Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

David Burford Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0935

  • Staff Only

The correspondence housed in this collection documents David Burford's military career and participation in politics and the slave trade between 1814 and 1856. Jourdan M. Saunders (Burford's business partner) wrote many of the letters which discuss their activities with James R. Franklin and John Armfield. This collection also contains letters concerning political matters (including two from Samuel Hogg, an early Tennessee Congressman, and one from Felix Grundy, a United States Senator), an 1832 proclamation signed by Tennessee Governor William Carroll calling the General Assembly together, and correspondence from Thomas J. Wharton (Burford's attorney in Jackson, Mississippi) concerning legal and business affairs.

Dates

  • 1814 September 8-1856 April 15

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 flat box)

Abstract

The correspondence housed in this collection documents David Burford's military career and participation in politics and the slave trade between 1814 and 1856. Jourdan M. Saunders (Burford's business partner) wrote many of the letters which discuss their activities with James R. Franklin and John Armfield. This collection also contains letters concerning political matters (including two from Samuel Hogg, an early Tennessee Congressman, and one from Felix Grundy, a United States Senator), an 1832 proclamation signed by Tennessee Governor William Carroll calling the General Assembly together, and correspondence from Thomas J. Wharton (Burford's attorney in Jackson, Mississippi) concerning legal and business affairs.

Biographical/Historical Note

David Burford, the son of Baptist minister Daniel and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Burford, was born on November 5, 1791 in North Carolina. Little is known of his early life, except that he attended only six months of school in his life and that he was apprenticed to a tanner as a young man.

The date of the Burfords' move to Tennessee is a matter of conjecture, but Rev. Daniel Burford was the first register of Smith County, Tennessee. The office of register was established in 1799. In the War of 1812, Burford served in the 7th Regiment of the US regular army as a second lieutenant, and he commanded a post at Carthage, Tennessee. From 1814 to 1815, he was acting quartermaster at Fort Pickering. After the war, he was awarded the rank of major in the state militia.

On September 16, 1825, Burford married Elizabeth W. Alexander (1808-1894), daughter of Richard and Nancy Alexander. The Burfords had at least eight children: Robert Allen, Bettie Hawkins, Jonathan, Daniel L., Mary Ann, Frances M., Clarissa, and Alice. Burford worked as a journeyman tanner and established his own tanyard in Carthage. He became associated with Robert Allen in the mercantile business and with Robert S. Chester in the tobacco trade. He eventually turned to farming and raising stock and moved to Dixon Springs, in Smith County, Tennessee, where he was to spend the rest of his life.

After establishing himself as a farmer, Burford became involved in politics and in the business of enslaving people for financial gain. As a speculator in the business of enslavement, he developed a lengthy relationship with Jourdan M. Saunders of J. M. Saunders and Co. (Warrenton, Virginia), agents for the infamous slave trading enterprise Franklin and Armfield of Alexandria, Virginia. Burford was elected sheriff of Smith County in 1825 and was re-elected in 1827. He represented Smith and Sumner Counties in the Senate of the 18th, 19th and 20th General Assemblies (1829-1835). He was elected Speaker of the Senate during the 20th General Assembly. In 1860, Burford was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in Charleston, South Carolina, where he supported Andrew Johnson as the party's presidential candidate. In 1861, Burford was nominated candidate to the state convention to consider secession, although the convention was never held. He died on May 23, 1864 in Dixon Springs and is buried in his family's cemetery.

Arrangement

This collection consists of four folders in a single box.

Related Archival Materials

Interested researchers may also wish to consult:

  1. MS.0797: James K. Polk Letter, 1841 February 2
  2. MS.1027: David Burford Papers, 1814-1864
  3. MS.1185: David Burford Papers, 1820 March 12-1860 April 3

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480