personfamily Inventory of the Person Family Papers, 1754-1971 Processed by: RL Staff; machine-readable finding aid created by: Meghan Lyon David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

(C) 2012 Duke University. All Rights Reserved.

Aleph Number: 000845044

 Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: October 2012Processed by RL Staff, 2005; finding aid encoded by Meghan Lyon, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, October 2012 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the Person Family Papers, 1754-1971 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

(C) 2012 Duke University. All Rights Reserved.

 Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Person Family Person Family Papers, 1754-1971 Material in English 6 Linear Feet 3000 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Family active in Louisburg, Franklin Co., N.C. and also in Nash Co., N.C. Correspondence, accounts, diary (1869), bills, deeds, wills, legal documents, and other papers (largely 1829-1897). The bulk of the collection relates to Thomas A. Person and his family, and includes letters written from Harrison Co., Tex., and New Orleans (ca. 1850s); student letters from various North Carolina schools (1835-1860); letters of Confederate soldiers concerning military life; and family and business letters with Civil War reminiscences. The early material mostly concerns Thomas A. Person's father, Presley Carter Person, of Louisburg, N.C., and the settlement of his estate. Later material concerns patent medicines manufactured by a member of the family. Other correspondents and names mentioned include W. P. Montgomery, Harriett Person Perry, Levin Perry, Theophilus Perry, Jesse H. H. Person, Joseph Arrington Person, M. P. Person, and Willie Mangum Person. Addition comprises primarily land deeds and surveys, other deeds of sale, receipts, personal wills, and other financial information. Also includes personal correspondence and memory books. An 1834 deed of gift to John W. Harris from P. C. Person includes five named slaves, one gray horse, 12 head of cattle, and 12 head of sheep. An 1808-1864 ledger book of Presley Person includes Person family genealogy and names and birth dates of his slaves and of the slaves owned by his son, Thomas A. Person. Other names mentioned include Matthew Culpepper, Arthur W. Person, Prudence Person, and W. M. Person. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

 Copyright Notice

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

 Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Person Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

 Provenance

The Person Family Papers were acquired by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library in 1944 and 2005.

Processing Information

Processed by RL Staff, 2005

Encoded by Meghan Lyon, October 2012

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: unnumbered 1944 accession, 2005-0110

This collection is minimally processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

 Historical Note

Family active in Louisburg, Franklin Co., N.C. and also in Nash Co., N.C.

Genealogy List 1768 Nov. 13 Mary Person born 1774 July 28 Dr. Presley C. Person born 1807 Oct. 22 Dr. Presley C. Person and Mary Person married 1808 Oct. 8 Thomas Person born. Later married Abiah. 1809 Dec. 10 Lucy Person born 1811 July 7 Joshua Perry Person born 1812 Sept. 15 Mourning R. Person born 1814 Jan. 23 Joseph Abringham Person born 1815 May 15 Levin Person born 1817 April 21 Anthony Person born 1819 March 19 Weldon Edwards Person born 1820 Aug. 9 Presley C. Person born 1822 March 7 Willie A. Person born 1824 Feb. 28 Mary C. Person born 1826 June 3 Lucy Person died 1843 Mourning R. Person married John W. Harris Dr. Presley C. Person and Mary Person's slaves and birth dates 1808 Champion(?) 1810 Hasy(?) 1811 Louis 1812 Mariah 1813 Harriet 1814 Clusey 1815 Thursney(?) 1816 Dick 1816 Nelson 1818 Isesy(?) 1818 Rachel 1819 Maple(?) 1820 Essex 1829 Seeley 1822 Henry 1822 Frederick 1823 Peter 1824 Burwell 1820 Anachile(?) 1825 Robert Hill 1825 Ellen 1825 Lucy 1826 Dice 1826 Isaac(?) 1827 Caroline 1827 Nancy 1828 Mariah 1828 Rosetta 1828 Matilda 1830 Rudy 1830 Ellick 1830 Cany Benton(?) 1830 Emily 1830 Ephrom 1830 Rebecca 1832 John 1832 Easter 1833 Emily Thomas A. Person and wife Abiah's slave and birth dates 1832 Nash Pete 1834 Harriet 1835 Robin 1836 Iain 1836 Mal 1837 Roger 1837 Isham 1838 Alford 1838 Mill 1839 Selvy(?) 1839 Herrily 1840 Mariah 1840 Ann 1841 Iam 1842 Lucy 1842 Izabella 1843 Frank 1843 Fred 1844 Chany 1845 Bob 1845 Isaac 1846 Dun 1847 Daniel 1848 Sarrir 1847 Abner 1849 Osbun 1850 Green(?) 1850 Matilidy 1852 Dennis 1852 Cary 1854 Beck 1854 Amy 1854 Dick Dirt 1854 Delun 1856 Penny 1856 Arch 1857 Lewis 1857 Anderson 1859 Sallie 1854 John 1858 Dennis 1860 Beck 1860 Fred 1860 Ester 1861 Jef 1861 Ellick 1861 Alford 1862 Isham 1862 Morgin 1863 Mary Oliver 1863 Nancy 1863 Linny 1864 Lawrence 1864 Iad 1862 Isham(?) Collection Overview

