James A. Gillespie and family papers, 1776-1928 (bulk 1840-1890).

ArchivalResource

Gillespie, James A. James A. Gillespie and family papers, 1776-1928 (bulk 1840-1890).

James A. Gillespie and family papers, 1776-1928 (bulk 1840-1890).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122411221

The collection includes plantation records, business papers, and correspondence of the Gillespie family and business and personal papers of the Davis family. The earliest papers relate to the Davis family and include agreements and deeds between Joshua and David Davis for sales of slaves (1776); bills and receipts for purchases by Joshua Davis; and letters to Mrs. Sally Gardner Davis from her family in North Carolina (1807-1811). Bills, receipts, and two letters from Thomas Affleck are addressed to Thomas Davis. A letter (1857) by Sarah Davis mentions visits of John Purvis and Nancy Marley. Papers (1825-1850) include land deeds and land grants of James A. Gillespie and his brother John. A contract (1830) mentions land bordered on the north by property of Sarah Davis. One item documents the gift of several slaves by James Gillespie to his daughter, Mary E. Winston. Papers (1860-1880) document the management of the Hollywood and Indian Village plantations and include a lease of the Indian Village Plantation to the firm Hoyt, Sprague & Company of New York (1865). The plantation was subsequently leased to Anna G. Haydon (1867) and to Wm. Jett & Company (1872-1875). Contracts with laborers and tenants (1864-1901) document days worked, pay, and food rations received by laborers on plantations owned by the Gillespie family. A labor contract of Thomas Davis (1867) records labor on the Beechland Plantation. Correspondence of the Gillespie family includes a letter of John Gillespie describing conditions in Tennessee (1866); a letter from I.W. Paxton describing conditions in England (1867); letters discussing plantation and financial matters; and a letter (1879) mentioning the death of James Gillespie, with a copy of his last will (1873). Papers post 1880 chiefly relate to Jane Gillespie and her management of the plantations. Diaries of James Gillespie (1851-1861) describe working conditions on the Hollywood, Indian Village, Sligo, Egypt, and Mantua plantations. Record books (1843-1894) list household expenses, sales of produce, names of slaves and laborers and record wages paid and amounts of work done. The collection contains photographs (chiefly portraits, including one ambrotype), maps, plats, and printed items including sheet music, fashion publications, a pamphlet, and German language materials.

1,149 items.20 v.

ger,

eng,

Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries