Collections | Special Collections & Archives

"Mammy stories"

Collection

Identifier: W-0026

Overview Handwritten manuscript by Birmingham author Julia Neely Finch describing "an old-time Southern Mammy."

Dates: between 1900 and 1920

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Mrs. Charles P. McGuire research material on William B. Travis

Collection

Identifier: W-0029

Overview Correspondence compiled by Mrs. C. P. McGuire in her attempts to trace the genealogy of William B. Travis, who died defending the Alamo in 1836.

Dates: 1921-1958

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Garner family letters

Collection

Identifier: W-0030

Overview Typed transcripts of correspondence written by the extended Garner family between 1832 and 1886.

Dates: 1832-1886

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Commonplace book on Christianity and slavery

Collection

Identifier: W-0032

Overview Commonplace book with entries addressing a number of topics, including church politics, theological concerns, childrearing practices, and slavery.

Dates: between 1840 and 1851

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

John Cowardin Collection on Nelle Harper Lee

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4208

Overview The John Cowardin Collection on Nelle Harper Lee contains letters between Florida author John (Jack) Cowardin and Pulitzer-Prize winning Alabama author Nelle Harper Lee. It also includes supplemental materials related to Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

Dates: 1960-1962, 2004-2009

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

David Holmes Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4212

Overview Collection of two diaries, two sketchbooks, six letters, and other items created by Sergeant David Holmes (1841-1864) of the 20th Michigan Infantry. The materials provide insight into the rigors of daily life for an Civil War soldier

Dates: 1858-1864

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Southern Trade and Diplomacy Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4214

Overview The collection consists of one letter and two pamphlets related to trade and diplomacy in the antebellum South.

Dates: 1837 - 1860

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Henry Major Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4217

Overview Collection mostly consists of incoming business correspondence written to Henry Major from various business associates in the United Kingdom and America. Henry Major was a New York merchant around the years 1802-1836. The correspondence allows a look into the mercantile world of overseas trading of cotton and other goods, prices, and other related issues.

Dates: 1816-1841

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Whitman Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4228

Overview The Whitman Family Papers contain correspondence, diaries, photographs, clippings, books, and memorabilia related to the members of this prominent New England family, particularly Jason Whitman (1799-1848), a Unitarian minister in Portland, Maine, and Lexington, Massachusetts; and Bernard and Minnie Hamilton Whitman, who lived in Brazil and Colombia in the 1870s and 1880s while Bernard worked in South America as an engineer and street railway builder.

Dates: 1830-1950

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Emma Marie Cutter Diary

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4230

Overview Emma Marie Cutter (1853-1937) was born in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and attended the State Normal School at Bridgewater, Massachesetts, from 1871-1875. Cutter began teaching at the Peabody (also known as State) Normal School in Nashville, Tennessee, immediately after her graduation until 1881. This diary, which she kept from 1876-1878, discusses her life as a teacher, her travels to the Northeast to visit her family in the summer, and the people she encountered in the post-Civil War South.

Dates: 1876 - 1878

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Samuel Ledford Civil War Correspondence

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4236

Overview Samuel Ledford (1828-1863) served as a private for the Confederacy in the US Civil War as part of the North Carolina 55th Infantry Regiment. This collection consists of fifty letters Ledford wrote to his wife Lucinda from May 1862 to June 1863 while his regiment was engaged in campaigns throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Dates: 1862-1863

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Berry Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4239

Overview The Berrys were a plantation- and slave-owning family from Coweta County, Georgia. This collection contains correspondence and other materials related to several Berry family members, particularly Judge Andrew J. Berry (1798-1883) and his sons William, Thomas, and Joel Berry. Materials document the family’s economic situation both before and after the US Civil War (1861-1865).

Dates: 1820-1882

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Louis Mahaffey Letters

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4240

Overview Louis Mahaffey was a US soldier during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). This collection contains two notebooks of letters he wrote home to his family in Baltimore, Maryland, during his service overseas.

Dates: 1899-1901

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Wilfred A. Joubert Papers from Suriname and Mexico

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4242

Overview This collection contains maps, legal documents, correspondence, receipts, photographs, and other materials related to the business ventures of Wilfred Adelbert Joubert (1867-1940), an American businessman. Mr. Joubert moved to Paramaribo, Surinam (Dutch Guiana), from 1891-1899 to harvest balata—an early latex product—for the American Exploitation Company, then to Chiapas, Mexico, to export bananas for the United States Banana Company (1908-1911), and then rubber for the Rio Michol Rubber...

Dates: 1813 - 1925

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Fort McClellan Internment Camp Photographic Album

Collection

Identifier: 2018-002

Overview This collection consists of one photographic album containing 129 silver gelatin prints portraying life at Fort McClellan, Alabama—one of four major prisoner of war camps in the state—in June 1943. Private Charles W. Christopher of the Military Police Escort Guard, a branch of the United States Army, collected and arranged the images into the album.

Dates: 1943

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

E. W. Kemble Pen and Ink Drawing: "Jack"

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4249

Overview Matted pen and ink drawing by Kemble for Harry Stillwell Edwards's 1892 short story, "A Battle in Crackerdom"

Dates: 1892

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Leslie Porch Kerlin Photographs

Collection

Identifier: WP-005

Overview Approximately 2,500 black-and-white photographs taken by Leslie Porch Kerlin in Alabama and the Southeast United States, depicting well-known landmarks and natural settings.

Dates: 1915 - 1974

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Wayne J. Urban Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4264

Overview This collection contains research and professional materials documenting the career of education professor and scholar Wayne J. Urban, who taught at Georgia State University and The University of Alabama and wrote many books on the history of education.

Dates: 1913-2016

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Texas and Mexico Travel Photographs

Collection

Identifier: 2020-002

Overview Twenty-six mounted Kodak No. 2 albumen photographs, with images depicting travel in Texas and Mexico in 1890.

Dates: 1890

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Nineteenth-century Political Cartoon Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4270

Overview Collection of nineteenth-century political cartoons covering a variety of topics

Dates: 1850 - 1870

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

President John W. Abercrombie Records

Record Group

Identifier: RG-248

Overview This record group contains the records of University of Alabama president John W. Abercrombie. The records document his years as president, from 1902-1911.

Dates: 1902 - 1911

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

John J. Sparkman Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-1319

Overview Democratic congressman John J. Sparkman (1899-1985) represented the state of Alabama in the House of Representatives from 1937-1946 and in the Senate from 1946-January 3, 1979. He was known for his support of the Tennessee Valley Authority, military personnel, and space exploration, and served on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, the Small Business Committee, and the Banking Committee. Materials in this collection include correspondence, legislation, newsletters, press releases,...

Dates: 1917-2001, bulk 1937-1978

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Commercial and Vernacular Photographs of Mexico City and Its Environs

Collection

Identifier: 2020-003

Overview One photographic album containing 124 silver gelatin prints depicting a trip to Mexico City and the surrounding area by an unknown photographer.

Dates: circa 1900

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Briquet, Granat, and Waite Album of Commercial Photographs of Mexico City and Its Environs

Collection

Identifier: 2020-005

Overview One photographic album containing fifty-eight black-and-white photographs of turn of the century Mexico taken by three photographers: Abel Briquet, Jacob Granat, and Charles Betts Waite.

Dates: circa 1890s-1905

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Hugh Young Topographical Memoir on East and West Florida

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4280

Overview This collection contains a handwritten copy of A Topographical Memoir on East and West Florida with Itineraries, a report written by US Army engineer Hugh Young in preparation for General Andrew Jackson’s 1818 march into Pensacola, West Florida, during the First Seminole War.

Dates: 1818

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Appalachian Mountain Club in Mexico Journal

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4329

Scope and Contents One journal written by various members of the Appalachian Mountain Club as they traveled through Mexico on a thirty-three-day excursion between February and March 1939. The journal entries are chronologically bound, approximately one page in length each, typewritten, and initialed by the club member writing for the day. The first page includes a list of names and addresses for the members on the excursion.

Dates: 1939-02 - 1939-03

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Malcolm Ross Letter to Richard Oswald

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4317

Scope and Contents One letter written by indentured carpenter Malcolm Ross in British Florida in July 1773 to plantation owner Richard Oswald in England. Ross was seeking to be released from the terms of indenture and to buy the freedom of the son Ross fathered with an enslaved black woman. The letter first details Ross’ indenture and gives an account of finances in order to get a release. The letter concludes with an impassioned plea to buy the freedom of Ross’ son that he fathered two years prior and states,...

Dates: 1773-07-11

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Mears Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4294

Overview Contains diary kept by Virginia Henry Mears while on a journey with her husband from Philadelphia to New Orleans shortly before the Civil War, along with other family materials and photographs.

Dates: 1850-1919

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Order of the Eastern Star Records and Minutes for Dora, Alabama, Chapter

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4286

Overview One ledger recording the minutes of the Dora, Alabama, chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Dates: 1907 - 1909

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Free Military School for Applicants for Commands of Colored Troops

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4287

Overview This collection contains a twelve-page pamphlet from the Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments, in Philadelphia, describing the qualifications required of men applying to be officers of African American Union troops during the US Civil War.

Dates: 1863

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Charles B. Safford and Clara Safford Brooke Correspondence

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4288

Overview This collection contains letters to and from Illinois soldier Charles B. Safford, who served as a captain in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, and his wife Clara Safford. Many of the letters date from the time of her second marriage to Thomas S. Brooke.

