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James W. M. Harris Papers, 1857-1900

span 1857-1900, bulk 1863-1864, 1 linear foot, MS 2000-085

After evacuating their plantation, Avenel, in Vicksburg, Mississippi because of the war, Judge Harris's family and slaves moved to Eufaula, Alabama, and the Judge became an auditor in the Confederate Post Office Department and Treasury in Richmond, Virginia. While his brother, General Nathaniel H. Harris is far better known and well documented in the history texts, Judge Harris lived and worked in Richmond from May 1863 - January 1865. During this period he carried on extensive personal as well as business correspondence with his wife and government officials. Over 120 letters document activities and emotions both in Richmond and in Eufaula as well as on the battle fields where he visited his brothers (Nathaniel and William Harris) at their encampments. Judge Harris documented the camps in sketches in addition to letters to his family. The collection also has a few bound volumes, including some small pocket diaries of his wife's and her mother's documenting their slaves (names, shoe sizes, etc.). Additional correspondence from the 1880s by government notables documents the Judge's attempt to become governor of the Washington Territory.

This is a unique collection in that so many letters from one family are intact, and it provides the perspective of a country judge, lawyer, and slave owner who moved to the capitol of the Confederacy. Judge Harris is, indeed, as he refers to himself, a "goosequill warrior" and a "guardian of the very gates of the post office and treasury.". We would not have been able to purchase such an outstanding resource of social, political, and Civil War history without the generous support of the Wallace Foundation.

This is the first of several lists of this collection.

