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Archival Descriptions
Texas A&M University, Libraries, Cushing Memorial Library & Archives English
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H.M.S. Alfred Crew Station Book

  • US TxAM-C C000020
  • Collection
  • circa 1800

This collection contains the crew station book of the H.M.S. Alfred (3rd rate 74, built 1778). Unpaginated [276].

The H.M.S. Alfred was in the harbor for service from 1799 until she was broken up in 1814. This notebook was used for training crews for the Napoleonic wars, and it gives very detailed accounts of the jobs from getting up the anchor, to furling sails.

Alexander Thomson Letter

  • US TxAM-C 37
  • Collection
  • 1832-08-05

The Alexander Thomson letter is dated August 5, 1832, from Texas, Austin's Colony. Addressed to "Mr. Wm. D. Thomson, Giles County, Tennessee, Cornerville P.O.," with the salutation "My dear son," and signed "your Aff. Father, Alexs. Thomson."

The text of the letter recounts recent events in Austin's colony which, in retrospect, have a direct bearing on the brewing struggle for independence of the colony from Mexico. Most noteworthy is the account of the early revolt of Anglo-Texas colonists against the Mexican government's steady encroachment on the freedom of colonists to conduct free trade or encourage further immigration into Texas from the United States.

In the letter, Thomson details the build-up of hostilities between Colonel Juan Davis Bradburn, born in Virginia, but in service to Mexico, who was made commander of Fort Anahuac.

Noteworthy also in the letter are the expressions of loyalty and admiration shown toward General Antonio López de Santa Anna by the colonists, who saw him as championing their rights in the condemnation of Bradburn, who was known to be a supporter of the hated General Anastacio Bustamante. Bustamante, who had been the dictator of Mexico since January 1830, was now involved with Santa Anna and his allies in a fierce civil war. (see general note)

As the Thomson letter records vividly, the Texas colonists threw their support to Santa Anna, believing him to favor their freedom to enforce their own laws and maintain their own system of trade and civil courts. The letter records Stephen Austin's whole-hearted support of Santa Anna and Thomson's encomium on Santa Anna as "a true republican ... determined not to lay down his arms until republicanism prevails," rings ironically optimistic in the face of events only a few years later, culminating in the bitter defeat of the colonists by Santa Anna at the Alamo, and the equally bitter final defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto, assuring Texas's independence from Mexico.

Accompanying the letter are three other items.
A sepia-toned picture apparently reproduced from an oil painting. The picture is pasted inside a dark brown oval paper matting on a piece of cardboard measuring about 20 cm by 15 cm. The image measures about 13 cm by 7 cm. Though the original painting is as yet unidentified, "Alexander Thomson" is written on the back of the cardboard in pencil.

A sheet of letterhead stationery for the "St. Louis Southwestern Railway Lines, St. Louis 2, Mo.," with the logo for the "Cotton Belt Route," and below that "F. W. Green, President." On this much-folded piece of letterhead is an undated and unsigned biography of Alexander Thomson handwritten in pencil.

A photocopy (circa 1980) of a booklet originally prepared by Ralston P. Haun in Coleman, Tex. around 1936, which includes a transcription of the August 5, 1832 letter, as well as other family letters and papers. According to the copy of an explanatory note appended to the booklet, dated May 1, 1980, and signed Jim Glass of Houston, Tex., one of the three copies made by Haun was given to Ana Gardner Thomson and passed down to her granddaughter Ana Haun Frómen, thence apparently to Gardner Osborn. The booklet includes transcriptions of five other family letters and two memoirs. Though speculated upon in the Glass note, the current disposition of the other letters and papers is still unverified.

Thomson, Alexander, 1785-1863

US Passport of John Livezey and Wife

  • US TxAM-C 296
  • Collection
  • 1846

The US Passport of John Livezey and wife, signed by Secretary of State James Buchanan.

Livezey, John

Engravings, Maps, and Plans

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Engravings: "San Antonio de Bexar." Annotated by hand in ink: "Drawn by E. E. from a Sketch by Lt. Mcdowell," and in right margin in pencil: "Reserve," 1846

"Ruins of the Church of the Alamo. San Antonio de Bexar." Annotated by hand in ink with date, and in right margin in pencil: "Reserve," [ ca.1846].

"Interior View of the Church of the Alamo." Annotated by hand in ink with date, and in right margin in pencil: "Reserve," 1847.

