Irvin family papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Irvin family papers
- Date
- 1816-1919, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 1.4 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Bardstown (Ky.) -- History.
- Business enterprises
- Family archives -- Kentucky.
- Irvin, David A., 1824-1888
- Irvin family (Bardstown, Ky.)
- Irvin, John H., 1809-1847
- Irvin, Rachel Summers, 1834-1902
- Irvin, Samuel L., 1789-1842
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject into 4 series.
- Preferred Citation
- 2023ms007 : [identification of item], Irvin family papers, 1816-1919, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The Irvin family of Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky, area moved west from Virginia as early as 1818. Bardstown was chartered in 1788 and platted by David and William Bard. The Bard and Irvin family are connected by marriage. Three generations of the Irvin family owned hundreds of acres of Kentucky property plus enslaved people and were likely fairly wealthy farmers and business owners. Tax records from 1837-1839 show Samuel L. Irvin (1789-1842) holding enslaved persons valued at $6250. There is some evidence that at least one of Samuel L. Irvin's sons graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. The eldest of Samuel's sons, John H. Irvin (1809-1847), became a minister. By the 1880s, David A. Irvin (1824-1888) and Rachel Summers Irvin (1834-1902) owned at least 859 acres of land, with Rachel Irvin owning 20 acres on Buffalo Creek. David A. Irvin served as a as Captain of the Kentucky Militia in 1848, although he did not serve in the Mexican War.
- Scope and Content
- The Irvin family papers (dated 1816-1919, undated; 1.4 cubic feet; 2 boxes) primarily comprise correspondence, receipts, ledgers, and indentures that document the Irvin family of Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. Also includes a family diary, materials related to the history of Bardstown, and certificates and orders related to the Kentucky militia. The collection series are organized by subject. The correspondence series includes letters between family members, acquaintances, and businesses. The letters primarily focus on business and family affairs. The Financial and legal series includes primarily receipts and ledgers that document the Irvin family finances and business transactions, including references to slaves. The Kentucky militia series includes certificates and orders related to David A. Irvin's service as Captain of the Kentucky Militia in 1848, although he did not serve in the Mexican War. The personal series includes a family diary, notes, maps related to Bardstown and members of the Irvin family.
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 Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Correspondence, 1830-1904, undated
A.A. Norton letter to David A. Irvin, 1852 December 13
A.D. Meyer letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1838 December 28
Alice [?] letter to unidentified cousin, 1867 July 2
Alice A. Norton letter to unidentified cousin, 1864 May 22
Assorted partial letters, receipts, undated
B. Irvin letter to unidentified sister, 1851 October 23
B. Summers letter to family, 1859 May 29
B. Summers letter to Rachel [Summers], 1857 February 12
B. [J.] Summers letter to unnamed sister, 1857 April 29
Belle [?] letter to Rachel Irvin, 1896 December 12
[C.H.] McDonald letter to Rachel Summers, 1855 February 8
D.A. [Knol] letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1838 February 1
D.S. Warden letter to David A. Irvin, 1867 July 15
David Adams letter to David A. Irvin, 1852 March 16
Elizabeth Irvin letter to aunt, 1830 October 14
Elizabeth Irvin letter to uncles, [1850s] February
Fannie [?] letter to Rachel Irvin, 1898 December 3
Fannie [?] letter to Rachel Irvin, 1899 April 19
Fannie [?] letter to Rachel Irvin, undated
[?] Forsythe letter to B.B. Summers, 1881 April 4
[?] Forsythe letter to David A. Irvin, 1877 April 18
[?] Forsythe letter to David A. Irvin, 1880 February 26
Funeral invitation for Elizabeth Irvin, 1865 December 19
[?] Gardner letter to Ben[jamin] Irvin, 1902 November 15
H. Van Dorn letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1838 October 14
[?] Irvin and [?] Mann letter to [M.W. Russell], 1871 December 2
[?] Irvin medical instructions, undated
Isaac B. Moore, Margaret A. Moore letter to unidentified cousin, 1867 July 19
[J.F.B.] letter to William Dickey, 1863 September 9
James Adams letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1838 December 22
James Bard letter to Samuel Irvin, 1836 January 6
James H. Smith letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1834 January 31
James M. Forsythe letter to David A. Irvin, 1864 December 25
James M. Forsythe letter to David A. Irvin, 1867 May 9
James M. Forsythe letter to David A. Irvin, 1867 July 31
James R. Irvin letter to Captain David A. Irvin, 1850 February 9
James R. Irvin letter to Captain David A. Irvin, 1850 August 11
James R. Irvine letter to David A. Irvin, 1851 February 4
James R. Irvin letter to David A. Irvin, 1851 April 7
James R. Irvin letter to David A. Irvin, 1851 August 29
James R. Irvin letter to David A. Irvin, 1851 December 29
James R. Irvin letter to David A. Irvin, 1853 January 9
