Request Material





Alexander H. Stephens family papers

Alexander H. Stephens family papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Alexander H. Stephens family papers
Creator: Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883
Inclusive Dates: 1797-1977
Bulk Dates: 1837-1895
Language(s): English
Extent: 1.75 Linear Feet (4 boxes, 1 oversize folder and walking cane)
Collection Number: ms3828
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Alexander Hamilton Stephens (1812-1883) was born near Crawfordville (Ga.) to Andrew Baskins Stephens (1782-1826) and Margaret Grier. Liberty Hall in Crawfordville was his home. He was Vice President of the Confederacy during the Civil War, a United States Congressman, and died in office as Georgia Governor in 1883. John Alexander Stephens (1838-1887), nephew of Alexander H. Stephens, was a lawyer in Atlanta and married to Mary Emma Simpson, daughter of William Wingfield Simpson. Linton Stephens (1823-1872), half-brother of Alexander H. Stephens, was a lawyer and Georgia Legislator.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of biographical information, correspondence, writings, financial papers, printed material, photographs, and artifacts. Family letters are mainly among Alexander H. Stephens, his father Andrew Baskins Stephens, his brother Aaron Grier Stephens, his nephew John Alexander Stephens, and his half-brother Linton Stephens. The letters discuss family matters and politics. One group of letters concerns the imprisonment and parole of honor of Alexander H. Stephens at Fort Warren (Boston, Mass.) in 1865. Correspondence between Alexander H. Stephens and various political figures includes Howell Cobb, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Hill, and Robert Toombs. Stephens and Hill write about the possibility of a duel between them because of an argument over politics. There is one letter from Clement Anselm Evans (1833-1911) to his wife, and three letters to him from John Brown Gordon, Joseph Wheeler and James Longstreet. Among the financial papers are deeds, and the wills of Alexander H. Stephens and his grandfather Alexander Stephens (d. 1813). An oversize folder contains a copy of an undated map of Confederate and Federal lines around Petersburg, Virginia. Artifacts include a walking cane of Alexander H. Stephens, locks of his hair, and a bloodletting tool.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Alexander H. Stephens family papers, ms 3828, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2013.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Correspondence.
Dueling -- Georgia.
Fort Warren (Mass.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Lawyers -- Georgia.
Legislators -- United States.
Petersburg (Va.)
Phlebotomy -- Instruments.

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Biographical Information

boxfolder
11Alexander H. Stephens Attorney License (1834), Commissions as Senator (1866), 1834, 1866
 

2. Correspondence

boxfolder
12Family - From Andrew B. Stephens, 1806-1813
13Family - From Andrew B. Stephens, Alexander H. Stephens, A. G. Stephens, 1825-1839
14Family - From Linton H. Stephens, A. G. Stephens, Andrew W. Grier, Alexander H. Stephens, 1840-1846
15Family - From Linton H. Stephens, J. A. Stephens, Alexander H. Stephens, 1851-1857
16Family, 1860-1869
17Family - Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Stephens, Emma Cribbs (?), 1870-1878
18Family - From Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Stephens, 1880-1883
19Alexander H. Stephens A-Z, 1859-1883
110Alexander H. Stephens, Howell Cobb, and Mary Ann Cobb, 1863, 1874
111Alexander H. Stephens and Jefferson Davis invitations, 1861
112Alexander H. Stephens and John Brown Gordon, 1875
113Alexander H. Stephens and Horace Greeley, 1865
114Alexander H. Stepehens and Benjamin F. Hardeman re: Governor Gilmer's Will, 1866
115Alexander H. Stephens and Paul H. Hayne, 1872, 1877
116Alexander H. Stephens and Benjamin Harvey Hill, 1856, 1861
117Alexander H. Stephens and Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter, 1861, 1877
118Alexander H. Stephens and Andrew Johnson, 1866
119Alexander H. Stephens and Herschel V. Johnson, 1874
120Alexander H. Stephens and Charles C. Jones, Jr., 1882
121Alexander H. Stephens and Abraham Lincoln (facsimiles), 1860
122Alexander H. Stephens and Henry W. Moran, 1863-1879
123Alexander H. Stephens and Jonathan Norcross, 1845
124Alexander H. Stephens re: Parole from imprisionment at Fort Warren (MA), 1865
125Alexander H. Stephens Petition from Floyd County Citizens for People's Candidate for Governor, 1882
126Alexander H. Stephens and James A. Seddon, 1864
127Alexander H. Stephens and William H. Seward, 1865
128Alexander H. Stephens and Josiah Tattnall, 1861
129Alexander H. Stephens, Robert Toombs, and Julia Toombs, 1837-1877
130Alexander H. Stephens and Daniel Webster, 1851
boxfolder
21To John Alexander Stephens, 1879-1885
Includes letters from Robert Toombs
22Linton Stephens, 1862-1869
Includes letters from Corpl John G. Eckman, E. W. Alfriend Surgeon, and others. Letters from Linton to Col. R. M. Johnston and Judge Reese.
23To Robert G. Stephens from Bill Stuckey enclosing Alexander H. Stephens calling card, 1977
24Clement Anselm Evans, 1865-1900
25William Wingfield Simpson family, 1861, 1876
Includes letter from J. N. Glenn and Alexander H. Stephens
26Empty Envelopes
 

