Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This collection houses three letters written by U.S. Congressman Pryor Lea from Washington, D.C. to his brother Harmon Graves (H. G.) Lea (1805-1887) in Grainger County, Tennessee. The first brief letter, dated February 21, 1829, was written after a quarrel Lea had with Col. Davy Crockett regarding an unflattering letter Lea wrote describing Crockett’s character; this quarrel almost led to a duel between the two congressmen. The letter is intended to assure Lea’s family that he is no danger...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This collection consists of four documents related to John M. Clemens. Three of these documents concern the planning and funding of the Fentress County Courthouse. The fourth is a land indenture that was filed by Clemens during his time as court clerk.The earliest document, dated March 20, 1827, contains the specifications of the jail and courthouse that were to be let out for bids and completed by May 1, 1828. The second document, dated from November 10, 1827 to August 1, 1829,...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection contains a letter written by geologist Henry McCalley to his brother William dated Pleasant View, August 29. The letter details McCalley's travels from Memphis, Tennessee down the Mississippi River and then from New Orleans, Louisiana to eastern Texas. He describes in detail his stays in the cities of Galveston, Victoria, and Goliad, Texas.

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This collection consists of three deeds created in Knox County, Tennessee, between 1823 and 1836. The first, dated September 2, 1836, records a sale of seven enslaved people between Robert Campbell and Andrew McMillan. The second, dated September 7, 1823, is a deed for land in Knox County between John Rutherford and Richard Monds. The third, dated January 6, 1825, is a deed for land in Knox County between James Blackwell and his wife Elizabeth and John R. Nelson.

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A member of Captain Caswell's company, the Second Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, kept this handwritten journal between April 9 and May 4, 1847 while the unit was stationed in Mexico during the Mexican-American War. In it, the author describes their participation in the Battle of Cerro Gordo. Also included is a muster roll for the company dated March 4, 1847.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This contract, made between Edward Gunter (agent of John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokee nation) and James W. McClung, binds McClung to represent any Cherokee in any suit brought in several Alabama counties, the district court in Huntsville, or the Supreme Court of the United States. This agreement was made preparatory to the Cherokee testing the constitutionality of Alabama extending jurisdiction over Cherokee territory. McClung is to be paid $500 per annum for his services. An...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This manifest lists the cargo aboard the sloop Charming Sally on its run from Murfreesborough, North Carolina to New York City under master Alexander Mather. This cargo included pease, tobacco, tar, potatoes, and other items. The manifest was signed by Col. H. Murfree.

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These two small notes (both signed by David Henley) instruct Sergeant Throp to deliver beef and meal to the Apocamingos family.