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By Jackie Couture
Collection Overview
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.
Collection Historical Note
Samuel Walkup (9 Oct 1758 - 16 May 1851) was the son of James Alexander Walkup and his wife Margaret Pickens. He was born in Mecklenburg, NC and moved to Madison Co., KY about 1793. Samuel served in the North Carolina line during the Revolutionary War. He married first Elizabeth Guthrie (2 Sep 1761 - 19 Aug 1797). He married second Nancy Patterson (25 Jan 1774 - 24 Mar 1838) in ? Co., KY 4 Aug 1801. After Nancy's death he married Margaret Bratton in Madison Co., KY 30 Oct 1840. Samuel and Nancy had the following children:
1. *Polly Walkup married Rice Harvey 10 Oct 1809 in Madison Co., KY
2. Robert Walkup (20 Mar 1791 - 2 Sep 1861) married Polly Laughlin 4 Mar 1814 in Madison Co., KY. They later moved to Boone Co., MO and then to Wheelock, Robertson Co., TX where he died.
3. *Samuel Walkup (11 Feb 1791 - 29 Nov 1854) married Polly Patton 10 Jun 1813 in Madison Co., KY
4. *Thomas Walkup (28 Apr 1802 - 12 Jan 1842) married Polly Smith 1 Dec 1828 in Madison Co., KY.
5. *Betsy Walkup (20 Apr 1804 - 25 Jun 1846) married Zachariah Herndon and moved to Missouri. She later returned to Madison County where she died.
6. *John Walkup (ca.1805 - 22 Nov 1844) married Lucinda Herndon 14 Aug 1831 in Madison Co., KY and moved to Paris, MO.
7. Mary Walkup (14 Sep 1806 - 26 Jan 1862) married Johnson Freeman 31 Dec 1844 in Madison Co., KY.
8. *James P. Walkup (20 Apr 1814 - 15 May 1861) married Sally Smith 4 Jun 1835 in Madison Co., KY. He later moved to Boone Co., MO and died there.
*These names have been verified to be children of Samuel Walkup. Robert and Mary were found in published genealogies on the internet, but there was no documentation found to verify that relationship. Mary, however, was buried in the same cemetery as Samuel and Nancy.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source:
Unknown
Acquisition Method:
Townsend Room Collections
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Folder:
[Folder 1],
[
All]
- Folder 1
- Item 1: AL Robert Walkup to Samuel Walkup, 23 Feb 1823
- 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 1838
- 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 1838
- 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 1838
- 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 1839
- 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 1841
- 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 1844
- 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 1844
- 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 1844
- 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 1845
- 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 1846
- 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.