"Mission Concepcion, Near San Antonio de Bexar." Annotated by hand in ink: "Built 1754," and same in pencil, with "Reserve" in right margin also in pencil, 1847

"Mission of San Jose Near San Antonio de Bexar". Annotated by hand in ink with date, and with "Reserve" in right margin in pencil, 1846

"Watch Tower Near Monclova." One of two versions of the hand-colored engravings. Shows blue sky and mostly gray stone. [1846]

"Watch Tower Near Monclova." One of two versions of the hand-colored engravings. Shows sky in lavender, gray, pale pink, and yellow, with much more sepia, tan, green, and touches of white in the building stones and vegetation. Annotated by hand in ink with: "drawn by E. E. from a Sketch," and with "Reserve" in right margin in pencil, [1846]

"Church Near Monclova." One of two versions of one illustration in the hand-colored engravings. Shows bright blue sky with white clouds and pale yellow at the horizon, green vegetation, and pale tan ground. Annotated by hand in pencil with "Quincy" in the lower right corner, [1846]

"Church Near Monclova." One of two versions of one illustration in the hand-colored engravings. Shows bright blue sky with white clouds and pale yellow at the horizon, green vegetation, and pale tan ground. Annotated by hand in ink: "drawn by E. E. from a Sketch," and in pencil with "Reserve" in the right margin, [1846]

1/4
Map: Untitled. Hand-drawn manuscript map showing area extending from San Antonio de Bexar, Tex. to Caldwell, Texas area. A draft version of "Plan of the Vicinity of Austin and San Antonio, Texas," ca. 1848.

Map: Hand-drawn manuscript map. "Plan of the Vicinity of Austin and San Antonio, Texas," [ca. 1848].

Map: Printed proof for publication. "Map Showing the Route of the Arkansas Regiment from Shreveport, La. to San Antonio de Bexar, Texas," [ ca. 1848].

1/5
Plans: 2 copies, one a hand-drawn draft in ink with pencil, the other probably printer's proof for publication. "Plan of the Ruins of the Alamo near San Antonio De Bexar." Drawn by Edward Everett, 1848.

Plan: Hand-drawn manuscript plan in ink. "Plan of San Antonio de Bexar, Texas. Drawn from recollection by E. E.," undated.

1/6
Report: Printer's Proof titled Report of The Secretary of War, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, a map showing the operations of the army of the United States in Texas and the adjacent Mexican states on the Rio Grande; accompanied by astronomical observations, and descriptive and military memoirs of the country, 1 March 1849. Published as Senate Executive Document No. 32, 31st Congress, 1st Session, in 1850. 1 March 1849.

Handwritten "Index to Col. Hughes Report" is kept with this pre-publication copy of the report. The added title page for the printed report reads "Memoir Descriptive of the March of A Division of the United States Army, Under the Command of Brigadier General John E. Wool, from San Antonio de Bexar, in Texas, to Saltillo, in Mexico," By George W. Hughes, Captain Corps Topographical Engineer, Chief of the Topographical Staff. 1846.

Engravings, Maps, and Plans

This series contains nine lithographed engravings for illustrations of a U.S. Secretary of the Treasury report on Army operations in Texas and Mexico. All the illustrations are drawn by Edward Everett, and engraved by C. B Graham Lithographers of Washington, D.C. All nine engraving in the papers have been hand-tinted with watercolors, with two versions each of two of the illustrations, probably representing different times of day. The engravings are almost all annotated by hand in ink or pencil, or both, and are listed in order as they appear in the published report of 1850. Also included are three maps of the South Texas and San Antonio area as well as portions of Mexico, and three leaves of plans, two for the same illustration drawn by Everett for the report showing the Alamo mission buildings in 1846 before renovation, and one of the San Antonio de Bexar area drawn by Everett some time later from memory.

Anonymous Journal of the Clipper Ship Stag Hound

  • US TxAM-C 1598
  • Collection
  • 1851

This journal was written by an unknown person on board the clipper ship, Stag Hound with entries dating from January 31 - May 21, 1851, during which the Stag Hound traveled from New York to San Francisco under the command of Captain Josiah Richardson.

Five days out from New York she lost several of her masts, and the crew spent the next several days making repairs. On March 1 they picked up the captain and crew, nine in number, of the Russian brig Sylphide bound from Rio de Janeiro to Helsingfors, Finland. The rescued men landed at Valparaiso when the Stag Hound stopped there for four days to obtain fresh provisions, especially water. While in Valparaiso, many of the crew deserted and had to be replaced.

According to The S. F. Daily Alta Californian from May 26, 1851, the following seven individuals were passengers on board the ship upon its arrival in the harbor: A. F. Macy, Harriet Macy, J. P. Otis, H. R. Helper, J. E. Manning, W. Helman, and W. Mason.

