Request Material
Barfield family collection
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Barfield family collection | |
| Creator: Barfield, Richard Lee, 1836-1912 | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1822-1929 | |
| Bulk Dates: 1829-1864 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet 2 half boxes, 1 oversize folder | |
| Collection Number: ms2878 | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
Although there are several families with the Barfield name in Georgia going back to Colonial times, the R. Lee Barfield in question is probably Richard Lee Barfield, born in Georgia in August 1836 to Richard Barfield and Epsy Bardin Barfield. R. Lee would have been approaching age 30 when called upon to serve in the Confederate army. He married Sarah Margaret Peacock in 1861 and between 1861 and 1867 they had three children, Sealina, Sallie, and John R. Barfield. Not much is known abour Richard Lee Barfield, but a Federal U.S. Census of 1870 shows R. L. Barfield and his family farming in Dooly County, Georgia. He died in November 1912.
For more see Families of Southeastern Georgia by Jack N. Averitt.
Scope and Content
The major portion of the Barfield Family Collection is three letterbooks filled with the letters of R. Lee Barfield and written while he was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War. The letters were all written to his wife Maggie in Henderson, Georgia. Many of the letters are in poor condition, but a typescript is included of the legible letters. As he moved through North Carolina and Virginia, Barfield described such topics as a prison camp; the health of himself and others; the execution of a deserter; Negro troops; the supplies of food, horses, and arms; his company's skirmishes; and other war news. He continued to be optimistic that the war would soon be over.
Also in the collection are various legal documents, deeds, promissory notes, accounts, and receipts. Many of these are from the area of Bibb county, Georgia, and the name of Tillmon Barnett is often mentioned. The Southern Side, a book about Andersonville prison, is included.
From a later time period are a 1918 Macon News newspaper, a 1921 Athens Banner newspaper, and a 1929 letter to Mrs. M. B. Medlock of Macon.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Barfield family collection, ms2878, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
Finding Aid Publication
Finding aid prepared on: 2009 October 16.
General Notes
Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online as part of America's Turning Point: Documenting the Civil War Experience in Georgia.