Daniel C. Smyly papers

The bulk of papers in this collection pertain to Smyly's business transactions, both for his household and for his plantation affairs and cotton business. It also contains papers belonging to Smyly's family, including his brothers and brother-in-law. The papers include receipts for purchases and sales, account statements, business correspondence, and tax records. The collection is divided into the following series: Correspondence, Receipts and Account Statements, Miscellaneous Papers, and Family and Others. Correspondence: Incoming business correspondence to Daniel C. Smyly. The bulk of the letters relate to cotton sales, negotiations, and the cotton market. Receipts and account statements: Many of the receipts are for household items, though there are also bulk purchases that would likely be goods purchased for the slaves living on the plantation. A number of the receipts are for cotton sold by Smyly and shipped by cotton merchants from Mobile, Alabama. There is also a bill of sale for a slave. Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous papers and tax statements. Included is a 1843 license for Smyly to practice medicine in Alabama. Some of the tax documents are for a special tax paid Smyly to practice as a physician. There is also a document related to Smyly’s payment for time spent appearing in court as a state witness. Family and Others: Receipts and account statements for other Smyly family members. A legal petition, estate inventory listing slaves, and notice of outstanding payment due for the slaves are found in Malena Smyly’s folder (17). Additionally, there are miscellaneous receipts for which the connection to the Smyly family is unknown. Individual folders are used for each family member.