10 March 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Worries at her sickness, hopes for furlough; farm news, business and questions.

GLC04558.074

2 June 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

A lazy day in which he day-dreams of being home; mentions combating a forest fire; relates farm news from Edwin who was injured and has hired "a couple of negroes;" instructions on sheep; responding to home news.

GLC04558.095

18 June 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Continued on June 19. Yesterday's festival or dance was attended by 35 ladies "of the showey kind." Teasingly says his "gal" was not there and says he sat-out the dances. Describes dancing platform, etc. Asks about crops and livestock. Mentions Lee's invasion and jocularly advises wife to "grind up your 'old sythes and bush-hooks' to defend yourself." Mentions other men promoted who had "influential friends at home" Sending twenty dollars.

GLC04558.099

December 2, 1865

Heyward, William H., 1817-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William A. Williams

One letter from William Henry Heyward, enslaver and proprietor of Clay Hall plantation in Reconstruction-era South Carolina, to William A. Williams dated December 2, 1865. Discusses going to Charleston to receive a pardon and to attain ownership of Clay Hall by the Bureau of Freedmen, Refugees and Abandoned Lands. He would be contracting freedmen he had formerly enslaved into a labor contract for cash rather than offering them crops. He remarks: "It only remains for me to enter into contract with the Freedmen (formerly my own Negroes) for the ensuing year-- and although it is difficult to…

GLC00496.254.06

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 December 1854

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Randall Lee Gibson

Writes about plantation business. He hopes Randall and Preston will write to him from New Orleans.

GLC04501.074

January 28, 1855

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Randall Lee Gibson

Hart has graduated but his father feels he was a lazy and sluggish student. He mentions the sugar and molasses crops.

GLC04501.076

28 May 1856

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son

Family news and problems with the sugar crop.

GLC04501.077

18 May 1857

Gibson, Alfred, fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

Hailstorms ruined some of the cotton crop. The cotton gin processes about 12 bales a day. Sickness on the plantation has taken the lives of five slaves, all under the age of four. Albert lost two slaves, one 17 years old and the other 20. A monument was erected at the grave site of Tobias Gibson, the first Methodist Preacher in Mississippi, who has been dead for 50 years. The citizens of Vicksburg are having a reception for Colonel Jeff Davis.

GLC04501.082

15 August 1858

Slaughter, Atticus, fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Tobias] Gibson

He writes about his wife Virginia and plantation business.

GLC04501.086

7 October 1858

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah [Gibson] Humphreys

Writes that he has just arrived and that both the cash crop and the provision crops are doing well. He wishes he could bring surplus hands from Sumners Forest to Live Oak to help with the sugar grinding. He feels guilty about leaving Loula and Hart with her since she has children of her own. The letter is continued on October 8th.

GLC04501.087

20 February 1871

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah [Gibson] Humphreys

A melancholy letter discussing the difficulty of running a profitable plantation. Tobias worries over his children and his failings. He mentions the death of his wife, 20 years ago to the day. He writes of another woman he fell in love with after Louisiana died: "we were everything to each other but the nuptial ceremony . . . ." but "we do not correspond, but I hear occasionally of her."

GLC04501.100

2 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He thanks his family for the letters and food they've sent. Complains that Uncle Sam owes him eighty dollars but thinks that he will get paid some of the amount tomorrow. Mentions to his family that they should set out an orchard on which they could live and still keep a place in the village. Reports that Companies A and I have been sent down the railroad towards Nashville after hearing that rebels were tearing up the railroad tracks. Addresses Darius (his brother-in-law) specifically and tells him that he will be moving to better quarters. Writes that he had been sick but is now better.

GLC07460.023

17 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha

Writes that he would like to hire Welly (his nephew Wellington Spohn) at five cents a day to help with the harvest. Reports that rebels are camped nearby and that he is anxious toget rid of them. Discusses the feeling of brotherhood amongst the soldiers even though some regiments, such as the 79th Ohio are not necessarily liked. Writes that while commanding a post, a negro informed them that some rebels were cutting down telegraph poles. As a result, General Paine sent out six companies from the 70th Indiana and all of the mounted regimental scouts. Discusses another rebel raid in…

GLC07460.024

29 November 1860

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry who was an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy and appears to be in New York. Mentions a band that came from Frederick, Maryland to play on Thanksgiving. Says that their father went to Baltimore on Friday morning to see their cousin William. They are going to look at a farm owned by a Mr. Keg. Questions the purchase and wonders if William can run it properly. Also mentions other investment possibilities. Last 2 pages updates him on friends and neighbors, especially on weddings that have taken place. Says there is little news to pass on, but mentions she did…

GLC03523.21.04

21 November 1860

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Henry as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy. References receiving Henry's letter the day before. Says he is in negotiations with John Janney(?) to purchase his farm "as you were so anxious I should buy land." Claims "The affairs in the South look very threatening - But when action comes they will find more difficulties in the way than they expect." Thinks they will reconsider and not break from the Union. Is worried he has too many temptations to spend his money where he is and will not send it home. Letter is fragile and has a partial tear along a fold.

GLC03523.21.02

28 November 1860

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Henry as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy. References receiving his letter. Gives him investment advice. Tells him Tom is getting married tomorrow, Anna is writing him again, and that Dr. McGary will stop and call on him before going to Europe. Reports that two hogs were killed, giving them 659 pounds of meat. Says he has not settled on a contract to buy John Janney's(?) farm and will not "unless the southern difficulty is settled."

GLC03523.21.05

1 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Faint; written in pencil. Charging a confederate line; advice to his wife about breeding a horse.

GLC04558.144

9 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Evaluates the damage that different types of artillery shells (i.e. mortar and rifled cannon shot) create at various distances from the front line. Mentions troops rotations between lines, and farm business. Gives a current price for cotton cloth (75 cents a yard) and comments that bullies make cowardly soldiers. Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.146