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Account book (partial) of Absalom A. Kyle, ca. 1849-1853; journal entries made by Absalom Kyle, Rogersville, Tenn., ca. 1861-1862; and family entries for Absalom Kyle [Jr.] and wife Mary Ann Graham Kyle. Mary Ann Graham Kyle was the daughter of Hugh Graham and Catherine Nenney Graham. Journal entries include purchases of slaves. Inside front cover has account of the death of President Garfield, 1881. Typed index at back of volume. AD 1 vol. [80 pp.] (some pages loose).

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Article by Hobart Akin titled "African American CCC Legacy in Tennessee" published in the January/February 2022 issue of The Tennessee Conservationist pp.26-29.

Scope and Contents Small photograph album with the name W.G. McNeil (April 11, 1928) on the inside cover. Includes b&w (sepia) snapshots of unidentified African-Americans, ca. 1918-1928. Lake Michigan is noted on one photograph. Candid and posed snapshots , some with first names (Marie, Willie, etc.). Loose pictures from inside the album are housed in two envelopes, one with 11 small photographs, the other with 6 larger snapshots. Two handwritten notes mention the Grahl and Wilcox surnames with family...

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Full length portrait of (African-American ?) woman, with sticker at bottom: “A Merry Xmas To The Family From Sue.” Found in old gift book in 1991, no additional ID.; Shannondale School group, grade 2, 1967-1968. 5x7” color in holder. Belonged to Linda, age 7.

Scope and Contents Aileen Seilaz (1901-1983) worked in Hollywood, California as a story analyst for Universal International Studios in the 1920s. The collection includes some material from motion picture industry of that time. There are also some examples of illustrations from Aileen’s sister Louise Seilaz (1903-1983). Victor Seilaz was a Knoxville businessman who was associated with the Seilaz Cafe, the Colonial Hotel, and the Star Laundry Company. Genealogical material on the Seilaz family; Gourley family;...

Scope and Contents November 20, 1871, letter from P. M. Senter, Court Clerk of Grainger County, Rutledge, Tenn., to Capt. Walker, U. S. A., In Charge of Freedman’s Bureau, Knoxville, Tenn. Requests assistance to bring back Manda, the daughter of former slave Alfred Easley, who went to Texas in 1854. ALS 1 pc. (2 pp.) December 9, 1871, petition of Alfred Easley, of Color (former slave of W. Easley), Rutledge, Grainger County, Tenn., to Major General O. O. Howard, Chief of the Freedman’s Bureau, Washington City,...

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority presents “Adam and Eva” at Austin High School, March 14 (no year). 1 pc. cast listed on front, autographs printed on inner spread and back page. Alpha Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority presents the internationally famous Etta Motten. Knoxville High School Auditorium. March 3, 1939. Autographed on the front. 1 pc. Alpha Pi Omega Glee Club of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Sevier County High School. March 25, 1941. 1 pc.

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Printed political cartoon re: Andrew Johnson entitled ‘Johnson’s Love For the Soldier.’ Ca. 1866. Portrays favoritism of African American solders over white soldiers. Back of card is printed with information about paying Black soldiers $300.00 and not having money to pay White soldiers $100.00. Anti-Johnson. 3 x 4.25.” 7 copies.

Scope and Contents The Armstrong Family Papers consist of the business transactions and personal reflections of Drury Paine Armstrong (1799-1856) and his son Robert Houston Armstrong (1825-1896). In 1823, Drury P. Armstrong married Amelia Houston, the daughter of Robert Houston. Armstrong was a well regarded businessman and town leader and was appointed to several positions throughout his lifetime. Robert Houston Armstrong was elected to the state legislature about 1850, representing Knox and Sevier Counties....

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Photograph of John (a former Bachman slave; reputedly an African prince) and Nathan Lynn Bachman (1878-1937). Ca. 1885. Approx. 8.5x13.25” sepia print mounted on board. Portrait of the Jonathan Bachman family, ca. late 1890s. Names on back of photograph. Approx. 10.25x13.5” mounted on board.

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Box 1: Correspondence, 1958-1971, 1988 + drawings & text re: numbers in French. 6 folders. + copies of scans of the material. Box 2: 23 used paintbrushes and pencils. Note from relative that they were in a French pitcher from PP? Believed to have belonged to and been used by artist Beauford Delaney.

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Benjamin McNutt to Thomas Rodgers, both of Knox County, Tenn., bill of sale for one negro man named Philip. April 10, 1829. ADS 1 pc.

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Photocopied typescripts of: - 1859 list of slaves owned by Elizabeth Brabson - family Bible record of John and Elizabeth Brabson - family letters, 1844-1877, including three 1865 letters - Brabson Cemetery (Sevier County, Tenn.) listing

Scope and Contents Exhibition guides for the Museum of East Tennessee History exhibit “Black & White: Knoxville in the Jim Crow Era” featuring the stories of African American artists Beauford and Joseph Delaney and Ruth Cobb Brice. The exhibit was presented as a timeline featuring selected moments from Knoxville’s history. The exhibit was designed by Adam Alfrey and Rebecca P’Simer, with Steve Cotham and Bob Booker providing research. The exhibit was originally scheduled to run concurrently...

Scope and Contents MM.2001.010a: undated fragment of McClellan family record (taped to index card); handwritten paper on today and tomorrow signed Kate Brown, ADS 4 pp. (1 pc.), no date; May 7(?), 1820(?) letter from Jane to Ruth Ann McClennan. ALS 1 p. re: visit, marriage; May 3, 1845, letter from R. C. S. Brown, Little Rock, Ark., to his wife. ALS 1 p. re: travel on boat, money; April 15, 1850, letter from R. C. S. Brown, Little Rock, Ark., to wife Ruth Ann. ALS 2 pp. re: trials, church; July 26, 1854,...

Scope and Contents Two scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, ca. 1900-1910, about William G. “Parson” Brownlow, wife Elizabeth O’Brien Brownlow, house, etc. + Sketches of the Rise, Progress, and Decline of Secession; with a Narrative of Personal Adventures among the Rebels. by W.G. Brownlow. Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1862. + Ought American Slavery to be Perpetuated? A Debate between Rev. W.G. Brownlow and Rev. A. Pryne, Held at Philadelphia, September, 1858. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. +...

Scope and Contents Carbon typescript transcriptions of letters. Sketch of Joseph Carson who served in the War of 1812, serving under Gen. F. L. Claiborne. + four letters, 1812 (note says should be 1813)-1813. (Written from Soldiers Retreat, Camp opposite Mobile, Mount Vernon Cantonment, Fort Madison). December 26, 1833-October 20, 1854, letters from Catherine Waller Carson, J. G. Carson (James Green Carson), and William S. Waller. Letters include family news, health, buying Negroes, daily life. Places written...

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Charles Ducloux (1836-1917) scrapbook (United Confederate Veterans), newspaper clippings on the Civil War, dating from 1886-1895. Includes certificate of valor to Jessie Broyles (African-American), from the U. S. Army, for his service, Greeneville, Tenn. May 23, 1865. (glued to inside cover).

Scope and Contents Papers of Charles Freeling Welcker (1809-1861), merchant and farmer of Welcker’s Mills, Roane County, Tenn. Lived for a while in Alabama, then moved back to Roane County, Tenn. Married Caroline Virginia Mitchell. He served as commissioner for the improvement of the Clinch River. Papers include personal and business letters; account books; broadsides; legal documents; and bills of sale for slaves and goods. Topics include: farming; business; navigation and river improvement; slavery; Welcker...

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Colored School for the Deaf, Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn. August 1957. B&W snapshot.

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“Colored Women” (Metal sign for restroom door, black letters on white sign, with traces of red paint on the edges) From Brooks Circle Esso Service Station, Kingsport, Tenn., likely 1940s)--Removed 1960s. 1 pc.

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Three B&W photographic postcards from the ‘Coon Series’ by Knaffl & Bro., Knoxville, Tenn.. . “I’se Cryin’ for you,” “Honey, Does Yo Lub Yo Man?” (1897), and “A Skin Game.” (1898).

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Record of Examination of female students of East Port School, 2nd District of Knox County, Tenn., 1889-1890. Signed by P. E. J. Yett, teacher. DS 1 oversize piece. + Record of Examination of Oakland School, 2nd District, Knox County, Tenn. February 1891. Signed by T. Lillard(?), teacher. DS 1 oversize piece. Identified by seller as African-American Schools.

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September 24, 1843, letter from Elbridge G. Fuller, Nashville, Tenn., to his nephew Albert Lamberton, Massachusetts. ALS 4 pp. Mentions the city and climate of Nashville, his business there, and the difference in Southern and New England views towards slavery.

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Emancipation bond for Luke, July 11, 1831, property of John McCracken, Washington County, Tenn. ADS 1 pc. Originally collected by Seale Johnson, Jackson, Tenn.

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Newspapers. Enlightener (Knoxville, Tenn.): 1985-1987; 1991-1994; 2001-2003; 2004-2005; 2006-2007; 2008-2009; 2010-2013. Published by P. A. Williams, Knoxville

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Notes on the early history of the United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Little Flat Creek, East Tennessee, Knoxville, 1791-1841. 4 pp.; January 14, 1836, letter from J. W. Terrell, Georgia, to Flat Creek Baptist Church (Wm. Moffett, Moses Brock, Absolum Rotherford (sic.), Col. Sawyers, Obediah Brock). ALS 1 p. Asks about African-American member, ca. 1816-1817; Summary table for 1807-1831, Little Flat Creek Church--ministers, clerks, number by “exsperance.”

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May 21, 1900, letter from Francis J. Garrison to Mr. Warner. LS (typed carbon with postscript added). 2 pp. Re: Warner's support of Negro education and Fisk & Atlanta Universities; opposition to repeal 15th amendment.

Scope and Contents Miscellaneous Jefferson County, Tenn., deeds, letters, documents, etc. 1800-1868. Collection includes two items re: sale of slaves (Sept. 9, 1820 and Jan. 1834); letter from Elijah Embree (Jan. 30, 1843(?)); Civil War claim of Nancy Rayl for horse taken by Captain Armstrong, 9th Tennessee Cavalry; letter from D. A. Deaderick (July 26, 1868) ; among the names and subjects found in the collection are: Martha Inman, Shadrack Inman, Ezekiel Inman, Joseph Hamilton, John Roper, Joseph Roper,...

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Used (but not mailed) envelope with the return address Free Colored Library, Vine and Nelson Street, Knoxville, Tennessee. Handwritten note in pencil “How about keeping this in McClung Room? Miniature of Washington's Farewell Address Printed by Kingsport Press.” To Miss Harris. Initial M.E. (Martha Ellison?).