The passenger's experience of frustration usually associated with entering San Francisco on a sailing vessel is apparent in the last few entries. In view of the fact the journalist mentions the name of four of the passengers, A. F. Macy, Harriet Macy, J. P. Ottis, and H. R. Helper, the journalist must be one of the other three, J. E. Manning, W. Helman, or W. Mason. From some of the entries while in Valparaiso, it seems conclusive that the author was from Boston.

The author devoted a considerable amount of space to weather and on each day recorded the latitude and longitude, possibly copied from the ship's logbook kept by the first mate. They gave very little attention to the actual life of the passengers. There are brief references to reading, worship services on Sunday, and a couple of jokes and games. There are also a few references to difficulties in eating during bad weather, but not a thing was written about what they ate. It is mentioned that their cabin got wet a few times, however, there is no mention of what the accommodations were like. Nor was anything written of the fact that there was one female among six male passengers.

William C. Macready Letter

  • US TxAM-C 658
  • Collection
  • 1854

This collection contains one handwritten letter from Macready to "sir" dated 1854 (1-page, ALS with a typed transcription), and another letter to "William Simpson" (1 folio with a typed transcription).

Ackerman and McMiller General Store Account Books

  • US TxAM-C 1031
  • Collection
  • 1854-1856

This collection consists of two large leather account books from the old store owned and operated by David Verplank Ackerman and James McMiller that was at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas. The account book labeled "ledger" [box 1] dates from 1855 to 1865 and lists the accounts of individuals while the other one labeled "journal" [box 2] records the chronological expenses beginning in April 1854 and ending in January 1861.

P. Scott Regressions

2/01: Regression charts 1852, 1856

2/02: Regression charts 1852, 1857

2/03: Regression charts 1856, 1857

2/04: Regression charts 1852, 1858

2/05: Regression charts 1856, 1858

2/06: Regression charts 1857, 1858

2/07: Regression charts 1852, 1859

2/08: Regression charts 1856, 1859

2/09: Regression charts 1857, 1859

2/10: Regression charts 1858, 1859

2/11: Regression charts 1852, 1859 Congressional

2/12: Regression charts 1856, 1859 Congressional

2/13: Regression charts 1857, 1859 Congressional

2/14: Regression charts 1858, 1859 Congressional

2/15: Regression charts 1859 Congressional and Gubernatorial

2/16: Regression charts 1852, 1860

2/17: Regression charts 1856, 1860

2/18: Regression charts 1857, 1960

2/19: Regression charts 1858, 1860

2/20: Regression charts 1859, 1860 Gubernatorial

2/21: Regression charts 1859, 1860 Congressional

2/22: Regression charts 1852, 1861

2/23: Regression charts 1856, 1861

2/24: Regression charts 1857, 1861

2/25: Regression charts 1858, 1861

2/26: Regression charts 1859, 1861 Gubernatorial

2/27: Regression charts 1859, 1861 Congressional

2/28: Regression charts 1860, 1861

Republic of Texas Stock Certificates and Confederate States of America Notes

  • US TxAM-C 261
  • Collection
  • 1838-1862

This collection contains one Treasury Warrant (February 13, 1861), one $100 share in the Consolidated Fund of Texas (September 1, 1837), one $10 treasury note (December 10, 1838), one $100 stock certificate in the 10 percent Consolidated Fund (June 15, 1840), and one $2 Confederate note and a $3 Confederate note (both dated July 7, 1862).

Sellers Civil War Letters

Camp Waitman, Arkansas.

Camp Weightman, Arkansas. January 15, 1862

Camp Organization, Arkansas. March 1, 1862

Camp Nall(?), Arkansas. March 31, 1862

Corinth, Mississippi. May 12, 1862

Camp near Saltillo, Mississippi. August 20, 1862

Baldwin, Mississippi. September 7, 1862

Washington, Arkansas. September 13, (1862)

Camilla, Georgia. October 20, 1862

Aunt Honeybunch to Jo Fred. TLS, 1 leaf, photocopy. April 20, 1953

D. Hobart Taylor Diary

  • US TxAM-C 390
  • Collection
  • 1862

This collection contains the original handwritten diary of D. Hobart Taylor from January 1 to May 30, 1862. Taylor was a northern soldier during the Civil War. Also included in a transcription of the diary.

Benjamin M. Linsley Letters

  • US TxAM-C 156
  • Collection
  • 1862-1863

These six letters, dated December 12, 1862 - August 6, 1863, are from Benjamin M. Linsley to his friend Mrs. Lucy G. Palmer in Suffield, Conn. Each letter is written in ink on both sides of a single folded sheet, except for the first one, which is on two folded sheets, sewn together in the center with cloth thread at some point after they were composed. All are addressed by Linsley from the camp near Falmouth, Va., where his regiment, the 14th Infantry of the Army of the Potomac was based, except the last one, which is addressed from McKinnis Hospital in Baltimore, Md., where Linsley was sent to recover from typhoid fever.