Correspondence, accounts, diary (1869), bills, deeds, wills, legal documents, and other papers (largely 1829-1897). The bulk of the collection relates to Thomas A. Person and his family, and includes letters written from Harrison Co., Tex., and New Orleans (ca. 1850s); student letters from various North Carolina schools (1835-1860); letters of Confederate soldiers concerning military life; and family and business letters with Civil War reminiscences. The early material mostly concerns Thomas A. Person's father, Presley Carter Person, of Louisburg, N.C., and the settlement of his estate. Later material concerns patent medicines manufactured by a member of the family. Other correspondents and names mentioned include W. P. Montgomery, Harriett Person Perry, Levin Perry, Theophilus Perry, Jesse H. H. Person, Joseph Arrington Person, M. P. Person, and Willie Mangum Person.

Addition (05-110) (200 items, 1.7 lin. ft.; dated 1754-1971 and undated) comprises primarily land deeds and surveys, other deeds of sale, receipts, personal wills, and other financial information. Also includes personal correspondence and memory books. An 1834 deed of gift to John W. Harris from P. C. Person includes five named slaves, one gray horse, 12 head of cattle, and 12 head of sheep. An 1808-1864 ledger book of Presley Person includes Person family genealogy and names and birth dates of his slaves and of the slaves owned by his son, Thomas A. Person. Other names mentioned include Matthew Culpepper, Arthur W. Person, Prudence Person, and W. M. Person.

 Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Person family. Person, Arthur W. Person, Presley Carter, 1770-1845. Person, Thomas A. Person, Prudence. Person, W.M. Culpepper, Matthew. Confederate States of America--Army--Military life. Education--North Carolina. Patent medicines--North Carolina. Soldiers--Confederate States of America--Correspondence. Students--North Carolina. Slave records--North Carolina. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives, Confederate. Deeds. Wills. Receipts. Legal documents. Contents of Collection 1944 Accession, 1767-1910and undated (5 boxes)

Correspondence, accounts, diary (1869), bills, deeds, wills, legal documents, and other papers (largely 1829-1897). The bulk of the collection relates to Thomas A. Person and his family, and includes letters written from Harrison Co., Tex., and New Orleans (ca. 1850s); student letters from various North Carolina schools (1835-1860); letters of Confederate soldiers concerning military life; and family and business letters with Civil War reminiscences. The early material mostly concerns Thomas A. Person's father, Presley Carter Person, of Louisburg, N.C., and the settlement of his estate. Later material concerns patent medicines manufactured by a member of the family. Other correspondents and names mentioned include W. P. Montgomery, Harriett Person Perry, Levin Perry, Theophilus Perry, Jesse H. H. Person, Joseph Arrington Person, M. P. Person, and Willie Mangum Person.

