Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Henshaw family letters

Abstract

The Henshaw family letters (dated 1866-1912, undated; 0.18 cubic feet; 7 folders) comprise letters that document the activities of the Henshaw family and extended family in Kentucky and Virginia during Reconstruction.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Henshaw family letters
Date
1866-1912, undated (inclusive)
Extent
0.18 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Agriculture -- Kentucky.
Agriculture -- Texas
Correspondence.
Education, Higher.
Family.
Farm life
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
Arrangement
Collection is organized alphabetically by author last name. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0167: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Henshaw family letters, 1866-1912, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
John Scott Henshaw (1827-1883) was born on the family farm in Oldham County, Kentucky to Phillip Telfair Henshaw (1800-1835) and Sarah Ann Scott (1802-1863). He had one older sister, Sarah Ann Elizabeth Henshaw (1825-1902), and one younger sister, Lucy Mary Jane Henshaw (1831-1899). In 1848, John married Mary A. Davis (1826-1853), and together the couple had two children, Sarah V. Henshaw (1849) and Philip Thomas Henshaw (1850-1920). Philip Thomas attended the University of Virginia from 1868 to 1871, and in 1885, he married Lilian Newman (1861-1941). Together they had three children, Louise (1887-1926), John W. (1889-1967), and Philip T. (1895-1973).
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Henshaw family letters (dated 1866-1912, undated; 0.18 cubic feet; 7 folders) comprise letters that document the activities of the Henshaw family and extended family in Kentucky and Virginia during Reconstruction. The majority of the letters are sent to John S. Henshaw, from his son, Philip T.; brother-in-law, Isaac B. Davis; and sister, [Sarah Ann] Elizabeth Henshaw. From Philip, the letters discuss his time at the University of Virginia, talking about his classes and studies along with his social life on campus. The letters from Isaac Davis discuss family matters, the financial situation in regards to state bonds, and the status of agriculture in Texas while he visited there in 1871. There are three letters from his sister, they discuss social visits, remedies for medical ailments, and crops and livestock on her farm. Additionally, there are professional correspondence to John concerning farming techniques and information on differences in livestock along with two bills to Philip on leasing space in a stockyard and farrier work.
The Henshaw family letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

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

Davis, Isaac B. to John S. Henshaw, 1866-1872

  • Box 245, folder 1-2
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Henshaw, Philip T. to John S. Henshaw, 1868-1871

  • Box 245, folder 3
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Henshaw, [Sarah Ann] Elizabeth to John S. Henshaw, 1873, undated

  • Box 245, folder 4
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Letters from John S. Henshaw, 1882

  • Box 245, folder 5
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Professional correspondence to John S. Henshaw, 1882

  • Box 245, folder 6
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Letters and bills, 1911-1912, undated

  • Box 245, folder 7
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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.

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.