Biographical/Historical Note

4

Scope and Content Note

4

Collection Description(s)

5-6

Index Terms

7-11

Container List

12

Size.

270 items and 4 manuscript volumes

Geographic locations.

East Feliciana Parish, La.; Alexandria, La.; New Orleans, La.; Harrison County, Texas; military camps in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia

Inclusive dates.

1793-1909

Bulk dates.

1861-1896

Language.

English

Summary.

Personal papers of the Josiah Knighton family of Clinton, East Feliciana Parish, La. This includes Civil War and Reconstruction letters of James H. Knighton, of the Fourth Louisiana Infantry, financial and legal documents, and educational materials of Mollie S. Knighton.

Organization.

Arranged chronologically

Restrictions on access.

If microfilm is available, photocopies must be made from microfilm.

Related collections.

N/A

Copyright.

Copyright of the original materials is retained by descendants of the creators in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Citation.

Josiah Knighton Family Papers, Mss. 651, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.

Stack location(s).

E:21

Also available on:

Microfilm 5735, Series B, Reel 11

Omission: Volumes 1-4

Stack Location

Box

Folder

Date

Contents

E:21

1

1

1793,

1808-1833

Inventory of personal estate of Howell Hay (1793); petition to James Hay (1808); Affidavits establishing ownership of slaves (1812); the estate of Harris Heath to James Hay Jr. (1820); letters to Sylviah F. Hay (1828-1831); mortgages of property by James Hay and his wife to the New Orleans Canal & Banking Co. (1832); copies of love letters from Benjamin Singeltary to Sylvia Hay (1830-1831)

2

1842-1860

Petition Josiah Benton v. J.C. White and Josiah Knighton (1842); letters to Josiah Knighton from Daniel H. Cole (1842, 1851-1860); prospectus of Feliciana Institute, Clinton (1859); report to the Board of Trustees of the Feliciana Institute (1860)

3

1861-1864

51 items:

Mostly Confederate letters written by James H. Knighton to family members (his mother, his father, his sister, Maggie, and his Uncle Josiah) from various camps in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. They give first-hand report of troop movements, reverses of the Confederates, etc. Other letters to Maggie are also included, many signed, Lee

4-5

1865-1879

14 items:

Personal and family correspondence largely addressed to Ellie and Maggie Knighton.

5-6

1880-1896

probate court docket—succession of Gerhard Koch, deceased, and transfer of land by Sheriff to Mrs. Elizabeth Koch and heirs; personal letters addressed to Ellie and Mollie Knighton, chiefly from J. Thomas Knighton;

petition by Mrs. M. A. Brown, widow of Private R. P. Brown (who died in Federal prison in N. Y. in 1864) for 160 acres of state land as provided for in Act 96, 1884, and two letters pertaining thereto.

7a-7b

1862-1899, undated

miscellaneous invitations, and postal cards largely addressed to Ellie Knighton.

2

8

1897-1909

Letters, receipts

9

undated

Miscellaneous letters and papers; poetry

10

undated

Sheets from the record of the births, marriages, and deaths in the Knighton family

12

undated

Photograph (unidentified), cards

13a-13b

undated

Envelopes

14

1870-1874

undated

Newspaper clippings; page from scrapbook on Jefferson Davis

2

--

1817, undated

Arithmetic notebook

--

undated

Sketchbook

--

undated

Sketchbook

--

1879-1890

Sunday School Classbook

Subject

Date

Description of relevant documents

Advertising--New York (State)--New York.

undated

“How to Kiss a Lady,” [51], published by Henry J. Wehman, Song Publisher, 50 Chatham St. (Up-Stairs), New York.

Advertising--Railroads--Louisiana--Claiborne Parish.

1886

description of barbecue given by tax promoters—8,000 pounds of meat, 400 pounds of “Bakers” bread from Shreveport for 3,000 persons, 2/3 of which are African Americans, a brass band, speeches, and 10 men appointed to assist special marshal to keep order, Aug. 8.

African Americans--Civil rights--Tennessee.

1867

split of Radicalism results in white and black men nominating different men for Congress, May 20 (Nashville); only blacks and meanest white men allowed to vote; Legislature disenfranchises respectable citizens, Aug. 20.

Alabama--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Desertions.

1864

ravages more dreaded than Federals; battalion ordered out to protect civilians, Apr. 17.

