Miscellaneous letters from the 20th century, 1916-1949

Collection — Box: 4, Folder: 11

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: 1916-1949

Extent

From the Collection: 1.5 Linear Feet : 4 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

October 3, 1916 – Letter to Mrs. and Mrs. F. Bradley, Fort Mitchell, Alabama from a daughter Sadie or Sallie. This referred to the parents' home which had recently burned. It mentioned Aunt Emma and Aunt Fannie. March 13, 1922 – Auburn Glee Club program Sept. 26, 1924 – Obituary of Mrs. E. J. Nuckolls, nee Emma Jem Bradley 1846, daughter of Forbes Bradley and Ann Theresa Clarke, and widow of James Thornton Nuckolls. October 2, 1924 – Certificate of birth for Mary Lee Nuckolls, daughter of James Thornton Nuckolls and Elizabeth Louise Day. She married Fred Schomberg and died in 2007. October 31, 1929 – Verification of audit for F. Bradley Nuckolls from Livingston & Co, N.Y. February 29, 1932 – Letter to Kathleen Mavoureen and Company from EM Jay, Jay EM Committee. This is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to a former citizen. 1932 – Letter to Cornelia dearest from "Miss Ruby". She said she would summer in Athens in the kindergarten without Cornelia, wishing her a happy summer in NY and with Granny. July 11, 1932 – Letter to Miss Cornelia Day in Demopolis, Ala from Mrs. Paul Taylor (Nell) in Alice, Texas. She wrote about her visit to NY, her trip to Texas and described the ranch where she was staying. October 12, 1932 – Letter to Mrs. A.J. Day in Columbus, Georgia from Mama in Hatchechubee, Alabama. Addressed to "Dear Marie", she asked for a ham from the fair, mentioned Uncle Marcus, John, Nela, Betty and Mrs. B. December 23, 1932 – Letter to Belles Twain from Pastor John Dudley in Demopolis, Alabama. This concerned Belles Twain coming to sing. July 8, 1941 – Postcard to Mrs. E.M. Wilson "Dear Doc", Ft. Mitchell, Alabama from Frank postmarked Atlanta. It mentioned Daddy, Aunt Sadie and Will. August 15, 1941 – Post card Mrs. Alice B. Wilson ,"Dear Doc" in Fort Mitchell, Alabama from Frank, in Brevard, N.C. March 12, 1944 – Letter addressed to Alice B. Wilson, Fort Mitchell, Alabama from Sergeant Claude S. Davis of the 356 Bomb Squadron (Army Air Force), Chatham Field, Georgia. He wrote about his flying, Sara and home. October 22, 1948 – Letter addressed to Alice B. Wilson "Dearest Doc", Fort Mitchell, Alabama from Sally at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida. It mentioned Aunt Rue. January 13, 1949 – Envelope addressed to Mrs. J. T. Nuckolls, Columbus from Mrs. H.M. Martinson, Fountain City, Tenn. There are notes written on it.