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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Correspondence | Telegram from John Calhoun to John Henry Caldwell, August 1887
John Calhoun
Western Union telegram from John C. Calhoun at New York to John Henry Caldwell, August 9, 1887.
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Correspondence | Letter from Joseph Burke et al. to the Stockholders of the Jacksonville Land Company, October 1887
Joseph Burke
(1) Letter from Joseph W. Burke, John M. Wyly, and Alex T. London, Executive Committee of Jacksonville Land Company, and D.F. Lowe, Secretary of Jacksonville Land Company, at Montgomery, Alabama to the Stockholders of the Jacksonville Land Company, October 1, 1887 (2) Blank proxy form (3) Envelope addressed to Col. J. H. Caldwell, Jacksonville, Ala., postmarked Jacksonville, Ala., Oct. 7 on back of envelope.
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Correspondence | Letter from W.C. Beecher to John M. Caldwell and William Hames, December 1887
W.C. Beecher
(1) Letter from W.C. Beecher (William C. Beecher) at New York City to John M. Caldwell and William M. Hames, Attorneys at Law, December 22, 1887, regarding a claim against J.R. Graham of Ladiga (2) Envelope addressed to Messrs. Caldwell & Hames, Jacksonville, Ala, Calhoun Co., postmarked New York, Dec. 22, postmarked Jacksonville, [Ala.] Dec. 25 on back of envelope.
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Correspondence | Letter from T.R. Matthews and C. Daniel to General Willard Warner, January 1888
T.R. Matthews and C. Daniel
(1) Letter from T.R. Matthews and C. Daniel, Attorneys at Law, at Centre, Alabama to General Willard Warner [Union General and Tecumseh Iron Co. founder], January 24, 1888 (2) Envelope addressed to Hon. J.H. Caldwell, Jacksonville, Ala., return address of Nashville Iron, Steel & Charcoal Co., Nashville, Tenn., postmarked Nashville, Tenn., Jan [27], postmarked [Jacksonville], Ala. Jan 2[?] on back of envelope.
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Correspondence | Letter from Walter Caldwell to John Henry Caldwell, April 1888
Walter Caldwell
Letter from Walter Greer Caldwell at Atlanta, Georgia to his father, John Henry Caldwell, April 3, 1888.
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Correspondence | Letter from T.J. Burton to John Henry Caldwell, April 1888
T.J. Burton
(1) Letter from T.J. Burton, Attorney at Law, at Edwardsville, Alabama to John H. Caldwell, April 24, 1888 (2) Envelope addressed to Hon. Jno. H. Caldwell, Jacksonville, Ala., postmarked Edwardsville, Ala., Apr. 24, postmarked Jacksonville, Ala., Apr. 25 on back of envelope.
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Correspondence | Publisher advertisement from Bancroft-Whitney Company to John Henry Caldwell, May 1888
(1) Publisher advertisement from Bancroft-Whitney Co., Publisher of Law Books, at San Francisco, California, May 1, 1888, 4 sheets of paper (2) Envelope addressed to J.H. Caldwell, Jacksonville, Ala., postmarked Jacksonville, Ala., May 22 on back of envelope.
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Correspondence | Letter from L.P. Leonard to John Henry Caldwell, May 1888
L.P. Leonard
(1) Letter from L.P. Leonard, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware and General Merchandise, at Helena, Alabama to John H. Caldwell, May 7, 1888 (2) Envelope addressed to John H. Caldwell, Atty. at Law, Jacksonville, Ala., postmarked Helena, Ala., May 7, postmarked Jacksonville, Ala., May 8 on back of envelope.
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Correspondence | Note from Walter Caldwell to Stanley, October 1888
Walter Caldwell
Note from Walter Greer Caldwell at Talladega, Alabama to [Stanley] regarding a bill of goods to be sent to Columbus, Georgia, October 24, 1888.
