Box 1

Scope and Contents

This correspondence consists of 12 letters between Edward Francis and his wife Elizabeth, who was under the care of James Mason Rankin of Richmond, Ky. Many of the letters from Edward appear to have been written by different people as the handwriting and spelling is not consistent. Edward joined Co. B, 114th USCI 16 June of 1864 in London, Ky. The regiment moved to Camp Nelson to be organized. After the Civil War Edward served in Texas until 1867. Arranged in chronological order by date.

Scope and Contents Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. One big concern was making sure the children could read. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Of particular...

Scope and Contents From the File: Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. One big concern was making sure the children could read. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Of particular...

Scope and Contents

Consists of several combination books, accounts and diary events arranged chronologically by date. Entries show farm and household goods, children boarding bills while attending school, trade of sewing garments, and notations regarding medical ailments (i.e., smallpox and tumors). Also included are farm rentals and breeding records for his horses, which he often bred to jacks.

Scope and Contents From the File:

Consists of several combination books, accounts and diary events arranged chronologically by date. Entries show farm and household goods, children boarding bills while attending school, trade of sewing garments, and notations regarding medical ailments (i.e., smallpox and tumors). Also included are farm rentals and breeding records for his horses, which he often bred to jacks.

Scope and Contents

Contains Central University receipts.

Scope and Contents From the File: Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. One big concern was making sure the children could read. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Of particular...

Scope and Contents From the File:

Consists of several combination books, accounts and diary events arranged chronologically by date. Entries show farm and household goods, children boarding bills while attending school, trade of sewing garments, and notations regarding medical ailments (i.e., smallpox and tumors). Also included are farm rentals and breeding records for his horses, which he often bred to jacks.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The life of the James Rankin Mason family of Madison County, Kentucky is documented through the papers in this collection. Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Of particular interest is a letter from...

Scope and Contents

Interesting to note are the Mutual insurance receipts showing family member's cause of death and an assessment of remaining family members.