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ELLIS-FARAR PAPERS

(Mss. 1000)

 

Compiled by

 

Barry Cowan

 

 

Contents of Inventory

 

Summary

Biographical/Historical Note

Scope and Content Note

Index Terms

Container List

 

 

 

Summary

 

Size.                       308 Items

 

Geographic

Location.                       Adams County, Miss., Pointe Coupee Parish, La., Houma, La.

 

Inclusive

Dates.                        1768-1871

 

Bulk dates.                    1804-1833

 

Language.                     English and Spanish

 

Summary.                     Papers of the Richard Ellis family and the related Benjamin Farar family, planters of Adams County, Miss., reflecting early land holdings and plantation economy and management.

 

Access.                         No restrictions.

 

Copyright.                     Physical rights are retained by the LSU Libraries. Copyright of the original materials is retained by the descendants of the creators of the materials in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

 

Citation.                         Ellis-Farar Papers, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

Stack

designation.                   S:1, OS:E, Vault:21

 

 

 

Biographical/Historical Note



The Ellis and Farar families were early settlers and major landowners in Mississippi and Louisiana. Richard Ellis owned White Cliffs, Homochitto, and Laurel Hill plantations in Adams County, near Natchez, Miss. Upon his death, these plantations and the property associated with them were inherited by Ellis’ children John, Abram, Jane, Mary, and Martha. Dr. Benjamin Farar (1773-1826) was an early settler of Pointe Coupee Parish, La. and also owned lands in Adams, Miss. He had three children: Captain Benjamin, Ann Frances, and Margaret Madeline.

 

Mary Ellis married Capt. Benjamin Farar and moved to Laurel Hill Plantation. She inherited the land from her father and they became successful planters. Their daughter, Ann Eliza married Dr. William Newton Mercer (1792-1874) and inherited Laurel Hill. Abram Ellis and his family (daughters Margaret and Ann, son Richard G.) resided at Homochitto Plantation and later moved to Evergreen Plantation in Houma, La. Margaret Ellis married Dr. Stephen Duncan (1787-1867) and Ann Ellis married Thomas Butler (1785-1847) who owned The Cottage near St. Francisville, La. Richard G. Ellis attended Cumberland College and married Julia Saul. He later owned Evergreen, which was passed down to his son, Richard G. Ellis, Jr. Jane Ellis married Major George Rapalje and lived in Natchez, Miss. They later moved to Laurel Hill Plantation and Jane Ellis Rapalje took on a major role in its management.

 

Scope and Content Note



Legal documents, bills and receipts, and correspondence of Richard Ellis, Mary Ellis Farar and Captain Benjamin Farar, Jane Ellis Rapalje and George Rapalje, Abram Ellis, and members of their respective families.  Legal documents consist of papers pertaining to the settlement of the estate of Richard Ellis and include an agreement signed by the heirs relative to the distribution and management of his properties as well as deeds, surveys, indentures, and confirmation of land ownership.  Also included with legal documents are contracts for work performed by craftsmen and overseers on the various plantations; a typescript of Abram Ellis’ will; a copy of the will of Jane Ellis Rapalje; and papers pertaining to the partition of Captain Benjamin Farar’s estate including deeds, vouchers, and slave inventories.  Bills and receipts consist of those for merchandise and for work and repairs performed at the plantations; doctor bills for family members and their slaves; and bills for tuition to College of Louisiana. Correspondence consists of letters between various family members concerning family news such as illnesses and marriages, and plantation matters such as crop conditions and letters to and from overseers.     

 

 

Index Terms

 

Butler, Thomas, 1785-1847

Cadastral maps

Civil actions

Contracts

Conveyances

Deeds

Dunbar, William, 1749-1810

Duncan, Stephen, 1787-1867

Durnford, Elias Walker, 1770-1794

Estate inventories

Farar, Benjamin, 1773-1826

Homochitto Plantation (Miss.)

