Collins family papers

Abstract

The Collins family papers (1781-1968, 1.68 cubic feet, 5 boxes) primarily include Lewis Collins' financial documents and correspondence. The collection also includes documents such as leases, wills, ledger sheets, genealogy notes, newspaper clippings, and obituaries of other Collins family members.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Collins family papers
Date
1781-1968, undated (inclusive)
1833-1909 (bulk)
Extent
1.68 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Families--Kentucky--History--19th century.
Publishers and publishing -- Kentucky.
Historians -- Kentucky.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject.
Finding Aid Author
Erin Weber
Preferred Citation
2016ms026: [identification of item], Collins family papers, 1781-1968, bulk 1833-1909, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Lewis Collins (1797-1870) worked as a historian, journalist, editor, and the first judge of Mason County. He is well known for his book Historical Sketches of Kentucky, which detailed the history of the entire state of Kentucky. His son, Richard Henry Collins updated, revised, and added to this history to create a two volume set. Lewis was a devoted Presbyterian and a church elder for nearly forty years. Lewis Collins married Mary Eleanor Peers (1803-1881) in 1823, daughter of Revolutionary War veteran Valentine Peers. They had nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Lewis Franklin Collins (1820-1880), Richard Henry Collins (1824–1888), Eleanor Orr Collins Blatterman (1826-1901), Susan Peers Collins Coburn (1829-1855), Mary Catherine "Kate" Collins Ross (1835-1906), Valentine Peers Collins (1838-1905), and Maria Coyle Collins Owens (1844-1910) survived to adulthood. Eleanor married George W. Blatterman, who worked closely with Lewis Collins as an editor. Kate married Thomas A. Ross, and they had three children: Eleanor who died in infancy; Catherine Collins Ross, and Lewis Collins Ross. Catherine Ross married Henry Waller, the son of Maurice Waller, a Presbyterian minister in Kentucky.
Scope and Content
The Collins family papers (1781-1968, 1.68 cubic feet, 5 boxes) primarily include Lewis Collins' financial documents and correspondence. It also includes documents such as leases, wills, ledger sheets, genealogy notes, newspaper clippings, and obituaries of other Collins family members. Lewis's daughter Kate Collins Ross and her husband Thomas are particularly represented. There is some correspondence between family members and other citizens of central Kentucky. There are some complete copies of Lewis Collins' paper, The Eagle as well as other newspapers and clippings. There are two glass bottles, a snuff box and an inkwell, from "Grandma and Grandpa Peers". The collection also includes medical scales used by Valentine Peers during The Revolutionary War and daguerreotypes of family members.

Restrictions on Access and Use

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

Contents of the Collection

Lewis Collins, 1838-1882, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and financial documents such as receipts, checks, leases, and estate papers of Lewis Collins. Some of these financial documents were written on behalf of other individuals. Also includes a plot of Maysville, Kentucky, during his time as judge.

Drafts of letters to Henry Clay and John Champers, 1838

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Valentine Peers Collins letter to Lewis Collins, 1858 March 2

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Correspondence and tax receipts from Henry Waller to Lewis Collins, 1860-1869

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Correspondence regarding finances, 1852-1869

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Correspondence from Lewis Collins to unknown recipients, 1865

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Promissory notes, 1861-1867

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Doubtful or worthless promissory notes, 1833-1866

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Leases, deeds, and memorandums, 1853-1880

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Estate papers, 1868-1882

  • Box 1, folder 9
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Asset lists and payment notices, 1861-1871

  • Box 1, folder 10
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Notices of rent increase, 1866

  • Box 1, folder 11
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Iowa land tax receipts and letters, 1860-1872

  • Box 1, folder 12
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Receipts to Jane Atkinson, 1864-1865

  • Box 1, folder 13
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Checks to Mary E. Collins, 1864-1869

  • Box 1, folder 14
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Agreements on behalf of Sarah Collins, Julia Owens, and Valentine Peers Collins, 1860-1866