Dates: 1853-1886 and undated

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Memphis Cotton Makers' Jubilee Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4289

Overview This collection contains a diary and scrapbook kept by Ernestine Jones in 1951 when she went on a national tour as winner of the "Spirit of Cotton" competition held by the Memphis Cotton Makers' Jubilee, an annual African American festival in Memphis, Tennessee. It also contains four program books from the festival for the years 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1955.

Dates: 1951-1955

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Mounted Spaniard with Two Indios Illustrated Manuscript

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4291

Overview One illustrated manuscript depicting a local elite, Don Carlos Guevara, and his family. The unknown author uses intensely vulgar language to express his disdain for Guevara, whose circumstances have recently changed and left him in poverty.

Dates: circa 1750

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Cameron McRae Plummer book list

Collection

Identifier: W-0087

Overview Contains a list of books compiled by Haunted House Book Shop owner Cameron McRae Plummer.

Dates: 1950-1961

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

J. D. Barron research material on Native Americans

Collection

Identifier: W-0088

Overview Research notes and correspondence related to J. D. Barron's research on native American place names in Alabama.

Dates: 1887-1906

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

James Lockhart Goodloe letterbook

Collection

Identifier: W-0089

Overview Contains one letterbook, which includes the autobiography of James Lockhart Goodloe, a Tennessee lawyer.

Dates: 1876

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Gaillard and Hurtel families papers

Collection

Identifier: W-0090

Overview Commonplace book, letters, and other documents and items collected by these Mobile and Claiborne, Alabama, families.

Dates: 1838-1885

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

"The Home of the Brownings"

Collection

Identifier: W-0092

Overview Handwritten notes Octavia Walton Le Vert used during her lecture, "Home of the Brownings," which described her 1855 visit to the home of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning.

Dates: circa 1870

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Thomas McAdory Owen correspondence on A Bibliography of Mississippi

Collection

Identifier: W-0093

Overview Contains correspondence between Thomas McAdory Owen and Mississippi authors and scholars regarding Owen's A Bibliography of Mississippi.

Dates: 1896-1909

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Collection on the Murder of Father Coyle

Collection

Identifier: W-0094

Overview Contains an affidavit, newspaper clipping and the research notes compiled by lawyer John C. Morrow related to the 1921 murder of Birmingham priest Father James Coyle and the subsequent trial of Edwin Stephenson.

Dates: 1921

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Joseph B. Graham speeches and letter

Collection

Identifier: W-0095

Overview Contains copies of four speeches written by Talladega educator Joseph B. Graham and presented to various civic and social clubs; also contains one letter signed by Selma politician Edmund Pettus

Dates: 1884-1902

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Mechanics' Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 (Montgomery, Ala.) records

Collection

Identifier: W-0096

Overview Contains records of the Montgomery Mechanics' Hook and Ladder Company.

Dates: 1867-1899

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Dallas Iron Works letterbook

Collection

Identifier: W-0097

Overview Contains the Reconstruction-era letterbook of the Dallas Iron Works in Selma, Alabama.

Dates: 1866-1879

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Mobile, Alabama, business correspondence

Collection

Identifier: W-0098

Overview Letters, dated between 1821 and 1838, describing business conditions in Mobile, Alabama, written by Mobile lawyers to northern merchants Enoch Silsby and William R. Bowers, updating them on the status of legal cases they had filed in Mobile and updates on the sale and production of cotton.

Dates: 1821-1838

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Emma Gelders Sterne papers

Collection

Identifier: W-0099

Overview Contracts and business correspondence related to the publication of books written by Alabama author Emma Gelders Sterne.

Dates: 1934-1953

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Early Huntsville, Alabama, letters

Collection

Identifier: W-0100

Overview Two unrelated letters, dated from 1822 and 1831, containing information about Huntsville, Alabama.

Dates: 1822, 1831

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Milner Coal and Railroad Company meeting minutes

Collection

Identifier: W-0101

Overview Minutes of directors and stockholders' meetings between 1900 and 1910

Dates: 1900-1910

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Montgomery and West Point Railroad minute books

Collection

Identifier: W-0102

Overview Contains two minute books, with entries from directors' and stockholders' meetings of the Montgomery and West Point Railroad from March 1846 to June 1870.

Dates: 1846-1870

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

T. B. Rush account book

Collection

Identifier: MSS-1215

Overview Account book for a general store, probably located in Lowndes County, Alabama.

Dates: circa 1834

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Salem Baptist Church Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS-1224

Abstract Photocopies of two record books containing articles of faith, rules of decorum, church meeting minutes 1824-1895, maps, and church meeting minutes of this New Lexington, Alabama, church.

Dates: 1824-1895

Found in: The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections

Showing Collections: 51 - 100 of 2760

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