Invitations

Invoices

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Kenner, William, 1776-1823

Land grants

Laurel Hill Plantation (Miss.)                         

Ledgers (account books)

Mercer, William Newton, 1792-1874                        

Miro, Esteban, 1744-1795

Mortgages

Plantations—Louisiana

Plantations—Management

Plantations—Mississippi—Adams County

Plantations—Mississippi--Natchez

Plantations—Southern States—Records and correspondence

Receipts

Slave labor—Southern States

Slavery—Louisiana

Slavery—Mississippi

Slavery—Southern States

Turner, Edward, 1778-1860

White Cliffs Plantation (Miss.)

Wills

 

 

Container List

 

 

Location

Box

Folder

Contents

 

 

 

 

S:1

1

1

1772 Fragment of statement of Elias Durnford concerning survey of Michael Hooten’s plantation.

 

1

1

2/6/1787 Spanish land conveyance from Michael Fortier to Daniel Clark.

 

1

1

1789 Fragment of land grant from Gov. Esteban Miro to J. Bohannon (?).

 

1

1

11/6/1789 T.W. Butler relinquishment of land to Richard Ellis.

 

1

1

n.d. Fragment mentioning “judgments…other charges.”

 

1

1

n.d. “600 Arpans granted to WM. Butler on the St. Catharn Creek A. County.”

 

1

1

n.d. “2650 Arpans-Granted to Michael Fortier-Adams County.”

 

1

1

4/26/1804 Plat and resurvey of Benjamin Farar’s property at White Cliffs.

 

1

2

1/27/1795 Agreement and certificate signed by heirs of the estate of Richard Ellis.  Filed 3/24/1804.

OS:E

 

1

1775 Deed from Michael Hooten to Isaac Johnson. Marked “Benj. Farrar Filed March 29, 1804.”

 

 

1

6/12/1777 Lease agreement from Evan Cameron to Isaac Johnson.

S:1

1

2

1786-1788 Grant of 150 “Arpens” to Richard Ellis.

 

 

2

1788 Spanish land grant to Richard Ellis. 

 

 

2

1789 Spanish land grant to William Butler.

 

 

2

1786-1788 Map of grant “for 150 Arpans.” 

 

 

2

12/12/1797 Spanish conveyance of land from Isaac Johnson to Benjamin Farar.  Includes translated summary.  

 

 

2

10/30/1804 Conveyance of land from Thomas Welsh to Edward King.

OS:E

 

1

8/15/1805 US certificate verifying Benjamin Farar’s Spanish land claim.

 

 

1

6/4/1805 US certificate verifying Richard Ellis’ Spanish land claim.

 

 

1

6/4/1805 US certificate verifying Benjamin Farar’s Spanish land claim.

 

 

1

10/3/1805 US certificate verifying Jane Rapalje’s Spanish land claim.

 

 

1

9/17/1805 US certificate verifying Benjamin Farar’s Spanish land claim

S:1

 

3

4/28/1806 Survey of Benjamin Farar’s land.

OS:E

 

2

1808 Indenture: John Cammack to Benjamin Farar.

 

 

2

5/4/1811 US certificate verifying Benjamin Farar’s land claim.

 

 

2

5/3/1811 US certificate verifying Benjamin Farar’s land claim.

 

 

2

5/4/1811 US certificate verifying Benjamin Farar’s land claim.

 

 

 

 

Location

Box

Folder

Contents

 

 

 

 

S:1

1

3

4/1/1819 William Harcourt v. Isaac Gaillard: Declaration of Ejectment.

OS:E

 

2

9/25/1819 Deed Benjamin Aikin to Benjamin Farar.

S:1

1

3

10/6/1819 Discharge and acquittal of Benjamin Aikin’s mortgage.

 

 

3

5/2/1804 Receipt to Abram Ellis for items bought from Mace P. Butler.

