Blount Collection Box List
Box List
FILE BOX 1
BOOK NO. 1
1. A journal kept by Richard A. Blount while surveying the boundary line between Georgia and Alabama. The journal starts on 26 June 1826 in Milledgeville, Georgia, and ends on 15 Sept 1826. Some parts and dates of the journal are missing or fragmented. Photocopy of the original; pages 32-55, 88-103, 105-106, 108-123, 152-153, and 178-189.
39 PAGES
1A. A typed text of the journal in Folder 1. This folder appears to be one of the richest sources of information regarding Blount's personal observances of frontier life, Indian culture, and descriptions of virgin territory along the frontier. Material covers original journal pages; 1-16, 32-103, 105-106, and 108-188.
170 PAGES
2. A communication headed "Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line. "Executive Department, Milledgeville, 20 May, 1826," signed by order of the Governor: E. Wood, Secretary. The letter requests the "gentlemen composing the Commission charged with running the dividing line between the states of Georgia and Alabama" to meet in Milledgeville on the 26th day of "June next," prepared to proceed in execution of their mission. Photocopy of original and envelope with typed text.
3 PAGES
3. A letter addressed to Major Charles Lewis, Belle Font, Alabama, stating that the boundary line between Georgia and Alabama on the Chattahoochee River had been completed and shaming the State of Alabama for not sharing in the expense of the expedition. No date appears. Photocopy of original and envelope with typed text.
5 PAGES
4. An expense account of the Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line Commission. Such items as "canoe hire, $2, bear skins, 3 pounds wax candles, $2.50," and ferriage appear on the list of expenses. Dated July, August 1826. Typed text only, no original.
21 PAGES
5. A letter dated "Milledgeville, 7th July, 1828," from Governor G.M. Troup to the Commissioners of Georgia, introducing Colonel Brearly. Typed text only, no original.
1 PAGE
6. An expense account of the Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line Commission, August and September, 1826. Photocopy of original and typed text.
8 PAGES
7. A letter from Richard A. Blount to John W. A. Sanford, Milledgeville, Georgia. Headed "Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line, Cherokee Nation, 165 miles on our course, August 12, 1826." An account is given of climbing Lookout Mountain, and the view of the Chatooga and Coosa Mountains. Photocopy of original with typed text.
3 PAGES
8. An expense account of the Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line Commission. Typed text only, no original.
8 PAGES
9. A communication headed, "Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line, Milledgeville, 30 August, 1826. Private," from Governor Troup of Georgia to Messrs. Crawford, Blount, and Hamilton, Commissioners of Georgia. Photocopy of original and typed text.
5 PAGES
10. A statement "appointing Nathaniel Young as attorney to attempt to claim any land or money that may be due from the State of Virginia & the U.S. of A. for Revolutionary War services of David Edmunds", uncle of Mary Blount. Photocopy of original with typed text.
4 PAGES
11. Part of an essay by Richard A. Blount entitled "A Sketch of the Cherokee disposition towards running the boundary line of Georgia thro their Country." Photocopy of original with typed text.
12 Pages
12. A translation chart for Cherokee and Creek to English.
This gives a translation guide for communication with the Indians regarding basic items and information. Not indexed; partially typed text.
18 PAGES
13. Correspondence between Governor J. Murphy and the Alabama commissioner Major Lewis concerning the starting point for the boundary line between Georgia and Alabama. Also included are extracts of letters from the U.S. Secretary of War and extracts of letters from Governor Troup and Judge Kelly, all concerning the boundary line. Typed text only, no originals. (Originals of the Murphy-Lewis correspondence are in the Alabama Governors Official Records.
12 PAGES
BOOK 2
1. A communication dated, "14 September, 1826, Georgia-Alabama Boundary Line," from J. Crawford to Messrs. Blount and Hamilton, Miller's Bend. Crawford informs Blount and Hamilton of his borrowing "a sufficient sum of money to meet our immediate wants" and makes coordinations to link up on Sunday at Flat Shoals or Flint with enough money to pay off the amount already borrowed. Typed text only, no original.
