Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: In this 1841 letter to David Burford, James Polk asks Burford to reconsider his decision to abandon his political aspirations. Polk feels that the upcoming elections in Tennessee are of particular importance, and hopes that Burford will consent to be nominated for Senator. He also discusses the general political climate and asks Burford if he believes Mr. Allen, an exceedingly wealthy and popular man in Smith, can be convinced to run for office. Finally, Polk touches on his own political...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: The collection consists of a handwritten document and transcription of the agreement made in Virginia's House of Delegates to settle the differences concerning the boundaries for North Carolina and Virginia. It was agreed upon that the state of Tennessee should be the deciding factor and mediator to dissolve the issues concerning Walker's Line and the 36 and 30 latitudes. The people that lived in the controversial region were not paying taxes nor were they dedicated to one state or the...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

In this letter written on September 25, 1796, Campbell accepts the position of a district judge for the Superior Court and mentions his brief acquaintance with judge he is responding to.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: These letters to Littleton W. Tazwell discuss a bank deposit that was distributed to him on March 16, 1825 and the death of a relative on April 12, 1840.The first letter, written on March 16, 1825 by a Mr. Eaton, explains the fifty dollars Tazewell received and how it is to be used by Tazewell in any way. He wishes Tazewell good luck and good health to him and his family. The second letter, written on April 12, 1840, from Mr. McClung, describes the death of Mr. Lawson White at...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This letter from Tennessee governor Robert Love Taylor to Irish political activist John Boyle O’Reilly argues for the home rule of the Irish against British monarchal hold. Written on April 2, 1889, the letter discusses the present drama of Ireland’s ownership and citizen regulation. During the 1880’s, the Irish sent a home rule bill to the British Parliament in hopes of regaining control of Ireland and the world was awaiting the results of the diplomacy. Taylor describes the British as...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of a transcribed letter from Oliver Perry Temple to W. G. Brownlow. The letter concerns O.P. Temple reporting back to Dr. W. G. Brownlow about speeches given in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Montgomery, Alabama. The letter was transcribed in 1971.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of one letter written by Nathaniel Cowan, dated June 28, 1797, concerning the amount of whiskey purchases he had completed. He writes to a Jesse Payne reporting about a shipment of flour and whiskey that he has recently received from Payne, via a Mr. Young.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of one letter written by Jefferson Davis in his home in Beauvoir, Mississippi. In the letter, he talks about an award he received from the Forbes Bivouac, a Confederate veterans group.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of a single letter written to General Sam Houston and signed by several parties including John Thomas, John M. Cox, and John C. Rutledge. Dated July 5, 1848, from Blountville, Tennessee, the letter persuades General Sam Houston to visit East Tennessee and make appointments with regional figures as the men there would carry out the "great democratic principles of the nation."

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of a single letter addressed to President Ulysses Grant from Gideon Pillow on March 21, 1873. The letter concerns Gideon heading to Washington with his wife to discuss political issues.

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman mentions that Tom Dennis has been taken prisoner. In conclusion, he tells his wife not to let anyone read his letters because they are badly written.

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman remarks that if ever there was a time for men to fight for their country homes and liberty, the time is now. He goes on to say he will never surrender and will fight in blood up to his neck if he has to.

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman continues to write to his wife, though he doesn’t believe he will ever receive a reply.

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman tells Indiana to find religion and that he is desperately trying to get money back to her. He also writes about a fever that has left only twelve men from his company fit for duty.

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman writes that he hopes to be back home by July 4th to be with his family.

Scope and Contents Note

Brief letter from Freeman to his wife to let her know that he is doing well. The transcription is incomplete due to illegibility.

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman mentions a duel that occurred in camp between two men “Ed Angers and Kidwell.”

Scope and Contents Note

Freeman writes that his regiment left Chattanooga two weeks ago when the Yankees shelled the town and killed a woman and child. He expects a fight to break out again soon. He tells her he is ready to reunite with his daughter Alja in heaven, and mentions for her to get money from Mrs. Skely. “Tell John Stokes to take good care of you and little Joe.”

Scope and Contents Note

Letter from D.G. Godwin, Vice President of S.C.A. 1st and 52nd Tenn. Regts. to Indiana Freeman expresses deep sympathy for the loss of her husband and notifies her of her husband’s profession of religion before his death.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection is comprised of two letters spanning August 26 to August 31, 1847, composed by “Freeman” and addressed to “Ruthey.” Each letter is a pseudo-journal-ledger that begins at the beginning of the day and lists items sold throughout the day and to whom they were sold. Along with the recorded transactions, Freeman also includes details about the customers he encounters and his personal accounts of the day.