Samuel Cowin - Smith & Wesson Model No. 2 Army Revolver, 1861-1874

This collection contains papers of various members of the Cowin family of Greene County, Alabama. Most of the materials are photocopies of the diary and essays written by John H. Cowin of Green County, Alabama. The usual diary style begins on page 151 and covers events from April 22 through November 13, 1861. The diary is preceded by approximately 80 pages of essays, satires and poetry written in the same hand as the diary; several are signed J. H. Cowin. There is also a photocopy of a smaller diary, also written by John H. Cowin from January 1–31, 1863. The inner cover reads “Journal continued. John H. Cowin, Co. “D” 5th Ala. Reg. Rodes’ Brigade, D. H. Hill’s Division, Jackson’s Corps.”

There are also photocopies of miscellaneous documents, newspaper clippings and a photocopy of the Covenant of the League of Nations. The documents include Alabama property tax statements for Martha A. Cowin in 1875 and 1877, as well as a railway pass for Southern Railway Company dated September 11, 1909. The newspaper clippings are mainly articles about Woodrow Wilson as he left the office of the presidency in 1921.

The collection also includes a Presidential Pardon signed on September 12, 1865, by President Andrew Johnson for Samuel Cowin (John H. Cowin's father), as well as two Oaths of Allegiance. The Oaths were apparently administered at the same time but are witnessed by two different Federal officers.

There is also a tintype of an unidentified child.

Also included are letters from G. W. Ethridge to his wife Mary, from June to September of 1862. The Ethridges are connected to the Cowin family in later generations.

The collection also includes are a University of Alabama scrapbooks, group photograph of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, and snapshots of Clarke Ellis "Bo" Watkins, all from the early 1940s.