Correspondence, 1866

Collection — Box: 2, Folder: 9

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: 1866

Extent

From the Collection: 1.5 Linear Feet : 4 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

January 24, 1866 – Letter to Father from daughter L.C. Freeman , at home, addressed to N. Nuckolls in care of Bro Tom relating the price of negro/white labor, and satisfaction with her home. She asked him if he "is gratified to know that at least one of his children is contented", talked about family pride, her laborers, her neighbors, her daily Iife (and an aside about Bro. Kyle). She also mentioned Mr. Richardson. January 25, 1866 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from Nealy (Cornelia) , at home, referring to estate business. They set the date of February 18, Monday to sell land, told of the excitement of the prospect of petroleum being found and of property stolen from the farm. January 25, 1866 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from Cornelia, at home, referring to the estate selling business, her father's disappointment in the sale, friends not wanting her not be cheated when selling the plantation which is in a state of ruin. May 10, 1866 – Letter to T. J. Nuckolls in Columbus, Georgia from T. G. Holt in Union Springs telling him of a trade with Briggs Napier to sell a house to pay off his note due in December of 1867. June 9, 1866 – Letter to T. J. Nuckolls from G. W. Freeman in Eufaula, Alabama thanking Tom for finding a suitable home in the country for Laura and himself. August 2, 1866 – Letter to Wm. T. Nuckolls of Columbus, Georgia from Wm. S. Hopkins of Baltimore, Maryland about the settlement of an order of clothing made in 1861 by Hopkins. The letter states that "knowing the South is destitute after the war", and a year has passed, he is sending the bill. The bill is enclosed. [Processor's note – William died in Nov. 1861 and the bill has passed to his brother Thomas to settle]. October 5, 1866 – Another letter requesting payment of William's Nuckolls bill from Baltimore. November 1866 – Letter from Nathaniel Nuckolls from his daughter E. Ware stating that Mr. Ware is too sick to go to town to meet sis Lou and cannot let him have any money. She is willing to take girl Juliet and will send Davis to get her as school is still two weeks out. December 20, 1866 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from H. Hawkins, Eufaula, Alabama concerning the estate of Tichenor, debt to his father and an invitation to Tom and Sissy to visit during Christmas. December 23, 1866 – Letter addressed to Father or Tom Nuckolls from brother N. A. Nuckolls, at home, concerning money he owed. Perhaps brother-in-law could help but if not, maybe father could. He was putting cotton in warehouse as "it's only at 25 cents". His son Willie was sick and needed a doctor.