Alabama--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Women.

1863-1864

criticized for failure to grieve, “troubles of our unfortunate country;” entertain soldiers with nightly and parties. John Doyle, Nov. 13, 1863 (Mobile);

Atlanta Campaign, 1864.

1864

comments on spirit of troops, military leaders, movements of Army of Tennessee from Altoona Mountain via Kennesaw Mountain to vicinity of Atlanta, confidence in Confederate victory, heavy losses on each side, devastation by Federal troops, assistance from Ladies Relief Association to sick and wounded.

Balls (Parties)--Louisiana--Clinton.

1881, 1883, 1885-1886

4 invitations to balls given by the “Young Men of Clinton.”

Brown, Roy.

1864, 1885

[released to brother], in poor health and need of money to return home, 2 letters by, Jan. 21 and Mar. 22 (Bloomington, Indiana); certified statement by wife concerns military service and death in Federal prison in Elmira, New York. May 22, 1885.

Camp Lovell (La.)

1861-1862

routine soldier’s letters comment on camp activities including construction of barracks and drill, health, re-enlistment, comrades, and death of brother (?) James H. Knighton, Nov. 12 and 17, Dec. 9 and 29, 1861; Jan. 19, 25, and 29, Feb. 3 and 8, 1862.

Camp Neafus (Miss.)

1861

routine soldier’s letters comment on camp life, drill, failure to receive pay, need for shoes and clothing, inability of vessels to travel beyond Pass Christian since evacuation of Ship Island. James H. Knighton, Aug. 1, 6, 11, 18, 22; Sept. 1; Oct. 1, 2;

Chinese--Louisiana--Lake Providence.

1875

young girl laughs at the many Chinese in locality, Mar. 21; comments on amusements and social life of young people, fire at merchandise house, and Chinese population. Feb. 8 and Mar. 20.

Christmas--Alabama.

1864

soldier’s Christmas around smoky fire with usual bread and beef for dinner; missed egg nog, roast, turkey, and pretty girls. J. Doyle letter, Mar. 8, 1864 (Mobile)

Christmas--Tennessee.

1867

first Christmas without egg nog for farmer. George B. Farrar letter, Dec. 30, 1867.

Confederate Memorial Day.

1867

hand-made wreaths by girls decorate soldiers’ graves; Yankees prevent Mr. Godfrey from making a speech, Apr. 20.

Confederate States of America. Army. Louisiana Infantry Regiment, 4th.

1861-1864

soldiers’ letters comment on camp life, military duties and operations, hardships endured, participation in battle at Corinth and in Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, war rumors, Confederate women, and Confederate deserters;

Roy Brown [released to brother], in poor health and need of money to return home, 2 letters by, Jan. 21 and Mar. 22 (Bloomington, Indiana);

Roy Brown, certified statement by wife concerns military service and death in Federal prison in Elmira, New York. May 22, 1885.

Confederate States of America. Army. Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, 9th.

1864

comments on military movements and positions of Army of Tennessee in Atlanta campaign, Confederate retreat from Louisiana and Mississippi through Alabama, war news, spirit of troops, raid into Tennessee and capture of General Stoneman.

Corinth (Miss.)--History--19th century.

1862

comments on preparations, fighting, casualties, duties caring for sick, and compulsory re-enlistment. James H. Knighton, Apr. 1, 6, 10, 14, and 20.

East Feliciana Parish (La.)--Social life and customs--19th century.

1859-1886

materials pertain to Feliciana Institute, teachers’ contracts, social life, and observance of Confederate Memorial Day.

Elementary school teachers--Louisiana--Clinton.

1878-1879, 1886

certificate for first grade signed by Edwin H. Fay, Chairman of Committee on Teachers for Parish Board of Directors, Jan. 4, 1878; 3 contracts to teach at $30 per month. Jan. 18, 1879; Oct. 29, 1879; and Jan. 23, 1886;

Feliciana Female Collegiate Institute.

1859-1860

prospectus, Sept. 26, 1859; report traces development of schools from 1855 and asks financial assistance from Board of Trustees, July 7, 1860.

Georgia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Women.

1863-1864

Ladies Relief Association of Georgia renders great help to sick and wounded. Lee, June 23, 1864.

Harrison County (Tex.)--Description and travel.

