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By Charlotte F. Cannon
Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The life of the James Rankin Mason family of Madison County, Kentucky is documented through the papers in this collection. Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Of particular interest is a letter from a Newark, Ohio teacher describing Union feelings and giving a glimpse of opinions on government and politics during the Civil War. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Lastly, letters from soldiers tell about camp conditions and looting. Also includes a series of correspondence from Edward Francis, who served in the 114th United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, to his wife Liza.
Other parts of the collection highlight the education, business and cultural aspects of the family by documenting farming activities, dressmaking activities and scholarly pursuits. An 1870 broadside that teaches sign language is especially interesting.
Collection Historical Note
James Rankin Mason was born in 1822 in Madison County, Kentucky, to Nancy Snoddy and John Mason. James was the youngest of seven children. He had three brothers (William, John and Samuel) and three sisters (Margaret, Isabella and Mary).
On October 24, 1844, at age 22, James Rankin Mason married Margaret Jane Cochran, age 15. Together they had nine children. Six boys (William, John, Robert, Gilbert, Rankin and Walker) and three daughters (Sarah, Mary and Nancy). William became an attorney in the area, but died at the early age of 32. John married Sarah Cornelison and had a family of eight children, including triplets. Sarah married Alexander Black and had a son, Thomas. Robert married Rose Gibson. Records tell nothing about Margaret, Gilbert or Walker.
Rankin was a student at Central University in Richmond. He graduated in 1879 and later became a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. In 1857, James Rankin Mason bought a 392.5 acre farm on Silver Creek for $17,000 from his father-in-law, Robert Cochran. James Rankin Mason was a well-to-do farmer/tailor. He raised and sold hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and tobacco. He also sold eggs and potatoes. In addition, he sewed and sold shirts, breeches and waistcoats.
James Rankin Mason died October 13, 1902. He was 80 years old. He is interred in the Richmond Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Jane. She died in 1891 at the age of 62.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source:
Bellamy, Verna R.
Box and Folder Listing
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- Box 1
- Barcode: 31234013792401
- Folder 1: Correspondence - Edward and Liza Francis, 1864-1866
- This correspondence consists of 12 letters between Edward Francis and his wife Elizabeth, who was under the care of James Mason Rankin of Richmond, Ky. Many of the letters from Edward appear to have been written by different people as the handwriting and spelling is not consistent. Edward joined Co. B, 114th USCI 16 June of 1864 in London, Ky. The regiment moved to Camp Nelson to be organized. After the Civil War Edward served in Texas until 1867. Arranged in chronological order by date.
- Related Materials: Myers, Marshall and Chris Propes. ""I Don't Fear Nothing in the Shape of Man": The Civil War and Texas Border Letters of Edward Francis, United States Colored Troops." The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. Vol. 101, No. 4 (Autumn 2003).
- Item 2: Letter to [Edward Frances] from Liza, 23 Oct 1864
- Liza mentions a ring that he sent to her that never made it to her. He had expressed worry about his youngest child forgetting him but she reassures him that this has not happened.
- Folder 2: Correspondence, 1859-1892
- Much of the correspondence deals with Civil War times. Reference is made to hiring black people, desertion and loneliness of soldiers. Parental concerns are voiced in correspondence as women try to raise children alone. One big concern was making sure the children could read. Other correspondence mentions trials concerning an army discharge as well as other matters during the war years. Later correspondence deals with farming, lifestyle, ordering goods, weddings and deaths. Of particular interest is a letter (no date) referring to Brutus Clay's overnight visit, another from a Newark, Ohio teacher describing Union feelings and giving a glimpse of opinions on government and politics during the Civil War. Lastly, letters from soldiers tell about camp conditions and looting.
- Item 6: Jewett, Janie G. to My Dear Friends, 1861
- Item 7: Cochran, M.A. to William, 1862
- Folder 3: Diary/Account Books, 1860-1876
- Consists of several combination books, accounts and diary events arranged chronologically by date. Entries show farm and household goods, children boarding bills while attending school, trade of sewing garments, and notations regarding medical ailments (i.e., smallpox and tumors). Also included are farm rentals and breeding records for his horses, which he often bred to jacks.
- Item 1: Account Book, 1860
- Item 2: Passbook, 1861
- Item 3: Account/Diaries, 1875 - 1876
- Folder 4: Education receipts, 1866 - 1876
- Contains Central University receipts.
- Folder 5: General receipts, 1876 - 1890
- Folder 6: Insurance receipts, 1868 - 1886
- Interesting to note are the Mutual insurance receipts showing family member's cause of death and an assessment of remaining family members.
- Folder 7: Statements/Bill of Goods, 1847 - 1888
- Folder 8: Music
- Item 1: Piano scales & lessons
- Item 2: Piano selections (2)
- Item 3: Violin lesson
- Folder 9: Personal Writings
- Item 1: Farewell
- Item 2: Politeness
- Item 3: Merit
- Item 4: War, War
- Essay about the Civil War by Wm. J. Mason.
- Folder 10: Attorney's fees/statements, 1865 - 1872
- Folder 11: Bounty claims, 1868 - 1871
- Folder 12: Court records, 1862 - 1887
- Folder 13: Discharge (Joshua Shiflett), 1864
- Folder 14: Internal Revenue receipts One for "Keeper of Jack", 1863 - 1870
- Folder 15: Land deed/Missouri, 1865
- Folder 16: Land rental receipts, 1857 - 1866
- Folder 17: Quitclaim deed, 1871
- Folder 18: Railroad tariff, 1872 - 1886
- Folder 19: Sheriff summons, 1876
- Folder 20: Miscellaneous, 1863-1886
- The material in this series is arranged in chronological order by date. The exception is: all magnetic springs material is together. Most documents deal with personal lifestyles. Those not dated are at the end of the series.
- Item 1: Penmanship booklets (2), 1863
- One bound by sewing a newspaper on the cover
- Item 2: Handkerchief flirtations, 1863
- Item 3: Magnetic Springs, 1876-1886
- Item 4: Funeral Notice of son William, 1878
- Item 5: Pedigree registration of "Chief Justice" (swine), 1886
- Folder 21: Publications, 1852-1896
- The publications relate to business, politics and religion among others and are arranged chronologically.
- Item 1: Speech, 1852
- Given in U.S. Senate by James Jones of TN on non-intervention
- Item 2: The New National Tax Law, 1863
- Item 3: Printed Speech, 1864
- (belonging to William Mason) given by Honorable Garrett Davis to U.S. Senate on political history of Massachusetts
- Item 4: McLean Family Almanac, 1865
- Item 5: Catalogue of Cane Mills, 1866
- From Clark Sorgo Machine Company of Cincinnati, OH, showing farm machinery and prices
- Item 6: Landreth's Rural Register, 1867
- And almanac farm calendar and seed sales
- Item 7: Aetna Insurance Account, 1875
- Report from branch office in Cincinnati (fire and inland)
- Item 9: Pamphlet, 1896
- Letter by John Latham on "Free Coinage of Silver Considered" by Democratic Honest Money League of America
- Item 10: Religious Tract, undated
- American reform and tract society point "On Slavery" owned by church ministers and church members
- Item 11: Religious Tract, undated
- The Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly. Presbyterian Board of Publication. Philadelphia.
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