Folder Date Place To From About per CV Other notes
  1859, Sept. 21 Dobbs Ferry [Harris, Judge] Dear Cousin Jim J. M. Harris brief trip by steamer on Great Lakes; family news transcribed:
HarrisJMHarris JWM18590921
  1862, Dec. 5 Richmond Genl Campell, I. A. Secretary of War releases (from military service?) to white males who own plantations of >20 slaves transcribed
  1863, Dec. 17 Richmond Singleton, O. R., Hon. Burton N. Harrison acknowledgement of letter from members of the House of Representatives recommending JWMHarris to be 3d auditor [GMc] transcribed:
BNHarrison 18631217
  1863, Dec. 4 Richmond Mrs Annie D. Harris, Eufaula, Ala Harris, J W M; father Discusses causes of the war, "war a revolution, not a rebellion;" description of Richmond, Jeff Advis, its anti-____ transcribed:
HarrisJWMAnnie D18631204
  1863, Jan. 10 Richmond Judge J. W. M. Harris, Vicksburg, Miss Lee, G. W. C. [secy] wrote for President to reciprocate kind sentiments transcribed
  1863, June 8, Jackson My dear Brother [Harris, Gen. N.H.; per CV] Brother Jim [Harris] glad to hear of Nat and Billy's escape. 2 weeks' siege of Vicksburg, 15,000 Yankee dead; 30,000 Yankee wounded, "every house a Yankee hospital, every lawn a Yankee graveyard" transcribed:
HarrisJWMNat 18640608
  1863, Nov. 21 Camp HdQrs Posey's Brigade Near Orange Court House [Richmond?] Mrs Carrie D Harris, Eufaula, ALA Harris, J W M; father writes of the war--"not a rebelion, but a revolution, brought upon us by political factions, combination of the age and corruption of politicians transcribed:
HarisJWMCarrieD 18631121
  1863, Nov. 28 Richmond Mrs Natilie Harris, Eufaula Ala Harris, J W M; father visits Nuts Brigade; marching out towards Fredericksurg to meet Yankee Army; climbs Clark's mountain and sees Culpepper Ctt, and Yankee fronts 18 miles off transcribed:
HarrisJWMNatilie 18631128
  1863, Oct. 12 Eufaula, Ala Dr. Dear Sir, Mobile Bland, I. W. M. [thanks for taking care of children when they were sick in Mobile] GMc transcribed
  1866, Nov. 5 Richmond My dear friends [Judge Jim Harris] Myers, C.H. & G. mentions fires in Richmond, bldgs destroyed transcribed:
Meyers 18661106
  1871, Aug. 6 Eufaula, Ala. Hon. J. W. M. Harris C. J. Pope condolences on wife's death transcription: PopeCJHarrisJWM 18710806
  1871, Aug. 7   Cousin Jim [J. W. M. Harris J. M. Harris condolences on wife's death transcribed:
HarrisJM 18710806
  1873, Nov. 29 Vicksburg, Miss.     photograph (by B & G. Mossey, 1 Camp St. (corner Canal), New Orleans, LA labeled: Judge James. W. M. Harris, Nov. 29, 1873, For His sake [GMc] photo
  1879, Feb. 3 Washington [DC] [certificate] Hopkins, Archibald certifying JWM Harris is an attorney of the Court of Claims [GMc] transcribed:
HopkinsA 18790203
  1884, July 4 Jackson, Miss. [certificate] C. C. Campbell for Oliver Clifton certfying JWM Harris is a practricing attorney of Mississippi Supreme Court [GMc] transcribed:
CliftonO 18840404
  1884, June 28 Mississippi [testament] McKee, Jas. M. certifying JWMHarris is practicing attorney of the Circuit Court of the US, Southern District of Miss. [GMc] transcribed:
McKeeJM 18840628
  1884, May 21 Netchez Natches Library Assoc. J. W. M. Harris Address of J. W. M. Harris, to the Natchez Library Association, may 21st, 1884. The Lesson Which Natchez Heaches Her Sons. Natchez Democrat Print [publication] [GMc] publication; 2 copies
  1884, May 31   Harris, J W M [his mother] hardships; Negros gone to Texas transcribed
  1884, Sept. 29 Port Townsend Lola and Natalie Harris, J W M; father; Loving Papa describes his activities in Washington Territory; Chinese cook; room/$15/month; bread/$.25 transcribed:
HarrisJWMNatalie Lola18840929
  1884, Sept. 5 Richmond To all whom it my conern John H. ______, Postmaster General travel pass transcribed:
