Overview
DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University
Oliphint, Kelley
Kelley Oliphint collection of Mosby family letters
1832-1931
1 box (0.5 linear feet)
This collection consists of Mosby family correspondence (89 folders) during the years 1832-1931. The majority of the letters date from the 1830s-1860s and are written by or to Elizabeth Mosby in Kemper Springs, Mississippi primarily during the Civil War. The letters include recipes, poems, and several accounts of the war by her sons.
A2009.0018c
Material is in English
Biographical Note
The majority of the letters in the collection focuses on Elizabeth Hull Barret Mosby. Elizabeth Hull Barret, the daughter of Nancy Brooke Temple and Dr. John Stachan Barret, married Edward Chamberlayne Mosby in 1831. The couple had at least seven children: McRae, William Hezekiah, George W., Nancy Brooke, John King, Edward, Jr., and Mary Massie. The family resided primarily in Kemper Springs, Mississippi and frequently traveled to Alabama and Virginia. Two of the sons were wounded in the Civil War. Edward Mosby, Sr. preceded his wife in death in 1870. Elizabeth Mosby died in 1883. Nancy Brooke Mosby married William Lorenzo Clayton in 1868, and their daughter Avie Dantzler Clayton married Ely Thomas Kelly in 1895.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Kelley Oliphint collection of Mosby family letters consists of one box of correspondence, recipes, poetry, and a single lock of hair. The majority of the letters were written by or to Elizabeth Hull Mosby, primarily during the Civil War. Frequent correspondents include Elizabeth Mosby’s children and close relatives. Many of the letters relate everyday occurrences; however, there are several letters from the Mosby sons during their time as soldiers for the Confederacy during the Civil War. The collection includes several anonymous poems and various recipes including a recipe for muffins, orange pudding, pinchblack, whooping cough medicine, and instructions on preserving quinces.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is organized into 1 series of correspondence.
Access to Collection:
Collection is open for research use.
Publication Rights:
Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the DeGolyer Library.
Copyright Statement:
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms.
Mosby family.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Correspondence.
Kemper County (Miss.)--History-Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources.
Kemper County (Miss.)--History--20th century--Sources.
Mosby, Elizabeth.
Letters.
Recipes.
Preferred Citation
Kelley Oliphint collection of Mosby family letters, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.
Acquisition Information
Gift, given in memory of Nancy Brooke Kelley Oliphint and Kelley MacLauren Oliphint by his family, 2009.
Processing Information
Preliminary organization of the collection was begun by Kelley Oliphint prior to donation. During processing, the letters were placed in folders and organized by date. Several letters were pieced together from fragments.
Finding aid written by
Holly Gerber, 2009.
Encoded by
Lara Corazalla, 2009.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1:
Correspondence
The series contains correspondence, a check, a receipt, a loan note, recipes, poetry, and fragments related to the Mosby family. "ALS" refers to Autograph Letter Signed.
1[no date] E. Sopher (Lemon Bay, Fl.) to John King Mosby, ALS, 8 p. [fragment consisting of pages 5 through 8.]
2[no date] Junius M. Barret to [Elizabeth H. Mosby], ALS, 2 p. [fragment?]
3[18__?] April 27, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
4[18__?] Nov. 22, Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, 3 p.
5[183_?] John S. Barret to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 4 p.
6[183_?] September 10, M. [B_?] "your devoted cousin" (Richmond, Va.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 4 p.
71832 July 1, [Benjamin Barret?] to Mrs. Elizabeth H. Barret, 3 p.
81832 July 23, John S. Barret to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
91836 Dec. 24, John S. Barret to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
101837 July 17, R. M. B. (Richmond, Va.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
111838 Feb. 15, Edward C. Mosby to Albert Parkinson, promissory note for $78.31,1 p.
121839 Feb. 8, John Jacob Wirth (Hanover Co., Va.) to Edward Mosby, Esq. (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 3 p.
131839 Feb. 27, John Jacob Wirth (Hanover Co., Va.) to Edward C. Mosby, Esq. (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 2 p.
141839 June 24, John Jacob Wirth (Hanover Court House, Va.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 4 p. [Very fragile. Handle with extreme care.]
151841 Feb 1, Good conduct note for John Mosby from his teacher, Wilson.
161842 July 24, [Nancy Brooke Temple?] ([Gainsborough?]) to [Elizabeth H. Mosby?] ([Myrtle Springs?], 2 p. Includes a lock of blonde hair. [Very fragile. Handle with extreme care.]
171844 Sept. 12, M. Rae (New York) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 3 p.
181845 June 17, [M.C. Williamson?] to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 1 p.
191845 Nov. 23, John S. Barret (Gainesville, Ala.) to Edward C. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 2 p.
201846 Jan. 1, [L.M. Temple?] (Gainesville, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 4 p.
211847 Mar. 30, P.A. McRae (Mobile, Ala.) to Mr. Moore, ALS, 3 p.
21Addressed to Mrs. E.H. Mosby, Gainesville
221847 Nov. 29, L. Kirkpatrick to Mrs. E. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 3 p.
23[185_?] Nancy Brooke Barrett to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 3 p.
24[185_?] Jan. 12, [Edmonia Barret?] to Elizabeth H. Mosby, 4 p.
251852 March 8, E. L. Dabay (Mobile, Ala.) to "My Dear Cousin," ALS, 4 p.
261852 Nov. 15, J. W. M. to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
271852 Nov. 18, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.), ALS, 3 p.
281852 Nov. 26, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.), ALS, 3 p.
291852 Dec. 4, Samuel J. Williamson (Sumter, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p. Also includes letter [on same date?] from E. Williamson to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 3 p.
301852 Dec. 8, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby ("Betsey"), ALS, 4 p.
311854 Nov. 11, Junius Barret (Philadelphia, Penn.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p.
321856 May 22, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 2 p.
331857 Jan. 30, Edward Mosby, Jr. (Mobile, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 2 p.
341857 May 15, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Gainesville, Ala.), ALS, 3 p.
351858 Jan. 14, Benjamin Temple Barret (Mobile, Ala.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
361859 March 6, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Edward C. Mosby, Jr., ALS, 2 p. Includes note from Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
37[1859 after March 6], Elizabeth H. Mosby to Edward Mosby, Jr., ALS, 2 p.
381861 Jan. 23, Edward Mosby (Mobile, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
391861 Dec. 1, George W. Mosby (Pensacola, Fla.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 3 p.
40[1862?] Elizabeth H. Mosby to William Mosby, 2 p.
41[1862?] George W. Mosby to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
42[1862?] Edward C. Mosby, Jr. to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2p. Includes letter from Edward C. Mosby, Jr. to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
431862 Feb. 27, W. Beverly Woodson (Cavalry Camp, near Young’s Mills, Va.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p.
441862 March 5, G.W. Mosby (Warrington Navy Yard, Pensacola, Fla.) to "Dear Brother," ALS, 3 p.
451862 April 12, Edward C. Mosby, Jr. (Norfolk, Va.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 3 p.
461862 May 22, J.W. Barrett (Gainesville, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
46Concerning the death of his daughter, Carrie.
471862 Aug. 16, George W. Mosby (Camp near Chattanooga, Tenn.) to Nancy Brooke Mosby, ALS, 3 p.
481862 Aug. 17, B.J. Barrett (Pattigonia) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 4 p.
491862 Sept. 24, M.S. Reavis (Gainesville, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, and sons, ALS, 4 p. Also includes note at end from Nancy Brooke Mosby to Edward Mosby, Jr. and McRae Mosby.
501862 Sept. 25, Callie M. Barrett (Gainesville, Ala.) to [Elizabeth H. Mosby?], ALS, 4 p.
511862 Oct. 23, Callie M. Barrett (Gainesville, Ala.) to [Elizabeth H. Mosby?], ALS, 4 p.
521862 Oct. 25, Edmonia Barret (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, 2 p. Includes a note at the end from [Nancy Brooke Mosby?] to Elizabeth H. Mosby.
531862 Oct. 28, George W. Mosby (Camp near Knoxville, Tenn.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p. The letter is continued on Oct. 29.
