Turner Family Papers, 1864-1999 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Jonathan L. Stokdyk

Collection Overview

Title: Turner Family Papers, 1864-1999

Extent: 0.22 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 07/19/1999

Subjects: African-Americans--Kentucky., Civil War, 1861-1865--African-American soldiers., Madison County (Ky.)--History--20th century., Turner family.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The first part of this collection contains six letters (with typescripts and transcriber's footnotes) written by members of the Turner Family during and following the Civil War. The letters appear to have been dictated to and written by someone other than the author. These letters mainly refer to the health and activities of family and friends. These include letters from family members who served as "Buffalo Soldiers" - the name given to African-American soldiers during the Civil War.

The second part of this collection provides glimpses of African-American life in Madison County, Kentucky during the 20th century. These items include ephemeral material about local African Americans and correspondence about African-American history in Richmond, Kentucky. There is also a historical sketch detailing significant African-Americans in Richmond.

The final part of this collection consists of two Turner family reunion booklets which contain photographs, family history, copies of documents, and address lists.

Copies of supporting documents, such as census records, are included with the collection.

Collection Historical Note

The Turner family was an African-American family that lived in Richmond, Kentucky during and following the Civil War. We do not know when Daniel and America were married, but they had children who were born in slavery, so there will be no documentation for a marriage, as slave marriages were not recorded. Turner family members include the following:

Daniel (ca. 1820-ca. 1895) married America (1828-24 Dec 1876)

Ellen

Levi Hood (1847-22 Apr 1886) married Fannie Holloway ( -12 Apr 1887) on 22 Feb 1870

John married Patsy

Makan

Dallis

Wyatt (1856-1 Jan 1936) married Emma Young (formerly Mitchell) (1855-30 May 1932) on 13 Jan 1887

Anderson

Annie (1867-31 Jan 1953) married Fielden Chenault (15 Jun 1868-5 Nov 1945) on 29 Dec 1887

America (1865-28 Aug 1961) married June Covington on 28 Sep 1889

Bettie married Thomas Miller on 21 Nov 1954

Eva married Marshall Jones

Several of the Turners may have served as "Buffalo Soldiers." John Turner served with the 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery at Camp Nelson. Dallis served in New Albany under Col. Sedgewick. Makan served in Company D, 10th Cavalry. John Turner (is probably a different John) spent 5 years on the Frontier with Company D, 10th Cavalry.

The family purchased a new home in Richmond, KY ca. 1865. The house at 349 Hill Street was still owned by a member of the family, Frank Douglas Walker, in 1999.

Subject/Index Terms

African-Americans--Kentucky.
Civil War, 1861-1865--African-American soldiers.
Madison County (Ky.)--History--20th century.
Turner family.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Turner, Burghardt

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[All]

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014110868

Folder 1: John Turner to Patsy Turner, 23 Nov 1864

ALS John Turner to wife Patsy Turner. John writes from Camp Nelson, Kentucky. He will go to Louisville tomorrow and recommends Patsy does not come to Camp Nelson. He mentions a wagon train to Crab Orchard.

Folder 2: America Turner to Her Husband, 21 Aug 1865

ALS America Turner to her husband. She writes of the health of the family and the possibility of moving to Lexington.

Folder 3: Dallis Turner to His Mother, 16 Dec 1865

ALS Dallis (possibly John) to his mother. He writes from New Albany. Writes of health and of family and friends. Col. Sedgewick received a letter from Mexico saying Dallis's Brigade will go to Washington City for garrison duty soon.

Folder 4: Makan Turner to His Mother, 8 Dec 1872

ALS Makan (possibly John) Turner to his mother. He writes from Camp Supply Indian Territory, Company D, 10th Cavalry.

Folder 5: Ellen Turner to Her Mother, 1 Jul 1876

ALS Ellen Turner to her mother. She writes from Lexington, Kentucky. Writes of family and friends.

Folder 6: John Turner to His Mother, 6 Mar 1877

ALS John Turner to his mother. He writes from Fort Concho, Texas, Company D, 10th Cavalry. He has been on the Frontier nearly five years.

Folder 7: Mt. Pleasant Association Minutes, ca. Aug 1907

AD Minutes of 32nd Annual session of the Mt. Pleasant District Association [of churches] in Madison County, Kentucky. Photo of Reverend Isaac Miller on reverse.

Folder 8: S.S. Olympic, ca. May 1912

AD Abstract of Log and photograph of S.S. Olympic for Voyage East on May 25, 1912 from New York to Southampton. Captain H. J. Haddock, commander.

Folder 9: Commencement Address, 8 May 1908

AD Commencement address "Up From Slavery in Forty Years" by Annie C. Turner.

Folder 10: Program, 10-11 Apr 1932

AD Program, Fourteenth Anniversary of the pastorate of the Reverend J. Welby Broadduss of the First Baptist Church, Richmond Kentucky. With photograph of Rev. J. Welby Broaddus.

Folder 11: Program, 102 Jun 1957

AD Program, Kentucky State College Class Reunions.

Folder 12: Program, 1 Jun 1975

AD Program, Kentucky State College Reunion of Sevens and the Class of 1932 (25th Anniversary).

Folder 13: Correspondence, 1980-1996

Copies of letters inquiring about black history in Richmond and Madison County, Kentucky. Replies include a copy of a historical sketch of pieces of Richmond's Black history (10 documents).

Folder 14: Turner Family Reunion Booklets, 1997-1999

Duncan-Turner Family Reunion Booklets (2 documents). Contain photographs, family history, copies of documents and address lists.

Duncan-Turner Family Reunion, July 19, 1997.

Duncan-Turner Family Reunion, July 15-18, 1999.

Item 1: Duncan-Turner Family Reunion, 1997-07-19: Includes genealogy and photos from the family.
Item 2: Duncan-Turner Family Reunion, 1999-07-15: Includes genealogy and family photos.

Folder 15: Reference Materials

Reference Copies of reference materials referring to the Turner family, including:

1870 Federal Census of Madison County, Kentucky

1890 Federal Census of Madison County, Kentucky

1880 Federal Census of Madison County, Kentucky

Madison County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol 3 & 4

Madison County Clerk Deed Book records

Kentucky Vital Statistics Certificates of Death Madison County, Kentucky

Newspaper Death Notices

Cemetery Records of Madison County, Vol 1 & 2

The Buffalo Soldiers on the Western Frontier