Private Accounts, 1839 - 1893

Contains Foster Mark Kirksey's personal correspondence, sheriff's papers (sheriff of Greene County, Alabama, 1845- 1848), personal bills and receipts, papers and correspondence pertaining to Kirksey's service as a deputy commissary agent for the Confederate government, copy of deeds, and land surveys, and land holdings, his household and farm papers, and miscellaneous items pertaining to Kirksey's personal life, including a Liston and a Merriwether family bible.

The Outgoing Personal Correspondence series, except one letter to J. A. Liston, are letters written to his wife, Margaretta L. Kirksey, after their marriage. Almost all are written from Mobile where Kirksey spent much of his time running his business. The Incoming Personal Correspondence series includes correspondents such as Stephen F. Hale, J. M. C. Kirksey and other relatives and friends. Correspondence is primarily of a personal nature, but includes information on land rentals and purchases in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, war with Mexico, slave prices (1847) and various items pertaining to genealogy. The Sheriff's Papers series contains incoming correspondence to Foster Mark Kirksey as sheriff, including correspondence relating to the guardianship of Harry and Josephine Mason, the estate of H. M. Knowles, the "Bank Cases" (Attempting to collect the debts of the State Bank, defunct since 1837), legal documents, lists of fees, bills and receipts, and witness tickets. There are also 3 volumes of execution dockets, including one from Foster Mark Kirksey's predecessor, Stephen F. Hale. The Personal Bills, Receipts, and Notes series consists of authorizations to release money, notes due and notes payable, accounts and miscellaneous bills and receipts. All arranged chronologically, except accounts receivable and miscellaneous bills and receipts, which are alphabetically arranged.

Deputy Commissary Agent Papers: Foster Mark Kirksey served as deputy commissary agent for the Confederate government during 1864-1865. Includes correspondence, commissary records (arranged chronologically) and tax-in-kind forms (arranged alphabetically by taxpayer) for Greene Co., Alabama.

Deeds and Land Surveys: Except for one deed from Sumter County, Alabama, all relate to Greene County, Alabama.

Household and Farm Papers: The operation of Foster Mark Kirksey's farm and his relationships with his tenants are indicated by his farm and household accounts, tenant accounts, rent notes and tenant requests (many written on scraps of paper).

Miscellaneous: Contains various items associated with the Kirksey family including a pocket notebook of Foster Mark Kirksey, obituaries, an 1866 Alabama State Lottery ticket for the benefit of the University of Alabama, Companion to Mitchell's Traveler's Guide Through the United States (1834), The Westminister Shorter Catechism (Richmond, 1862), and Liston & Merriwether family bibles.