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By Katy Davis, Dr. Christiana Taylor
Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Dr. Thomas H. Appleton, Jr. started regularly collecting historical Kentucky materials after he started working at the Kentucky Historical Society in the 1980s. The collection he continues to build consists of materials such as correspondence, ephemera, publications, legal documents and other items, which span over 200 years of Kentucky history. Some notable figures mentioned in the correspondence include Henry Clay, Charles S. Morehead, A.B. 'Happy' Chandler, Phyllis George Brown, Alben Barkley, Barbara Bush, and many more. Materials contain information about politics, religion, pop culture, death, slavery, the military and more. The collection is state-wide in scope; however, most materials are from central Kentucky. The collection continues to grow thanks to a generous endowment funded by Dr. Appleton.
Collection Historical Note
Thomas H. Appleton Jr. (Tom) was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1950. After graduating from the University of Memphis in 1971, he enrolled at the University of Kentucky to pursue a doctorate in American history. At UK he was fortunate to study under two of the eminent scholars in that field, Charles P. Roland and Holman Hamilton. In 1979, he joined the publications department of the Kentucky Historical Society, where he rose from assistant editor to editor in chief in 1990. His work at the KHS nurtured his desire to collect historical materials, which he had begun in elementary school. In 2000, he became professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University; in 2015 he was named Foundation Professor. As he approached retirement (2018), he decided that the archives and special collections department at EKU's Crabbe Library would be the logical repository for his collection. At the same time he established an endowment that would permit the purchase of additional materials to augment the collection. He hopes to inspire other patrons to donate their materials as well.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source:
Appleton, Thomas H., Jr.
Box and Folder Listing
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- Box 12
- Barcode: 31234013925530
- Folder 1: Letter from Clemmy T. to John G. Boyd, undated
- Flirtateous letter from Clemmy T. of Cynthiana, Ky. to John G. Boyd of Williamstown, Ky. She mentions rumors of her engagement which she says is false and also mentions his relationship with Martha.
- Folder 2: Letter from J.P. Drake to Benjamin Drake, 8 Aug 1828
- Letter from J.P. Drake of Mt. Vernon, Ky. to Benjamin Drake of Natchez, Mississippi. J.P. mentions a drought affecting crops. He also talks about the recent election between Andrew Jackson and John Q. Adams. He feels that the state is equally divided between the two. Also mentions Lida ("old colored woman" is written in in pencil) being sick with ague and fever.
- Folder 3: Letter from Lulu to Miss M. Peyton Castleman, 23 Oct 1938
- Lulu is writing Miss Castleman from Frankfort where she is visiting. She talks of various friends she had seen.
- Folder 4: Letter from Jas. W. Ingels to P. Sweigart, 19 Dec 1842
- Ingels is writing from Paris, Ky. and is addressed to Frankfort, Ky. The letter is about negotiating payment of debts of H.B. Ingels.
- Folder 5: Letter from George [Forman] to Matilda Forman, 29 Jan 1843
- George who appears to be living in New Orleans is writing to his sister and asks her to write him once a week about what she has read and what she thinks about it. He goes on to talk about her education and then leaves messages for other family members.
- Folder 6: Letter from Thomas L. Caldwell to J. Fisher Leaming, 7 Apr 1843
- Caldwell, a doctor living in Louisville, addresses Fisher of Philadelphia as a family member. He talks about his relationship with his father and about his lack of means due to the fact that he is a poor collector of what is owed him. After asking for a loan, he goes on to talk about the benefits of mesmerism.
- Folder 7: Letter from E.K. Sayre to P.S. Breathitt, 19 Apr 1844
- Sayre of Lexington, Ky. is writing to P.S. Breathitt of Hopkinsville, Ky. about the value of his father's land. He mentions the current rent, tax value and the need for repairs.
- Folder 8: Letter from Craig J. Henry to Saml. S. Swope, 4 Dec 1844
- Swope of Falmouth, Ky. had previously written about weights and measures. This letter informed him that there were none to be had due to retirement, sale, and fire.
- Folder 9: Letter from S.W. Cook to M.K. [Kate] Lauber, 13 Jan 1848
- Cook of Cynthiana, Ky. writes to her friend regarding her distress at still being single. She responds by telling her that widows have it harder. She invites her to come be her companion and mentions a gentleman friend she would like her to meet.
- Folder 10: Letter from "A Night Watchman" to Dr. Payne, 17 Feb 1853
- The 'Watchman' tells Dr. Payne of Lexington, Ky. about boys that have been rowdy behind his stable. He goes on to name the boys and their father's and their father's occupations. The boys have been killing cats, worrying dogs, insulting Negro men, hitting Negro boys and breaking windows.
