Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

Elijah Sterling C. Robertson Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0210

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of photograph copies of two letters written by Elijah Sterling Robertson. One letter is written to his wife Eliza Hamer Robertson and is dated 1848. The other letter is written to his son Sterling Robertson in 1878. The letter to his wife Eliza discusses a gift as well as declarations of love. The letter to his son discusses politics.

Dates

  • 1845, 1878

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

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

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

This collection consists of photograph copies of two letters written by Elijah Sterling Robertson. One letter is written to his wife Eliza Hamer Robertson dated 1848 and the other letter was written to Sterling Robertson in 1878.

Biographical/Historical Note

Elijah Sterling C. Robertson was born on August 23, 1820, in Giles County, Tennessee. He is the son of Frances King and Empresario Sterling C. Robertson. In 1832, he was moved to Texas with his father to attend Mission School of St. Mary to learn Spanish. Elijah moved back to Tennessee and attended Jackson College, in Maury County, Tennessee, from 1837-1839. He returned to Texas and became a chief clerk and later, the acting postmaster for the Republic of Texas. In 1841, he served as Secretary of State for a short time. After his father’s death in 1842, Robertson was commissioned as a captain in the Republic of Texas militia, and in 1844, was promoted to Colonel. Elijah started to study law in 1845 and was later admitted to the bar. He married his second cousin Eliza Hamer Robertson on July 29, 1846. After her death in 1852, he married Mary Elizabeth Dickey. In his second marriage, the couple had twelve children. In 1875, he was elected to attend the Texas Constitutional Convention. Elijah died at Salado on October 8, 1879.

Arrangement

This collection is in one folder.

Acquisition Note

This collection was donated to Special Collections by Dr. Ruth Stephens in 1960.

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