Jesse Griffin letter
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No requestable containers
Scope and Contents
The collection contains a letter dated 5 September 1813, from St. Stephens, Alabama, to his parents in which Griffin states that he has traveled fifty miles in flight from Indians, who killed more than 400 people in five days. On 30 August 1813, Creek Indians under the leadership of William Weatherford, also known as Red Eagle, attacked white settlers at Fort Mims near the convergence of the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers, killing approximately 500 people. Although Griffin and his family survived, they lost their crops, livestock, and most of their household goods. This attack was part of the Creek Indian War that lasted from 1813-1814 when Creek Indians attacked white settlers who were moving into Creek lands. The Creek War ended on 27 March 1814, when General Andrew Jackson defeated Red Eagle and his warriors at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama.
Dates
- Creation: 1813 September 5
Creator
- Griffin, Jessie (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
None
Conditions Governing Use
None
Biographical / Historical
Jessie Griffin was a settler living near Fort Mims in south Alabama during the Creek War. He fled the area and survived the Creek attack on Fort Mims, which took place on August 30, 1813.
Extent
0.03 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
A letter dated 5 September 1813, from St. Stephens, Alabama, to his parents, describing the Creek attack on Fort Mims during the Creek War of 1813-1814.
Provenance
Gift of Sue Spencer
Processed by
Donnelly Lancaster, 2002; updated by Martha Bace, 2013
- Title
- Guide to the Jesse Griffin Letter
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2002
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- 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