Alice T. Littlefield
Wife of George W. Littlefield
Alice Tillar Littlefield was the wife of Texas businessman and philanthropist George W. Littlefield. The Littlefield Dormitory at the University of Texas is named in her honor.
Alice Payne Tillar was born in Virginia on April 10, 1846, to parents William Tillar and Mildred Lundy. Her father moved the family to Memphis, Tennessee, where he died in 1855 when Alice was nine. After that, Alice and her mother came to Texas, where Alice studied art at Gonzales College. She presumably met her future husband George Littlefield in the town of Gonzales, as he lived on a plantation in the area. In 1863, the two were married on January 14th in Houston. Alice was 16 years old and George was 20. He had just been promoted to the rank of major in the Confederate Army, after suffering a severe wound less than a month earlier.
George was discharged a year later for his wounds, and the couple returned to manage his family plantation in Gonzales County. Their marriage produced two children, both of whom died in infancy. George and Alice were
Major George Washington Littlefield, likely around the time of his marriage. He wore crutches for four years after being wounded.
Alice Littlefield
consequently very close to their extended family, and paid for the college educations of all their 12 nephews and 17 nieces. They also established each nephew in business and gave each niece a home. In the words of one of Alice's nieces, "Everyone in the family worshipped Aunt Alice. I couldn't have loved her more if she'd been my own mother."
In 1883 the couple moved to Austin, where George prospered as a banker and business owner. In 1893, he commissioned an ornate Victorian dwelling that came to be known as the Littlefield House. To complete the house's unique look, George imported a Deodar Cedar from the Himalayas and had it planted on the grounds. Alice took pride in maintaining the property.
Alice Littlefield Dormitory. It is the oldest residence hall on the UT campus.
A pastel drawing of Alice Littlefield done by her niece. It hangs in the lobby of the Littlefield Residence Hall.
The Littlefield burial plot. George Littlefield is buried on the right; Alice on the left. His gravestone reads, "A great man has fallen". Hers says, "Beloved wife of George W. Littlefield".
The Littlefield House. Alice donated it to the University after her death.
As her husband became a prominent figure in Austin affairs, Alice kept busy by making her own contributions. She organized a local children's home, and joined the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1901. She is most well-known, however, for the University of Texas residence hall that bears her name. While in Austin, George donated $300,000 to the University of Texas for the creation of a dormitory specifically for freshman women. The dorm was named in honor of Alice, and she was the guest of honor at its dedication in 1927.
When Major George W. Littlefield died in 1920, he and Alice had been married for 58 years. The Littlefields had contributed heavily to the University of Texas, and in 1933, Alice Littlefield was the guest of honor at the dedication of the Littlefield Memorial Fountain and nine other University buildings. She died on January 9, 1935 at age 88, and is buried in Austin's Oakwood Cemetery beside her husband. Her gravestone reads, "Beloved wife of George W. Littlefield".