 1Information folder 1Papers, 1767-1863 2Papers, 1864-1897 3Papers, 1897-1915 3Financial papers, 1774-1863 4Financial papers, 1864-1914 4Undated papers 4Financial volumes 5Undated papers Accession (2005-0110), 1754-1971 and undated (3 boxes)

Addition (05-110) (200 items, 1.7 lin. ft.; dated 1754-1971 and undated) comprises primarily land deeds and surveys, other deeds of sale, receipts, personal wills, and other financial information. Also includes personal correspondence and memory books. An 1834 deed of gift to John W. Harris from P. C. Person includes five named slaves, one gray horse, 12 head of cattle, and 12 head of sheep. An 1808-1864 ledger book of Presley Person includes Person family genealogy and names and birth dates of his slaves and of the slaves owned by his son, Thomas A. Person. Other names mentioned include Matthew Culpepper, Arthur W. Person, Prudence Person, and W. M. Person.

This container list accompanied this accession from the donor and has been only slightly modified to correct and/or add to dates and names. Some materials need conservation treatment before use.

11754-1854, authorization from John Earl Granville of London to attorneys in N.C. 11803, receipt from Matthew Culpepper to Dr. Isaac Hillard 11805, 1817, fifteen pages prepared for court record of property acquired by grant or purchased over a period of time. Property located in Warren County, Franklin County, Halifax County, Raleigh, Fayetteville and the State of Tennessee 11808, deed from John Culpepper to Osborne Culpepper 11808-1864, ledger book of Dr. Presley C. Person, Franklin County Trustee. 1Includes the listing of his marriage, his children’s birth dates, and names of his slaves with birth dates (all in back of book). 11809, sale of lot 30 in town of Louisburg from John Perry to Jesse Person 11812, Promisary note by John Ward to Matthew Culpepper 11813, sale of lot 25 in town of Louisburg from Jeffrey’s to William Freeman, recorded in 1819 11814, license issued to Matthew Culpepper by state of N.C. to make distilled spirits for one month 11814, payment of taxes by Matthew Culpepper 11815, payment of taxes by Matthew Culpepper 11816, payment of taxes by Matthew Culpepper 11816, copy of C. Wright’s will 11822, deed of trust for tracts of land sold by Sheriff Jordan Denson to take care of debts-foreclosure in Franklin County, North Carolina 11825, list of town of Louisburg citizens paying corporation tax 11825, list of people who have paid taxes in town of Louisburg 11825, true copy-ordinance of town of Louisburg levying $1.00 poll tax and twenty cents on each $1.00 real property 11827, list of taxables of Captain Darby 11828, ordinance of town of Louisburg for poll tax and real property tax 11828, deed from J.J. Alston to P.C. Person 11828, deed between P.C. Person and Jesse Person 11828, deed from J.J. Alston, Sr. to J.J. Alston, Jr. 11829, Matthew Culpepper account for Jno. Arrington. Account paid in 1832 1182?, Order of Court template letter-not addressed to anyone 1182?, valuation of town property in Louisburg 11830, sale by Matthew Culpepper to Jno. Arrington for Brandy 11831, bill from Matthew Culpepper to Jno. Arrington, Sr. 11834, deed-gift to John W. Harris from P.C. Person consisting of 5 negros (named), one gray horse, 12 head of cattle, and 12 head of sheep 11837, deed sale by Charles Johnston to Jesse Person 11840, deed from Benjamin Davis and wife to Jesse Person and subsequent registration by William Whitfield 11840, court order for Drury Andrew (also includes 1842, property of Ann Debnam to be sold to satisfy debt) 11845, agreement between P.C. Person and Azariah Card for overseer job of his land 11845, listing of property of P.C. Person 11845, deed from Sheriff Guston Perry to Joseph A. Person and Weldon E. Person 11845, affidavit from Sheriff of Franklin County that personal property of William Montgomery had been taken to satisfy debts. 11846, reward of merit for Harriet E. Person 11847, account of sale of personal property of P.C. Person 11849, account of Thomas A. Person to J.G. King 1[1851, book titled “The Element of Moral Science” written by Francis Wayland. Book was owned and signed by Harriet Person in 1853: removed from accession and cataloged separately.] 11852, authorization to Thomas Person and others to hold pole for elections 11853, personal letter from H. Person to his sister 11853, memory book of Harriet E. Person 1Needs conservation treatment before use. 11858, notes of Joseph J. Davis relative to collections to be made for Sally Person 11860, receipt from Louisburg Female College for the partially paid tuition of W.E. Person’s two daughters. 