Richard Alexander Spurr papers

Abstract

The Richard Alexander Spurr papers (dated 1844-1961, bulk 1878-1899; 1.3 cubic feet; 4 boxes, 1 folder) consist of correspondence, financial records, genealogical sketches, autograph albums, photographs, and a recipe book documenting Spurr's career and family life.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Richard Alexander Spurr papers
Date
1844-1961 (inclusive)
1878-1899 (bulk)
Extent
1.3 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Recipes.
Legislators -- Correspondence.
Autograph albums.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format.
Finding Aid Author
Megan Mummey
Preferred Citation
69m44: [identification of item], Richard Alexander Spurr papers, 1844-1961, bulk 1878-1899, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Richard Alexander Spurr (1836-1898) was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, and attended Bethany College in Virginia (now West Virginia) and graduated in 1858. During the Civil war, Spurr fought for the Confederacy for three years under General John Hunt Morgan. After the war, Spurr returned to his farm in Fayette County, Kentucky. He was subsequently elected for two terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives (1875-1878) and also served in the State Senate (1881-1885). He married Ruth Wiermann Sheffer (1843-1928) and their children included: Julia Patton Hughes Spurr (1867-1957); Alexander Spurr (1871); Laura Spurr (1877-unknown); and Richard Hughes Spurr, who also went by Hughes Spurr (1881-1936).
Scope and Content
The Richard Alexander Spurr papers (dated 1844-1961, bulk 1878-1899; 1.3 cubic feet; 4 boxes, 1 folder) consist of correspondence, financial records, genealogical sketches, autograph albums, photographs, and a recipe book documenting Spurr's career and family life. The majority of the papers comprise family correspondence between Richard A. Spurr and his brother Marcus A. of Nashville, Tennessee; Spurr's wife Ruth Sheffer Spurr; and their children: Julia Hughes, Laura Sheffer, and Richard Hughes. Also included is correspondence to Laura's husband, Carl Welsh, of Lexington, Ky. The correspondence does include letters relating to Kentucky politics, including one from William Harrison Polk. The collection contains a circular letter concerning politics issued by the Louisville Journal; a report from James K. Patterson to Richard A. Spurr concerning the income of the A & M College (now University of Kentucky); and remarks made to the Kentucky General Assembly concerning African-American deaf mutes. The collection includes two autograph albums relating to Bethany College; a handwritten recipe book that includes home remedies for illnesses; and materials relating to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The photographs depict various members of the Spurr family, including Richard Alexander Spurr, Ruth Sheffer Spurr, Julia Hughes Spurr, Laura Spurr Welsh, and Richard Hughes Spurr. Many photographs show Laura Spurr Welsh in Native American dress. The collection does not include any materials relating to Richard A. Spurr's activities during the Civil War or John Hunt Morgan.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collections is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in the collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Family correspondence, 1856-1961, undated

1856-1872

  • Box 1, folder 1
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1876-1879

  • Box 1, folder 2
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1881-1884

  • Box 1, folder 3
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1885-1889

  • Box 1, folder 4
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1891-1894

  • Box 1, folder 5
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1895

  • Box 1, folder 6
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1896-1899

  • Box 1, folder 7
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1900-1910

  • Box 1, folder 8
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1915-1919

  • Box 1, folder 9
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1929-1961

  • Box 1, folder 10
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Undated

  • Box 1, folder 11
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Financial documents, 1844-1953

Receipts and business documents, 1844-1920

  • Box 2, folder 1
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James Patterson report of income for A&M college (University of Kentucky), circa 1879

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Daybook, 1916-1920

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Ruth Spurr cashed checks, 1919

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Julia Spurr tax receipts, 1940-1953

  • Box 2, folder 5
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Assorted, 1857-1942, undated

Richard A. Spurr Bethany College diplomas, 1857-1858

  • Box OS-15, folder 1
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Richard A. Spurr Bethany College autograph album, 1858

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Levi P. Spurr Bethany College autograph album, 1859

  • Box 2, folder 7
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An Act to amend Acto to Charter the American Short Horn Record Association, 1880 January 5

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Newspaper clipping regarding construction of the Fayette County courthouse, 1883 February 2

  • Box 2, folder 9
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Spurr and McEwan genealogical information, 1894-1931

  • Box 2, folder 10
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Roll of Lexington Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, 1895

  • Box 2, folder 11
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Children of the Confederacy certificates and applications, 1914-1942

  • Box 2, folder 12
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Calling cards, undated

  • Box 2, folder 13
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Dudley's remarks to the Kentucky Senate regarding African-American Deaf Mutes, undated

  • Box 2, folder 14
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Richard A. Spurr broadside "Sheep to be sold", undated

