An Accumulation of Evidence, Volume 1

Typed manuscript by Katherine Phelps, a genealogy of the families of Phelps, Caperton, Russell, Jennings and Burnam. The frontispiece is a photo of the author and it is illustrated throughout with photographs. First portion is a narrative of the author's family--particularly her father Thomas Phelps and her mother Sallie W. Cobb. It contains information pertaining to relatives, friends, and local history (particularly social history) of interest pertaining to Madison County and environs. Verso of first 70 leaves contains documented holographic genealogical notes pertaining to the Phelps family in the author's hand. Second section of manuscript is a biography of Colonel James W. Caperton (1824-1909) and family. 73 leaves. Included are details of the altercation between Colonel Caperton and G.L. Pittman in 1847 which led to the latter's death (31-32). Most leaves are annotated on the verso by notes written by Katherine Phelps Caperton, dated, February 20, 1936, re: the family and family heirlooms (including furnishings, silver, china, photographs, clothing, textiles, etc.) at Blair Park or Amberley. In addition, it includes an account of her contributions to the church and missionary enterprises. Pages 51- Other materials appended to the Caperton biography include Caperton family genealogical material derived from sources outside the family including individuals and publications, and genealogies of Albert Lacy Russel, Rice Hooe, Susan Catherine Erskine, and Dr. Alexander Erskine (39 leaves). Of particular note is Katherine's description of cousin-in-law James Estill III, an extremely handsome man, who went to Louisville and bet his farm on the races in 1840 between a Tennessee horse and a Kentucky horse. "His affairs became so embarrassed due to his losses at betting on this occasion that 'Woodstock' had to be sold and he removed with his wife and family and a large number of slaves to Missouri." James Estill later went to California during the gold rush (1849) leaving his family in Richmond with his sister Mrs. William H. Caperton. He did not strike it rich. He ran for governor of California, but lost. His daughter, Betty, married the son of Commodore Garrison in N.Y. The entire Estill family removed to N.Y.C. after the death of James Estill III. (3-4, second section).