JHReagan 18640905
  1885, April 4 Washington Territory President Clevelant Kuhn, J. A.; Metcalfe, J. B. re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr [GMc] transcribed:
KuhnMetcalfe 18850404
  1885, April 4 Washington Territory President Clevelant petition, 25 signatures re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr, petition, political parties often noted [GMc] transcribed:
Petition 18850404
  1885, Dec. 12 Washington [DC] [certificate] William H. Seward certifying copy transcribed:
WHSeward 18651217
  1885, June 10 [New York? GMc] Judge M. M. Gibson Gen'rl Gibson has been ill but will accept a visit from Judge and Gen'rl Harris [GMc] transcribed:
Gibson 18850610
  1885, June 13 Washington, DC [Lamar] Secretary of the Interior Metcalfe, J. B. re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr a telegram [GMc] transcribed:
MetcalfeJB 1885o613
  1885, June 15 Seattle, Washington Territory [Lamar] Secretary of the Interior Cochran, J. T. Western Union telegram from Mexican Veteran and exUnion soldierre JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr [GMc] transcribed:
CochranJT 18850615
  1885, June 23 Washington Territory [Lamar] Secretary of the Interior petition, 25 signatures re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr, petition, various occupations noted [GMc] transcribed:
Petition 18850623
  1885, June 5 Washington City President Gwin, Wm. M. re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr [GMc]  
  1885, May 19 Jackson, Miss. Lamar, L. Q. C. George, J. Z. stationery of George, Hemingway, and Shotwell re JWM Harris for Gov. of Washington Terr. [GMc]  
  1885, May 25 Utica NY Lamar, L. Q. C. Kernan, Francis re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr [GMc] transcribed:
Kernan 18850525
  1885, May 25 Washington, DC President Manning, Van H re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr [GMc] transcribed:
ManningVH 18850525
  1885, May 26 Washington, D.C. President Gibson, R. S.[?] reference for Harris to be Gov. of Washington Territory [GMc] transcribed:
GibsonRS 18850526
  1885, May 26 Huntington, PA Lamar, L. Q. C., Sect of Interior Speer, R. M. recommendation for Hon. J. W. M. Harris to be Governor of Washington Territory [GMc] transcribed:
SpeerRM 18850526
  1885, May 26 Washington DC [Lamar] Secretary of the Interior Day, M. H. re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr [GMc] transcribed:
DayMH 18850526
  1885, May 6 Huntington, PA Randall, Hon. S. J. Speer, R. M. reference for Harris to be Gov. of Washington Territory; verso not to Lamar for favorable action [GMc] transcribed:
SpeerRM 18850606
  April 4, 1885 N.P. [notes on envelope] Singleton, O. R. recommends JWM Harris with others to Governorship of Washington Territory [GMc] transcribed:
SingletonOR 18850404
  July 1,1863 Cahaba, Ala Hon. Harris, Dear Sir Griffin, Wade H. seeks Harris' help in researching claims to lands in "Yazoo Purchase," purchased by uncles Joshua and Joseph Downs transcribed
  June 15, 1885 Seattle, Washington Territory [Lamar] Secretary of the Interior Metcalfe, J. B.; Dewolf, J. D.; Boarman, F. B Western Union telegram re JWM Harris as gov. of Washington Terr; received Dept. of Interior Appt Div July 16, 1885 [GMc]  
  N.D. N. P. Judge Harris Mrs. A. E. Johnson I am as usual in trouble and look for your assistance' [GMc] transcribed:
AEJohnsonND
  N.D. Washington, D. C. Mr. President Toole, Jos. K. recommendation for Hon. J. W. M. Harris to be Governor of Washington Territory [GMc] transcribed:
TooleJK 18850526
  N.D. N.P. Cleveland, president Harris, James. W. M. application for Governor of Washington Territory [GMc] transcribed:
HarrisJWM 18850404
             