James R. Irvin letter to David A. Irvin, 1853 March 6
James W. Smith, Rosy A.M. Smith letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1834 January 1
Jeremiah B. Irvin letter to John H. Irvin, 1836 February 20
Jeremiah B. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1836 September 7
Jeremiah B. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1836 October 14
Jeremiah B. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1836 December 7
John B. Summers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1856 June 29
John B. Summers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1856 August 16
John B. Summers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1857 December 15
John B. Summers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1859 August 6
John B. Summers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1859 August 8
John B. Summers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1860 February 26
John Davis letter to Rachel [Irvin], 1901 September 11
John Frederick Burger, Ophelia Lee wedding invitation, 1902
John H. Irvin letter to Jeremiah B. Irvin, 1831 April 22
John H. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, [1831-1833]
John H. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1831 August 29
John H. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1837 February 14
John H. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1838 July 10
John H. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1839 February 5
John H. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1839 August 30
John H. Irvin, Jeremiah B. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1837 November 29
John H. McKammey letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1832 March 10
John H. McKammey letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1833 January 17
John H. McKammey letter to Samuel L. Irvin, [1839]
John H. McKammey letter to David A. Irvin, 1850 February 25
John H. McKammey letter to David A. Irvin, 1851 February 26
John H. McKammey letter to David A. Irvin, 1851 November 12
John H. McKammey letter to David A. Irvin, 1855 February 10
John H. McKammey letter to David A. Irvin, 1873 December 22
John H. McKammey letter to J.M. Forsythe, 1869 August 28
John H. McKammey letter to Mary L. Rogers, 1888 June 27
John Wood Adams letter to James Bard, Martha Bard, Samuel L. Irvin, Elizabeth Irvin, 1840 April 25
Julia [?] letter to Linda Summers, 1855 September 4
Letter (partial) to Ben[jamin] Irvin, 1898 July 14
Letter between unidentified sisters, 1857 February 15
Letter between unidentified sisters, 1859 August 9
Letter between unidentified sisters, 1859 November 12
Letter between unidentified sisters, 1861 September 14
Letter concerning Mexican War and muster roll of Kentucky company, 1848 February 26
Letter from unknown sender to "Pa", [1830s]
Letter to [J.M.] Forsythe from unknown sender, 1875 January 5
Letter to [R.S] from unidentified sender, undated
Letter to Bettie [?] from unknown, 1855 January 16
Letter to Captain S. L. Irvin, care of James Baird, 1842 January 15
Letter to David Adams, Molly [?], 1852 January 20
Letter to Elizabeth Irvin, [1859]
Letter to Rachel [Irvin] from unknown, 1856 August 16
Letter to Samuel L. Irvin from unknown, 1836 January 9
Lewis [Smick] letter to David A. Irvin, 1867 July 31
Lydia M. [Shaptaug] letter to [?] Summers, [?] Irvin, 1866 July 5
M. Bard letter to David A. Irvin, 1879 August 25
M.J. Kirkpatrick letter to David A. Irvin, 1853 June 9
[Mabel ?] letter to Susan Irvine, 1894 April 29
[Margo ?] letter to unknown, 1855 September 12
Margaret Ann Smith letter to David A. Irvin, 1850 February 12
Margaret Ann Smith letter to David A. Irvin, 1850 March 9
Margaret Hayes funeral notice, 1855 August 1
Margaret McKammey letter to Rachel Irvin, 1849 September 29
Margaret Moore letter to [Beau] B. Moore, 1867 May 16
Margaret Moore letter to unidentified cousin, 1867 April 18
Martha Milligan letter to unidentified cousin, 1867 July 4
Mary E. Rogers letter to Rachel Irvin, 1896 January 24
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [David A. Irvin], 1853 February 23
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [David A. Irvin], 1856 November 1
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [David A. Irvin], 1860 July 12
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [David A. Irvin], 1860 May 10
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [David A. Irvin], 1862 April 22
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [Martha Bard], 1857 February 3
Mary P. Forsythe letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1849 January 24
Mary P. Forsythe letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1853 December 3
Mary P. Forsythe letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1854 January 9
Mary P. Forsythe letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1854 July 25
Mary [P. Forsythe] letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1861 June 26
Mary P. Forsythe letter to Rachel Irvin, [1856] July 23
Mary P. Forsythe letter to [Rachel Irvin], 1863 August 6
Mary P. Forsythe letter to unidentified sister, 1861 October 1
Mary P. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, [1839] October 20
Mary P. Irvin letter to unidentified brother, 1846 December 14