In the letters, Linsley comments on the failure of the Union army to obtain substantial victories ever since the Union defeat at Fredericksburg; inflated prices for postage stamps and sutler's goods; the despair he feels at the poor treatment in general of the sick in military hospitals, not only by medical personnel but by fellow soldiers; strategies for obtaining better food and bedding for his brother while nursing him through a severe fever, probably typhoid; the need for statesmen of moral standing more like George Washington than the much clamoured for "little man" George MacClellan; the trials of long marches in either rain and mud to cross the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, only to retreat back over them after the battle of Chancellorsville, or the intense heat of marches toward Warrenton Junction, Va., from which Linsley was transported with the sick and wounded to recover from typhoid himself in McKinnis Hospital at Baltimore; the desperation of deserters being taken to their punishment; the immoral behaviour of men in camp; the need for more good chaplains like Clay Trumbull of Hartford, Conn., who served with his brother's regiment of Volunteers; and perhaps, more poignantly, the eerie sound of drums during funerals for the many soldiers who died in camp from sickness in their poor living conditions.

The letters are now each encased in a clear plastic sleeve. A one-page report from the National Archives and Records Administration is included with the first letter. This NARA report (2 July 2001) replies to a request made by Professor Dale Baum of Texas A & M University in April 2001 to locate and make a copy of Benjamin M. Linsley's pension documents packet, stating NARA staff could not locate the materials. Baum had listed Linsley as an enlistee of the U.S. Army in Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th U.S. Infantry.

Linsley, Benjamin M.

Letters

This series contains three group of letters, with the first group containing sixteen letters written in the period June 12, 1846 - May 16, 1847, by Edward Everett in San Antonio de Bexar during his service in the Mexican War, to his brother, Samuel W. Everett in Quincy, Ill. A few letters, also from this period, sent to Everett by Captain J. H. Ralston, Colonel R. Jones, Captain James D. Morgan, and Colonel William Weatherford pertain to Everett's disability and eventual discharge from the Army.

The second group has three letters from the period after the Mexican War. The first letter, no more than a note, dated 1852, is from W. H. Bissell concerning a piece of legislation. The other two letters are from 1863, and both discuss the Civil War. One is addressed from Fort Jackson, probably in Louisiana, dated 13 April 1863, opening with "My Dear Father," and closing with "your son Taylar Clark." This writer mentions the Civil War in general terms, and the spelling and grammar are both very poor. The other letter, with much more educated spelling and grammatical style, is addressed "Camp near Warrenton, Va.," dated 6 Sept. 1863, opens with "Dear Parents," and closes "From your affect. son, Henry." This letter discusses army camp life in some detail, including the responsibilities of training U.S. Army Conscripts, various incidents occurring during patrol duty, and an attack that had just been mounted by "Mosebys Gang " at New Baltimore.

Letters

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Letters from Edward Everett to Samuel W. Everett. June 21, 1846 - May 16, 1847

Letter to Edward Everett from Capt. James O. Morgan. Copy of formal notice of having been wounded. September 11, 1846

Letter to Edward Everett from Captain James Harvey Ralston. Certificate of disability. July 10, 1847

Letter to Col. R. Jones from Edward Everett. Application for pension due to a disability. September 18, 1847

Letter, "To All Whom it may concern" from Col. William Weatherford. Honorable discharge. June 18, 1846
Handwritten copy in ink of official record. January 26, 1849

Letter, "To Whom It May Concern" from Captain James D. Morgan. Granting on one year's furlough due to injury. May 26, 1847
Handwritten copy in ink of official record. January 26, 1849

Letter to Edward Everett from W. H. Bissell. Short note on "his bill passing the House". January 9, 1852

Letter to "Dear Father" from Taylar Clark. April 13, 1863

Letter to "Dear Parents" from Henry. September 6, 1863

J. F. Rowley Diary

  • US TxAM-C 389
  • Collection
  • 1863-1865

The collection contains the original handwritten diary of southern rebel J. F. Rowley from 1863 to 1865 in a protective engraved box and a transcription of the diary.

Ingram Civil War Letters

1/1: Transcript of letters. Effort was made to preserve the flavor of the originals, as some letters have been grammatically corrected the original spelling has been retained throughout even where it was inconsistent.

1/2: Copies of letter transcripts, along with rough drafts of the transcripts.

