| COLLECTION INFORMATION | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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Size: 285 items, 2 boxes (1 linear feet) Acquisition: Gift, Access: Open for research Processed by: Pam Palmer, 1980 |
Albert Aldrich Nelson was born on May 15, 1814 in Milford, Massachusetts. As a young man he went to sea, and among these papers is the typescript of his diary of his adventures on a whaling voyage in the Pacific Ocean (1833-1838). He came to Texas in 1838, staying first with Aldrich relatives in Crockett then settling in Nacogdoches where he became first the Nacogdoches Land District Surveyor and later the County Surveyor (ca. 1841-1850). He also served as an alderman and mayor of Nacogdoches. During the Civil War he served as Paymaster in the Confederate Navy and under Gen. H. H. Sibley in New Mexico, where he was wounded at Glorieta. He spent part of the war languishing in a Federal Prison, but ended it with an important post in Richmond. Following the war he returned to Nacogdoches and was an active participant in the Texas Veterans Association. He died on September 25, 1892.
("NELSON, ALBERT ALDRICH." The Handbook of Texas Online. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/NN/fne12.html [Accessed Fri Jun 18 13:39:19 US/Central 2004 ]).
In addition to the diary the collection includes correspondence relating to surveying and local politics, family correspondence, business and legal papers.
[A-22]
BOX 1
Folder 1: Correspondence to Nelson, 1841-1846. 9 items.
1841, Feb. 23 Caroline Nelson (sister), Bangor [?]. Typescript [source unknown]. 4 p.
1841, Oct. 22 H. C. Conner [?], Douglas. 1 p.
1841, Oct. 27 Thos. Wm. Ward, General Land Office, Austin. 1 p.
1842, Mar. 2 Jas. N. Brown, Gibson Town. Photocopy of typescript from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 1 p.
1844, Aug. 16 [Unknown], General Land Office, Austin. 2 p. [Bottom torn.]
1844, Nov. 20 John Baker, Montgomery Co. 1 p.
1845, May 4 L. P. Hollingsworth, Henderson. 1 p.
1846, Mar. 20 H. B. Dillingham, Agusta [sic.]. Typescript [source unknown] 4 p.
1846, Dec. 1I R. A. Terrell, Cedar [?] Grove. 1 p.
Folder 2: Correspondence to Nelson, Jan. - June 1847. 17 items.
1847, Jan. 18 Hiram Baker, Clarksville. 1 p.
1847, Feb. 18 B. J. Thompson, San Augustine. 1 p.
1847, May 25 H. O. Hedgcoxe [?], Office, Texas Emigration and Land Company, Collin Co. 1 p.
Typescript with hand corrections. 2 p.
1847, June 1 S. A. Sweet, San Augustine. 1 p.
1847, June 3 Thos. M. Likens, Crockett. 1 p.
1847, June 4 Lindley Johnson, Greenville, Hunt Co. 1 p.
1847, June 9 Wm. R. Rector, Crockett. 1 p.
1847, June 13 Ira Ellis, San Augustine. 1 p.
1847, June 14 J. De Cordova, Austin. 1 p.
1847, June 24 H. B. Dillingham. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
Folder 3: Correspondence to Nelson July - Dec. 1847. 14 items.
1847, July 3 Jas. H. Durst, Angelina. 1 p.
1847, July 3 T. J. Moore, n. p. 1 p.
1847, July 9 James Ferguson, n. p. 1 p.
1847, July 14 J. H. Gillespie, Crockett. 1 p.
1847, July 22 J. De Cordova, Houston. 1 p.
1847, July 26 Geo. W. Smith, Columbus. 1 p.
1847, Aug. 13 T. L. Phillio [?], Rusk. 1 p.
1847, Aug. 18 - Sept. 18 Thos. Horsley, Huntsville. 1 p.
1847, Aug. 26 John W. Frazer, Cherakee [sic.] Co. 1 p.
1847, Sept. 7 Saml. W. Farmer, Smith Co. 1 p.
1847, Sept. 13 James Hooker, Hunt Co. 1 p.
1847, Sept. 18 J. C. Hill, Smith Co. 1 p.
1847, Sept. 25 David S. Kaufman, San Augustine. 1 p.
1847, Oct. 18 Calvin G. Cole, Dallas. 1 p.
Folder 4: Correspondence to Nelson, Jan. - June 1848. 15 items.
1848, Jan. 24 Wm. Jones, Near Palestin[e]. 1 p.
1848, Jan. 29 Jno. Cole, Dallas Co. 1 p.
1848, Feb. 5 Jesse Walling, Austin. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 6 Lavina E. Choffin Parker, Houston Co. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 12 Jno. Cole, Dallas Co. 3 p.
