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Raphael J. Moses Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MC 57

Scope and Contents

The collection includes a volume of photocopied magazines and newspaper clippings, as well as correspondence pertaining to Raphael J. Moses and his family; the restoration of Moses-Levy Cemetery Grounds (Esquiline) by the Jewish War Veterans Pose #455 in 1960; and the Civil War Memorial service at Esquiline hosted by Post 455 in 1973. It also includes photocopies of family history by a cousin, Stanford Moses.

Dates

  • 1960-1983
  • Other: Date materials were donated

Biographical / Historical

The Moses family was prominent in Columbus, Georgia, before, during and after the Civil War. Raphael J. Moses was born in 1812 and reared in Charleston, South Carolina. He prepared an autobiography in the 1890s at the request of family members. After becoming a lawyer, he migrated to St. Joseph and Apalachicola, Florida, and then to Columbus, Georgia in 1848, where he became involved in a wide variety of businesses. From his estate, Esquilene (now Benning Hills), he shipped some of the first Georgia peaches to the North. During the Civil War he served as commissary officer for James Longstreet's Corps. His observations about Confederate leaders, recorded in this autobiography, are widely quoted. He remained active in politics and economic matters after the war. His well-written autobiography gives a penetrating analysis of Columbus's power structure before and after the war. After becoming involved in a dispute over fees with William H. Young of the Eagle & Phenix, Moses became a leader of the "outs" political faction and actively fought the influence of Young and his institutions. He died in Brussels, Belgium on October 13, 1893, but is buried in Esquiline cemetery in Columbus.

Extent

.3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Columbus State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
4225 University Ave
Columbus Georgia 31907 United States