1/3: Original Ingram letters, and a diary from the Civil War.

James Samuel Hart Civil War Letters

  • US TxAM-C 1587
  • Collection
  • 1865

This collection contains two letters with transcriptions from James Samuel Hart to Julia Nancy Foster in 1865 along with a brief biography of the two and photocopies of photographs.

Transcriptions of the letters were created and provided by Elaine Matheney Gibson.

George W. Ingram Letters

  • US TxAM-C 1218
  • Collection
  • 1861-1865

This collection contains original letters exchanged between George W. Ingram and his wife, Martha F. Ingram, while George was serving as an officer in the 12th Texas Cavalry during the Civil War. Typed transcripts of the letters are included.

John W. Anderson Diary

  • US TxAM-C 16
  • Collection
  • 1861-1866

This collection contains the original diary handwritten as a fair copy by John W. Anderson in 1867, in a notebook made by A. Drury, measuring approximately 24 x 19 cm. The notebook is bound in cardboard, covered in paper, with quarter leather corners and backstrap. Pages are machine ruled in blue, almost all filled with entries handwritten in ink. An albumen photographic print of Richmond before the Civil War is included as a full-page size frontispiece.

An extremely ornate calligraphic title page drawn by Anderson dedicates the diary "To His Beloved Sister, Minnie (Mrs. M. L. Hopkins) ... By John W. Anderson, M.D. 1867." The entries, dated 1861-1866, were copied over in 1867 after the end of the Civil War (1861-1865), from various other journals Anderson kept during the war, as a commemorative record of historical events, including his personal experiences and observations. Sections are enhanced with decorative initial letters and given titles such as "First Year of the War. 1861," with the last section, dated 1866, entitled "Reconstruction."

In the manner of a scrapbook, the journal is profusely illustrated with: pasted in photographs of military and political figures, as well as Anderson family members; pasted in Confederate money and stamps; pen and ink, mostly humorous sketches by John W. Anderson, some hand-colored; hand drawn and colored rebuses, with pasted on, or pen and ink drawn sections; as well as two hand-drawn maps, one showing the First Battle of Bull Run, annotated in red ink with the location of Alabama companies, and of the deathsites for those soldiers well known to Anderson, the other a map in a circular format, showing, at the center, Richmond, Virginia, with roads, railroads and fortifications radiating from or surrounding it. The photographs of family members are particularly interesting as they are included to accompany sketches of the "dramatis personae" of Anderson's narrative.

The original diary pages were numbered 2-300 in pencil on the upper outer corners of each page by Mrs. Robert W. Barnett, whose husband's great-great-grandfather, John W. Anderson had written the diary in 1967, as a fair copy compilation of journals he kept throughout the war and its immediate aftermath.

The original diary is very fragile and housed in a phase box under Restricted access. Permission must be requested from the Cushing Memorial Library Director and an appointment made to view the original diary.

Anderson's reporting skill is evident in the pithy, often vivid diary entries, evidently written by a quite well-educated and informed individual. As a member of the more privileged Southern classes, he is adamantly opposed to what he views as Northern tyranny and does not criticize the institution of slavery. While under siege in Richmond, Va., Anderson and his family, and particularly his fellow soldiers, face hardship in obtaining adequate shelter and food. Although often lighthearted, the entries betray an increasing awareness of the grimness of a drawn-out war and siege on Richmond.

Comments on battles include disparagement of Beauregard's failure to pursue the Federal forces at the battle of Shiloh, as well as mixed evaluations of General John Bell Hood and his Texas Brigade. On a more personal note, during one of Anderson's trips outside of Richmond on business to Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, or Maryland, Anderson's beloved daughter dies. In contrast, there is a charming account of his little boy's birthday party, complete with a pen and ink sketch of the child tearing into a rare treat of a meat pie. The death of a friend, wounded and without the comfort of family, is told without the usual light touch, but full of sympathy.

Events described expressing public opinion on the part of the Southern citizens under besiegement in Richmond include a "bread riot," illustrated with a sketch of women stealing bacon, with one shooting a policeman. Currency values are often mentioned. The flogging of Missouri Representative George Graham Vest by Mrs. Dowell in the House of Representatives is recorded, as is the 1865 New Year's feast prepared by Richmond citizens for the soldiers. After the war, the decision to institute cleaning of the Confederate graves and place flowers on them every 31 May foreshadows the official designation of Memorial Day to commemorate all U. S. soldiers killed in battle.

Also included with the original diary as Item 2. is a black and white photographic copy of the diary pages made by the repository in 1988. This photographic copy includes a few colored enlargements of illustrations in the diary.

