A. A. Caldwell Letter to Ephraim G. Ponder
A. A. Caldwell wrote this letter to Ephraim G. Ponder "in order to show you that there is one individual who disregards all your vapering threats and lies." He vilifies Ponder as "the very imbodiment of all that is mean degrading and contemptible" and upbraids him for saying that "if John Caldwell or any of his boys went to Florida the ensuing winter they would not return with as much blood as they went with if your Bowie knife would draw it." Caldwell finishes by informing Ponder that his "place is in Hell, where Devils stand and laugh to see you come."
Dates
- 1842 August 16
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
A. A. Caldwell wrote this letter to Ephraim G. Ponder "in order to show you that there is one individual who disregards all your vapering threats and lies." He vilifies Ponder as "the very imbodiment of all that is mean degrading and contemptible" and upbraids him for saying that "if John Caldwell or any of his boys went to Florida the ensuing winter they would not return with as much blood as they went with if your Bowie knife would draw it." Caldwell finishes by informing Ponder that his "place is in Hell, where Devils stand and laugh to see you come."
Biographical/Historical Note
Anthony Alexander Caldwell was born to John and Margaret (Shaddan) Caldwell in Mossy Creek (now Jefferson City) Tennessee on December 25, 1822. He attended Holston College in New Market, Tennessee and went on to study medicine under Dr. Blackburn. He spent most of his professional career as a doctor practicing in Knox, Jefferson, and Sevier counties but also represented Jefferson County in the Tennessee State House of Representatives from 1883 to 1885. Caldwell married Louisa Meeks (1826-1891) in January of 1849, and the couple had eight children: Margaret B. (died young), Harriet (Caldwell) Bogle (1852-1875), Charles M. (1854-1876), Alfred M. (1856-1924), Cynthia E. (1858-1877), Maggie (Caldwell) Arwood (1861-), Sarah P. (1864-1948), and Georgia D. (Caldwell) Chumlea (1868-1899). A. A. Caldwell died near Cynthiana, Tennessee on April 25, 1893 and is buried in the family plot in Jefferson County.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this letter in May of 1991.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository