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Rice, Chilton, and Jones, attorneys, letterbook

 Collection
Identifier: W-0049

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of one letterbook containing copies of correspondence written by Montgomery, Alabama, lawyers Samuel F. Rice, John M. Chilton, Thomas G. Jones, and Ariosto A. Wiley, between 1871-1873. Most of the letters relate to cases represented by the firm Rice, Chilton, and Jones. Correspondence is cataloged by the author's last name and is listed in the alphabetical directory included in the front of each ledger.

Dates

  • 1871-1873

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Biographical / Historical

Rice, Chilton, and Jones was a law firm with an office located in Montgomery, Alabama, at the corner of Market and Perry Street. In 1872, the law firm employed four lawyers: Samuel F. Rice, John M. Chilton, Thomas G. Jones, and Ariosto A. Wiley.

Partner Samuel Farrow Rice studied law at South Carolina College and was admitted to the bar in 1837. Rice was elected to the state senate in 1840 and 1841 and was named an associate justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 1855. In 1856, Rice was named Chief Justice. Rice resigned his post in 1859, returning to his law practice and representing Montgomery and Autauga counties as a state senator and representative.

Partner John M. Chilton was admitted to the bar in 1869.

Partner Thomas Goode Jones was born on November 26, 1844, in Macon, Georgia. In 1850, Jones's family relocated to Montgomery. A farmer and lawyer, Jones was admitted to the bar in 1868. Between 1875 and 1884, Jones served as Montgomery alderman. In 1884 he was elected to the state house of representatives and became speaker of the house in 1886. In 1890, Jones secured the Democratic nomination and was elected governor of Alabama, serving from 1890-1894. Jones died on April 28, 1914.

Ariosto Appling Wiley was born on November 6, 1848, in Clayton, Alabama. He attended Emory and Henry College, where he studied law. In October 1872, Wiley relocated to Montgomery, where he became a member of the Rice, Chilton, and Jones law firm. In 1882 he was elected to represent Montgomery County in the state senate, and in June 1891, he was named lieutenant colonel of the Fifth Regiment of the U.S. Volunteer Infantry. He died on June 17, 1908.

Sources: Ulman, H. Charles, "Lawyer's Record and Official Register of the United States," 1872.

Owen, Thomas McAdory and Marie Bankhead Owen. History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography. Pruitt, Paul McWhorter Jr.

"Thomas Goode Jones," Encyclopedia of Alabama, http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1463. Accessed June 10, 2013.

"Samuel F. Rice," Alabama's Supreme Court Justices, Alabama Department of Archives and History, http://www.archives.alabama.gov/judicial/srice.html. Accessed June 10, 2013.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Overview

Letterbook containing copies of correspondence written by Montgomery, Alabama, lawyers Samuel F. Rice, John M. Chilton, Thomas G. Jones, and Ariosto A. Wiley, between 1871-1873.

Physical Location

The A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama

Provenance

Gift of A. S. Williams, 2010

General

Title on phase box spine: Letterbook of Rice & Chilton, Attorneys - Montgomery: 1871-1872

Processed by

Haley Aaron and Martha Bace, 2013

Creator

Source

Title
Guide to Rice, Chilton, and Jones, attorneys, letterbook
Status
Completed
Date
October 2013
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513