Banks family papers

Banks family papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Banks family papers
Creator: Banks family
Inclusive Dates: 1818-1923
Bulk Dates: 1860-1889
Language(s): English
Extent: 2 Linear Feet (4 document boxes)
Collection Number: ms1571
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

John Banks (1797-1870), banker, merchant, and planter, primarily resided in Elbert and Muscogee Counties, Georgia. He married Sarah Watkins in 1828. Children included Willis Dunston (1830-1864), George Young (1831-1887), Daniel Watkins (1833-1864), Edward Sims (1834-1900), Susan Martha (1835-1893), Richard Eugene (1838-1864), Elbert Augustine (1840-1902), Sarah Lucy (1842-1928) married Edward Willis Yonge (d. 1919), and Anne Virginia Josephine (1844-1906) who married Gideon James Peacock (d. 1913).

Scope and Content

The collection consists of papers of the Banks family of Elbert and Muscogee Counties, Georgia from 1818-1923. The collection minutely includes indentures and legal documents, but it consists mainly of correspondence between family members. Early letters are addressed to John Banks and concern business activities.

Most of the Civil War correspondence is addressed to either Sarah Lucy or John Banks and primarily includes letters from Willis Dunston and Daniel Watkins with a few from George Young and Richard Eugene; all part of the 39th Alabama Infantry Regiment. The letters describe battles and fighting at Falls Church, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lookout Mountain, Tybee Island, and the retreat from Atlanta, Georgia. Other topics discussed include troop movements, marches, causalities, problems with deserters, and the lack of supplies. Some letters also discuss farm management during the war, financial problems, and cotton sales. After the death of Willis Dunston, Daniel Watkins, and Richard Eugene in 1864 the correspondence (1864-1865) consists of letters of condolence to John Banks.

Later correspondence (1870-1923 with gaps) contains letters to E.A. (Elbert Augustine) Banks in New York City, mainly from G.J. (Gideon James) Peacock concerning family news, cotton sales, farm management, and land sales in Georgia. Other correspondents include Edward Sims Banks and Susan Martha Banks.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Banks family papers, ms1571. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Related collections in this repository: Banks family papers, 1830-1909.


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Family Papers

boxfolder
11Family papers Access Online
Includes will of Lucy Banks Yonge, history of Ralph Banks and family, genealogy of Banks, Daniel, and Watkins families, estate of W. K. Banks
 

2. Correspondence

boxfolder
121818
131821
141822
151827
161829
171830
181831
191832
1101835
1111836
1121838
1131838
1141839
1151840
1161841
1171842
1181845
1191846
1201847
1211848
1221849
1231850
1241851
1251852
1261854
1271855
1281856
1291857
1301858
1311859
boxfolder
211860
221861
231862
241863
251864
261865
271867
281870
291871
2101872
2111874
2121875
2131876
2141877
2151878
2161879
2171880
2181881
2191882
boxfolder
311883
321884
331885
341886
351887
361888
371889
381893
391894
3101897
3111898
3121907
3131923
3141930
boxfolder
41-12Undated

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641