Each 8 by 10-inch photograph of a page in the original diary is numbered on the back in pencil. The photographs are inserted in photograph sleeves, two photographs inserted back to back in each sleeve, and bound in three three-ring clamshell box albums holding approximately 50 photograph sleeves each. The black and white photographs of the diary pages are thus divided between the three clamshell box albums, with the colored photographs of selected illustrations added as a group in the back of the third clamshell album box (Item 2. Box 4/album 3). All photograph sleeves clearly bear in print marking pen the Collection ID number and the appropriate page number from the back of the print on the margin of the sleeve.

Negatives for the photographic copy of the diary are included in Box 5, folder 1. As with the photographic prints of the pages, the negatives are also inserted in sleeves and labeled with the Collection ID number and page numbers. The pages were obviously photographed in groups of all "Even" and "Odd," corresponding to recto and verso pages; therefore, the sleeves are labeled with the page numbers and either "Even" or "Odd." It is preferred that this copy of the diary be used as a surrogate copy.

Item 3. of the Diary is a photocopy made on archival quality paper in 2002 of the photographic prints of the original diary. This copy is also suitable for a surrogate copy.

Anderson, John W.

Original Diary Copy

Diary has some interleaving with tissue since pasted in the illustrative matter has begun to stain pages opposite them.

Klan Collection: American and Commercial Advertiser

Issues of the American and Commercial Newspaper (Baltimore, MD):

1-3/1: Issues between March 28, 1868 - June 11, 1868

1-3/2: Issues between July 10, 1868 - October 10, 1868

1-3/3: Issues between November 3, 1868 - March 17, 1869

1-3/4: Issues between May 10, 1869 - August 13, 1870

Deeds of Conveyance - Lot No. 8, Block No. 28, Corpus Christi, Texas

Item 1 - Deed of Conveyance, handwritten, from James Gallagher to Charles Avery for Lot. No. 8, Block No. 28, Corpus Christi, TX. Dated August 14, 1866. (2 pages, sleeved separately, writing on front and back)

Item 2 - Deed of Conveyance, handwritten, from Charles Avery to Clara St. Clair for Lot. No. 8, Block No. 28, Corpus Christi, TX. Dated August 18, 1866.

Item 3 - Deed of Conveyance, handwritten, from the Estate of Charles Avery Executors to Clara St. Clair, dated December 27, 1869 (2 pages connected along the top of both pages, writing on front and back)

Item 4 - Deed of Conveyance, handwritten, from J. Temple Droswell to Clara St. Clair for Lot No. 8, Block No. 28. Dated May 1, 1872

Slavery and Emancipation Documents

  • US TxAM-C C000006
  • Collection
  • 1737-1875

This collection contains 58 items are related to slavery or emancipation in the states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Texas and the countries of Cuba, the Caribbean, Jamaica, and Paris, France.

The descriptive write-up provided by Respess and William Reese, Company is used in the listing of documents. Each document purchased has a title, date, and some have an abbreviated transcription of the text.

The Texas document recounts the hiring, auctions, renting, and transferring ownership of slaves. The Missouri documents concern the purchase and transferring of ownership of slaves named Nancy, George, Phebe, Washington, Lucinda, Madison, Benjamin, and Sarah. No last names or additional information is provided except that Nancy is a Mulatto Woman and George is "of the age of seventeen or thereabouts." Of particular note are two documents, a Texas free woman of color filing a complaint regarding an illegal beating by a group of five men one and the other document is from Missouri and details a sale of slaves by a woman, a rarer document than those recording sales by men.

Texas Slavery and Emancipation Documents

S1-1/1
The sale of five slaves as recorded in an autograph document transferring ownership of "Sundry Negroes slaves for life (to wit) Jim, July, Harriet, Ann & George with their Increase" to D. A. Perry for $2400, signed by S. W. Perry of Washington County, Republic of Texas, February 28, 1838. Half-sheet 4to. One-page, approximately 50 words; docketed on verso/ Folded; traces of an attached sheet on verso.

S1-1/2
Renting a slave for the interest on debt as recorded in an autograph document transferring temporary ownership of "a negro woman named Lucretia about 18 years old copper complexion or yellow" from Wyatt Hanks for a period of 12 or 20 months, for the interest on $900, to John Campbell and his wife of Dewitt County, Texas, and signed by John Campbell and Hanks, July 24, 1857. Folio. One page, approximately 200 words; docketed on verso. In a signed statement on the verso, a bit less than two years later, Hanks relinquishes claims on the slave for $300. Folded; some edgewear and browning.

