John Henry Caldwell (1826-1902) was a prominent member of Jacksonville, Alabama society -- a teacher, attorney, newspaper editor, lieutenant colonel during the Civil War, trustee for the University of Alabama, member of the Alabama House of Representatives, and United States Congressman.
The bulk of the materials in this collection are made up of personal correspondence dating from 1848-1912, written by and concerning Caldwell, his wife, Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell, their children and immediate family and friends. Later generations of the family added in correspondence and genealogical research-related items in the 1930s-1960s, and an incomplete genealogical study was compiled in 1991.
Transcripts for the items are included to enhance accessibility. The original items are housed in the Library's Alabama Gallery Special Collections. More information is available in the Caldwell Papers Finding Aid.
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Letters & Documents | Newspapers & Scrapbooks | Speeches, Essays & Poetry
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Artifacts | Two locks of hair labeled “Carey” and “Kate,” September, 1898
Two locks of hair labeled “Carey” [probably Carey Forney Caldwell DuBose] and “Kate” [probably Katie Burke Caldwell] attached to card created from a box of Block’s Assorted Chocolates and Bon Bons of Atlanta, Georgia. Third lock of hair labeled “Ave” [probably Avery Baker Caldwell] has become separated from the card and is missing, September 1898.
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Correspondence | Letter from Senator John Tyler Morgan to John Henry Caldwell, August 1899
John Morgan
(1) Letter from Senator John Tyler Morgan to John Henry Caldwell criticizing Alabama Governor [Joseph Forney Johnston], August 17, 1899 (2) Envelope addressed to Hon. John H. Caldwell.
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Document | Photo captioned “Stone Bridge, Over Elk River,” c.1900-1911
Photo captioned “Stone Bridge, Over Elk River,” with handwritten caption stating “bridge built by Matt Steele” [husband of Martha Greer Steele], [c.1900-1911].
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Poem | 3 poems by Florence Gunn, c.1900
Florence Gunn
Poems on 3 pages, with two signed “Florence” and one addressed to “Carl” [possibly Carl Stanton Lay, c.1900].
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Poem | Poem about Josephine, possibly by Florence Gunn, c.1900
Florence Gunn
Poem about Josephine [possibly Josie Caldwell Lay, possibly authored by Florence Gunn, c.1900].
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Newspaper Clipping | Tribute to General Alphus Baker written by John Henry Caldwell, February 1901
John Henry Caldwell
Newspaper clipping of a tribute to General Alphus Baker written by Col. John Henry Caldwell, February 1901.
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Correspondence | Letter from John Henry Caldwell to T.D. Samford, June 1901
John Henry Caldwell
Letter from John Henry Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to T.D. Samford offering condolences on the death of his father, Governor William J. Samford, June 14, 1901.
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Correspondence | Letter from John Henry Caldwell to Rev. F.T.J. Brandon, November 1901
John Henry Caldwell
Letter from John Henry Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to the Rev. F.T.J. Brandon at Cedar Bluff, Alabama upon the death of Mrs. Brandon, November 23, 1901.
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Newspaper Clipping | Obituary of John Henry Caldwell, September 1902
Newspaper clipping of obituary for Col. J.H. [John Henry] Caldwell, [September 5, 1902].
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to Josie Caldwell, November 1902
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to her granddaughter, Josie Caldwell [at Gadsden, Alabama], November 17, 1902.
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to Josie Caldwell, September 1903
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to her granddaughter, Josie Caldwell [at Gadsden, Alabama], September 14, 1903.
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Correspondence | Letter from Salita Johnston to Mary Caldwell, October 1904
Salita Johnston
Letter from Salita Judson Johnston/Mrs. J.W. Johnston at Franklin, Tennessee to her cousin, Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell, October 4, 1904.
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Document | Handwritten list from Jacksonville Presbyterian Church of elders and deacons, and narrative information on the church, after 1906
Handwritten list from Jacksonville Presbyterian Church of elders and deacons, when they were installed [beginning in the 1830s] and when they ceased to be active, and narrative information on the church, [after 1906].
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Correspondence | Letter from W.E. Striplin to Josie Caldwell, June 1906
W.E. Striplin
Letter from W.E. Striplin at the Office of Superintendent of Education, City of Gadsden, Alabama to Josie Caldwell, thanking her for her teaching service, June 23, 1906.
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Shower Book and Poems | Josie Caldwell shower book and love poems between her and Carl Lay, September 1906
Josie Caldwell
(1) Linen shower book of Josie Caldwell, Jacksonville, Alabama, September 12, 1906 (2) poem [probably by Josie Caldwell to Carl Lay] (3) poem [probably by Carl Lay to Josie Caldwell] [poems are undated and unsigned].
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Newspaper Clipping | Two wedding announcements, October 1906
Newspaper clippings of two wedding announcements for the wedding of Josie Caldwell to Carl Stanton Lay, [October 1906].
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Newspaper Clipping | Wedding announcement, October 1906
Newspaper clipping of wedding announcement for Josie Caldwell and Carl Stanton Lay, [4 or 14] October [1906].
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to Josie Lay, 1907
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell [at Jacksonville, Alabama] to her granddaughter, Josie Caldwell Lay [at Gadsden, Alabama 1907]. [Accompanying handwritten note stated “written to Gadsden sometime after Josie Caldwell married Carl Lay and after the birth of Carl Lay, Jr., probably about 1907.]
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Newspaper Clipping | Regarding a dinner held in honor of Mrs. A.E. Frank, c.1908-19
Newspaper clipping regarding a dinner held in honor of Mrs. A.E. Frank, which was also attended by Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell, [circa 1908-1919].
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to Josie Lay, November 1908
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to her granddaughter Josie Caldwell Lay [at Gadsden, Alabama]. [Accompanying note gave date as November 10, 1908.]
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to Josie Lay, 1909
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell [at Jacksonville, Alabama] to her granddaughter, Josie Caldwell Lay [at Gadsden, Alabama, 1909]. [Accompanying handwritten note gave date as “probably 1909.”]
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Newspaper Clipping | Three obituaries for Martha Steele, May 1911
Alabama Courier, Limestone Democrat, and Fayetteville Observer
(1) Type-written copy of two obituaries for Martha Greer Steele [“known as Mat, sister of Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell] from the Alabama Courier and Limestone Democrat (2) Newspaper clipping of obituary from the Fayetteville Observer, May 24-25, 1911.
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Correspondence | Letter from Sarah Caldwell to Carl Lay, Jr., May 1912
Sarah Caldwell
(1) Letter from [Sarah Forney Caldwell] to her grandson Carl Lay, Jr. (2) Envelope addressed to Carl Lay, Jr. [accompanying typewritten note: “Letter from Sarah Forney Caldwell to her grandson Carl Lay Jr. May 20, 1912].
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Correspondence | Letter from Josie Lay to Carl Lay, Jr., May 1912
Josie Caldwell Lay
Letter [probably from Josie Caldwell Lay to her son, Carl Lay, Jr, before May 24, 1912].
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Correspondence | Letter from Josie Lay to Carl Lay, Jr., May 1912
Josie Caldwell Lay
Letter from [Josie Caldwell Lay at Jacksonville, Alabama] to her son, Carl Lay, Jr. [accompanying typewritten note: “Letter to Carl Lay Jr. from Josie Lay while visiting in Jacksonville 1912]. [Before May 24, 1912.]