Correspondence, 1872-1879

Collection — Box: 3, Folder: 5

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: 1872-1879

Extent

From the Collection: 1.5 Linear Feet : 4 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

February 17, 1872 – Letter to Thomas J. Nuckolls, from Amon Bradley in Southington. The letter concerned the receipt of $ 500 for Forbes Bradley and best wishes on their new baby. June 20, 1872 – Deed of Conveyance to Thos. J. Nuckolls, Executor from Henry Ware. June 20, 1872 – Mortgage Deed of Conveyance to Thos. J. Nuckolls in Russell County, Alabama from N.A. Nuckolls . [Processor's note – Thos. J Nuckolls is the executor of his father's estate with money being paid out to his brother Nathaniel A. Nuckolls.] October 24, 1872 – Letter to Tom Nuckolls from his sister L.C. (Laura Carolina) Freeman in Leesburg, Alabma. She listed articles proposed to be advanced to her. She asked what they have named the boy and asked for a picture. She has a handsome son Harry and a baby Laura Rosaline. They have rented a house from Kyle in Gadsden, Alabama and will move down after Christmas. November 9, 1872 – Letter to Dear Brother Tom Nuckolls from Sis Lou Hawkins in Eufaula, Alabama. This letter concernseda promised payment not received. Col Hawkins hasn't sold his hill place yet, has trouble making both ends meet at the College, had never been in such straits before. Sallie arrived home safely from visiting Tom and Alice. December 7, 1872 – Letter to Henry Stewart at Huntsville, Alabama, from V.A. Nuckolls. She wrote of money due her. Tom Nuckolls has the note. She enclosed this note in another to Tom mentioning again how hard up she is. December 31, 1872 – Letter to Cousin Tom Nuckolls from V.A. Nuckolls in Huntsville, Alabama. She thanked him for the cheque, of their plans for cotton crop and invited Tom to visit. January 3, 1873 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from his sister, C. L. Richardson, in Gadsden, Alabama. This was a sisterly letter informing him of family, sister Emma's problems et al. It was signed "your true and affectionate sister". March 1, 1873 – Letter from F. B. (Forbes Bradley) Nuckolls in Columbus, Georgia. It included a receipt from his mother Mrs. E.J. Nuckolls for $ 2,000 as part patrimony. April 9, 1874 – Postcard to Tom Nuckolls from E. O. Nuckolls in Social Circle, Georgia. It concerned money sent. [Processor's note – this is from his sister Emma, now using her maiden name.] April 28, 1874 – Postcard to T.J. Nuckolls in Columbus, Georgia from E.O. Nuckolls in Social Circle, Georgia. She asked for a P.O. order for same amount. November 20, 1874 – Postcard to Thos. J. Nuckolls from Wm. Beach Hardware in Columbus, Georgia. This informed him that Red lead has arrived. April 14, 1875 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from Sister C.L. Richardson in Gadsden, Alabama. This was a chastising letter concerning the unclean reputation of the family caused by him (?) for "filthy lucres sake", appropriating for himself and not his brothers and sisters, questioning the "reversionary lands from depreciating in value", to go in debt over sister Emma's property and her own poor health. September 22, 1875 – Letter to Tom Nuckolls from sister E.O. Nuckolls in Social Circle. She asked about news from home, not hearing from him. She told of Col. Colt who went to Colorado for mining, her plans to go "trading" in Atlanta and needing $40 by money order by Oct. 1. November 13, 1875 – Letter to "My dear Cousin Thomas Nuckolls" in Columbus, Georgia from "your sincere cousin, Lachapelle Corbitt in LaPlace, Ala". This concerned her visiting relatives in Columbus and staying a few days with them, wanting to meet all his relatives "out there", wants him to pick out a real nice beau for her. December 27, 1875 – Letters to Tom Nuckolls and his wife Alice Bradley Nuckolls from Toms sister Emma Nuckolls in Social Circle, Georgia. Tom's letter related to the sale of her farm home, her opposition to the selling of her home, repairs needed and referred to a boy in Germany. The second letter, undated and folded in the other one was labeled for Mrs. Alice Nuckolls, addressed to "Dear Tally", and signed "Yours Tem". It told of the Christmas dinner with Mollie, filling Will's boots with apples, candy, a pocket knife and a necktie. She received a set of chessmen made by a friend. An "old folks" party will be held for the widows and old maids. She told of her poor health, mentioned her brother and Emma, Hattie and Fannie, Shelly. June 6, 1876 – Postcard to T.J. Nuckolls from Sister E.O.N at Social Circle, Georgia. This requested her P.O. for May, and said