3. Writings

boxfolder
27Editorial cartoon re: Alexander H. Stephens
28Memorials for Margaret Grier Stephens & Matilda Lindsay Stephens by Alexander W. Stephens
29By unknown authors
AHS memorial card, manuscript by Andrew B. Stephens re. Federal Constitution, writing on secession, account of political excitement of 1850 writen August 1850
 

4. Financial

boxfolder
210William Wingfield Simpson Family, 1835-1938
reciepts and invoices, includes financial information re. enslaved population
211Banking & receipts Alexander H. Stephens, 1858-1883
212Contract Betweeen Alvin J. Johnson & Alexadner H. Stephens re: Johnson's Cyclopedia, 1873
213Alexander W. Stephens , 1895-1944
214Andrew B. Stephens, 1811
215Deeds Cherokee County (Ga.) , 1842-1895
216Deeds Fulton County (Ga.), 1890
217Deeds Haralson County (Ga.), 1843-1895
218Deeds Taliaferro County (Ga.), 1876
219Deeds Walker County (Ga.), 1843-1895
220Deeds Whitfield County (Ga.), 1839-1895
221Deeds Wilkes County (Ga.), 1797
222Estate Papers Alexander H. Stephens, 1882-1895
223Guardianship Papers Robert Grier Stephens, 1895
224Will of Alexander Stephens, 1813
225Will of Alexander H. Stephens, 1860 Access Online
 

5. Printed Material

boxfolder
226Various Subjects
Includes calling cards, ticket to the counting of the vote for President (1877), clippings
227Alexander W. Stephens 1. Candidate for Fulter Superior Court Judge 2. Sketch of Alexander H. Stephens
228John A. Stephens Address Before the O. M. Mitchell Post G. A. R., 1886
229Confederate States of America Treasury Dept. Publications , 1861, 1863
230Harlequin Playing Cards
231Charles C. Jones, Jr. re: History of Georgia, 1882
232Hoke Smith "The the White Citizens of Georgia", undated
233University of Georgia, 1830, 1840
oversized_folder
1Sketch of the Confederate and Federal Lines around Petersburg made under the direction of Col W. H. Stevens
 

6. Photographs

boxfolder
31Alexander H. Stephens
32Alexander H. Stephens House Liberty Hall (Crawfordville, Ga.)
33Alexander H. Stephens Funeral , 5 March 1883
34Linton Stephens, Dudley DuBose, Robert Toombs
 

7. Artifacts

box
4Locks of Hair - Alexander H. Stephens, 1833 March 4
4"Pocketbook Belonging to Alexander H. Stephens When He Died"
4Hankerchief - Alexander H. Stephens
4Committee Pin and Ribbon - Alexander H. Stephens
4Cloth Purse
4Glass Paperweight
4Glass Flask in Leater and Silver Case
4Eyeglasses (2)
4Baby Shoes
4Silver Sugar Tongs
4Silver Measuring Spoons
4Silver Pan for Melting Sealing Wax
4Bloodletting Instrument (fleam stick)
4Metal Fork
4Tree Bark
4Rocks/Arrowheads (3)
item
1Cane, engraved "Oregon to Alexander H. Stephens", 1859 February 12