1847, 1851

best upland country for health and production of cotton, corn, potatoes, and pumpkins, Oct. 19, 1847; severe drought forces merchants to get provisions from Natchez, Alexandria, and Lake Providence, Oct. 26, 1851.

Homer (La.)--Description and travel.

1884, 1886

farmer’s comments on victory of Democratic Party, Nov. 15, 1884; Knights of Pythias, July 24, 1886; promotion of railroad construction, Aug. 8, 1886.

Homer (La.)--Politics and government--19th century.

1884

glorious victory; demonstrations sublime; torch-light parade with procession 1½ miles long composed of young and old, men and women, mostly walking. Nov. 15.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (East Feliciana Parish, La.)

1870

regalia ball invitation lists committee members, May 20.

Knighton, Mollie S.

1878-1879, 1886

certificate for first grade signed by Edwin H. Fay, Chairman of Committee on Teachers for Parish Board of Directors, Jan. 4, 1878; 3 contracts to teach at $30 per month. Jan. 18, 1879; Oct. 29, 1879; and Jan. 23, 1886;

Knights of Pythias (Homer, La.)

1886

lodge membership opposed by father; son refused to resign because of lodge’s assistance to widows and children, July 24.

Lake Providence (La.)--Description and travel.

1875

comments on amusements and social life of young people, fire at merchandise house, and Chinese population. Feb. 8 and Mar. 20.

Louisiana--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans.

1864

desert family but regarded as “poor, deluded things; they know not suffering is before them.” John Doyle, Aug. 26.

Memorial rites and ceremonies--Louisiana--Clinton.

1867

hand-made wreaths by girls decorate soldiers’ graves; Yankees prevent Mr. Godfrey from making a speech, Apr. 20.

Mississippi--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Desertions.

1864

ravages more dreaded than Federals; battalion ordered out to protect civilians, Apr. 17.

Mobile (Ala.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

1863-1864

comments on attitude of Confederate women towards war, and accommodations for regiment, Nov. 13, 1863; civilian fears of Sherman removed, Mar. 8, 1864.

Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)--Tennessee.

1866-1867

farmer’s comments on Southern poverty, African Americans, good crops to stop Yankee purchases, and Radicalism. 7 George B. Farrar letters, June 10 and Nov. 14, 1866; Jan. 12, Mar. 10, May 20, Aug. 20, and Dec. 30, 1867 (Brentwood).

School notebooks.

1817, undated

arithmetic – Notebook #1

Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862.

1862

comments on preparations, fighting, casualties, duties caring for sick, and compulsory re-enlistment. James H. Knighton, Apr. 1, 6, 10, 14, and 20.

Soldiers--Confederate States of America.

1861-1864

comments on camp life, military duties and operations, lack of shoes, clothing and money to pay medical bills, battle at Corinth, and compulsory re-enlistment, 19 James H. Knighton letters; comments on war news, hardships, camp life, retreat from Chattanooga, Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, Confederate deserters, and Confederate women. 9 James H. Doyle letters; comments on retreat from Liberty, Mississippi, to Mobile and Selma, Alabama, war rumors, soldiers as “first class slaves,” military maneuvers of Army of Tennessee in Atlanta Campaign, and capture of General Stoneman. 12 Lee ____ letters

Tennessee--History--19th century.

1862, 1864, 1866-1867

Confederate soldiers’ letters concern activities of 4^th Louisiana Infantry and 9^th Tennessee Battery Cavalry, and Reconstruction.

Valentine's Day--Louisiana--Clinton.

1859, 1874, undated

handwritten verse to “My dear Doctor,” and Mollie Knighton. 3 items

Vicksburg (Miss.)--History--Siege, 1863.

1862

strength of Confederate defense against Federal troops, May 24; comments on intention of Johnston’s collecting troops near Jackson to attack Federals on Big Black and denial by Pemberton that he sold out [William Hicks] Jackson, May 27.

Stack

Location

Box

Folder(s)

Contents (with dates)

E:21

1

1-5

Josiah Knighton and Family Papers (1793, 1801-1896)

2

6-16

Josiah Knighton and Family Papers (1897-1909, undated)

MF:5735, Series B

--

Reel 11

1 microfilm reel containing selected papers of the Josiah Knighton and Family Papers.

Omission: Volumes 1-4