1 PAGE
2. A letter from R. B. (R. Blount) & E. H. ( E. Hamilton) dated "Cherokee Nation, August 21st, 1826." The letter explains the "apparent slothfulness" of the expedition near Ft. Mitchell, the disposition and grievances of the Indians and the projected progress of the expedition. Photocopy of the original and typed text.
4 PAGES
3. A letter from Governor Troup to Col. Blount dated "Laurens County, April 15th, 1844," pertaining to party politics in Georgia. The Whig and Republican parties are mentioned and the leading personalities of the Republican party are described. Also mentioned are bank tariffs. Typed text only, no original.
3 PAGES
4. A letter from Governor Troup to Col. Blount dated "Laurens, 25th July, 1840." Political questions, platforms and the split within the party - particularly over abolition - are discussed.
"... for abolitionist [sic] when they come I have a good double gun..."
Photocopy of original and typed text.
3 PAGES
5. A letter from Judge William W. Holt to Richard Blount dated "Augusta, 23 Dec. 1839." Personal business affairs are discussed, and the laws regulating the trading with slaves are referred to. Typed text only, no original.
2 PAGES
6. A letter from Bolling Hall, Montgomery, Alabama, dated "16th January, 1832." The letter describes some of the history of the Freemasons. Opinions are given about the candidates for the coming election. Mr. Hall predicts the election of Andrew Jackson. Photocopy of original and typed text.
9 PAGES
7. A letter from Col. W. Woodley to Col. Blount, dated "Isle of Wight Ct Hs. June 4th, 1832." The letter describes the death of Col. Blount's sister in Virginia and the financial difficulties of Col. Woodley, which are forcing him to sell his slaves. Col. Woodley requests that Col. Blount give a recommendation for a Mr. James Williams, "a member of the last legislature," to sell his slaves in Georgia for a greater profit. Two copies of typed text, no original.
10 PAGES
8. A letter from Wm. H. Woodly to Col. Blount, dated "Ellersly, Autauga County, Alabama, August 15th 1832." The letter describes a journey to Alabama from Georgia and the problems of getting transportation when Woodly became ill. Two copies of typed text, no original.
6 PAGES
9. A letter from Charles W. Carpenter to Richard A. Blount, dated "Wilmington Island, 3rd Feby., 1821." Carpenter apologizes for not writing sooner and discusses the abundance of fish and game in the "low country" of Georgia. Photocopy of original and typed text.
4 PAGES
10. A letter from Governor Troup to Col. Blount, dated "Laurens Co. 5 Dec, 1843." The letter describes the Governor's regret concerning "the triumph of Federalism in Georgia" and the high tariff levied on certain commodities. In conclusion, the Governor writes, "I trust you are not too much of a Whig to vote for my friend General Sanford." Typed text only, no original.
2 PAGES
BOOK 3
1. A folder containing notes of a religious nature made by Richard Blount. Dated: "September 16th and September 28th, 1845." No typed text. Has not been indexed.
40 PAGES
2. A group of papers titled "General Remarks and Memoranda." Dated: "August 16th 1826."
16 PAGES
3. A communication headed "Lookout Mountain-Wednesday 30th Aug, 1826." This is almost an exact copy of nine pages extracted from the journal of Richard Blount (File Box 1, Book 1, Folder 1). Typed text only, no original.
9 PAGES
4. A surveyor's record of distances near or along the Georgia-Alabama Line. Also includes a record of distances from Sparta, Georgia to Hicksford, Virginia; and of the "Road" from Washington, Georgia.
Typed text only, no original.
8 PAGES
BOOK 4
1. This folder contains a journal of distances, expenses, and a fragmented account of some of the events of several journeys -presumably made by Richard A. Blount. Dates: 1799 (non-specific) and September-November 1807.
9 PAGES
2. A letter dated, "Boston, February 11, 1826," from David Henshaw to Richard Blount, concerning matters of the day and regretting corruption in politics. Mr. Henshaw is gratified over the election of George Troup, but then alludes to "the indiscreet conduct of Gov. Troup." Photocopy of original and typed text.
5 PAGES
3. A letter from A. J. Clayton to Col. Blount, dated "Washington City, Feb, 21st, 1835." The letter informs Col. Blount that a petition of Mr. Green's will have to "lay over till next session." The writer, believing an altercation with France is imminent, states, "we are upon the brink of war." Clayton also fears that the North is attempting to turn the South into a colony and expresses his conviction to separate from the Union if "one portion is tributary to the other and this is the object of the Northern people." Photocopy of the original with typed text.
5 PAGES
4. File Box 1, Book 4, Folder 4. This folder was omitted in the original Alabama inventory. (for reasons unknown)
5. Extract of a letter From Richard a Blount to Colonel R. L. Gamble, dated "November 24th, 1841." The main text of the letter is about the problems within the banking industry of the day. No original. typed text only.
1 PAGE
6. Extract of a letter from Richard A. Blount to Dr. Blake, Columbus, Georgia, dated "November 24th, 1841." The letter talks about the "trial of the murderer of my grandson Richard," and how lawyers are a "dangerous part of the community." Typed text only, no original.
1 PAGE
7. A letter dated, "Washington City, 12th January, 1843," from Colonel R. L. Gamble to Colonel Richard Blount, mentioning the Bankrupt Bill and a reduction of postage rates. Typed text only, no original.
1 PAGE
8. Extract of a letter from Richard A. Blount to Archibald Atkinson in Congress, dated "June, 1848." The letter talks of the Whig party and politics of the day. Typed text only, no original.
1 PAGE
9. A letter appointing Col. Richard A. Blount as "treasurer to the board of Commissioners who are now about to proceed to the western boundary of this state." Signed by J. Crawford and E. Hamilton. This also authorizes Blount to draw funds from the state treasury. Photocopy of the original and typed text.
2 PAGES
10. A letter headed "Executive Department, Milledgeville, July 21st, 1826," from Governor G. M. Troup to Messrs. Blount, Hamilton and Crawford, Commissioners, Creek Agency. The Governor is writing to give the Commission instructions regarding the placement of the boundary line. Typed text only, no original.
1 PAGE
11. The album of Mary E. (Dawson) Blount, wife of Richard A. Blount. No typed text, not indexed.
FILE BOX NO. 2
1. Empty folder. Original collection (Alabama archives) contains two brass buttons with eagles on them.
2. An empty folder. The contents for this folder are either missing or still in the "not filed folder." (File Box 2, Folder 28)
3. This folder contains letters and miscellaneous papers of the Blount family. Among these are: a small carefully written letter from Marianna R. Blount, age eleven, to her parents in Lebanon, Washington County, Ga., dated, "Sparta, March 1st, 1813;" a letter from Sally Ridley to Marianna Blount, at school in Warrenton, Virginia, no date; and the deed to a slave "usually called Gopher Jack," from Richard A. Blount to his daughter, Marianna R. Sanford, dated "December 29th, 1829," the obituary of Richard A. Blount, from an unknown source.
16 PAGES
4. An empty folder. In the Alabama collection this folder contains the original documents concerning the running of the line dividing the states of Georgia and Alabama. Copies of these documents are in File Box 1.
5. This folder contains a journal kept by Richard A. Blount and is titled "A Sketch of the Adventures of Richard Blount 1774-1797."
This folder has not been indexed.
6. A letter from Governor G. M. Troup to Richard A. Blount, dated "Valdosta 15th July, 1847."
2 PAGES
7. An empty folder. The contents of this folder are either missing or in the "not filed folder." (File Box 2, Folder 28)
8. This folder contains photocopies of the originals - of which a typed text is found in File Box 1.
2 PAGES
9. A group of deeds, indentures and promissory notes, made in Washington and Baldwin Counties, Georgia, in 1847, 1848, 1849, and 1855. These are some of the business papers of Richard A. Blount and papers pertaining to the Blount estate.
14 PAGES
10. An empty folder. The contents of this folder are either missing or in the "not filed folder." (File Box 2, Folder 28)
11. Several letters concerning the Boundary Line Commission.
7 PAGES
12. Extracts from the Journal of Francis Asbury, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The journal covers his trip from England and the early days of Methodism in America. Included in this folder is a copy of a letter from John Wesley to Bishop Asbury in America, dated, "London, September 20th 1787."
