Correspondence, 1859

Collection — Box: 2, Folder: 3

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

There are over 500 letters in the Nuckolls Collection. They tell the story of the family, the times, the conflicts among family members, especially after the father died and his will was read and monies and lands dispersed. The 1850s Cambridge letters paint a colorful image of both Cambridge and Boston when Thomas was attending Harvard Law School. The Civil War letters give more details the home front, telling of the activities and worries of the family members at home, the encouraging letters to Thomas and William, the boxes of supplies that were constantly being sent by the family to its soldiers, than the life of the soldiers themselves. The family was a warm and loving entity, usually writing each other weekly. All the sisters wrote regularly to Thomas ("Dear Bro"), praising, complaining, but staying in contact even as their families were dispersed from Columbus, Georgia and across Alabama, to Russell County, Seale, Gadsden, Cherokee and Tuskegee. Relatives moving even further westward are included in the correspondence.

A history of the family, newspaper articles and census records have been included in a separate folder from the letters to help fill in their story. The letters are in wonderful condition, many still with their envelopes. Even the paper and size of the envelopes, the return address, the postage – all tell a history of the times.

In addition to the letters there are several packets of legal and financial documents. They were left in the groupings made by Thomas J. Nuckolls, with his handwritten labels. Many of the items referred to in the letters, such as deeds, promissory notes, plat maps, receipts, vouchers and other enclosures mentioned, were placed in these bundles. There is also a small bundle of Slave Documents. The bundles have been opened and are filed in chronological order in folders of Box 4.

The letters are filed in chronological order.

Dates

Other: 1859

Extent

From the Collection: 1.5 Linear Feet : 4 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

January 8, 1859 – Invoice to George B. Nuckolls for 4 pots whiskey for $3.00 from Bosoff Acee & Iverson. Second piece dated Jan 7, 1859 for Davy Nuckolls for 1 box cigars and 2 pieces of tobacco for $5.50. [a note initialed E.O.N. says "was Davy George's son?"] [Processor's note of 1/22/2016 – according to 1850 census, David was son of George, age 21 living in Macon Co, AL.] January 15, 1859 – Letter to George B. Nuckolls of Tuskegee, Montgomery County, Alabama, from John Fochmund stamped Westport, Ct. concerning the sale of 880 acres in Tallapoosa County, his fees, and matters pertaining to the sale. January 20, 1859 – Letter to T.J. Nuckolls from Geo. B. Nuckolls in Tuskegee, Alabama wanting T.J. to send him 8 to 10 hundred dollars of the Pemberton money through the Columbus bank, his return of the Funlowe estate was lost. Note by T.J. that he sent on January 26, 1859 to G.B. a check of $800 on D.A. Carter of Columbus Bank. January 29, 1859 – Letter to T.J. Nuckolls from H. F. Drummond, Mobile, Alabama [processor's note – illegible] February 9, 1859 – Letter to T.J. Nuckolls from Uncle G.B. Nuckolls in Tuskegee, Alabama concerning the lost papers in the Funlowe Estate which were found, wanting him to bring out "that Pemberton money" with you, informs him that the trustees of the college will be having a meeting and will pay him 2,500 dollars. June 19, 1859 [or 1854?] – Letter to Thomas J. Nuckolls from Pemberton Ellis in Oglethorpe concerning an account of Rbt. Nuckolls and Dr. Burton, responding to an inquiry about a book on church architecture and a church building. July 11, 1859 – Letter to Thomas Nuckolls from "your uncle", G.B.Nuckolls from Tuskegee, Alabama concerning the borrowing of $ 2000 by Mr. Perry at "the college". July 18, 1859 – Letter to "Cousin Tom" Nuckolls from "your uncle", G.B Nuckolls, in Tuskegee, Alabama, regarding money which Mr. Penny wants to borrow. July 30, 1859 – Letter to N.A. Nuckolls from N. Nuckolls telling of their trip to White Sulphur Springs in Montgomery County, Virginia to take the waters for their health. (note on back in pencil says he read it and sent it up for the girls to read – T.J.N) September 8, 1859 – Letter to N. Nuckolls from Wm. A. Wade at Montgomery, White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, concerning the error in billing of T.J. Nuckolls to Mr. Nicholas' deposit. September 23, 1859 – Letter Thos J. Nuckolls from [Wyman R.C.B. ?] of New York concerning a clothing order, saying that the embroidered velvet is out of date in New York. October 12, 1859 – Letter to Thomas J Nuckolls Esq. from E.C. Grier, Macon, Georgia , an invitation to his wedding to Miss Dorsey. October 24, 1859 – Letter to Thos J. Nuckolls in Columbus, Georgia from Wyman & Co in New York about a pair of dress pants made for him that he doesn't like, a fashionable vest of black that he cannot return, and their opinion of his fashion sense. December 20, 1859 – Letter to "Friend Nuckolls" [Thomas Nuckolls] from N. Moody in Greenfield referring to receipts of funds paid and whether he will stay up north. [1859?] – Letter, no date, page torn and writing illegible