Nathaniel Nuckolls (father), 1841-1869

Collection — Box: 4, Folder: 13

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: 1841-1869

Extent

From the Collection: 1.5 Linear Feet : 4 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

These items were bundled and labeled by T.J. Nuckolls and left together, but arranged chronologically. June 4, 1841 – Deed for land paid by Nathaniel Nuckolls to Daniel Mcdougald and Jonathan A. Hudson in Russell County, Alabama, west ½ of the NW ¼ of section 32 in township 16 of range 30. July 29, 1842 – Indenture between Lucy Peabody of Conn. and Eleazar Lockwood of NY for land In Muscogee County purchased by Elbert Wells, Benjamin Wells being the attorney. October 2, 1845 – Land certificate at Montgomery County, Ala to Nathaniel Nuckolls of Muscogee County for $200.25 for sw ½ of section # 31 in township 16 of range 30 east, 160 acres. A note says this is part of N.N.'s plantation. January 16, 1847 – Indenture made in Muscogee County between Eleazar Lockwood of NY and Benjamin Wells for land in Columbus purchased by Elbert Wells.[ see # 2]. November 7, 1851 – Declaration for obtaining Bounty land by N. Nuckolls by having served in the war in 1836, drafted and served for three weeks. November 10, 1853 – Deed from Bryant Cimcan, administrator to Alexander Robinson from Jonathan A. Hudson July 20, 1858 – Letter from Geo Miller in Mobile, Alabama about the docket for the case of Pemberton, Nuckolls & Co. September 17, 1858 – Letter from H. A. Howard in Tuskegee to "dear bro" in Columbus . Envelope attached is addressed to Nathaniel Nuckolls, Chairman of Building Comm. [Baptist Church]. Letter answers a question of church architecture firms. September 8, 1859 – Letter from Wm. A. Wade in White Sulphur Springs, Montgomery County, Virginia to Mr. N. Nuckolls concerning a discrepancy in the hotel bill by son T.J.'s deposit. January 24, 1861 – Promissory note to Benjamin Wells for money owed for lot 68 in Columbus. Signature cut out but looks like N. Nuckolls. There are 2 of these in different handwriting. March 5, 1862 – Letter from Gustavus J. Orr in Oxford, Georgia to Mr. Nuckolls inquiring about his making shoe pegs and a machine to turn lasts. He would like samples sent to him as they are making 130 pairs of shoes per day. January 28, 1865 – Indenture between J.B. Coleman, Macon County, Alabama and Thomas Swift Very light writing and hard to read. January 24, 1866 – Letter to Father from daughter C. L. at home in Columbus. She told him that Mr. Richardson brought him his letter, lamented the lack of negroes to work. Says "What do you think of that dear Father? Are you not gratified to know that at least one of your children are contented?" She is living well with help from neighbors, not much left of the place. Cautions against brother [in-law] Kyle's statements. August 18, 1867 – Letter from N. Nuckolls to Mrs. L.H. Nuckolls ("Dear Louisiana"). Letter tells of his travels and the family's well-being, new crops, birth of Mollie's baby, looking for home for Emma near Gadsden, waiting to hear from Jimmy. Cautioned her to "show this to no one except Thomas and Jimmy". May 4, 1869 – Deed of conveyance from Joseph MP Stovall to Nathaniel Nuckolls in Russell County. James T. Nuckolls is added to deed. Original deed is dated March 1866. Undated. Envelope addressed to Nathaniel Nuckolls in Columbus from General Land Office. Penciled on it are 2 notes: patent to N. Nuckolls and Nat Macon Thornton and patent to S ½ 10 17 28 NN + NMT.