42 PAGES
13. A letter from Howard Edmunds to Richard Blount, dated "20th day 1840."
2 PAGES
14. A group of business letters to or from Richard A. Blount. Also includes a paper signed by W. McKinly, attorney for John J. Strange, rendered to Mary E. Blount. This is a claim for $219.39 owed by Mrs. Blount to John Strange for interest on a debt of land, dated "December 30th, 1859."
9 PAGES
15. This folder contains papers pertaining to the divorce of Alexander McCaine, dated, Baltimore,"October 16th, 1831, June 13th, 1834, Farnham, November 23rd, 1834." A later communication, bearing the heading, "Edgefield District (S. C. ?) October 25th, 1842," from Rev. Alexander McCaine to R. A. Blount. The subject is slavery.
14 PAGES
16. This folder contains Richard A. Blount's commissions: a paper signed by John Irwin, Brig. General, dated "May 1st, 1816, appointing R. A. Blount Aide De Camp with the rank of Major in the Second Division of the Militia of the State of Georgia;" two papers, dated, "Executive Department, Georgia, Milledgeville, July 3rd, 1816" and "Headquarters, Georgia, Milledgeville, April 15th, 1817." The first appoints Richard Blount Aide de Camp to the Commander in Chief with the rank of Colonel. The second certifies that "R. A. Blount, Esq., is to continue as Aide de Camp with the rank of Colonel."
4 PAGES
17. Two tax receipts for Richard A. Blount, one certifies that he had paid the sum of four dollars duty "for the year to end 31st day of December, 1814, for and upon a two wheeled carriage . . . called a gigg [sic]." The second certifies a sum of seven dollars for the year 1816, this being duty on a four-wheeled carriage called a coach. Both are signed by J. N. Cobb, Collector of Revenue, Second District of Georgia.
5 PAGES
18. Eleven business papers pertaining to the estate of Richard A. Blount. Included is a list of slaves (by name) and an accounting of the "perishable property" of R. A. Blount.
19 PAGES
19. Extracts from the History of Episcopal Methodism, and a "List of the General Conference of 1834 of the Methodist Episcopal Church." This is a copy of Blount's personal notebook.
20 PAGES
20. An empty folder. The contents of this folder are either missing or in the "not filed folder" (File Box 2, Folder 28). According to the Alabama inventory, this folder should contain Col. Blount's notes on Church government.
21. This folder contains papers pertaining to the improvement of roads and rivers, particularly to navigation in the state of Georgia and on the Oconee River. The letters are addressed to Colonel Richard Blount, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Oconee River.
5 PAGES
22. Letters and papers concerning the Oconee Navigation Company - all written by Richard A. Blount.
13 PAGES
23. A political letter from Governor G. M. Troup to the Democratic Meeting in Sandersville, Ga. Dated "Valdosta, Laurens County, Ga., October, 1848."
9 PAGES
24. A notation by Richard Blount of the death of Mrs. Henrietta Maria Ridley. Dated, "November 22nd, 1816."
1 PAGE
25. Sermons and religious writings by Richard A. Blount. Included in the folder is the "Minutes of the Forth Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church," dated "6 September 1834."
26. This is a second folder of sermons, no date.
27. This folder contains a handwritten copy of the original journal found in File Box 1, Book 1, Folder 1. This handwritten copy was made by Mrs. Mary Dreyspring as a W.P.A. assignment in 1939. No folder 27 appears in the original collection inventory list.
28. This is a folder of papers that came with the collection which have not been filed into the collection. There is no folder 28 in the original collection inventory list.
28A.This is a folder of papers that came with the collection which have not been filed into the collection. There is no folder 28A in the original collection inventory list.
28B. This folder contains handwritten copies, by Mrs. Mary Dreyspring, of most of the documents in the collection.
133 PAGES
28C. More of Mrs. Dreyspring's handwritten copies of pages of the collection.