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

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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.

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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.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Biographical Information

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1

1

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

 

2. Correspondence
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1	2	Family - From Andrew B. Stephens, 1806-1813
1	3	Family - From Andrew B. Stephens, Alexander H. Stephens, A. G. Stephens, 1825-1839
1	4	Family - From Linton H. Stephens, A. G. Stephens, Andrew W. Grier, Alexander H. Stephens, 1840-1846
1	5	Family - From Linton H. Stephens, J. A. Stephens, Alexander H. Stephens, 1851-1857
1	6	Family, 1860-1869
1	7	Family - Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Stephens, Emma Cribbs (?), 1870-1878
1	8	Family - From Alexander H. Stephens, John A. Stephens, 1880-1883
1	9	Alexander H. Stephens A-Z, 1859-1883
1	10	Alexander H. Stephens, Howell Cobb, and Mary Ann Cobb, 1863, 1874
1	11	Alexander H. Stephens and Jefferson Davis invitations, 1861
1	12	Alexander H. Stephens and John Brown Gordon, 1875
1	13	Alexander H. Stephens and Horace Greeley, 1865
1	14	Alexander H. Stepehens and Benjamin F. Hardeman re: Governor Gilmer's Will, 1866
1	15	Alexander H. Stephens and Paul H. Hayne, 1872, 1877
1	16	Alexander H. Stephens and Benjamin Harvey Hill, 1856, 1861
1	17	Alexander H. Stephens and Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter, 1861, 1877
1	18	Alexander H. Stephens and Andrew Johnson, 1866
1	19	Alexander H. Stephens and Herschel V. Johnson, 1874
1	20	Alexander H. Stephens and Charles C. Jones, Jr., 1882
1	21	Alexander H. Stephens and Abraham Lincoln (facsimiles), 1860
1	22	Alexander H. Stephens and Henry W. Moran, 1863-1879
1	23	Alexander H. Stephens and Jonathan Norcross, 1845
1	24	Alexander H. Stephens re: Parole from imprisionment at Fort Warren (MA), 1865
1	25	Alexander H. Stephens Petition from Floyd County Citizens for People's Candidate for Governor, 1882
1	26	Alexander H. Stephens and James A. Seddon, 1864
1	27	Alexander H. Stephens and William H. Seward, 1865
1	28	Alexander H. Stephens and Josiah Tattnall, 1861
1	29	Alexander H. Stephens, Robert Toombs, and Julia Toombs, 1837-1877
1	30	Alexander H. Stephens and Daniel Webster, 1851
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2	1	To John Alexander Stephens, 1879-1885
			Includes letters from Robert Toombs
2	2	Linton 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.
2	3	To Robert G. Stephens from Bill Stuckey enclosing Alexander H. Stephens calling card, 1977
2	4	Clement Anselm Evans, 1865-1900
2	5	William Wingfield Simpson family, 1861, 1876
			Includes letter from J. N. Glenn and Alexander H. Stephens
2	6	Empty Envelopes

 

3. Writings
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2	7	Editorial cartoon re: Alexander H. Stephens
2	8	Memorials for Margaret Grier Stephens & Matilda Lindsay Stephens by Alexander W. Stephens
2	9	By 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
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2	10	William Wingfield Simpson Family, 1835-1938
			reciepts and invoices, includes financial information re. enslaved population
2	11	Banking & receipts Alexander H. Stephens, 1858-1883
2	12	Contract Betweeen Alvin J. Johnson & Alexadner H. Stephens re: Johnson's Cyclopedia, 1873
2	13	Alexander W. Stephens , 1895-1944
2	14	Andrew B. Stephens, 1811
2	15	Deeds Cherokee County (Ga.) , 1842-1895
2	16	Deeds Fulton County (Ga.), 1890
2	17	Deeds Haralson County (Ga.), 1843-1895
2	18	Deeds Taliaferro County (Ga.), 1876
2	19	Deeds Walker County (Ga.), 1843-1895
2	20	Deeds Whitfield County (Ga.), 1839-1895
2	21	Deeds Wilkes County (Ga.), 1797
2	22	Estate Papers Alexander H. Stephens, 1882-1895
2	23	Guardianship Papers Robert Grier Stephens, 1895
2	24	Will of Alexander Stephens, 1813
2	25	Will of Alexander H. Stephens, 1860 Access Online

 

5. Printed Material
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2	26	Various Subjects
			Includes calling cards, ticket to the counting of the vote for President (1877), clippings
2	27	Alexander W. Stephens 1. Candidate for Fulter Superior Court Judge 2. Sketch of Alexander H. Stephens
2	28	John A. Stephens Address Before the O. M. Mitchell Post G. A. R., 1886
2	29	Confederate States of America Treasury Dept. Publications , 1861, 1863
2	30	Harlequin Playing Cards
2	31	Charles C. Jones, Jr. re: History of Georgia, 1882
2	32	Hoke Smith "The the White Citizens of Georgia", undated
2	33	University of Georgia, 1830, 1840
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1		Sketch of the Confederate and Federal Lines around Petersburg made under the direction of Col W. H. Stevens

 

6. Photographs
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3	1	Alexander H. Stephens
3	2	Alexander H. Stephens House Liberty Hall (Crawfordville, Ga.)
3	3	Alexander H. Stephens Funeral , 5 March 1883
3	4	Linton Stephens, Dudley DuBose, Robert Toombs

 

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