 

 

3

9/28/1806 Receipt to Capt. Benjamin Farar for payment for surveying. 

 

 

3

2/22/1806 Receipt to Benjamin Farar for notice of land claim.

 

 

3

2/22/1806 “ “

 

 

3

2/22/1806 “ “

 

 

3

1/20-21/1810 Receipt to Abram Ellis for horse feed and boarding.

 

 

3

3/31/? Fragment of letter from Benjamin Farar to wife Mary.

 

 

3

8/6/1812 Receipt to Abram Ellis from Dr. Smith

 

 

3

1/28/1812 Receipt.

 

 

3

6/20/1812 Invitation to Mrs. Duncan to July 4th ball in Washington, DC.

 

 

3

8/31/1812 Receipt for sale of cotton from Abram Ellis to Mayhew Fletcher.

 

 

3

9/17/1812 Receipt to Abram Ellis for payment of doctor’s bill.

 

 

4

9/22/1812 Letter to Stephen Duncan regarding Abram Ellis’ purchases.

 

 

4

1813 Receipt to Abram Ellis for taxes.

 

 

4

3/7/1803 Promissory note from Abram Ellis to Oliver Walton.

 

 

4

4/25/1813 Letter to Abram Ellis from Oliver Walton concerning promissory note listed above.

 

 

4

4/17/1813 Letter from M. Duncan, Middlesex, Pa.

 

 

4

5/11/1813 Receipt for sale of Abram Ellis’ cotton.

 

 

4

2/10/1814 Note from Abram Ellis concerning payment of a bill.

 

 

4

2/24/1814 “ “

 

 

4

3/27/1814 Letter to Margaret Duncan from her brother Richard G. Ellis.

 

 

4

4/17/1814 Letter to Margaret Duncan from Emily Duncan.

 

 

4

10/26/1814 Letter to Margaret Duncan from her brother Richard G. Ellis.

 

 

4

4/?/1814 Receipt for “a note of hand for collection.”

 

 

4

11/7/1815 Letter to Margaret Duncan from Ann Butler.

 

 

4

10/17/1815 “ “

 

 

4

1815           “ “

 

 

4

“      “         “ “

 

 

4

1/2/1815 Letter to Margaret Duncan from her brother Richard G. Ellis.

 

 

4

n.d. Letter to Margaret Duncan from Ann Butler.

Location

Box

Folder

Contents

 

 

 

 

S:1

1

4

2/19/1815 Letter to Margaret Duncan from Ann Butler.                                                        

 

 

4

3/11/1815 “ “

 

 

4

9/29/1815 Promissory note from Jane Rapalje and Benjamin Farar to Samuel Moore.

 

 

5

12/31/1818 Receipt for payment.

 

 

5

12/31/1818 Receipt to Capt. Benjamin Farar for purchases.

 

 

5

12/31/1818 Receipt to Capt. Benjamin Farar for “1 Big Coat.”

 

 

5

1/2/1819 Contract for James Nelson to build cistern for Jane Rapalje.

 

 

5

1/1/1819 Bill to “Mrs. Farrar” for repairs.

 

 

5

1818 Letter to Jane Rapalje from Julia Saul.

 

 

5

10/12/1818 Receipt to Jane Rapalje for “2 Knob Locks.”

 

 

5

11/25/1818 Receipt for spices and rice.

 

 

5

10/9/1818 Receipt to Benjamin Farar from George Newman for harness repair.

 

 

5

9/28/1818 Receipt for store purchases.

 

 

5

7/3/1818 Receipt to Benjamin Farar for payment to Lustman and Patton.

 

 

5

2/27/1818 Receipt to Jane Rapalje from W.D. King for chain pump.

 

 

5

2/12/1818 Receipt to Jane Rapalje From George Newman for harness repair.

 

 

5

2/13/1818 Letter to Richard G. Ellis from his wife Julia Ellis.

