Cobb family papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Cobb family papers
Creator: Cobb family
Inclusive Dates: 1891-1957
Language(s): English
Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet 5 document boxes
Collection Number: ms2353
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

The Cobbs were a prominent Athens, Georgia, family. Much of the collection concerns Howell Cobb and T.R.R. (Thomas Reade Rootes) Cobb. The former graduated from the University of Georgia in 1834, was elected to Congress from 1843 to 1850, served as the governor of Georgia from 1851-1853, then as the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury from 1856 to 1860. He presided over the Montgomery Convention in 1861, which would create the Confederate States of America. During the Civil War he was a brigadier general in the Army of Northern Virginia.

Howell's younger brother, T.R.R., graduated from the University of Georgia in 1841 and became a well respected lawyer in Georgia. He signed Georgia's Ordinance of Secession in the Civil War and was a prominent author in the Confederate Constitution. Like his brother, he served as a brigadier general in the Army of Northern Virginia, commanding "Cobb's Legion." He was killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.

Most notably, the Cobbs helped found the Confederate States of America. For a brief period of two weeks, Howell Cobb actually acted as the Head of State before Jefferson Davis was elected. T.R.R. Cobb was killed in battle, and General Sherman decimated the Cobb plantation and property during his march to the sea. During Reconstruction, Howell Cobb opposed most political acts, giving speeches against them. He ultimately died of a heart attack in New York City. Both he and T.R.R. are buried in Athens, Georgia, at the Oconee Hill Cemetery.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence from and by the Cobb family from 1891-1957, printed material including clippings, pamphlets and brochures, photographs, and family business materials.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Cobb family papers, ms2353, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Related materials available in the following collections of the repository: Azariah P. Cobb shares of Georgia Railroad & Banking Company, ms635; Carlisle Cobb Papers, ms2007, ms1250; Carolyn Cobb papers, ms1251; Carolyn Cobb collection, ms1507; Howell Cobb, Junior, certificate, ms1304; Howell Cobb family papers, ms1367, ms1376; Howell Cobb, Jr. family papers, ms1368; Mary Ann Lamar Cobb account book, ms449; Mary McKinley Cobb collection, ms1506; Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb papers, ms448; Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb letter to Governor Joseph Emerson Brown, ms3158; Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb family papers, ms1370; William A. Cobb account books, ms173; Cobb family papers, ms1220, ms1480, ms2353; Cobb/Erwin/Lamar family collection, ms86; Cobb-Lamar-Rucker collection, ms3052; Cobb family photographs, ms1437.

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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1

1

Correspondence, 1891

 

1

2

Correspondence, 1892

 

1

3

Correspondence, 1893

 

1

4

Correspondence, 1896

 

1

5

Correspondence, 1897

 

1

6

Correspondence, 1898

 

1

7

Correspondence, 1900

 

1

8

Correspondence, 1904

 

1

9

Correspondence, 1905

 

1

10

Correspondence, 1907

 

1

11

Correspondence, 1909

 

1

12

Correspondence, 1910

 

1

13

Correspondence, 1913

 

1

14

Correspondence, 1914

 

1

15

Correspondence, 1918

 

1

16

Correspondence, 1919

 

1

17

Correspondence, 1920

 

1

18

Correspondence, 1921

 

1

19

Correspondence, 1922

 

1

20

Correspondence, 1923

 

1

21

Correspondence, 1924

 

1

22

Correspondence, 1925

 

1

23

Correspondence, 1926

 

1

24

Correspondence, 1927

 

1

25

Correspondence, 1928

 

1

26

Correspondence, 1929

 

1

27

Correspondence, 1930

 

1

28

Correspondence, 1931

 

1

29

Correspondence, 1933

 

1

30

Correspondence, 1934

 

1

31

Correspondence, 1935

 

1

32

Correspondence, 1936

 

1

33

Correspondence, 1937

 

1

34

Correspondence, 1938

 

1

35

Correspondence, 1939

 

1

36

Correspondence, 1940 January-May

 

1

37

Correspondence, 1940 September - October

 

1

38

Correspondence, 1940 November - December

 

1

39

Correspondence, 1941 January - March

 

1

40

Correspondence, 1941 April - May

 

1

41

Correspondence, 1941 June - July

 

1

42

Correspondence, 1941 August - December

 

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2

1

Correspondence, 1942 January - May

 

2

2

Correspondence, 1942 July- August

 

2

3

Correspondence, 1942 September - December

 

2

4

Correspondence, 1943

 

2

5

Correspondence, 1944

 

2

6

Correspondence, 1945

 

2

7

Correspondence, 1947

 

2

8

Correspondence, 1948

 

2

9

Correspondence, 1949

 

2

10

Correspondence, 1950 January - July

 

2

11

Correspondence, 1950 August - September

 

2

12

Correspondence, 1950 November - December

 

2

13

Correspondence, 1951 January - May

 

2

14

Correspondence, 1951 October - December

 

2

15

Correspondence, 1952

 

2

16

Correspondence, 1953

 

2

17

Correspondence, 1954

 

2

18

Correspondence, 1955

 

2

19

Correspondence, 1956

 

2

20

Correspondence, 1957

 

2

21-27

Correspondence, Undated

 

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3

1

Announcements

 

3

2

Account Book

 

3

3

Cash Book

 

3

4

Time Book

 

3

5

Bible

 

3

6

Certificates

 

3

7

Checks, 1941-1944

 

3

8

Checks, 1933-1935

 

3

9

Checks, 1930

 

3

10

Checks, 1929

 

3

11

Newspaper Clippings

 

3

12

Identification

 

3

13-15

Printed material

 

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4

1

Legal papers

 

4

2-16

Photographs

 

4

8

Photographs

 

4

10

Photographs

 

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5

1

Writings

 

5

2-6

Proofs

 

5

7

Receipts, 1919-1954

 

5

8-21

Photographs