Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: James A. Beattie letter book

Abstract

The James A. Beattie letter book (dated 1848-1851; 0.04 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprises one letter book containing letters sent to James Beattie from his parents in Kentucky while attending Harvard Law School in Massachusetts.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: James A. Beattie letter book
Date
1848-1851 (inclusive)
Creator
Beattie, James A.
Extent
0.04 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Family.
Law schools.
Education
Education, Higher.
Students -- History.
Lawyers -- Correspondence.
Lawyers.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0651: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: James A. Beattie letter book, 1848-1851, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
James A. Beattie (1832-1893) was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Thomas T. Beattie (1799-1887) and Jane A. Burns (1808-1887). By 1850, the family had moved from St. Louis to Louisville, Kentucky. Beattie attended Harvard Law School in the 1850s, and returned to Louisville upon completion and practiced with William Bodley and Alexander Casseday. He was also Judge Advocate for the Kentucky National Guard over the course of his law career. In 1854, Beattie married Pamela Nolan Dodge (1834-1926) and together they had two children, James William Beattie (1859-1947) and Henry P. Beattie (1862-1886).
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 James A. Beattie letter book (dated 1848-1851; 0.04 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprises one letter book containing letters sent to James Beattie from his parents in Kentucky while attending Harvard Law School in Massachusetts. In the letters, James's father gives his son advice for life and studies, thoughts on his rooming and classmates, and recommendations on financial activities. He also writes about a cholera outbreak in Louisville, visits from friends and family, business happenings in the city, and trips taken.
The James A. Beattie letter book collection is 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

James A. Beattie letter book, 1848-1851

  • Box WH-64, folder 1
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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.