that she would be here till July. She asked them to write. October 2, 1877 – Postcard to Capt. T.J. Nuckolls in Columbus, Georgia from G.R. Glenn. This referred to an investment payment. October 16, 1877 – Postcard to Dear Brother Tom Nuckolls from sister E.O.N. in Gadsden, Alabama. This told of her arrival in Gadsden, completing her arrangements and needing to hear from him. February 7, 1878 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from his sister Laura C. Freeman in Gadsden, Alabama. This referred to taxes paid on their 40 acres by a Mr. Davis, Mr. Kyle renewing the notes, and the sisters and brothers giving her factory goods for needed clothing. She will enclose of list of needs and asked that he send the box via Nowlin. February 23, 1878 – Postcard to Thos. J. Nuckolls, Dear Brother from sister E O Marable (Emma). She said that she needed a P.O. from him badly. [Processor's note – Emma was now married to her second husband, John E. Marable] March 14, 1878 – Letter to Thomas Nuckolls in Columbus from Jas. [leatt?] in Social Circle, Georgia. This referred to financial issues, bonds and therunning of N & S railroad by employing a good manager and build it to LaGrange. Wife is Mollie. May 24, 1878 – Letter to Bro Tom Nuckolls from Sister Cornelia in Leesburg, Alabama. She pled for Tom and Alice to visit this summer as they are now all settled in. come and enjoy the pure mountain air and Chalybreate water. July 15, 1878 – Postcard to T.J. Nuckolls Columbus about some oil he had ordered. July 17, 1878 – Postcard to Rollin Jefferson Esq, Columbus, Ga from the St. Louis Lead & Oil Co. This was an advertisement for lead. September 9, 1878 – Letter to Dear Brother Tom Nuckolls from Your sister, E.O. Marable (Emma) in Gadsden, Alabama. She wrote concerning financial problems, renting out her vacant stores, problems with their farm, borrowing money, and asking advice from T.J. She says farmers here like Mr. Marable and want to stay in their cabins. She believes John is a good farmer and could make a good living here. Says town is full of summer visitors and refugees. October 8. 1878 – Postcard to Thos J. Nuckolls from W.T Duncan, Huntsville, Alabama. This concerned the purchase of some yarn socks at 45 cents/pair. Jan. 1, 1879 – Promissory note, signed by A. Illges for $10,000. The subscribers were Peter [P]reer, $5,000; Thos. J. Nuckolls, $2,000; and W.L. Tillman & Co. $1,000. February 24, 1879 – Postcard to Dear Brother T. J. Nuckolls from your sister E.O. Marable in Gadsden, Alabma. She inquired after a box that he was to send and tax money. June 24, 1879 – Postcard to T.J. Nuckolls, from sister E. A. Marable. She asked about rental money, and said that her son Willie Cox was at Auburn, and needed money, and asked Tom to act on her requests about her property. July 22, 1879 – Postcard to Tom Nuckolls from E. Marable (his sister Emma). She lamented about needing money, her health, Willie needing money, and she needs a home. It was also too hot for negroes to cook so she has to do it. August 1, 1879 – Postcard to Tom Nuckolls from E. Marable. She asked about investing her estate money in a house for them by November when their house goes to renters. There was conflict again with Kyle over lumber. August 11, 1879 – Letter to Tom Nuckolls from his sister E. A. (Elizabeth Ann) Ware in Seal, Alabama. This referenced the investment of the children's money, quoted a legal phrase about wards, putting Mollie's investment in Eagle and Phenix Savings bank. She then listed the names of the children: Robert Archibald Ware, Elizabeth Alen Ware, Louis Cornelias T. Ware, minors; and Mrs. Mary Augusta Newman of Rochester N.Y. for whom she was acting as attorney. She needs papers from the court quickly. September 2, 1879 – Letter to Dear Brother Tom Nuckolls from his sister E.A. Ware in Seal, Alabama. This concerned payment for copying a court paper and a problem with the mules. She mentioned a letter from Mollie about her $500 and her investment for her children. October 14, 1879 – Postcard to T.J. Nuckolls from A. Newman in Rochester , N. Y. This asked if he can use $500 or more at 7%? We're all well, hope you are too. November 17, 1879 – Postcard to T.J. Nuckolls from A.H. Newman in Rochester, N.Y. He said he would a draft in a few days. [Processor's note – Emma signs her correspondence with her maiden name of Emma Nuckolls again in 1874 and goes to live in Social Circle. She married her second husband, John E. Marable on December 20th, 1877 in Russell County, Alabama. The 1880 census has her living in Gadsden, Alabama with John 32, Emma 37 and Willie Cox 14, her son by her 1st husband, Thomas Cox.]