifer Blomqvist, Archivist & Volunteer Coordinator

Dora Akin Jones was born in 1886 in Doraville, Georgia. She went to school in Doraville and attended Prospect Methodist Church. Dora Akin and Carlos Jones married in 1904 and were married for 60 years. Carlos would go on to become the mayor of Doraville.

The Akin-Jones Papers are composed mainly of letters, receipts, and religious literature. Examples of items include mementos from Samuel McElroy, who was Dora’s grandfather and an early nineteenth-century schoolteacher. There is also correspondence and items from Dora’s aunt, Mary Sparks. Religious literature collected by Dora Akin Jones through a span of seventy-two years is also included, as well as personal correspondences between Dora Akin and her husband.

We’ve included a few of the items from the collection here. Contact the archives to see the collection in full.

Carlos Jones and Dora Akin Jones, 1964.

Dora Akin monthly school report Doraville 1899 from Dora Akin Jones collection (box 4, folder 5).

“I am sitting all alone in the same room…” Dora Akin letter to Carlos Jones August 1904 from Dora Akin Jones collection (box 3, folder 4).

“…it just makes my heart leap for joy…” Dora Akin letter to Carlos Jones October 1904, page 3 from Dora Akin Jones collection (box 3, folder 4).

“Devoted Dora” Letter from Carlos Jones to Dora Akin November 1904, page 1, from Dora Akin Jones collection (box 3, folder 5).

“…well dear I will ask you…” Letter from Carlos Jones to Dora Akin November 1904, page 4, from Dora Akin Jones collection (box 3, folder 5).

“How shall I write to a married woman?” To Dora Akin Jones from her friend Belle January 1905, Dora Akin Jones collection (box 3, folder 12).

Article about Dora and Carlos Jones 1964 from Dora Akin Jones collection (box 4, folder 14).