Contents of Inventory

Summary 3 Biographical/Historical Note 4 Scope and Content Note 4 Index Terms 5-8 Container List 9

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John W. Gurley Papers, Special Collections, LSU Libraries

Mss. 507 1858-1866

Summary
Size.	81 items.
Geographic	New Orleans, Tangipahoa Parish, Livingston Parish, La.
locations.
Inclusive dates.	1858-1866
Language.	English
Summary.	Papers of John W. Gurley consist of correspondence and legal documents
	relating primarily to agriculture and his status as an enemy of the United
	States during the Civil War.
Organization.	Arranged chronologically.
Restrictions on	Copies must be made from microfilm.
access.
Copyright.	Copyright of the original materials is retained by descendants of the
	creators in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Citation.	John W. Gurley Papers, Mss. 507, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi
	Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.
Stack locations.	U:145; Mf. 5322, Series I, pt. 2, reel 13; Mf. 5735, Series B, reel 6.

Also available as Microfilm 5322, Records of ante-bellum southern plantations from the Revolution through the Civil War, Series I and Microfilm 5735, Confederate Military Manuscripts, Series B.

John W. Gurley Papers, Special Collections, LSU Libraries

Mss. 507 1858-1866

Biographical/Historical Note

John W. Gurley, an attorney of New Orleans, La., was associated with Edward G. Stewart, a planter of Oak Lawn Plantation, Tangipahoa Parish, La., and former resident of New Orleans. Gurley and his wife, Rosa, were registered as being enemies of the United States during the Civil War but were excused after they signed oaths of allegiance.

Scope and Content Note

Papers of New Orleans attorney, John W. Gurley, principally relate to the development agriculture in Tangipahoa Parish, the sale of slaves through C. E. Girardy & Co., New Orleans auctioneers, and the federal occupation in New Orleans during the Civil War. Edward G. Stewart wrote the majority of correspondence in this collection. His letters concern plantation operations and management of Oak Lawn Plantation, Tangipahoa Parish. He also speaks of the depressed slave market due to yellow fever (1858), timber production, the construction of Gurley's house, arrival Confederate refugees in New Orleans (1862), laborers’ wages (1866) and local news. W. H. Pearce of Livingston Parish, La, discusses secession and the national politics (Dec. 1860). Charles Daggs, an African American tenant farmer, discusses production and marketing of charcoal, farming, rations, clothing, needed goods, timber sales, and freedmen's wages (1865-1866). Papers also include official documents issued by the U. S. Provost Marshal certifying that John W. Gurley and his wife, Rosa, as enemies of the United States (1862) and an order for Gurley to leave Orleans Parish (1863). Also contained are oaths of allegiance taken by Gurley and his wife, Rosa, with letters confirming their loyalty (1864-1865) and an authorization for Gurley to practice law in New Orleans (1865).

Note: More information can be found in the index terms that follow.

John W. Gurley Papers, Special Collections, LSU Libraries

Mss. 507 1858-1866

Index Terms
Terms	Date	Description of relevant documents
African American agricultural laborers--Louisiana.	1866	Freedman’s wage of $25 monthly as stated by U. S. Provost Marshal opposed by African American tenant, Feb. 26, 1866. A white laborer paid fifty cents a day by an African American tenant farmer, Edward G. Stewart letter, 1866.
African Americans-Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1860, 1866	Two boys refuse to work unless provided with whiskey, March 5, 1860; all need someone to do housework and direct labor, May 20, 1866. Two Edward G. Stewart letters, 1866.
Agricultural wages-Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1866	Freedman’s wage of $25 monthly as stated by U. S. Provost Marshal opposed by African American tenant, Feb. 26, 1866. Edward G. Stewart letters mention wages of white and freedmen laborers, and a white laborer paid fifty cents a day by an African American tenant farmer, 1866.
Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894.	1864	Banks reported satisfied with Gurley’s certificate from Vinot and promises to issue order for Gurley’s protection whenever necessary. Thomas H. Hewes letter, Aug. 10, 1864.
C. E. Girardy and Co.	1858-1859	Unauthorized sale of Albert, an African American slave, is questioned, Nov. 28, 1858. Owner seeks price reduction from firm because of slave’s illness, Jan. 27, 1859.
Cate, Charles.	1865	Tillotson’s Shoe store in New Orleans forwards frequent packages to Cate with letters enclosed for delivery in the area. Edward G. Stewart letter, Nov. 13, 1865.
Charcoal Industry-Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1865-1866	Comments concerning manufacture, workers hired, bagging, delivery to market and lack of railroad cars, Sept. 2, Oct. 10, 15, 31, Nov. 8, 13, 1865; Feb. 2, April 22 and 27, 1866.

