Request Material
Eugenius Aristides Nisbet papers
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Eugenius Aristides Nisbet papers | |
| Creator: Nisbet, Eugenius Aristides, 1803-1871 | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1819-1849 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 0.75 Linear Feet 1 document box, 1 half box | |
| Collection Number: ms3261 | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
"Eugenius Aristides Nisbet was born in Greene County on December 7, 1803, to Penelope Cooper and James Nisbet. His father served in the General Assembly and was a framer of Georgia's Constitution of 1798. The young Nisbet received his early education at Powelton Academy in Hancock County and went on to South Carolina College (later the University of South Carolina--Columbia). Prior to his junior year he transferred to the University of Georgia, from which he would graduate first in his class in 1821. He obtained his legal education in the Athens office of Judge Augustin Smith Clayton, and then studied under the celebrated Judge James Gould at the Litchfield Law School in Connecticut. He was admitted to the bar at age twenty. Nisbet began practicing law in Madison. In 1825 he wed Amanda Battle, and together they had twelve children. In 1827 he was elected to the state House of Representatives and remained there until 1830, when he was elected to the state senate. Nisbet remained in the senate for seven years... Nisbet ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1836 but was elected in two subsequent attempts. He served in Congress from 1839 to 1841, resigning on October 8, 1841, during his second term... The Supreme Court of Georgia was created in 1845 and consisted of three justices elected by the legislature. Nisbet was elected...In 1861 Nisbet served as a delegate to the Georgia Secession Convention...Nisbet died in Macon on March 18, 1871." -- "Eugenius A. Nisbet (1803-1871)" New Georgia Encyclopedia. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ (Retrieved November 20, 2009)
Scope and Content
The collection consists of approximately 250 letters from E.A. Nisbet to Amanda Battle before and after their 1825 marriage. There are a few letters from their children and their friends. Although Nisbet's letters deal mainly with family matters, he also discusses politics and fellow politicians, especially while in Washington, D.C.
The collection also includes two framed oil portraits and a pecan desk chair. One of the paintings is of Amanda Battle, dated 1841, and with the frame is 36 1/2" x 32," the other is of E.A. Nisbet and is 20 1/4" x 17". The chair, which has a carved back with four spindles and an upholstered seat, belonged to Amanda Nisbet.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Eugenius Aristides Nisbet papers, ms3261, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
Related Materials and Subjects
Subject Terms
Related Collections in this Repository
Related materials are located in the following collections of this repository: Eugenius Aristides Nisbet papers, ms987.
Related Collections in Other Repositories
Chair and paintings are housed separately from the rest of the collection; for further inquiries please contact Head of Manuscripts.
Chair and paintings are housed separately from the rest of the collection; for further inquiries please contact Head of Manuscripts.
Chair and paintings are housed separately from the rest of the collection; for further inquiries please contact Head of Manuscripts.