Cobb family papers

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

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.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

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


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.


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11Correspondence, 1891
 
12Correspondence, 1892
 
13Correspondence, 1893
 
14Correspondence, 1896
 
15Correspondence, 1897
 
16Correspondence, 1898
 
17Correspondence, 1900
 
18Correspondence, 1904
 
19Correspondence, 1905
 
110Correspondence, 1907
 
111Correspondence, 1909
 
112Correspondence, 1910
 
113Correspondence, 1913
 
114Correspondence, 1914
 
115Correspondence, 1918
 
116Correspondence, 1919
 
117Correspondence, 1920
 
118Correspondence, 1921
 
119Correspondence, 1922
 
120Correspondence, 1923
 
121Correspondence, 1924
 
122Correspondence, 1925
 
123Correspondence, 1926
 
124Correspondence, 1927
 
125Correspondence, 1928
 
126Correspondence, 1929
 
127Correspondence, 1930
 
128Correspondence, 1931
 
129Correspondence, 1933
 
130Correspondence, 1934
 
131Correspondence, 1935
 
132Correspondence, 1936
 
133Correspondence, 1937
 
134Correspondence, 1938
 
135Correspondence, 1939
 
136Correspondence, 1940 January-May
 
137Correspondence, 1940 September - October
 
138Correspondence, 1940 November - December
 
139Correspondence, 1941 January - March
 
140Correspondence, 1941 April - May
 
141Correspondence, 1941 June - July
 
142Correspondence, 1941 August - December
 
boxfolder
21Correspondence, 1942 January - May
 
22Correspondence, 1942 July- August
 
23Correspondence, 1942 September - December
 
24Correspondence, 1943
 
25Correspondence, 1944
 
26Correspondence, 1945
 
27Correspondence, 1947
 
28Correspondence, 1948
 
29Correspondence, 1949
 
210Correspondence, 1950 January - July
 
211Correspondence, 1950 August - September
 
212Correspondence, 1950 November - December
 
213Correspondence, 1951 January - May
 
214Correspondence, 1951 October - December
 
215Correspondence, 1952
 
216Correspondence, 1953
 
217Correspondence, 1954
 
218Correspondence, 1955
 
219Correspondence, 1956
 
220Correspondence, 1957
 
221-27Correspondence, Undated
 
boxfolder
31Announcements
 
32Account Book
 
33Cash Book
 
34Time Book
 
35Bible
 
36Certificates
 
37Checks, 1941-1944
 
38Checks, 1933-1935
 
39Checks, 1930
 
310Checks, 1929
 
311Newspaper Clippings
 
312Identification
 
313-15Printed material
 
boxfolder
41Legal papers
 
42-16Photographs
 
48Photographs
 
410Photographs
 
boxfolder
51Writings
 
52-6Proofs
 
57Receipts, 1919-1954
 
58-21Photographs

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