115 1863, Dec. 25 Eufaula my dear Husband Your wife M.C. Harris news; Mandy miscarried, Fannie's baby died; Mr. Lynch arrived with our negros, parlor ornaments badly broken…squandered by negros;Klines preparing to move out transcribed:
HarrisMChusband 18631225
116 1863, Dec. 30 NP Jim I'm mad, Mary 10 days since she received letters from VA; Mr. Lynch got 1/2 worth of our crop-best he could do transcribed:
HarrisMChusband 18631230
121e 1863, July 11 Eufaula Mary C. Harris Bank Judge sent $7600 in Confed. Notes for you use transcribed:
BankHarrisMC 18630711
114 1863, Nov. 24 Eufaula My dear Husband your affectionate wife family homes to be torn down in Vicksburg; presently garrisoned by Negroes; houses in Eufaula being "fitted up Yankee style." transcribed:
LumMCjudge 18631124
105 1864, Aug. 11 Richmond My Dear Wife your affectionate husband hasn't heard from wife; repeats selling river bottom land transcribed:
HarrisJWM 18640811
106 1864, Aug. 13 Richmond My Darlingful wife your affectionate husband hasn't heard from wife; repeats selling river bottom land transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18640813
98 1864, Aug. 16 Richmond My Darling Jim: Harris, JWM Danville road is now completed [GMc] transcribed:
HarrisJWM 188640716
107 1864, Aug. 17 Richmond Darling your affectionate husband Nat and Billie's brigade marched through Richmond; "clerks are again all in the field;" calls wife Mollie; is Rose Billie's wife? [GMc] transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18640817
121g 1864, Aug. 26 Vicksburg Mother Mary heard about Uncle Dan's death; her little Willie died transcribed:
LumAnnHarrisMC 18640826
103 1864, Aug. 4 NP [Richmond?] NN [to wife?] yours, Jim proposes selling land on Mississippi River before war is over; buy tobacco, sell for gold [GMc] transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18640804
104 1864, Aug. 6 Richmond My Dear Wife your affectionate husband Jim Whitaker; red tape; selling river bottom land; value of dollar vs. gold transcribed:
HarrisJWM 18640806
111 1864, Dec. 12 Richmond My dear dear wife your dearest husband fearful Savanah is gone by now; regiments and brigades to be consolidated into one with Nat to be ordered to Miss. transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18641212
112 1864, Dec. 16 Richmond My dear dear Mary your affectionate husband Catherine, Harriet, Julia Myers, Jewesses; LQCLamar also rooms at Myers'; sister Mandy; Capt. Stern transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18641216
113 1864, Dec. 20 Richmond Dear darling wife your husband Lamar also lives at Myers' sisters; travel story; Mrs. Copland's story; mentions Henry Ritchie capture (Mrs. W C Smedes nephew) transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18641220
110 1864, Dec. 5 Richmond My dear dear wife your affectionate husband, Jim boarding with Myers, 3 maiden sisters, Jewesses transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18641205
118 1864, Jan. 21 Eufaula My dear Husband Your wife, M. C. Harris met Capt. Brown of Arkansas; Rose got 2 barrels: tea cups/saucers, dry goods; meal $500/bushel; getting $500 each for 3 to work in salt works  
117 1864, Jan. 3 NP My dear Husband Your affectionate wife, M. C. Harris Old Amos died; Dr. Pope; many [slaves?] ill with same disease; paid Jim Cowan $1083 for Mr. Hicks; Bob Whitake lost 5 negro men [from disease] transcribed:
HarrisMChusband 18640103
99 1864, July 20 Richmond My dear Wife Jim: Harris, JWM mentions Jim Whitaker, John Howard, Tim Manall [GMc] partial transcription: HarrisJWMwife 18640720
100 1864, July 21 Richmond My Dear Wife Your affectionate Husband: Harris, JWM war news: proximity of Federals to West Point, stopped railroad near Opelika. "A great battle will be fought near Atlanta…" "Gen'l Johnston did not fight!" Tom Manlove; Mr. Moody expecting to be exchanged, Fortress Monroe on the bay at Baltimore; Negro pe transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18640721
101 1864, July 25 Richmond Darling Your devoted Husband: Harris, JWM Harris went to college in Massachusetts transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18640725
102 1864, July 27 Richmond My dear darling Your most devoted Husband: Harris, JWM Judge Crump, Asst Sec Treasurey, Judge Baker, first auditor; Capt Tyler…Nany Brooke and her son Jimmy Lum [Sum?] transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18640727
119 1864, March 23 Vicksburg My dear sister Mary "goosequill warriors of the Confederacy;" constant fires; transcribed:
HarrisMC 18640323
121i 1864, May 21 Newman Mary [not Mary Lum Harris?] Lissie Nailor and Emma Kline in prison; busy making bandages; Johnston coming ot Atlanta; mentions Annie Martin, Rose; Anne should go to school in Eufaula transcribed:
LissisMary 18640521
108 1864, Nov. 19 Richmond My dear darling wife your friend and lover and husband Sherman is rapidly advancing from Macon; depend on Col. Lleuellen--yankees won't disturb him; Let Capt. Stern hire out Jim Whie and faily for meat and land [GMc] transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18641106
109 1864, Nov. 30 Richmond My darling darling wife and children JWMH "we are now cut off from each other by Sherman;" $5gold piece=$175; [CV says William is Harris' slave, waiting on Nat and Billie] [GMc] transcribed:
HarrisJWMwife 18641130
121j 1864, Oct. 3 NP Mary [not Mary Lum Harris?] Lissie sister Mary wrote that "little Sonny" died Aug. 13; going to Vicksburg; will write with invisible ink (described process); "darkes" are leaving the county wholesale transcribed:
LissieMary 18641003
121a 186Q, ND Rectory [Vicksburg?] Mrs. M. C. Harris at home Mrs. M. L. Lord thanks for the fruit; M. C. Harris' mothing going to Alabama transcribed:
LordHarrisMC 186Q
121b 186Q, ND NP Mrs. Harris W. W. Lord your and your sister can be confirmed tonight transcribed:
WWLordHarris MCND
121d 186Q3, ND Vicskburg {?] Mrs. M. C. Harris W. W. Lord confirmation following cermon transcribed:
LordMCHarris 186Q3
121c 1871 [?], July 26 Vicksburg My dear friend W. W. Lord condolences; death of his friend--Mary's mother? Anne's? transcribed:
LordHarris MC1871
121f 18Q, ND Eufaula NN refugee friend children and tea; Powel? transcribed:
RefugeeHarris MC18Q
121k 18Q, ND NP Mary Lum Julia Payne, mother asks Mary to get Dee's speech; says Dee despises her; she's a fool to love Dee transcribed:
PayneLum M18Q
121h April 14, 1864 Newman Mary [not Mary Lum Harris?] Lissie sister mary said she'd send money; Hindman seduced a lady in Madison--will be a "natural mother" in 3 mos; Ian Atwood transcribed:
LissieMary 18640414
120 May 11, 1864 Vicksburg Dear Lizzie Mary    
NN1 ND NP NK NK good paper to write on transcribed:
Unknown 1864Q
             