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Scrapbook | Volume inscribed to Josie Caldwell from Mary Caldwell, December 1888
Mary Caldwell
Scrapbook volume in black board binding with illustrations of a young woman, child, and flowers on cover, containing newspaper and magazine clippings, cards, stickers, etc. and inscribed “To Josie Diemer Caldwell from Grandmama on her seventh birthday, Dec. 15th 1888.” [compiled by Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell], December 15, 1888.
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Poem | “Once Again dear lord, we pray" copied by Mary Caldwell, after 1888
Mary Caldwell
Poem/hymn [possibly copied by Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell from words by Mary J. Willcox] “Once again, dear Lord, we pray” on front; Bible verses and notes on the back.
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to John Henry Caldwell, July 1889
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to her husband, John Henry Caldwell at the Exchange Hotel, Montgomery, Alabama, July 1, 1889.
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Document | Handwritten list of Alabama Government & U.S. Representation, 1890-1894
Handwritten list of Alabama Government & U.S. Representation: governor, state cabinet, Supreme Court of Alabama, U.S. senators and congressmen, [1890-1894].
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Correspondence | Letter from John Henry Caldwell to Capt. Joseph F. Johnston, March 1890
John Henry Caldwell
Letter from John Henry Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to Capt. Joseph F. Johnston at Birmingham, Alabama regarding political support in various Alabama counties, March 1, 1890.
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Document | Resolution from the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Calhoun County, April 1890
Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Calhoun County Alabama
Resolution from the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Calhoun County regarding nominations and delegates to the State and Congressional Conventions, and nomination of Representative to the legislature, April 15, 1890 [date given by accompanying newspaper clipping glued to resolution].
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Document | Resolution in memoriam of the Honorable Clay Armstrong, April 1890
Hiram Lodge No. 42 of Jacksonville, Alabama
Resolution in memoriam of the Honorable Clay Armstrong by the members of Hiram Lodge No. 42 of Jacksonville, Alabama [April 15, 1890].
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Correspondence | Letter from Mary Caldwell to the pastor and officers of Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, September 1890
Mary Caldwell
Letter from Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell to the pastor and officers of Jacksonville Presbyterian Church notifying them of an anonymous donation of $50 received to go towards a communion service [September 8, 1890].
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Speech | Text of a speech given by John Henry Caldwell, after 1890
John Henry Caldwell
Text of a speech [probably given by John Henry Caldwell] on death, remembrance, and the Civil War [after 1890].
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Document | Agreement between Benjamin D. Abernathy and John Henry Caldwell, September 1893
Benjamin Abernathy
Agreement by Benjamin D. Abernathy to pay John Henry Caldwell $10.00 for services rendered as his attorney in criminal court in Calhoun County, September 29, 1893.
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Scrapbook | Volume inscribed "Newspaper Book," probably by Mary Caldwell, after 1893
Mary Caldwell
Scrapbook volume in burgundy cloth board binding with “Newspaper Book” inscribed on cover, containing newspaper and magazine clippings, cards, notes, pressed flowers, and handwritten notations [probably compiled by Mary Darthula Greer Caldwell], [after 1893].
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Correspondence | Letter from John Henry Caldwell to Governor Thomas Jones, March 1894
John Henry Caldwell
Letter from John Henry Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to Alabama Governor [Thomas G. Jones] on the death of Alabama Chief Justice [George Washington Stone], March 13, 1894.
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Correspondence | Letter from John Henry Caldwell to Mrs. Box, March 1895
John Henry Caldwell
Letter from John Henry Caldwell at Jacksonville, Alabama to Mrs. Box [probably Sarah Vandegrift Box] upon the death of her husband [probably Judge Leroy Franklin Box], March 26, 1895.
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Essay | Information regarding public lands and Alabama schools signed by John Henry Caldwell, and notes on Colonial American history, 1897
John Henry Caldwell
Information regarding indemnification of tracts of public lands selected for the construction of schools in certain townships, signed by John Henry Caldwell [on front]; notes regarding colonial American history [on back], 1897.”
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Newspaper Clipping | Two obituaries for Walter Caldwell, March 1897
Newspaper clippings of 2 obituaries for Walter G. Caldwell, [after 1 March 1897].