Typescript. 2 p.
1848, Mar. 13 J. N. Sulivan, n. p. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 20 Wm. B. Duncan, Neches Saline. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 21 J. C. Hill, n. p. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 23 Isaac Powers, Rusk. 1 p.
1848, Apr. 2 Nelson's Mother, Bangor, to Albert and Horatio.
Typescript [source unknown]. 4 p.
1848, Apr. 4 T. W. Shedd, Rusk. 1 p.
1848, Apr. 21 H. B. Dillingham, n. p. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
1848, Apr. 30 T. W. Shedd, Rusk. 1 p.
1848, May 26 J. C. Hill, Smith Co. 1 p.
Folder 5: Correspondence to Nelson, July - Dec. 1848. 19 items.
1848, July 8 W[illiam] Y[oung] Lacy, Fort Lacy. 1 p.
1848, July 11 John Cole, Dallas Co. Witnessed by John Scurlock. 1 p.
1848, July 18 [Unknown], Rusk Co. 1 p.
1848, July 19 James J. Buman [?], White Rock, Dallas Co. 1 p.
1848, July 19 D. R. Mitchell, Springfield. 1 p. Typescript. 1 p.
1848, July 19 W. G. W. Jowers, Palestine. 1 p.
1848, July 31 Wm. Phillips, San Augustine. 2 p.
1848, Aug. 8 H. B. Dillingham, n. p. Typescript [source unknown]. 2 p.
1848, Aug. 20 W. H. Ferris, Dallas. 2 p. Typescript. 1 p.
1848, Aug. 25 Letter of recommendation for Meredith Myers from Wm. M. Cochran, hand copied by Myers. 2 p.
Typescript. 1 p.
1848, Aug. 27 Meredith Myers, Dallas. 3 p. Typescript. 3 p.
1848, Aug. 27 Perry Dekers [?], Dallas. 1 p. Typescript. 1 p.
1848, Sept. 20 John Cameron, Hopkins Co. 1 p.
1848, Oct. 14 J. H. Gillespie, Crockett. 1 p.
Folder 6: Correspondence to Nelson, Jan. - Mar. 1849. 10 items.
1849, Jan. 10 J. H. Cartwright [?], San Augustine. 1 p.
1849, Jan. 16 Adam Sullivan, n. p. 1 p.
1849, Feb. 6 Adam Sullivan, Kaufman Co. 1 p.
1849, Feb. 12 Geo. M. Smyth, General Land Office, Austin. 1 p.
1849, Feb. 14 J. De Cordova, Austin. 1 p.
1849, Feb. 19 David Hill, Marshall. 1 p
1849, Feb. 20 R. A. Terrell, Post Oak Cottage. 1 p.
1849, Feb. 22 J. T. [?] Brown, Henderson 1 p.
1849, Feb. 26 J. C. Hill, Smith Co. 1 p.
1849, Mar. 12 J. C. Hill, Smith Co. 1 p.
Folder 7: Correspondence to Nelson, Apr. - June 1849. 17 items.
1849, Apr. 5 J. C. Hill, Smith Co. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 6 W. L. [?] McDonald, Palestine. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 7 J. Crosby [?], General Land Office, Austin. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 12 J. R. Lewis, Brazoria. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 17 John Gwaltney [?], Fannen [sic.] Co. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 24 T. L. Phillio [?], Rusk. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 27 Jas. M. Trimble, Rusk. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 29 W. Y. Lacy, at home. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 30 John H. Reagan, Henderson Co. 2 p.
1849, Apr. 30 Adams & Mahone, Marshall. 1 p.
1849, May 1 P. T. Busforal [?], Buffalo, Henderson Co. 1 p.
1849, May 3 Memo W. Y. [?] Lacy, n. p. 2 p.
1849, May 4 Thos. D. Brookes, Gilmer, Upshur Co. 1 p.
1849, May 5 J. H. Gillespie, Crockett. 1 p.
1849, May 8 Adam Sullivan, Kaufman Co. 1 p.
1849, May 30 E. M. Daggett, Shelbyville. 1 p.
1849, June 17 R. A. Terrell, Post Oak Cottage. 1 p.
Folder 8: Correspondence to Nelson, July - Sept. 1849. 9 items.
1849, July 4 J. C. Hill, Walnut Hill, Smith Co. 1 p.
1849, Aug. 7 James Davis [?], Hill. 1 p.
1849, Aug. 14 Joel R. Crumpacker, Dallas. 2 p. Typescript. 1 p.
1849, Aug. 16 Levi Jordan, Palstin [sic.] 1 p.
1849, Aug. 18 C. N. Stanley, Dallas. 1 p.
1849, Aug. 27 John Long, Crockett. 1 p.