NN2 ND Jamaica Plains JWM Harris Sunshine [Annie L. Harris Broidrick] "Doctor" [husband?] has few patients; her children and Natties' children; Sister Carrie transcribed:
HarrisALHarris JWMJamaicaP
             
NN3 188Q, April 13 Jamaica Plain JWM Harris Lolla [Annie L. Harris Broidrick] we only have a cook, Mary and I do the home-work for all parts of the house except Natties three rooms and besides mind the children transcribed:
HarrisALHarris JWM188Q041113
             
NN4 188Q Jamaica Plain JWM Harris Lolla [Annie L. Harris Broidrick] directions by train and street car to their house transcribed:
HarrisALHarris JWM188Q
             
NN5 ND Liberty-town Mollie [Broidrick] Broaddrick, Frederick City Carrie [Mollie is one of Annie Harris Broidick's children] she has "Virginia manners" according to Carrie's Pa; "Southern" words to Star Spangled Banner transcribed:
CarrieBMollie BroidrickND
             
NN6 ND Sept. 12 Minneapolis Mother Callie condolences transcribed:
Callie MinneapolisND
             
NN7 ND NP Callie Sister "Dr. Davis … said I had relieved her of neuralgia;" Old Lelah want Mr. Watkins to preach her funeral…" transcribed:
SisterCallieND
             
NN8 1871, Aug. 29 Natchez Rose Sister mentions Bobbie, Frazer, Orlie, Steph, Callie, Dr. Davis… transcribed:
SisterRose 18710829
             
NN9 1868, Feb. 5 Bolton, Miss. Ann Lum Thomas Bolton lottery tickets, mentions Mrs. Keep, Mrs. Humphries, Mollie transcribed:
BoltonLLum A18680205
             
NN10 1864, Aug. 17 Vicksburg Anne K cabbages were stolen last night; "Mrs. Lum has lost her baby, little Ga___ie." "I have almost lost hope of seeing you..." "Aunt Easter had left us. We have none of our negroes with us now. " transcribed:
KtoAnn 18640817


Return to Introduction
Go to A Recollection of Thirty Years Ago, by Annie Laura Broidrick,
1893, Avenel
Go to Box and Folder Inventory


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Last modified on: 10/13/05 15:28:39 Zulfia Imtiaz