John W. Gurley Papers, Mss. 507		Special Collections, LSU Libraries 1858-1866
Daggs, Charles	1865-1866	Production and marketing of charcoal, farming, rations, clothing, needed goods, timber sales and freedmen's wages.
Freedman--Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1866	Freedman’s wage of $25 monthly as stated by U. S. Provost Marshal opposed by African American tenant. Feb. 26, 1866.
Freight and freightage--Louisiana.	1865-1866	Complaints concern failure to receive shipments and lack of cars for transportation of lumber. Edward G. Stewart letters: Oct. 15, 1865; April 27, 1866.
Fruit--Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1858-1859	Mentions planting of grape and orange seed, and 20 sour orange trees, Jan. 22, Nov. 21, and Dec. 23, 1858; mentions large productivity of fig and peach trees, July 13, 1859. Edward G. Stewart letters.
Hewes, Thomas H.	1864	Comments on Bright’s interview with General Banks regarding Gurley’s oath of allegiance required for the practice of law.
Illinois Central Railroad.	1865-1866	Complaints about failure to receive freight and lack of cars to ship timber, Oct. 15, 1865. Charcoal and wood at railroad waiting for car, April 27, 1866.
Lawyer--Louisiana--New Orleans.	1858-1866	Papers of attorney John W. Gurley. Entire collection.
Lice--Louisiana.	1866	Clothing needed by laborers infected with lice, Feb. 11, 1866.
Livestock--Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1859-1860, 1865	Investment in poultry, hogs, cows, and calves recommended, Jan. 27, 1859. Sheep, May 7, 1859; Jan. 18, 1860. Comments on poultry, March 18, May 8, 1860. Sale of goat, Nov. 8, 1865.

John W. Gurley Papers, Special Collections, LSU Libraries

Mss. 507 1858-1866

Logging--Louisiana. 1859-1860, Letters and statements concern clearing of land,

1865-1866 timber production, production expenditures, freight problems and labor costs, 1858; Feb.-June, 1859; Jan.-May 4, 1860, Oct. 23, 31, 1865, June 26, 1859; March 5, 1860; Oct. 15, 23, 1865; Feb. 2, 11, April 27, 1866.

Loyalty oaths.	1864	Certificates confirm loyalty oaths and permit
		Gurley to practice law, Feb. 3, June 30, Aug. 8,
		Aug. 10, 1864; May 20, July 6, 1865.
Morgan, P. H.	1864	Comments on U. S. Provost Marshal’s doubts
		concerning Gurley’s certificate to practice law,
		Aug. 8, 1864; instructions for handling legal
		matters in his absence, Aug. 19 1864.
New Orleans (La.)-	1862-1865	John and Rosa Gurley registered as enemies of U.
History--Civil War, 1861-		S., Oct. 4, 1862, ordered to leave the city, May 9,
1865.		1863. Women and children arrive in New Orleans,
		May 1, 1862.
Oak Lawn Plantation (La.)	1858-1862,	Edward G. Stewart letters.
	1865-1866
Plantations--Louisiana-	1858-1862,	Edward G. Stewart letters.
Tangipahoa Parish.	1865-1866
Secession--Louisiana.	1860	Comments concerning evils of secession,
		conservative speech of Alexander H. Stephens to
		Georgia legislature, and adverse influence of
		Thanksgiving sermons by Dr. Leacock and Dr.
		Palmer, W. H. Pearce letter, Dec. 3, 1860.
Slave trade--Louisiana.	1858-1859	Unauthorized sale of slave is questioned, Nov. 28,
		1858. Comments on preference for 9-year-old girl
		to boy, Dec. 19 and 23, 1858. Owner seeks
		reduction due of slave’s illness, Jan. 27, 1859.
		Edward G. Stewart letters, Jan. 22, Nov. 5, 21, and
		28, Dec. 12, 1858; Jan. 27, 1859.

John W. Gurley Papers, Mss. 507		Special Collections, LSU Libraries 1858-1866
Slaves--Medical care.	1858	Owner appreciates care of sick slave by friend and suggests hiring of a nurse, Dec. 12, 1858. Owner seeks reduction from firm because of slave’s illness Jan. 27, 1859.
Stewart, Edward G.	1858-1862, 1865-1866	Letters discuss plantation operations, agriculture, slave sales, logging, construction of Gurley’s house, laborers, charcoal industry, African American tenant and local news.
Sugar--Prices--Louisiana.	1866	Sugar sells for 25 cents a pound, Charles Daggs letter, Feb. 11, 1866.
Tangipahoa Parish (La.)--Description and travel.	1860	Improvements include new hotel and buildings. Edward G. Stewart letters, Feb. 27-March 3, 1860.
Tangipahoa Parish (La.)--History.	1858-1866	Entire collection.
Taxation--Louisiana--New Orleans.	1858	Receipt for payment of state taxes, Aug. 5, 1858.
Tenant farmers-Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish.	1866	Edward G. Stewart letters, Sept. 2, Oct. 15, 23, 31, Nov. 13, 1865; April 10, and 27, and May 20, 1866. Charles Daggs letters, 1865-1866.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Refugees.	1862	Arrival of women and children, operations continue as long as possible, Edward G. Stewart letter, May 1, 1862.
United States--Politics and government--1857-1861.	1860	Comments concerning evils of secession, political environment in the nation, conservative speech of Alexander H. Stephens to Georgia legislature and adverse influence of Thanksgiving sermons by Dr. Leacock and Dr. Palmer, W. H. Pearce letter, Dec. 3, 1860.
Yellow Fever--Louisiana--New Orleans.	1858	Depressed slave market, Edward G. Stewart letter, 1858.

John W. Gurley Papers, Special Collections, LSU Libraries

Mss. 507 1858-1866

Stack Location	Box	Folders	Container List Contents
U:145 Stack Location	1 Reel	1a-3d	John W. Gurley Papers (1858-1866). Contents
Mf.: 5322, Series I, pt. 2 Mf:5735, Series B	13 6	--	John W. Gurley Papers (1858-1866). John W. Gurley Papers (1858-1866).