  • Box 2, folder 15
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Recipe book, undated

  • Box 2, folder 16
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Photographs, 1864-1927, undated

William Chandler Prewitt, grandfather of Richard Alexander Spurr, photographic reproduction of a painted portrait, undated

  • Box 4, item 1
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Margaret Montgomery Edmonson Prewitt, grandmother of Richard Alexander Spurr, photographic reproduction of a painted portrait, undated

  • Box 4, item 2
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Vaul Allen Prewitt, great-uncle of Richard Alexander Spurr, photographic reproduction of a painted portrait, undated

  • Box 4, item 3
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Henry Hamblin Prewitt, great-uncle of Richard Alexander Spurr, photographic reproduction of a painted portrait., undated

  • Box 4, item 4
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Mary Prewitt Cavins, great-aunt of Richard Alexander Spurr, photographic reproduction of a painted portrait, undated

  • Box 4, item 5
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Mary Anne Spurr, undated

  • Box 3, item 6
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"Picture to Julia from Papa" from Richard Alexander Spurr, 1877

  • Box 3, item 7
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Richard Spurr at 29 years of age standing next to brother Marcus Antonius, circa 1864

  • Box 3, item 8
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Richard Spurr at 29 years of age sitting with brother Marcus Antonius, circa 1864

  • Box 3, item 9
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Richard Spurr and second wife Julia M. Hughes, notation "Papa and Jelly", undated

  • Box 4, item 10
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Richard Spurr's gravesite, notation "darling husband's grave", after 1898

  • Box 3, item 11
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Richard Hughes Spurr, Laura, and Julia standing with Julia M. Hughes Spurr seated, copy, undated

  • Box 3, item 12-13
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Laura, Richard Hughes, and Julia Spurr at "Leafland", undated

  • Box 3, item 14
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Laura Sheffer Spurr at 5 years old, circa 1877

  • Box 4, item 15
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Laura Sheffer Spurr as a young woman, undated

  • Box 4, item 16
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Laura Sheffer Spurr looking into a hand-held mirror, undated

  • Box 4, item 17
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Laura Sheffer Spurr, undated

  • Box 3, item 18
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Laura Sheffer Spurr wearing a large hat, standing next to ornate chair, undated

  • Box 3, item 19
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Laura Sheffer Spurr sitting with a man, possibly Richard Hughes, notation "Laura S as the Indian squaw", undated

  • Box 4, item 20
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Laura Sheffer Spurr sitting, notation "Laura S as the Indian squaw", undated

  • Box 4, item 21
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Laura Sheffer Spurr in Native American clothing, undated

  • Box 3, item 22
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Laura Sheffer Spurr sitting in barn entry, dead bear hanging from doorway, undated

  • Box 3, item 23
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Laura Sheffer Spurr posing in all white with backdrop, undated

  • Box 3, item 24
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Laura Sheffer Spurr holding two dead swans, undated

  • Box 4, item 25
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Laura Sheffer Spurr posing in fringed Indian attire in front of backdrop, undated

  • Box 4, item 26
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"Doctors and lawyers of Lexington, sesquicentennial, May 3 - June 6, 1927", all in Native American dress, Laura Sheffer Spurr on far right, 1927 June 6

  • Box 4, item 27-28
Scope and Contents

Photograph torn in half.

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Laura Spurr Welch, standing in front of house, undated

  • Box 3, item 29
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"Jessie Thompson, one of my best girl friends", undated

  • Box 4, item 30
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Group photograph with notation "Caught in the Act", Julia Hughes seated in center, Julia Spurr on far right with man holding her hand, Laura Spurr sitting on bottom left, undated

  • Box 3, item 31
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Group photograph - Julia Hughes seated fourth from left, Julia Spurr center front, Laura Spurr possibly in back talking to man. African-American musicians pictured, undated

  • Box 3, item 32
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Photographic postcard, names written on each man, 1906 September 11

  • Box 3, item 33
Scope and Contents

"Halloway Captain, The Major, the Dean (captain), Daugherty captain, Mayor Foley, The Little Lieut.". Includes notation "The Hospital Staff with the Dean and the Foley JBM"

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Photograph of Joel T. Hart's Woman Triumphant sculpture, which was destroyed in the Fayette County courthouse fire of 1897, before 1897

  • Box 3, item 34
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"Main Street Lexington", undated

  • Box 4, item 35
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Thirteen men in suits and hats sitting on and standing in front of a rock formation, undated

  • Box 4, item 36
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Photograph of officers and members of the Senate of Kentucky, session of 1883-1884, man number 35 is Richard Alexander Spurr, circa 1883-1884

  • Box 4, item 37
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.