11860, receipt from Louisburg Female College to W.E. Person for the tuition of his two daughters signed by C.C. Anderson 11861, order from Elais Carr to Mr. Bartholomew ordering two blade saws and a boor (hog) 11862, letter from Jesse H. Person to his mother during Civil War 11863, resolution from camp near Culpepper, VA honoring the bravery and service of Jesse H. Person who was killed at Gettysburg 11864, receipt from John Foster to Thomas Person for service rendered as overseer 11864, portion of document by Confederate States of America as a receipt of twenty two hundred dollars from Mrs. Sarah Person for bonds 11864, letter from A.P. Person to his brother about farming 11865, private letter from Anna Person to her Uncle Tom 11865, photocopy of parole issued to A.A. Person by USA for fighting in Civil War 11866, note from C.H. Champion to T.A. Person about cutting hay 11868, personal letter from Cousin Hattie to Cousin Harriet 11893, personal letter from Aunt Tempie from Arthur Person 11906, 1909, 1915, list of newspapers found in accession, but discarded 11910, memory book of Marguerite Person from classmate at Louisburg College 11911, several affidavits as to the ability of Mrs. P.J. Person to write her will 11913, receipt for Mary Montgomery paid on note of W.P. Montgomery 11914, order of Railroad Telegraphers card of J.H. Person 11914, survey map of plat of A.W. Person’s residence lot 11914, receipt of Mary Montgomery to satisfy judgment in Superior Court of Franklin County 11917, letter from E.H. Malone (lawyer) to Mrs. Montgomery 21917, resolution presented to General Assembly by Franklin County Ladies and passed re Veterans and flags 21918, transfer of deed of trust from R.W. Hicks to Josephine Williams (additional notes added to the document in 1940) 21918, promisary note by W.M. Person to W.M. Person to W.P. Montgomery 21920, deed from W.M. Person and wife Prudence A. Person to A.W. Person 21920, copy of will of Mrs. W.T. Montgomery 21922, holograph will of Prudence A. Person 2after 1923, booklet giving the “Argument of W.M. Person: The Crucifixion of Tax-payers of North Carolina” in the Supreme Court of N.C. 21924, newspaper clipping re: Louisburg College Campaign, The Franklin Times 21926, sale of property by A.W. Person 2192?, newspaper clipping on death of Judge Cook 21931, personal checks of Arthur W. Person written on First National Bank which were returned to him because the First National Bank closed because of the Depression 21933, invitation to Louisburg Female College Commencement Exercises 21936, original and copy of title, mortgage, and other legal documents to land owned by A.W. Person and wife, Louisburg, Franklin County, N.C. 21941, Office of N.C. Governor, Selective Service, appointing A.W. Person member of Draft Board for District No. 1 21948, map of lot in Franklin County, N.C. surveyed for A.W. Person 21957, one share of stock in Green Hill Country Club purchased by A.W. Person 21963, a State Magazine featuring Franklin County 21971, aerial photocopy of farm from U.S. Department of Agriculture and letters on farm certification 2Undated, valentine to Harriet Person 2Undated, copy of Dr. William M. Person’s will 2Undated, plat of land of Thomas Person 2Undated, affidavit by Mrs. Joseph Blake as to the last will of William Montgomery 2Undated, personal information about Thomas Person 2Undated, provosts Marshall’s Office in Weldon, N.C. to Thomas Person thanking him for getting flour but unable to have delivered because of closed road 2Undated, brochure relative to raising money to build Franklin Dormitory at Louisburg College 2Undated, photograph of a man 2Undated, newspaper article regarding the lynching of a Louisburg man 2Undated, building information about a house built for Thomas A. Person called “Old Place of Louisburg” at 603 N. Main St. 2Undated, newspaper clipping of photograph of Senator William Person 2Undated, miscellaneous photographs of land 2Undated, miscellaneous papers on loans and payments 2Undated, miscellaneous receipts (four folders) 2Undated, loose materials 31886, diploma of Prudence Person from Louisburg Female College 31887, Supreme Court certificate issued to William M. Person to practice law 31889, sheet music by Mrs. Joe Person 31911, certificate to Mrs. Wiley M. Person from the United Daughters of the 31917, survey and, 1956, legal description, of A.W. Person Estate, Nash Co., N.C.