Prichard, Walter, 1887-1965

Prichard was a native of Indiana and a professor of Louisiana history at Louisiana State University until 1957. He served as chair of the history department and then dean of men, 1927-1930. He also founded the University's archives department. He collected these letters of Thomas Bolling Robertson and Jane Dunbar Ferguson and apparently intended to edit them.

Thomas Bolling Robertson (1773-1828) was born in Prince George County, Va., graduated from William and Mary College in 1795, and practiced law in Virginia until he moved to the Territory of Orleans in 1805. In 1807, Thomas Jefferson appointed him secretary of the territory. He held several state offices. He was Louisiana's first member of the House of Representatives, 1812-1818, and was governor, 1820-1824. He became a United States judge for the District of Louisiana in 1824.

In the mid-1820's, he married Leila Skipwith of Baton Rouge. She was the daughter of Fulwar Skipwith, owner of Montesano Plantation north of Baton Rouge, former American consul in Paris, and governor of the short-lived Republic of West Florida. The couple resided in New Orleans and at Magnolia Plantation, a gift from her father, which was also located north of Baton Rouge on the Mississippi River. They had no children.

Jane Dunbar Ferguson of Washington, Miss., was a plantation owner. Her husband George Ferguson apparently had died by 1821. They had at least three children, Dr. George Ferguson, Charlotte, and Ann. Charlotte married William Aylett Buckner and resided at Airlie in Natchez. Ann married David Hunt, one of the wealthiest Natchez planters, and they lived at Woodlawn.

From the description of Walter Prichard collection, 1804-circa 1950 (bulk 1804-1828, 1838-1897). (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 244387370