[Matilda Irvin] letter to Rachel Irvin, 1866 July 3
[Mat. J. Talbott] letter to Rachel Irvin, 1897 April 19
Nat. W. Halstead letter to Rachel Irvin, 1901 May 12
Partial letter, circa 1830-1839
Partial letters, 1867, undated
R.H. [?] letter to David A. Irvin, 1853 January 18
R.J. Clark letter to Captain David A. Irvin, 1850 January 23
Ruth N. [?] letter to Julia Sanders, 1851 July 20
Samuel L. Irvin grave stone order form, 1883
Sarah Lewis letter to Rachel Summers, 1856
Sarah Lewis letter to Rachel Summers, 1856
Susan A. Adams letter to Martha Bard, 1847 June 30
Susie B. Simpson, Arch Thomas wedding invitation, 1903 June 17
William A.A. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1838 February 20
William A.A. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1838 July 15
William A.A. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1839 June 10
William A.A. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1839 September 16
William A.A. Irvin letter to Samuel L. Irvin, 1840 May 25
William Adams letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1846 June 8
William Adams letter to Elizabeth Irvin, 1847 March 23
William Whitman, Sarah Robards wedding invitation, 1906
Zacchaeus Summer letter to unidentified cousin, undated
Financial and legal, 1816-1904, undated
Assorted financial correspondence, agreements, 1873-1904, undated
Assorted ledgers, 1829-1870, undated
Assorted ledgers, personal, 1870, undated
Assorted receipts, 1822-1874, undated
Assorted receipts, 1881-1908, undated
Benjamin Irvin receipts, 1892-1898
David A. Irvin receipt for cavalry horses, 1862 August 13
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin ledgers, 1833-1858
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin ledgers, 1884-1893, undated
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin ledgers, 1860-1878
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1831-1848
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1852-1859
- Box 1, folder 155
Scope and Contents
Item 1 refers to the care of a slave girl named Milly, dated 1852 February 4.
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1860-1866
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1867-1869, undated
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1870-1878
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1880-1889
David A. Irvin, Rachel Irvin receipts, 1890-1896, undated
Debt agreement, 1890 June 2
Deed agreements, 1855, 1873
House insurance underwriters policy, 1895 November 22
Indenture agreement between John Combs, Thomas Slaughter, 1829 June 11
Indenture agreement between James Smith, Elizabeth Irvin, 1845 January 11
Indenture agreement between Smith family, William Bard, 1851 March 4
Indenture agreement, Patrick McDonald, 1905 January 14
Indenture agreement between John Combs, Samuel Brown, Milley Brown, 1828 February 28
Indenture agreement between John Combs, Samuel Brown, Milley Brown, 1828 March 1
Jeremiah B. Irvin receipts, 1832, 1836
John B. Summers last will and testament, 1864 January 25
John H. Irvin last will and testament, 1847 November 27
John H. Irvin property claim release, 1838 October 1
John H. Irvine receipts, 1833-1893
John H. Irvine receipts, 1893-1895
Land agreement between John Combs, Samuel L. Irvin, 1836 March 5
Land agreement, 1879 August 25
Land agreement, 1883 November 20
Land agreement, 1897 November 26
Land agreement, 1900 February 26
Land agreement, undated
Land agreement, 1859 January 17
Land survey, circa 1900
Land survey for agreement, 1836 March 5
Land survey map, undated
Land tax receipts, 1832-1837
Mary P. Forsythe loan or inheritance receipt, 1853 August 22
Oscar Turner, Adam Kraushar land contract, 1897 November 26
Oscar Turner letter to P.H. McDonald, land contract, 1904 April 30
Robert L. Irvin receipts, 1892-1893
Samuel B. Irvin receipt, 1890 December 16
Samuel B. Irvin receipt for horse, 1884 November 24
Samuel L. Irvin last will and testament, 1830 September 8
Samuel L. Irvin promissory note to Centre College, 1833 July 1
Samuel L. Irvin receipt for Centre College, 1843 October 6
Samuel L. Irvin, Elizabeth Irvin ledgers, 1842-1896
Samuel L. Irvin, Elizabeth Irvin receipts, 1816-1839
Samuel L. Irvin, Elizabeth Irvin receipts, 1840-1848
Samuel L. Irvin, Elizabeth Irvin receipts, 1850-1894, undated
Samuel L. Irvin, Jeremiah Briscoe agreement concerning slaves, 1818 June 30
Kentucky militia, 1848-1919
David A. Irvin captain certificate, [1848] June 14
David A. Irvin militia voucher, 1854 October 25
David A. Irvin muster call, 1848 March 25
Muster roll Kentucky militia and failure to muster charge, 1848-1854
Ohio Valley infantry general order, 1864 August 18
R.S. Wilson oath of allegiance, 1864 April 1
Thomas Hinkler honorable discharge certificate, 1919 August 30
Personal, 1818-1843, undated
Bardstown city plan, 1824 September 26
Ben F. Irvin Farm auction map, 1943
Family diary, account book, 1818-1830
History of Nelson County and Irvin family, undated
"The Infant Moses" clipping, undated
Lock of hair, undated
Note about normal school, undated
Notes on biblical text, undated
Sheet music, [1842]
Unidentified city plot map, undated
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Table of Contents
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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.