S1-1/3
Transferring ownership of "a negro woman named Harriet, about thirty years old," to J. S. Hanna for $1000, in a manuscript document, signed by J. C. Rogers of Milam County, Texas, October 6, 1857. Folio. 1-page docketed on verso. Signed by A. M. Massengale and D. R. Cole as witnesses.

S1-1/4
Accounting for the hiring and rent of land and slaves, a one-page accounting for the estate of F. R. Garnett. Listing includes five slaves, identified by name, and one parcel of land; for each slave entered the "hirer" and the monthly fee paid to the estate for services or use; William Woodson of Harrison County, Texas, was acting as administrator for the estate. February 8, 1858.

S1-1/5
Announcing the auction of slaves in Caldwell, Texas, in an autograph document headed "notice," signed by Ellis Gregg as the administrator of the estate of John Gregg, deceased, September 27, 1858. Half-sheet 4to. One page, approximately 65 words. "I will sell to the highest bidder at the Court House door in the town of Caldwell on the first Tuesday in November next … the Negro woman named Ellen and children named Frances, Jinny, and Austin." Pinholes at corners from an original mounting; another hole in the middle of the document, taking parts of two letters.

S1-1/6
Seeking $10,000 in damages for an illegal beating, a plaintiff's attorney's manuscript complain, signed by L. T. Harris and R. L. Elkins in February (?), 1960 on behalf of Rose Ann, "a free woman of color, and a resident of Jackson County." Folio. 2 pages approximately 325 words. Malcolm Gandy, Andrew Sea, William Wingfield, John White, and Adam McDaniel, all of Jackson County, allegedly "with force of arms & without right … dragged the said pltf. Who is an old and defenseless woman, about 60 years of age, a considerable distance, and then and there with force of arms, …beat, bruised & wounded the said plaintiff with sticks, clubs, and quirts." Rose Ann is later described as "a citizen of Texas at the date of the Declaration of the Independence of Texas," the first such description we've seen for an African-American. Folded (some wear and short separation at folds); some browning and smudging. The complaint was prepared for the March term of the Lavaca County Court but bears no court markings or docketings (the complaint is apparently a copy or was never filed).

S1-1/7
Transferring ownership of "thirty seven negroes," from Jesse Tubbs to William Davis, Robert Calvert, and James S. Hanna for $36,750, in a manuscript document, signed by Davis, 15 October 1860. 4to. 1-page docketed on verso. Signed by T. W. Cunningham as a witness.

S1-1/8
Transferring ownership of "a negro man by the name of Tom," from H.J. Willson, to "Davis, Calvert & Hanna," for $1050 ($25 down payment made here), in a manuscript document, signed by Willson, October 25, 1860, at "Railway Camp." 4to. 1-page docketed on verso. Signed by T. W. Cunningham as a witness.

S1-1/9
Printed slave hire, a partly printed document completed in manuscript and signed by J. D. Billups, John Billups, and G. W. Beauchamp. [Palestine, TX?], January 1, 1861. Handbill, 8 x 6.5 inches. "[blank] By the Twenty-fifth day of December next, we, or either of us, promise to pay to W. W. Quarles, as guardian of M. Quarles, [blank] Dollars, for the hire of a Negro [blank] named [blank] said Negro we are to furnish with three suits of good clothing, one of which to be woolen; two pairs of shoes, one [blank] and one good blanket. And we are to pay the Taxes, and are to employ a Physician, when necessary, and pay the Physician's bill: --and we are to pay five Dollars for every article of clothing we fail to furnish according to the above agreement. Ten per cent for maturity/ January 1st 1861." The blank spaces are here completed appropriately in the manuscript. While autograph slave hires are among the most common slavery-related documents, this is the first printed form for one that we have encountered.

S1-1/10
Promising to pay $25 per month for "three Negro Boys to work," to Geo. R. Tubb, in a manuscript document, signed "Davis, Calvert, & Hanna," Leon County, October 21, 1860, additionally agreeing to "clothe and feed said boys." Half-sheet 4to. 1-page docketed on the verso. Over the hire is written "Cancelled & the Negroes taken home & payment made in full to G.R. Tubb this day February 7th 1861."

S1-1/11
Promising to "furnish [sic] Samuel King a negro man four months at 20 dollars per month", in a manuscript document, signed by James S. Hanna, in "Sterling," [TX?], March 8, 1862. Half-sheet 4to. 1-page. Hanna further notes the $80, "being the balance due him for buck work done in the year 1861."