- Folder 11: Letter from Annie Moliere to Mary Lybrook, 29 Sep 1866
- Moliere of Pleasant Hill writes to a friend in Michigan about post war Kentucky. She feels the abolition of slavery is a great blessing and hopes her neighbors will come to realize the same. She talks about a mansion that was confiscated for a hospital during the war. The owner refused to return to Kentucky and it is now used as a home for widows.
- Folder 12: Letter from Lal E. Carter from Unknown, 4 Feb 1870
- Letter from a man in Union, Ky. talking about his past actions and why she may doubt him. He begs her not to marry without love and to wait for him.
- Folder 13: Letters to Miss Fannie Owens, 1879-1884
- All letters are addressed to Fanny Owens at Rocky Hill in Barren County, KY. One letter is from her cousin (last name Neugh) and talks about weather, crops, family and church. One lettter is from her brother, E.L. Owens. It was written on Owens Bros. letterhead and in it he talks a lot about the cost of goods he is purchasing and how much he is planning on selling them for. He also talks about the telephone exchange and one of the operators. The last is from her sister, Theo who seems to be at boarding school in Glasgow. She talks about how homesick she is and says she would rather be doing chores than be where she is.
- Folder 14: Letter to Crit from Sarah [Mother], 1882-08-25
- Letter talking about family and friends. Mentions a couple people moving to Texas and other family members.
- Folder 15: Letter from E.H.Chase to Henry B. Curtis, 1884-05-14
- Interesting letter talking about the quality of various brandies now compared to the past. Also mentions that there are some distilleries making liquor in the old fashioned way, but most are now machine made in large quantities.
- Folder 16: Letter from Oscar Fenley to W.C. Fenley, 1898-09-14
- Talks about family members and an investment made in the L&N Railroad, Short Line Division.
- Folder 17: Letter from Emanuel "Mannie" Smith to Mrs. A.S. Fay, 1901-05-14
- Letter to his sister talking about family members. Mentions his son and other men who contracted malaria in Manila where they were stationed.
- Folder 18: Letter from J.W. Mullan to his Wife, 1887-10-24
- He tells her that his horse was sick with colic, then he was sick with heart disease and flux.
- Folder 19: Matchbook Covers
- From various restaurants, hotels and government offices in Central Kentucky.
- Folder 20: Oneida Baptist Institute Catalogue, 1912-1913
- Includes history of the school with a description of their programs, photographs and lists of students and alumni.
- Folder 21: The Kentucky Girl: Brief History of the Kentucky Blue-Grass Seed, 1901
- Printed by John G. Rogers & Company, Wade's Mill, Clark County, KY, grower and seller of Blue-Grass seed.
- Folder 22: Daughters of America, McKinley Council By-Laws and Amendments, 1920
- Council # 18, Bellevue, KY. Lists officer names on last page.
- Folder 23: Letter from T.J. Whittemore to Henry Whittemore, 1818
- Letter describes his trip from New York to Lexington, KY. He describes every leg of the trip and how long each took and how long he stayed at each town. The entire trip took nine weeks.
- Folder 24: Gorton's Original New Orleans Minstrels Broadside, ca 1885
- Printed by the Semi-Weekly Interior Journal in Stanford, KY. Advertisements in the newspaper indicate that this minstrel group performed in Stanford several times between 1887 and 1902. Hank Goodman retired in 1887, dating this show prior to that.
- Folder 25: RPPC Postcards, Undated
- Five unmailed b&w postcards of Kentucky venues (Lincoln
- Folder 26: Campbell Carona to Mrs. Joe Ross, 1943-12-12
- Pvt. Carona describes for his cousin in Ohio the rigors of basic training at Fort Knox, including sleeplessness, marches, and rations. He graduates in two days.
- Folder 27: Anthony J. Condino to, 1943-12-15
- Pvt. Condino tells his family at home in Carthage, NY, about his life at Fort Knox. Among aspects he discusses are morale, esprit de corps, chow, KP, and guard duty.
- Folder 28: Father Cosmas E. F. Girard to, Undated
- In this mimeographed letter a Roman Catholic chaplain at Fort Knox urges friends and relatives of WW II soldiers to send their loved one supportive, cheerful, and optimistic letters. He assures that spiritual counseling is available to all.
- Folder 29: Unknown to, 1944-10-16
- Carbon of typed letter from sweetheart in Louisville, Ky., to her beau serving overseas. A classic
- Folder 30: 1951-05-18
- The writer, who signs himself
- Folder 31: Souvenir Program from premiere of The Stars of Singing, Maysville, Ky., 1953-01-28
- Souvenir program from the
- Folder 32: Myers Y. Cooper to Simeon S. Willis, 1956-06-19
- A letter from one former Republican governor to another. Cooper, of Ohio, writes Willis, of Kentucky, about the presidential campaign then underway. Cooper expresses the opinion that President Eisenhower
- Folder 33: Program, Reception honoring Edward T. Breathitt, 1984-12-12
- Program from presentation ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., of former governor Breathitt
- Folder 34: Program, Reception honoring Louie B. Nunn, 1985-12-06
- Program from unveiling ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., of former governor Nunn
- Folder 35: Photographs and program, Brereton C. Jones, 1991; 1995; 2001
- Three items pertaining to administration of Gov. Brereton C. Jones (1991-95): (1) official b&w gubernatorial portrait; (2) b&w photograph taken following passage of legislation authorizing construction of the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort, 1995; and (3) program from presentation in Frankfort of the Public Papers of Governor Brereton C. Jones.
- Folder 36: Postcard, Boone Tavern, Berea, Ky., Undated
- 5
- Folder 37: Pamphlet, The Ballad of Black Bess (poem), Undated
- Although the author of the ribald
- Folder 38: Ballot Board, Campbell Co., Ky., Primary Election, 1940-08-03
- Folder 39: Isaac Shelby to Robert Craddock, 1800-08-05
- Discusses former governor Shelby
- Folder 40: James H. Rice to Lawrence Vance, 1836-05-03
- Rice, of Lexington, Ky., discusses the Texas Question, local news, romance.
- Folder 41: Silas W. Robbins to Richard French, 1836-02-03
- Robbins, former judge of Kentucky Supreme Court, asks Congressman French to procure copies of eulogies to late Chief Justice John Marshall. Both correspondents had ties to Mount Sterling, Ky.
- Folder 42: John B. Jesse to Catharine Street (Jesse) Montague, 1839-11-14
- Jesse informs his sister of the recent deaths of his two children and illness of a third, wife
- Folder 43: Letter to Grant Green from his brother, _______ Green, 1844-09-17
- From Shelbyville, Ky., Green tells his brother, in Henderson, Ky., about Thomas Marshall
- Folder 44: Robert Wickliffe Jr. to, 1844-12-09
- Wickliffe, American charge d
- Folder 45: G. Leaman Dodge to Secretary of War, 1847-02-20
- Dodge, of Lexington, informs the secretary of war that a group of
- Folder 46: George H. Williams to William A. Carr, 1848-02-20
- Williams, a Connecticut native living in Madison County, Ky., describes for his former classmate various wedding and holiday customs in Kentucky, including
- Folder 47: Thomas S. Page to Hugh W. Sheffey, 1848-01-13
- Page directs banker Sheffey, in Staunton, Va., to send him $25.00 needed for court costs. [Three years later Page was elected auditor of public accounts for Kentucky. He would later become the first elected official in Kentucky to be tried for corruption.]
- Folder 48: Susan (Shelby) Carter to T.J. Hood, 1849-06-20
- Susan Hart (Shelby) Carter was the granddaughter of Gov. Isaac Shelby and the wife of Col. William Grayson Carter. She tells Hood, a family friend, that her husband
- Folder 49: William Howard Bedford to Alexander Maxwell Bedford, 1850-02-28
- W. H. Bedford in St. Joseph, Mo., writes his brother in Bloomfield, Nelson Co., Ky. Topics include the dangers of boat travel (
- Folder 50: Richard J. Lambuth to Harvey Jackson, 1850-12-18
- Lambuth informs his uncle, in Iowa, about affairs at home in Muhlenberg Co., Ky. Lambuth is among the newly married. He discusses the condition of corn, tobacco, wheat, pork, etc.
- Folder 51: Henry Timberlake Duncan to Lily Brand, 1860-07-13
- Duncan, a future mayor of Lexington, Ky., writes his future wife, then visiting relatives in Philadelphia. He mentions cinders and dust from a recent train trip. He discusses at length his visit to an estate in Cincinnati he admires, referencing fruit trees, vineyards, etc.
- Folder 52: Materials relating to Rev. Dr. Henry Mixter Penniman, 1862; 1908
- Three items concerning the Ruggles and Penniman families, primarily of Massachusetts. Dr. Penniman (1851-1937) was a longtime faculty member and fundraiser at Berea College.
- Folder 53: John Nickerson to mother, 1863-05-30
- Union soldier Nickerson, likely from Michigan, writes his mother from
- Folder 54: Gabriel Campbell to William Campbell, 1863-08-27
- A young Union officer stationed in Louisville, Ky., writes his older brother back home in Ypsilanti, Michigan. His discusses his accommodations, assignment to
- Folder 55: Dallie Duncan to Mary Duncan, 1866-11-10
- Duncan, a student at the Female Academy in Shelbyville, Ky., writes her mother at home in Mississippi. Topics include family matters, weather, plans to make a visit home, and busy life at school.
