John H. Caldwell papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0258

Scope and Contents

This collection deals only with the latter period of Caldwell's employment as land agent for the state of Alabama, and consists primarily of correspondence, legal papers, reports, and maps. Most of the materials deal with his efforts to obtain school indemnity lands for the state and his own efforts to collect his fees. There is some material dealing with his earlier successes in claiming swamp and overflowed lands for the state from the federal government, as well as recovering a percentage of revenue gained by the federal government through sale of public lands in the state.

Dates

1886-1902

Creator

Caldwell, John H. (John Henry) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

John H. Caldwell was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on 4 April 1826. He attended Bacon College, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and began teaching school at the age of 17. In 1848 he moved to Jacksonville, Alabama, where for four years he was in charge of the Jacksonville Female Academy, and then the Male School at Jacksonville for a further four years. In 1851-1852, he edited the Jacksonville Republican, and later the Sunny South (1855-1857), when he was elected to the state legislature.

In 1859 he was admitted to the bar and was elected Solicitor of the 10th Judicial Circuit. He was reelected in 1863, but was removed by Governor Parsons in 1865. He was then re-elected to the legislature, but was removed by the military government in 1867. From 1873 to 1877 he served in the House of Representatives. In 1879 he became land agent for the state of Alabama. He died in Jacksonville on 4 September 1902.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Business correspondence, legal papers, and reports of land agent for state of Alabama. Does not cover his entire term, 1879-1902.

Provenance

Unknown

General

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