S1-1/12
Transferring ownership of "a certain negroe girl named Banbry, about seventeen years of age," in a manuscript document, signed by Joseph Mason of Harrison County, Texas, January 2, 1854. Folio. 1-page docketed on the verso. Signed by Pendleton Murrah as a witness. Folded as for filing, but very good. Benjamin Young and Alfred Johnson purchased the slave for $1041. Murrah (1826-1865) was elected governor of Texas in 1863 and served to the end of the war when he fled to Mexico, dying there of tuberculosis in August 1865.

S1-1/13
Posting bond for an accused murderer of "Jack Hunter a negro man, formerly belonging to Mrs. A. M. J. Hunter on the Seventh of April A.D. 1864," in a manuscript document, signed by Joseph W. Slater, as Justice of the Peace, Thomas W. Hull, the accused, and 16 of his supporters, all of Harrison County, Texas, September 18, 1865. Folio. 1-page; docketed on the verso. Folded, but very good.

S1-1/14
Paying a J. S. Hanna a $25 bounty as a "reward for recovery of a Freedman Rance Ross - charged with horse stealing," in an autograph document, signed by M. F. Harman, December 9, 1875, on a "John Orr & Co." billhead, dated Calvert, Texas. 8 vo. 1-page.

S1-1/15
Transferring ownership of "a negro boy named Stephen, said boy … about twenty years of age … and slave for life" from W. W. Watts to J. S. Hanna for $4000, in a manuscript document, signed by Watts and by W. Rowland as a witness in Robinson, Texas. December 7, 1863 (i.e., after the Emancipation Proclamation) Half-sheet 4to. 1-page. Undated

John Henry Bliler Diary

  • US TxAM-C 97
  • Collection
  • 1862-1875

This diary serves as John Henry Bliler's account of the Civil War. It was kept in the Bliler family, in some form since the Civil War, up until it was acquired by the repository.

It looks that Bliler copied over his original diary several times himself, and this last copy occupies all but a few leaves of the five exercise tablets. As noted in the description of Series 1, these first five exercise books could not possibly have contained a copy made any earlier than 1890. The only exception seems to be a portion of the last tablet, which is filled by entries copied over in pencil in 1944 by one of Bliler's descendants, Ardath Bliler Kelly, reportedly since the family copy had become quite damaged by then.

Thus, according to p. 56 of the typewritten transcript of the diary entries in the five exercise books, "[John Henry] Bliler copied his account of the Civil War three times during his lifetime. The last copy was made shortly before his death in 1924." On page number 116 in pencil in the fifth exercise book, an entry from March 31, 1944, made in different handwriting reads "The following copied from by [sic.] originally by Ardath Bliler Kelly, granddaughter of the narrator [sic.]. The original is ragged and yellowed and crumbling." Entries which are thus copied on p. 116-123 of this last exercise book are out of order, dated June 24, [1865] - June 29, 1865, followed by a note in Ardath Bliler Kelly's hand, "A portion of the original omitted in the copy," then the dates January 24 - January 31, 1865.

The typed transcript and index were probably made by Roy K. Bliler later than 1944, and not too long previous to when it was received by the repository. This transcript preserves the original order of John Henry Bliler's diary entries.

Bliler, John Henry, 1844-1924

Gathright Hall Gavel

  • US TxAM-C 1316
  • Collection
  • 1876

This collection contains one wooden gavel with a medal inscription reading "Gathright Hall, 1876."

Warrington Penn Portraits

  • US TxAM-C C000576
  • Collection
  • 1848-1876

These two volumes documents feature the personal and political reminiscences of journalist William S. Robinson and were edited and published by his wife in 1877. In the first edition, the first volume was expanded to two with extra illustrations (142 portraits and 53 autograph letters from prominent Americans of the time). Writing as “Warrington,” the journalist was especially noted for his reform positions and radical anti-slavery voice. The portraits and views represent a wide range of 19th-century American historic events, sites, and public figures.

Penn, Warrington

Texas A&M College Student Correspondence Collection

  • US TxAM-C 1197
  • Collection
  • 1877-1878

This collection contains letters written by two A&M College students and general information about the collection. The first two letters are written by David Gordon Miller to his mother in 1877 (folder 2), and tell of Gordon's desire to be with his family at Christmas including a few words about A&M College and life. The third letter (folder 3) was written by E. G. Mills to his sister A. H. Sears on March 30, 1878, with a small section expressing the tedious life of an A&M student at the time.

James Hart Davis Letters

  • US TxAM-C 693
  • Collection
  • 1879

This collection consists of three letters from James Hart Davis, who was attending Texas A&M College at the time, to his sister Martha Powe Davis (great grandmother of the donors for these letters), his father Judge N[athaniel] H[art] Davis, and to his uncle J. R. Davis.

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