  • Box 1, folder 15
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Promissory notes from Rev. George W. Coons, 1865-1866

  • Box 1, folder 16
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Receipts and promissory notes from Eliza and John Langhorne, 1863-1868

  • Box 1, folder 17
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A.W. Macklin and Co. assets, 1843-1862

  • Box 1, folder 18
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Receipts to J.C. Mendall, 1864-1869

  • Box 1, folder 19
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Trustee to Armistead Purnell, 1857-1860

  • Box 1, folder 20
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Receipts to John C. Reed, 1865-1866

  • Box 1, folder 21
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Receipts to N. Schafer, 1863-1866

  • Box 1, folder 22
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Receipts and contracts to P. Swigert, 1865

  • Box 1, folder 23
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Receipts to heirs of E. Tureman of New Orleans, 1863-1865

  • Box 1, folder 24
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Receipts to Catherine Waters, 1866

  • Box 1, folder 25
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General receipts and checks, 1844-1869

  • Box 1, folder 26
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Plot of Maysville, undated

  • Box OS-1, folder 1
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Mary Eleanor Collins, 1833-1881, undated

Scope and Contents

Comprises checks, ledger sheets, leases, receipts, and correspondence, most of which comes from her husband Lewis Collins. Also contains a cloth embroidered with flowers that was originally presented to her brother, Benjamin Peers, and then passed on to Mary. Includes receipts and a letter addressed to Ellen Collins, possibly a nickname for Mary Eleanor Collins.

Lewis Collins letters to Mary E. Collins, 1833-1839

  • Box 1, folder 27
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N.P. Nelson letter to Mary E. Collins, 1881

  • Box 1, folder 28
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Leases, receipts, and ledger sheets, 1880-1881

  • Box 1, folder 29
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Checks, 1872-1880

  • Box 1, folder 30
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Check books, 1872-1879

  • Box 1, folder 31
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Cloth with flowers, undated

  • Box 1, folder 32
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M. H. Coyle letter to Ellen Collins, care of Lewis Collins, 1845 March 3

  • Box 1, folder 33
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Ellen Collins receipts, 1880

  • Box 1, folder 34
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Richard Collins, 1852-1867

Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence and a loan agreement for Richard H. Collins, son of Lewis Collins.

Correspondence, 1852-1867

  • Box 1, folder 35
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Loan agreement, 1859

  • Box 1, folder 36
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Valentine Peers Collins, 1863, 1905

Scope and Contents

Includes a sale agreement where Valentine Peers Collins relinquishes control of his business to his partner. Also contains his obituaries.

Sale agreement, 1863

  • Box 2, folder 1
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Obituaries, 1905

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Kate Collins Ross, 1867-1909

Scope and Contents

Contains Kate Ross Collins' will, estate inventory, and correspondence, most of which comes from family members.

Correspondence from "Cousin Phil", 1867-1871

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Correspondence from "Jonny", 1869

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Correspondence from family members, 1868-1871

  • Box 2, folder 5
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General correspondence to Kate Collins Ross, 1870-1886

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Will and estate inventory, 1896, 1909

  • Box 2, folder 7
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Thomas A. Ross, 1862-1883

Scope and Contents

Comprises correspondence from his wife Kate Collins Ross, brother-in-law Richard Collins, and sister Mary Glover, as well as financial information, including a ledger book, will, and various stocks and receipts. There is also financial information on behalf of Lewis and Mary Collins as Thomas managed their estate in the 1870s and 1880s.

