Seals Family Papers, PC.1772
Abstract
This collection consists of correspondence and papers of the family of William and Jane Seals of Richmond County, N.C., ranging from 1842-1956. Correspondence dates from 1862 to 1904 and includes letters written home by sons, William, James, John, and Harris from Civil War encampments and trenches; letters written by some of the sons as they seek work during the economic depression of the 1870s; and various letters concerning family and business matters. The collection also includes bills for cotton seed and receipts from baled cotton of Alexander and Porter T. Seals and cotton insurance for Porter T. Seals (1872-1956); deeds, grants, and land papers (1842-1945) relating to the land of Alexander and Porter T. Seals in Richmond County, N.C.; burial association, funeral, and literary papers (1878-1956); and bills and receipts (1866-1946).
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Seals Family Papers
- Call Number
- PC.1772
- Creator
- Seals Family
- Date
- 1842-1956
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Collection Overview
William Seals, a small farmer, appears to have lived in South Carolina, the native
state of his wife Jane (called Jincey in the letters) from the 1820s until the outbreak
of the Civil War. The 36 letters in the collection fall naturally into three small
groupings of the following date ranges: 1862-1864; 1870-1877; and 1887-1904. Additionlly,
there are 208 items that fall into the following categories: Cotton Crop and Insurance,
1872-1956; Deeds, Grants, and Land Papers, 1842-1945; Burial Association; Funeral;
Literary Papers, 1878-1956; Bills and Receipts, 1866-1946.
The numerous progeny of the Seals seem all to have been born in South Carolina: William,
Jr., Harris, James, John, Robert, Thomas, Travis, Alexander, Rachel, Ann, and Leuicy.
Several of the sons served in the Civil War.
Although a Civil War service record has been found only for John (enlisted in Co.
F, 18th Regt., N.C.T., at the age of 18 in June 1861), pension applications show that
Harris, who was wounded in the right wrist and thigh, and Alexander, who had his left
forefinger shot off, both served in Co. D 26th Regt., N.C.T. Letters in the collection
show that William was in service with troops in Southampton County., Va., in Dec.,
1862, and, at Fort Clifton, near Petersburg, Va., in Dec., 1863.
Similarly, James writes to his wife from Sullivan's Island, S.C., where he was under
the command of Gen. Evans, and he may have been with a South Carolina regiment. Sons
Robert and Thomas were of an age to have served, and might have enlisted in regiments
of their native state, South Carolina.
Arrangement Note
Chronological.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift