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John J. Knox papers

John J. Knox papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: John J. Knox papers
Creator: United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands
Inclusive Dates: 1854-1946
Language(s): English
Extent: 1 Linear Feet 2 document boxes
Collection Number: ms3119
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

John J. Knox was born on February 3, 1835 in Onandaga, New York. He enlisted in Company D of the Fifth Michigan Infantry in 1861 after having been expelled (for his Union sentiments) from the state of Mississippi where he had been a teacher. In 1862 he assumed command of his company and was gravely wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks the same year. Unfit for further battle duty, he served as Provost Marshall at Plattsburgh, New York and Scranton, Pennsylvania. After the war, he served in the Freedmen's Bureau in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. He later worked for the Department of Interior in Indian Territory. Knox died of complications from his war wound on April 19, 1877.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of clippings from Knox's personal scrapbook, affidavits, letters, manuscript speeches, military documents, and other material. The speeches were likely written during the time he was a teacher in Mississippi, prior to the Civil War. Of particular interest are also two speeches he gave at the Knox Institute (a Freedmen's school named after him) in Athens, Georgia. Also included are materials relating to Knox's family, including letters (many addressed to Clarkston, Michigan), an account book, and photographs.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

John J. Knox papers, ms3119, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2009 October 16.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Account books.
Affidavits.
African American schools -- Georgia -- Athens.
Articles.
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence.
Freedmen -- Georgia.
Freedmen -- Mississippi.
Knox Institute and Industrial School
Knox family
Knox, John J., 1835-1877
Knox, John J., 1835-1877 -- Correspondence
Manuscripts (documents)
Military records.
Speeches (documents)
United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands -- Records and correspondence
United States. Dept. of Interior

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Freedmen's Bureau in Georgia and the South

boxfolder
11Affidavit, 1866 July 11
12Affidavit, 1866 July 11
13Affidavit, 1866 July 11
14Affidavit, 1866 July 20
15Affidavit, 1866 July 20
16Affidavit, 1868 May 27
17Clippings
18Clippings
19Commission, 1868 January 1
110Contract (teacher's), 1854 November 11
111Envelopes (empty)
112Financial statement, 1868 January 1
113Letter, 1861 January 25
114Letter, 1861 March 25
115Letter, 1866 March 1
116Letter, 1866 May 1
117Letter, 1866 July 9
118Letter, 1868 March 1
119Letter, 1868 May 22
120Letter, 1868 September 10
121Letter, 1868 September 13
122Letter, 1868 November 21
123Letter, 1868 November 24
124Letters, 1906 November 12 (2)
125Military records (copies)
126Military. Quartermaster document, 1864 September 13
127Military. Quartermaster document, 1864 October
128Military. Quartermaster document, 1867 September 15
129Notes
130Receipt, 1898 March 10
131Speech (at Knox Inst., Athens, Ga., 1867 December
132Speech (at Knox Inst. Athens, Ga. ?)
133Speech before court regarding a debt
134Speech - Caesar or Brutus
135Speech - Conquest of Cuba
136Speech - Foreign emigration
137Speech - Hope of reward
138Speech - Indians
139Speech - Intemperance or war
140Speech - Intemperance or war
141Speech - Married or single life
142Speech - Memory of the past or hope of the future
143Speech - Pursuit or possession of an object
144Speech - Selection of a school principal
145Speech - Slavery question
146Speech - Teaching of classics in college
147Speech - Washington and Columbus
148Speech - Washington and Columbus
149Speech - Wealth or popularity
150Speech - Women or money
 

2. Family Papers

boxfolder
21Account book - Mrs. John J. Knox, 1899-1914
22Address book
23Announcements
24Calling cards
25Clippings
26Diary excerpt, 1893 February 25
27Envelopes (empty)
28Genealogy
29Invitations
210Letters, 1876-1884
211Letters, 1885-1891
212Letters, 1892-1893
213Letter, 1911
214Letters, 1925-1926
215Letters, 1946
216Memorial cards
217Photographs
218Printed material