Correspondence from Kate Collins Ross, 1869

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Correspondence from Richard Collins, 1878

  • Box 2, folder 9
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Correspondence from Mary Glover, 1881

  • Box 2, folder 10
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Correspondence regarding Lewis Collins estate, 1872-1878

  • Box 2, folder 11
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Executor of Lewis Collins estate, receipts, 1871-1881

  • Box 2, folder 12
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Executor of Lewis Collins estate, lease contracts, 1871-1880

  • Box 2, folder 13
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On behalf of Mary E. Collins, receipts and ledger sheets, 1872-1881

  • Box 2, folder 14
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Will, 1862

  • Box 2, folder 15
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Ledger book, 1870-1875

  • Box 2, folder 16
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Stocks, receipts, and promissory notes, 1870-1883

  • Box 2, folder 17
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Lewis Collins Ross, 1903-1906

Scope and Contents

Comprises correspondence from Lewis Collins Ross's mother, Kate Collins Ross, as well as from George W. Blatterman and an unknown "Auntie". The Ross family genealogy and history is included, although its author is unknown.

Correspondence from Kate Collins Ross, 1903

  • Box 2, folder 18
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Correspondence from "Auntie", 1903

  • Box 2, folder 19
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Letter from George Blatterman, 1906 March 6

  • Box 2, folder 20
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Ross family history handwritten, circa 1906

  • Box 2, folder 21
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Ross family history reproduction and transcription, circa 1906

  • Box 2, folder 22
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Henry Waller, 1916-1956, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, a wedding gift inventory, obituaries of Henry's father Reverend Maurice Waller, and a document tracing the origins of the Waller family name.

Correspondence from Richard Hill, 1956

  • Box 2, folder 23
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Henry and Catherine Ross Waller wedding gift inventory, circa 1907

  • Box 2, folder 24
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Rev. Maurice Waller obituaries, 1916

  • Box 2, folder 25
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Genealogy and historical sketch of Waller name, 1932

  • Box 2, folder 26
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George W. Blatterman, 1869-1872

Scope and Contents

Includes correspondence and financial information from Lewis Collins' son-in-law, George W. Blatterman.

Correspondence, 1869-1870

  • Box 2, folder 27
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Receipts, 1869-1872

  • Box 2, folder 28
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Ledger sheets, 1870-1872

  • Box 2, folder 29
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Assorted, 1781-1968

Scope and Contents

The Assorted series comprises family documents and artifacts from various family members, including Valentine Peers' medical scales, an ink bottle and snuff bottle belonging to the Peers family, the Orr coat of arms, and obituaries for some of the Collins children. It also includes items that cannot be attributed to a single person, including a letter from Margaret Young to an unknown recipient, newspaper clippings, and a plan for a road running through Ohio.

Letter from Margaret Young to unspecified recipient, 1807 August 23

  • Box 2, folder 30
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Maria Collins Owens and Eleanor Orr Collins Blatterman obituaries, 1901,1910

  • Box 2, folder 31
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Orr coat of arms, undated

  • Box 2, folder 32
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Rodes family genealogy, undated

  • Box 2, folder 33
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Newspaper clippings, 1895-1968

  • Box 2, folder 34
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"Grandma Peers Snuff Bottle", undated

  • Box 3, item 1
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"Grandpa Peers, Ink Bottle", undated

  • Box 3, item 2
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Articles of arrangement - road from Zanesville to Canton (Ohio), 1826

  • Box OS-1, folder 2
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Daniel Boone re-internment broadside, 1845

  • Box OS-1, folder 3
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Newspapers - The Eagle, National Intelligencer, 1825-1845

  • Box OS-1, folder 4
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Valentine Peers medical scales, circa 1781

  • Box 4, item 6
Scope and Contents

Includes note that reads: "These Scales belonged to the medicine chest used by the Regiment of which Valentine Peers was Major during the Revolutionary War. At the close of the war, the chest was presented to him by the other Officers. Mrs Lewis Collins"

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Photographs, undated

Scope and Contents

The Photographs series includes five daguerreotypes of family members, including one of Lewis Collins and one presumably of Mary Eleanor Collins.

"Judge Lewis Collins, 1797-1871", undated

  • Box 4, item 1
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Mary E. Collins (?), undated

  • Box 4, item 2
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Unidentified Ross infant, undated

  • Box 4, item 3-4
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Susan (Collins) Coburn, undated

  • Box 4, item 5
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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.