Wesley O. Connor family papers

Wesley O. Connor family papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Wesley O. Connor family papers
Creator: Connor, Wesley Olin, 1841-1920
Inclusive Dates: 1825-1951
Language(s): English
Extent: 7.2 Linear Feet 3 document boxes, 4 oversized boxes
Collection Number: ms3102
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Wesley Olin Connor (1841-1920), son of John Wesley Connor (1800-1857) and Henrietta Mayson (1807-1894), was born in Anderson District, South Carolina. He came to Cave Spring, Georgia in 1849 to live with his married sister. In 1857 he began working as an assistant teacher at the Georgia Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb (later named the Georgia School for the Deaf). At the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the Cherokee Artillery and served throughout the war in campaigns in Vicksburg, Cumberland Gap, Resaca, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. In April 1865 he was captured at Salisbury, North Carolina and held prisoner at camp Chase near Columbus, Ohio. After the war, he returned to Cave Spring and the Georgia School for the Deaf, where he became Principal and then Superintendent from 1867 until 1916.

The Cherokee Artillery unit was organized on Aug. 10, 1860 and, in April of 1861, were ordered to join Gen. Phillip's Brigade of Georgia Troops at Big Shanty. On June 13, 1861 they were mustered into state service for the war as Co. A of Stovall's Battalion of Artillery (later known as the 3rd Georgia Battalion). During October and November, 1861, the Cherokee Artillery was stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and from November, 1861 until September, 1862, they served in eastern Tennessee guarding against Union and Pro-Union forces. In September and October, 1862 they were involved in the Kentucky Campaign, though not in action. Then, sometime during October or November, 1862 they returned to eastern Tennessee. Sons of Confederate Veterans website. (http://www.scvcamp469-nbf.com/cherokeeartillery.htm) Retrieved 10/5/2009.

Northwest Georgia's picturesque Vann's Valley is the home of the Georgia School for the Deaf, Georgia's only residential school serving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. GSD was established in 1846 on the grounds of the Hearn Academy by one of its teachers, O. P. Fannin. A log cabin and a $5000 legislative grant began a more than 160-year-long tradition of service to children across the state. GSD was the eleventh residential school for the Deaf established in the United States. GSD has an expansive campus of over 300 acres in the small community of Cave Spring. The relationship between Cave Spring and GSD is unique because many residents and business owners are able to communicate with sign language. Georgia School for the Deaf website. (http://www.gsdweb.org/History/history.html) Retrieved 10/5/2009.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of Connor's diaries (1861-1866) with transcripts, genealogy, photographs, Cherokee Artillery roll, printed material of the Georgia School for the Deaf, and newspapers.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Wesley O. Connor family papers, ms3102, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2009 November 13.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11Genealogy - Family Life and Ancestry of Tillie Rich and Connor Wright of Cave Spring, Georgia compiled by Margaret W. Hollingsworth
 
12Genealogy-Butler family
 
13Genealogy-Mayson family
 
14Correspondence, 1850-1941 (photocopies only)
 
15Diary-Wesley O. Connor, 1861-1863
 
16Diary-Wesley O. Connor, 1865
 
17Diary-Wesley O. Connor, 1866
 
18Diary-transcript
 
19Will and United Confederate Veterans membership of Wesley O. Connor
 
110Invitations
 
111Photographs
 
112Georgia School for the Deaf-Centennial annual, 1848-1948
 
113Georgia School for the Deaf-Yearbook, 1951
 
114Georgia School for the Deaf - The School Helper, 1920
 
115Writings-"The Blind-Deaf" by William Wade
 
116Writings re: building the South Carolina Railroad by Major John H. Dent
 
116Letter to Mr. Dent, 1849
 
117Currency
 
boxfolder
21Correspondence, 1900-1909
 
22Correspondence, 1910-1919
 
23Correspondence, 1920-1929
 
24Correspondence, 1930-1959
 
25Correspondence, Unated
 
26Diary
 
27Autograph album - Matilda Rich Wright
 
28Cover made from a piece of Yankee rubber cloth picked up from the battlefield of Franklin, Tennessee and possibly belonged to John Chenowolt [?], Co. F, 51st, Indiana
 
29Naturalization Papers - Augustus Reiche
 
210Resignation - Connor, 1861
 
boxfolder
31Photographs
 
32Printed material
 
33Scrapbook
 
34Diary - Editha Frances Simmon's transcript only
 
oversized_boxitem
41Medals in display case
 
oversized_boxitem
51Medals in display case
 
oversized_boxitem
61Medals in display case
 
oversized_boxitem
71State of Alabama- $1,000 six percent: Stock Certificate
 
72Membership Certificate: Corput Bater, C.S.H., of Rome, GA
 
73Cherokee Artillery Roll
 
74Connor Photographs
 
75Newspaper Clippings
 
box
2Newspapers-The Macon Telegraph, 1865 February 9

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Athens, GA 30602-1641