[Back to Formatted Version]

Samuel Walkup Letters, 1823-1846

By Jackie Couture

Collection Overview

Title: Samuel Walkup Letters, 1823-1846

Creator: Walkup, Samuel (1758-1851)

Extent: 0.03 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 08/27/2003

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

These family letters span two decades of antebellum history and are an excellent source for social, cultural and economic information from that era. Slavery is discussed and the relationship between slaves and owners is revealed as the writer mentions family members, both white and African-American. Domestic violence is revealed in the letters from Samuel's children Betsy and John. Politics are also discussed as well as prices of crops in Missouri and North Carolina. The letters also document several generations of the Walkup family in North Carolina, Kentucky and Missouri.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Source: Unknown

Acquisition Method: Townsend Room Collections

Box and Folder Listing

Folder 1Add to your cart.
Item 1: AL Robert Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 23 Feb 1823Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
This letter tells about a fire which destroyed his house. His sons James, Jonny, Joseph, and Robert along with their cousin, a son of Harculas Hoey were all killed. He was able to get his daughters and one son out of the house safely. He graphically describes his efforts to rescue the boys. The last part of this letter is missing.
Item 2: ALS John and Lusinda Walkup to Samuel and Nancy Walkup, 15 Apr 1838Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Paris, MO, Monroe Co. John tells of his youngest daughter Elizabeth's death. He also talks about hard times, lack of money and corn prices and of other family living in Missouri.
Item 3: ALS John and Lusinda Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 24 Jun 1838Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Monroe Co., MO. He has just learned of his mothers death and commiserates with his father. He tells briefly of his situation and sends love from his sister, Betsy who also lives in Missouri.
Item 4: ALS Robert and Darkes Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 10 Jul 1838Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Mecklenburg Co., NC. Robert commiserates with Samuel in the loss of his wife. He tells Samuel about all the family and neighbors still left in North Carolina. He also tells Samuel that he will send money from a court settlement as soon as he gets it. The case apparently involved their father's estate as he also tells Samuel to have brother John's children send him a power of attorney and he will attempt to get their share as well.
Item 5: ALS [Betsy Walkup Herndon] to Samuel Walkup, 9 Nov 1839Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Monroe Co., MO. Betsy asks her father to send for her or come get her. She says her husband Zachariah has beaten and choked her nearly to death. She blames her brother Samuel for talking her into marrying him against her will. She mentions crops, the marriage of her daughter and the suicide of her father-in-law. The end of the letter with the signature is missing, but other letters from John mention his sister Betsy and her husband Zachariah.
Item 6: ALS John Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 25 May 1841Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Monroe Co., MO. John congratulates his father on his remarriage and tells of his sister Betsy's problems with Zachariah. He says she will not keep herself safe and he can do nothing more for her.
Item 7: ALS Samuel H. Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 25 Jan 1844Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Union Co., NC. Samuel H. (son of Robert) tells of his brothers and sisters. He gives news of his father's family and his health. He also tells of crops and the terrible influenza that has been going around and has killed about thirty of their neighbors. He tells about his trip to Florida and mentions his legal practice.
Item 8: ALS Samuel H. Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 21 Sep 1844Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Union Co., NC. Samuel H. tells a little about Rev. S.C. Millen who delivered the letter. This letter names the living children of Samuel and Robert's siblings and tells where they are and who in the family has passed away. He mentions his family both white and black being well. He talks of the drought and prices of crops. He also talks about the presidential election coming up.
Item 9: ALS T.I Gillaspy to Samuel Walkup, 1 Dec 1844Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Paris, MO. Mr. Gillaspy informs Samuel of his son John's death. He also gives details of Betsy and Zachariah's disagreements in an attempt to clear himself of wrongdoing. At this time Betsy is in Kentucky at her father's.
Item 10: ALS Samuel H. Walkup and Robert Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 20 Dec 1845Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Union Co., NC. Samuel H. again gives updates on his family both black and white and others in the neighborhood. He tells about crops and prices. He also tells Samuel that he would like to meet him and ask him about events in the early history of the Waxhaws. He mentions a small Negro boy who is sick and who by the end of the letter has died.
Item 11: ALS Samuel H. Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 28 Sep 1846Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Waxhaws, NC. Samuel H. tells of his father Robert's death. He gives a eulogy of his father and proceeds to tell about other neighbors and members of the family. He tells who died and who married who. He tells of crops and livestock and prices and asks if Samuel knows anything of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.