Personal Papers
- Alexander Means papers, 1824-1963The collection consists of the papers of Alexander Means from 1824-1963. The papers include correspondence, poems, reviews, diaries, biographies, clippings, a photograph, a family Bible, and a portrait, relating to the life and career of Alexander Means or to his family. Specific to slavery is Means' 1861 Diary, a Deed of Transfer of slaves, and the Means family bible.
- Graves Family papersThe Graves family papers consist of correspondence and related papers, financial and plantation records, personal items, photographs, drawings and prints, and printed material. Although the papers (1818-1939) span over one hundred years, the bulk is within the period 1835-1910. Earliest among them is an account book dated 1818; the most recent items are family correspondence, dated 1939. Specific to slavery is an Account Book, Oxford Store, 1842. This 1842 merchant’s account book includes entries for items purchased by Kitty, a slave woman owned by Bishop James Osgood Andrew, President of Emory’s Board of Trustees. Interestingly, while Kitty is listed by name, other female servants noted in the ledger are referred to only as “girl.”
- Orr Family Papers, 1825-1970The Orr Family Papers includes 538 letters written by or to various family members, between 1825 and 1970, as well as other miscellaneous material. The letters tell of family and business matters including comments on the Georgia-Florida Boundary, the Civil War and reconstruction in Georgia, educational facilities,World War I, European travel, and book publishing. Specific to Slavery: 1860 correspondence and Sharecropping agreement. Correspondence between Gustavus J. Orr and his son discussing family slaves. Mentioned in the letters are Peter, Henry, Davy, and Walter, four of the enslaved people owned by the Orr family. January 11, 1860 letter to Gustavus J. Orr from his son with a report on the family's slaves and Orr’s January 29, 1860 letter in response with instructions for his slaves. In addition there is a contract between Orr and his former slaves establishing a sharecropping arrangement, August 14, 1865.
Calhoun Family papers, 1817-1995
The Calhoun Family papers consist of the personal and professional papers of Abner W. Calhoun, F. Phinizy Calhoun, and F.P. Calhoun, Jr. The materials span from 1817-1995. All three men served as leading ophthalmologists in the state of Georgia and at Emory University.
Specific to slavery are three items: an 1892 handwritten copy of William Welborn's will dated 1791 and two receipts, dated 1852 and 1856, for the sale of enslaved people by the Calhoun Family. In the will, Welborn bequeathed to his Hepzibah the plantation where they live and all his enslaved people. In the 1852 receipt, A.B. Calhoun noted the sale of Elzy, aged 30, in exchange for John, aged 15 to an individual with the last name Davis. It is noted in the receipt that John will be renamed Davis. The sale occurred in Newnan, GA (Coweta Co.). In the 1856 receipt, Martha Welborn bought an enslaved man by the name of Frank, presumably from an individual with the last name Steed. Additionally, under the last name Steed is another last name which is Candler. The receipts on are part of the Calhoun Room permanent exhibition.
Personal Papers Digitized
1861 Alexander Means Diary, Alexander Means Papers, 1824-1885
Dr. Alexander Means’ 1861 diary records the illness and subsequent death of Harriet, a slave girl Means had “given” to his daughter three years earlier. The diary entry from Thursday, November 21st notes that Harriet is “very ill” and in a “deep coma.” On Friday, November 22nd a doctor summoned by Dr. Means gave Harriet oil and spirits of turpentine (thought to be medicinal). Harriet failed to improve and died on Thursday, November 28th, never having awoken from her coma. Following his notation of Harriet’s death, Means writes that he went to Covington to inquire about his “insurance policy.”
Graves Family papers, Account Book, Oxford Store, 1842.
The Graves family papers consist of correspondence and related papers, financial and plantation records, personal items, photographs, drawings and prints, and printed material. This 1842 merchant’s account book includes entries for items purchased by Kitty, a slave woman owned by Bishop James Osgood Andrew, President of Emory’s Board of Trustees. Interestingly, while Kitty is listed by name, other female servants noted in the ledger are referred to only as “girl.”
1865 Sharecropping Agreement, Orr family papers, 1825-1970, page 1 of 2
1865 Sharecropping Agreement, Orr family papers, 1825-1970, page 2 of 2
On August 14, 1865, Emory College Mathematics Professor Gustavus J. Orr and his former slaves Phil., Charles, Hannah, and Lizzie signed this contract establishing a sharecropping agreement. Transcription: As slavery has been abolished by the Government of the United States, the undersigned make the following contract. I, G.J. Orr, agree, on my part, to furnish the freedmen whose names appear below, food, clothing, fuel, quarters and medical attention and pay them one fourth of the crop of corn, fodder, peas, syrup of sorghum and sweet potatoes (the rest of our small piece of rented land and the toll for manufacturing the syrup being first paid) for their services for the whole of the present year, and should it be held that I am bound to pay the freedmen for services only from the actual reestablishment of the authority of the Government of the United States over Ga... I do furthermore agree that, should Phil. and Charles leave me on the first of December, there shall be no abatement as to the part of the crops they are to receive, and if they stay with me longer than that time, I am to pay them such compensation as we may agree upon. We, the undersigned freedmen, agree on our part to labor faithfully and diligently, for G.J. Orr, to obey him in all things, pertaining to labor and service and to treat him and his family with proper respect and courtesy. August 14, 1865. G.J. Orr, Phil. (his mark), Charles (his mark), Hannah (her mark for self and two children), Lizzie (her mark)
Alexander Means Family Bible, Alexander Means Papers, 1824-1885, page 1 of 2
Alexander Means Family Bible, Alexander Means Papers, 1824-1885, page 2 of 2
The Means’ family Bible included the births, marriages, and deaths of Means family members and the births and deaths of their slaves. On the lower right hand page of the Bible is recorded the death of Harriet, “daughter of Albert and Fanny,” whose death is also noted in Dr. Alexander Means’ 1861 diary.
11 January 1860 letter to Gustavus J. Orr from his son with a report on the family's slaves. Orr Family Papers, 1825-1970. 1 of 2.
1860 letters from Emory College Professor of Mathematics Gustavus Orr and his son. Mentioned in the letters are Peter, Henry, Davy, and Walter, four of the enslaved people owned by the Orr family.
11 January 1860 letter to Gustavus J. Orr from his son with a report on the family's slaves. Orr Family Papers, 1825-1970. 2 of 2.
1860 letters from Emory College Professor of Mathematics Gustavus Orr and his son. Mentioned in the letters are Peter, Henry, Davy, and Walter, four of the enslaved people owned by the Orr family.
January 29, 1860 letter from Gustavus J. Orr from his son with a report on the family's slaves. Orr Family Papers, 1825-1970. 1 of 2.
Orr’s January 29, 1860 letter in response with instructions for his slaves. Mentioned in the letters are Peter, Henry, Davy, and Walter, four of the enslaved people owned by the Orr family.
January 29, 1860 letter from Gustavus J. Orr from his son with a report on the family's slaves. Orr Family Papers, 1825-1970. 2 of 2.
Orr’s January 29, 1860 letter in response with instructions for his slaves. Mentioned in the letters are Peter, Henry, Davy, and Walter, four of the enslaved people owned by the Orr family.
