3 December 1868

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Discusses sending an old man and his daughter to work at Live Oak plantation. Mentions purchasing articles for his wife. The family's poor financial circumstances continue. A heart felt letter in which Randall discusses family quarrels and jealousies arising from his financial success and his ability to help the family. Written on "Gibson & Austin, Attorneys at Law" letterhead from Randall Lee Gibson's law office.

GLC04501.038

14 [July] 1869

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He has managed to pay an additional $290.25 on their debt, which should be paid off next year. Written on "Gibson & Austin, Attorneys at Law" letterhead from Randall Lee Gibson's law office.

GLC04501.039

9 November 1856

Gibson, Louisiana Hart, fl. 1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to her father Tobias Gibson]

Author inferred through content. Both Sarah and Claude intend to write him by the same mail. A land deal between Mr. Scott and Mr. Taylor has gone bad. Mr. Taylor claims that the land falls short one-third of the area that he agreed to buy. The end of the letter is missing.

GLC04501.040

9 September 1843

Gibson, J.Y., fl. 1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

He discusses crops and a dispute between Mr. C.M. Clay and Mr. Brown.

GLC04501.041

12 August 1844

Hibler, J.A., fl. 1844

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Bill of sale for Isaam]

A bill of sale for Isaam, an enslaved man purchased by Tobias Gibson from T. A. Hibler for $550.

GLC04501.042

15 March 1845

Humphreys, Joseph, fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: Composition

A composition entitled, "Love, what is it." An amusing essay detailing the effects of love and judging the emotion to be "evil".

GLC04501.043

19 March 1845

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Sarah Gibson]

A touching letter in which Tobias declares he will always have a special place for his oldest child, Sarah. The letter also contains Gibson family genealogy since before the revolution.

GLC04501.044

24 May 1845

Humphreys, Mary, fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Joseph Humphreys

This is the first opportunity she has had to write since she left home. Her school allows letters to be written only on Saturday. She writes about her classes, instructors, and classmates. A. E. (possibly Mary's teacher) writes a message on the address leaf which introduces himself.

GLC04501.045

22 July 1845

Caffrey, R.E., fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Joseph Humphreys]

Caffrey is ill. He discusses friends who have joined the Mexican War and voices his displeasure with the conflict. He hopes to travel to Spain someday.

GLC04501.046

16 August 1845

Humpreys, Mary, fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Humphreys

It is Saturday and she is finding it hard to concentrate on her studies. She hopes he will visit soon.

GLC04501.047

25 November 1845

Humphreys, D.C., fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Joseph Humphreys]

Recipient inferred from content. He encourages his son to get the best education possible. He speculates on all the different occupations he could have had.

GLC04501.048

January 30, 1846

Gibson, Gibson, fl. 1846-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

Gibson has gone to Louisiana to try to build his fortune. The letter discusses parenting and education at great length.

GLC04501.049

February 2, 1846

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Sarah Gibson]

He wants Sarah to spend a year in Philadelphia and another in New York to finish her education. By the time she finishes school, the new house in Lexington and the plantation in Louisiana should be completed. Continued 2/8/1846.

GLC04501.050

7 March 1846

Shelby, Virginia, fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Tobias Gibson

She describes her trip from New Orleans. Also discusses news of family and friends.

GLC04501.051

22 March [1846]

Valentine, Martha, fl. 1846-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Tobias Gibson

A somber letter in which Martha describes her family's recent destitution. Their entire estate, houses, slaves, crops, etc., have been confiscated by the bank and Dr. Nebett. The property will be auctioned off the first of April.

GLC04501.052

13 July 1846

Shelby, Virginia, fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Tobias Gibson

Extends an invitation for Tobias to visit. Writes news of family and friends. She adds the rather intriguing remark: "Mrs. Fishback I think has forgotten her fathers [sic] land, her Lincoln kin."

GLC04501.053

26 May 1846

Gibson, W.W., fl. 1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Tobias Gibson

He was unable to make the arrangements Tobias asked for because Mrs. F. Gibson was on her death bed. He discusses payment of money, crops and plans to settle near Lake Providence.

GLC04501.054

12 November 1846

Caffrey, R.E., fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Joseph Humphreys]

He describes a trip to Last Island in the Gulf of Mexico and a bizarre dream in which Caffrey was transformed into a fish.

GLC04501.055

4 May 1847

Valentine, Mark, fl. 1847

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

He discusses the health of Martha [Valentine] and plantation business. He hopes to settle Claude's accounts with Dr. Nebett. He gave Nebett 5000 bales to help payoff the debt.

GLC04501.056

9 November 1847

Humphreys, D.C., fl. 1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Humphreys

He describes a trip from Cincinnati to Springfield and discusses corn and wheat crops.

GLC04501.057

25 September 1848

Gibson, Sarah, fl. 1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Randall Gibson

A house slave has become less of a favorite and was sent down to the fields. She discusses plans to dig a ditch to provide drainage near the house.

GLC04501.058

8 February 1850

Gibson, Gibson, fl. 1846-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Tobias Gibson

Gibson tries to prepare his brother for his wife's (Louisiana Gibson) death, as she is gravely ill. He also discuss failures on his plantations and the education of his children.

GLC04501.059

6 November 1850

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife Louisiana B. Gibson

He writes that due to the heat and a recent dry spell, the river is not high enough to let boats pass therefore, Louisiana will not be able to join the family. The younger boys are learning the "sugar business". He has heard from Randall, who is at South Hampton, but not from Hart. He sends his love to Sarah and Loula.

GLC04501.060

19 November 1850

Higgins, Ann L., fl. 1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother Tobias Gibson

Louisiana, Tobias' wife, is ill. Ann tried to get a minister to visit Louisiana, but she refused to see him. She also discusses a man whose fiancee made him switch churches.

GLC04501.061

28 November 1850

Cartwright, Samuel, fl. 1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Gibson

Mr. Gibson's daughter (in Lexington) is ill with either pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs. Dr. Cartwright prescribes cough drops and " bleeding, cold air, thin clothing, cold water & cooling things . . . ."

GLC04501.062