541862 Nov. 8, Edward C. Mosby (Richmond, Va.) to George Mosby, ALS, 1 p. Also includes a letter from Elizabeth H. Mosby, George’s mother, ALS, 2 p. and a letter from John King Mosby,George’s brother, ALS, 1 p. 1 document; 4 pages.
551862 Nov. 8, George W. Mosby (Atlanta, Ga.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 1 p. On the verso of the same sheet is another letter, 1862 Nov. 15, from Aunt Edmonia (Richmond, Va.) to Nancy Brooke Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
561862 Nov. 12, C.I. McWhorter (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to George W. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
57[1862 Dec.?] Elizabeth H. Mosby to Edward C. Mosby and "daughters," ALS, 2 p.
581862 Dec. 5, Elizabeth H. Mosby by John King Mosby (Richmond, Va.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
591862 Dec. 24, Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 4 p.
601863 Feb. 17, Mc Rae Mosby (Montgomery, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
611863 Feb. 19, Lucy Reavis (Gainesville, Ala.) to [Elizabeth H. Mosby?], ALS, 4 p.
621863, March, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 3p. 1863 March, also includes a letter on same document from Mary Massie Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
631863 Mar. 11, Callie M. Barrett (Gainesville, Ala.) to [Elizabeth H. Mosby?], ALS, 2 p.
641863 Mar. 11. 1 sheet, 4 pages. 3 different letters on the same sheet. All dated March 11, Kemper Springs, Miss.
64Mary Massie Mosby to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
64Nannie Brooke Mosby to King Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
64Edward Chamberlayne Mosby to Elizabeth H. Mosby, 2 p.
651863 Mar. 14, Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
661863 Apr 4, McRae Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p. ***[Needs conservation work.]
671863 Apr 17, McRae Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.), ALS, 3 p. Written on the same document: 1863 Apr 23, Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p. [Very fragile. Handle with extreme care.]
681863 April 19, George W. Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Richmond, Va.), ALS, 1p. Verso of document contains letter to "Precious Daughter" likely from Elizabeth H. Mosby, 1 p.
691863 May 17, George W. Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
701863 May 17, McRae Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p.
711863 June 3, George W. Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Edward Chamberlayne Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
721863 June 14, McRae Mosby (Bridgeport, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p. [fragment]
731863 Sept. 29, Annie James (Paradise) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
741863 Oct. 28, Callie M. Barret (Gainesville, Ala.) to "My dear Sister," [Elizabeth H. Mosby?], ALS, 2 p.
751864 Mar. 27, Mary M. Mosby (Gainesville, Ala.) to Edward C. Mosby and Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 4 p.
761865 Aug. 12, Thomas [McKeon?] (Gainesville, Ala.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby (Kemper Springs, Miss.), ALS, 1 p.
771865 Oct. 30, [Unknown suitor?] (Kemper Springs, Miss.) to Mary Massie Mosby, ALS, 1 p.
78[187_?] March 10, E.S. Clairborne (Richmond, Va.) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 8 p.
791870 April 4, Edward Chamberlayne Mosby (Alabama Insane Asylum) to Elizabeth H. Mosby, ALS, 2 p.
801870 Aug. 11, P. Bryce (Tuskaloosa, Ala.) to Mrs. Elizabeth H. Mosby (Lauderdale Springs, Miss.), ALS, 2 p.
811873 March 26, W. [Atwell?] (Richmond, Va.) to Edward C. Mosby, Esq. (Lauderdale, Miss.), ALS, 2 p.
821873 May 17, Receipt for Ms. Mosby from Terry & Latham, Dry Goods, Groceries & General Merchandise (Meridian, Miss.). Receipt is for nails valued at $15.25, signed by Paul, Terry & Latham, 1 p.
831880, [Unknown grandchild; likely child of McRae Mosby] (Meridian, Miss.) to [Elizabeth H. Mosby?], ALS, 2 p.
84[189?] Copy of check for $13.00 to Thomas M. Ferguson (Meridian, Miss.) of the Davis Sewing Machine Company, 1 p.
851914 June 10, John King Mosby (Gulfport, Miss.) to [Nancy Brooke Clayton?], ALS, 3 p.
861931 March 20, Nancy Brooke Clayton to "My Darling Children," ALS, 3 p.
87Poem, 1 p., and poem fragments
88Assorted recipes.
89Fragments