- Folder 56: Godfrey Klein to Curtis Stafford, 1864-01-04
- Kline, a Union soldier from Michigan lodged at Camp Nelson, Jessamine Co., Ky., to friend Stafford at home in Michigan. Mentions upcoming draft, prospects for war coming to a close. On patriotic stationery.
- Folder 57: Malcolm McIntyre to Gen. Henry G. Thomas, 1868-04-29
- McIntyre, based in Owensboro, Ky., writes Thomas, a friend from their days in Maine now stationed in Danville, Ky., about mutual acquaintances. He discusses contemporary events and reveals that he supports the Radical Republicans in Congress doing battle with President Andrew Johnson. He also mentions the Freedmen
- Folder 58: Thomas P. Dudley Jr., M.D., to Grainger & Co, Louisville, 1870-07-20
- Dudley, an
- Folder 59: Jennie Lawless to George W. Howard, 1875-06-04
- Jennie Lawless of Glasgow, Ky., tells a suitor in Georgia,
- Folder 60: Abby H. Smith to Samuel L. S. Smith, M.D., and Katherine Smith, 1876-08-16
- From Louisville, Abby H. Smith writes separate letters to her son and daughter. He is post surgeon stationed in Lebanon, Ky., where his sister is visiting. In addition to family matters, she discusses effects of the economic depression of 1873-77 in Kentucky, the upcoming Centennial of the Declaration of Independence, the presidential election campaign, and her son
- Folder 61: Mary H. Seaton to Emma R. Carpenter, 1877-01-17
- Mary Seaton writes her future daughter-in-law assuring her of her son
- Folder 62: Katie Haffner Kramer to R. M. Osborn, 1880-01-25
- Kramer informs Osborn of her brother Tony
- Folder 63: M. A. Ballard to Henry T. Duncan, 1881-10-15
- Ballard, from New York City, offers sympathy to
- Folder 64: Marianna Augusta Bradley (Gillis) Kennedy to Henry Timberlake Duncan, 1881-10-17
- Folder 65: Lizzie (Brannin) Brand to Henry Timberlake Duncan, 1883-02-20
- Brand discusses family matters, particularly the illness of Duncan
- Folder 66: Henry Harrison King to Oscar Leon Watkins, 1884-07-13
- King, secretary of the Corydon, Ky., school board in Henderson Cunty, responds to Watkins
- Folder 67: Lee P. Ellison to Sarah Elizabeth, 1886-07
- Husband writes two affectionate letters to wife, who is visiting her relatives in same county [Fulton Co., Ky.]. Topics include infestation of fleas and his plan to borrow horse and buggy so he can visit her.
- Folder 68: 1889-05-19
- Letter from lovesick girl in Hancock Co., Ky., to possible suitor in Breckinridge County.
- Folder 69: Hetty Cary to parents [John Brune Cary and Frances Eugenia {Daniel) Cary], 1890-12-14
- Hetty, age 19, of
- Folder 70: Lewis F. Rankin to Jacob F. Mader, 1890-11-20
- Rankin, of Pulaski Co., Ky., a Union veteran, writes his former commanding officer reminiscing about their wartime service. Rankin, wounded in service, is likely applying for a pension.
- Folder 71: Katherine R. Freese to Sallie Freese, 1890-09-22
- In these two letters mother and daughter discuss domestic life in Louisa, Lawrence Co., Ky. Topics include Ursuline Academy in Ohio and steamboats. Letters contain undated and unidentified newspaper clippings and photographs pertaining to the Milton and Katherine Freese family of Louisa.
- Folder 72: Receipt, Hackett & Smith Co., Louisville, Ky., 1891-03-01
- Hackett & Smith
- Folder 73: Advertisement, B. F. Avery & Sons, Louisville, Ky., 1893
- Illustrated ad for plows offered by B. F. Avery & Sons, once the largest manufacturer of plows in the world.
- Folder 74: Julius Sues to Samuel Hutchings, 1893-04-06
- Louisville merchant Julius Sues discusses possible sale of francotti gun.
- Folder 75: Marion Co., Ky., Circuit Court to Sheriff, Marion Co., 1904-02-16
- Writ for the arrest of Sarah Horton, who has been sought since 1893 for failing to pay her $50.00 fine for being a
- Folder 76: Joseph Mc Dowell Mathews, M.D., to Robert Patterson Harris, M.D., 1894-02-05; 1894-07-15
- Louisville physician Mathews consults a Philadelphia colleague about Mathews
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