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Catharine Elbert letter to Martha Doolittle

Catharine Elbert letter to Martha Doolittle

Descriptive Summary

Title: Catharine Elbert letter to Martha Doolittle
Creator: Elbert, Catharine
Dates: 1849 February 2
Language(s): English
Extent: 1 item(s)
Collection Number: ms4479
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Catharine Elbert may have been an enslaved woman owned by Harriet Ann Elbert who was known to have hired out her slaves.

Martha Doolittle Dunaway (1836-1906) was the daughter of Alfred Doolittle who served as postmaster at St. Marys, Georgia in 1828. In the 1840s, the Doolittle family moved from Georgia to Massachusetts.

Scope and Content

A letter written by Catharine Elbert, "old Mama", to Matty, Martha Doolittle Dunaway, from St. Marys. Elbert discusses how she is doing and talks about some local residents including Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Curtis, Dr. Henry Bacon, Major Clark, and Rev. Williams. It is believed that this letter, likely written by someone else, is from an enslaved woman or house servant who cared for Martha as a child.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item, box, folder], Catharine Elbert letter to Martha Doolittle, ms4479, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Correspondence
Dunaway, Martha Doolittle, 1836-1906
Enslaved persons -- Georgia

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11Letter, 1849 February 2