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SUMMARY

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE

James Essex Elam, born in East Baton Rouge Parish December 7, 1829, served as mayor of Baton Rouge from 1858-1862 and 1865-1869. He attended Lagrange College in Kentucky (1846-1847), Centenary College in Jackson, La. (1847-1850), and law school at the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University) in New Orleans. Elam then returned to Baton Rouge to practice law with his father, James Mason Elam. He died in Baton Rouge on July 31, 1873.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

Bound collection of letters, partially indexed, received by James Essex Elam, son of James M. Elam, in the antebellum period from members of his family. Most of the letters relate to personal affairs, but some references are made to the political situation, local conditions in Baton Rouge, the Mexican War, the California Gold Rush of 1849, and antebellum college life.

Collection also contains a certificate, 1853, of the appointment of James M. Elam as attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The collection consists of a letter book of James Essex Elam (1846-1852). The letters are primarily written by his father, James Mason Elam, and discuss politics, moral issues, and his wish for his son to receive a good education and make a mark for himself in life. Other letters come from Elam’s sisters and his friends from college and provide news of family members and mutual friends. Some correspondents include W.D. Brigham, Stephen Henderson, Jr. of Gartness Plantation, George M. Heroman, Thomas S. Jones, and W.P. Winans. Many letters contain news of people and events in Baton Rouge, including references to the Mexican-American War (May 1846), cholera in Baton Rouge (1849), the California Gold Rush (1848), and the Whig Party (1849). Also of note is a letter from G.B. Newe of Woodville, Miss., in which he mentions that “the good citizens of Woodville put a stop to” the marriage of Mr. Lumas and Miss Cooley, an African-American woman, as they “told him if he did get married they would tar and feather him” (December 14, 1848, page 316).

Also included in the collection is a certificate admitting James Mason Elam as an attorney and counselor of the United States Supreme Court (February 25, 1853), an engraving by W. Wellstood of James M. Elam (undated), and an issue of the Baton Rouge serial Pansy Blossom (April 1887).

CROSS REFERENCES

CONTAINER LIST