Smith family papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Smith family papers
Date
1858-1955 (inclusive)
Bulk, 1859-1874 (bulk)
Extent
0.45 Cubic feet
Subjects
Agriculture--Documentation.
Agriculture--Kentucky--History.
Corn
Registers of births, etc.
Rye.
Slavery--Kentucky--History.
Tobacco.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Wheat.
Wills.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically.
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Katie L.B. Henningsen
Preferred Citation
64M142 : [identification of item], Smith family papers, 1858-1955, Bulk 1859-1874, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
George Washington Smith (1832-1908) was a farmer and, apparently, owner of a sawmill in Henderson County, Ky.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of a diary, a will, a letter and some genealogical material related to the Smith family of Smith Mills and Henderson, Ky. The diary (1854-1874) which comprises the bulk of the collection is that of George Washington Smith. Primarily, the diary is a laconic account of Smith's daily activities, such as supervising slaves, planting and harvesting corn, wheat, rye or tobacco, making trips into Corydon, or into Henderson, attending church or going to parties and other social functions for the purpose of obtaining a wife. The diary sometimes offers insights into the political situation in Henderson County preceding and during the Civil War, the price of slaves throughout the war as well as social and religious life in the area. The original and a typescript of the diary are available.
The will of George Washington Smith's father, Robert Smith, is present as are some pages from the Smith family Bible which records births, deaths and marriages from 1753-1955. Also included is a letter from G. W. Smith proposing marriage (which he apparently did numerous times, without success) to an unknown correspondent.

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.

Contents of the Collection

Diary, 1859-1862

  • Box 1, Folder 1
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Diary, 1863-1867

  • Box 1, Folder 2
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Diary, 1868-1874

  • Box 1, Folder 3
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Family Records, 1753-1955

  • Box 1, Folder 4
Scope and Contents note

This folder contains a genealogy, which appears to be from a family bible and a typescript of Robert Smith's will.

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Proposal of marriage to unidentified recipient, 1861 July 23

  • Box 1, Folder 5
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Diary Typescript, 1859-1874

  • Box 1, Folder 6-8
To top

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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.