 

 

5

1/11/1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar from Wm. D. Griffith for “drafting law for the emancipation of Louisa and her child & attending Legislature.”

 

 

5

1/5/1818 Receipt to Jane Rapalje.

 

 

5

1818 Subscription notice to the Female Charitable Society.

 

 

5

April-December 1817 Receipt to Jane Rapalje from John Rabb for purchase of household goods.

 

 

5

9/1/1817 Letter to Thomas Butler.

 

 

5

6/28/1817 Letter to Mary Farar from E.B. Stark.

 

 

5

7/19-8/19 Receipt to Jane Rapalje for cotton cards and wool.

OS:E

 

2

5/11/1817 Will of Jane Rapalje.

S:1

1

5

5/7/1817 Receipt to Jane Rapalje for payment of $500.

 

 

5

July-Dec. 1816 Receipt to Jane Rapalje for Dr. Lehman’s bill.

 

 

5

10/21/1816 Receipt to Benjamin Farar for Dr. Lehman’s bill.

 

 

5

10/26/1816 Receipt.

 

 

5

3/2/1816 Typescript of Abram Ellis’ will.

 

 

6

n.d. “ As relating to Morals and Education. A Mothers advice to her Son.” To Abram Ellis from his mother.

 

 

6

n.d. Letter to Mrs. Rapalje from Mary.

 

 

6

n.d. Note: “ I shall certainly expect the pleasure of Mrs. Rapalje’s company on Tuesday evening the 10th.”

Location

Box

Folder

Contents

 

 

 

 

S:1

1

6

1818-1822 Account book.

 

 

6

1819, 1822 Receipt to Jane Rapalje.

 

 

6

1819-1820 Account of  Jane Rapalje.

 

 

6

9/28/1819 Receipt to Mrs. Richard Ellis for “1 Martingale.”

 

 

6

June, 1819 Receipt to “Mrs. Farrar” for acid, cordials and brandy.

 

 

6

6/9/1819 Receipt for 300 loaves of bread.

 

 

6

6/7/1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar.

 

 

6

April-May 1819 Receipt to Mrs. Farar for ribbon, paper, tape, thread, and cotton balls..

 

 

6

5/5/1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar from Sophia Elliott for stable rent.

 

 

6

5/5/1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar.

 

 

6

5/29/1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar from Samuel David for 16 yards of gingham.

 

 

6

5/5/1819 Receipt to “Mrs. Ferrar” for 12 bundles of tape.

 

 

6

March 1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar for hardware.

 

 

6

4/30/1819 Receipt to “Mrs. Farra” for silk.

 

 

6

4/20/1819 Receipt to “Miss Ferrar” for silk.

 

 

6

4/20/1819 Receipt to “Capt. Farra” for silk.

 

 

7

3/25/1819 Receipt.

 

 

7

3/18/1819 Receipt for ribbon.

 

 

7

3/15/1819 Receipt to “Mrs. Farrar.”

 

 

7

3/11/1819 Receipt for ribbon.

 

 

7

2/25/1819 Receipt to Mrs. Rapalje for bowls and pitchers.

 

 

7

3/6/1819 Receipt.

 

 

7

Jan.-March 1819 Receipt to “Capt. B. Farrar.”

 

 

7

7/23/1819 Receipt to Jane Rapalje from John Forsythe for building materials.

 

 

7

Jan. 1818-Feb. 1819 Receipt to Benjamin Farar from Davis and Moore for clothing and household items.

 

 

7

2/3/1819 Letter to Richard Ellis.

OS:E

 

2

2/3/1819 Letter to Richard G. Ellis.

S:1 

1

7

1/20/1819 Postlethwaite v. Nelson: Dismissal of Attachment.

 

 

7

1/13/1819 Receipt for “1 set Patent Ballances.”

 

 

7

1/26/1819 Ledger sheet showing account of “Captain Farrar” for horse boarding, feed, and gig rental.

 

 

7