1849, Sept. 1 B. F. Price, San Augustine. 1 p.
1849, Sept. 7 Benj. F. Price, San Augustine. 1 p.
Folder 9: Correspondence to Nelson, Oct. - Dec. 1849, 184[?]. 10 items.
1849, Oct. 5 Thomas D. Brookes, Gilmer. 2 p.
1849, Oct. 7 E. C. Linnin [?], Henderson Co. 1 p.
1849, Oct. 17 H. W. Sublett, San Augustine. 1 p.
1849, Nov. 2 Nathaniel Killough, Larissa. 1 p.
1849, Nov. 8 John H. Reagan, Palestine. 3 p.
1849, Nov. 17 E. C. Linnin, Buffalo. 1 p.
1849, Nov. 18 Geo. W. Rogers, huntsville. 1 p.
1849, Dec. 9 J. W. Flanagan [?], Henderson. 1 p.
1849, Dec. 19 Adam Sullivan, Kaufman. 2 p.
184[?], Aug 24 [?] Wm M. Simpson, Sabine Pass. 3 p.
Folder 10: Correspondence to Nelson, 1850-1853; 1857. 12 items.
1850, Jan. 2 M. J. Hall, Marshall. 1 p.
1850, Jan. 7 Wm. F. Young, Crockett. 1 p.
1850, Jan. 12 Thos. I. Hays, Smith Co. 1 p.
1850, Jan. 21 A. C. Walters by G. W. Copeland, Rusk. 1 p.
1850, Mar. 14 L. W. Dumas, Rusk. 1 p.
1850, Apr. 16 Wm. Phillips, San Augustine. 1 p.
1850, May 9 John Grainger, Greenville. 1 p.
1850, June 14 S. P. Hollingsworth, Henderson. 1 p.
1850, June 18 J. W. Fields, Palestine. 1 p.
1850, Aug. 28 Saml. Huffer for Wm. & J. R. Gilliland, Nacogdoches. Photocopy from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 1 p.
1852, Mar. 20 Sam Huffer, Deputy Surveyor for Henderson Co., Kickapoo. Photocopy from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 1 p.
1853, Apr. 8 H. B. Dillingham, Augusta. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
1857 [?], June 8 Henry Bingham, Lamar Co. 1 p.
Folder 11: Correspondence to Nelson, 1860's and n. d. 8 items.
1860, Aug. 5 Caroline Nelson, n. p. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
1867 [?], Nov. 28 C. C. Grayson, Deputy Sur[veyor], Nacogdoches. Photocopy from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 1 p.
n. d. Memorandum from William Jones, n. p. 1 p.
n. d. [Postmark May 15] Daniel Crist, Palestine. 1 p.
n. d. [Postmark Aug. 1] J. N. Sulivan, Larissa. 1 p.
n. d. James Ferguson, n. p. 1 p.
n. d. J. C. Hill, n. p. 1 p.
Folder 12: Correspondence from David O. Norton to Nelson, 1847 -1850. 12 items.
[Bowman-Crocket correspondence relating biographical information on Norton. Photocopy from Crocket Folder 6B. 6 p.]
1847, May 20 Tarrant. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 5 Forks of Sabine. 1 p.
1848, Mar. 12 Tarrant. Addressed also to Dr. R[obert] A. Irion. 3 p. Typescript. 2 p.
1848, July 22 [?1 Tarrant, Stephens Co. 2 p.
1848, Aug. 24 Tarrant, Hopkins Co. 1 p.
1849, Aug. 15 Grand Sabine. 1 p.
1849, Oct. 12 Van Zandt Co. 1 p.
1849, Nov. 15 [Unsigned]. Jordan's Sabine. 1 p.
1850, Mar. 18 Jordan's Sabine. 1 p.
Folder 13: Correspondence from Albert G. Walker to Nelson, 1846-1847. 13 items.
[Baker-Crocket correspondence relating biographical information on Walker. Photocopy from Crocket Folder 6B. 2 p.]
1846. Dec. 7 Dallas. 2 p.
1847, Jan. 11 Dallas. 2 p.
1847, June 12 Dallas. 3 p.
1847, June 18 [?] Fragment. n. p [No typescript available.] 2 p.
1847, July 17 Dallas. 4 p.
1847, Aug. 18 Dallas. 3 p.
1847, Oct. 9 Dallas. 3 p.
1847, Oct. 17 Dallas. 3 p.
1847, Oct. 23 Dallas. 2 p.
1847, Nov. 6 Dallas. 3 p.
1847, Nov. 14 Dallas. To Adolphus Sterne expressing concern about Nelson's not answering. 2 p.
1847, Dec. 13 Dallas. 4 p.
Folder 14: Walker-Nelson Correspondence, 1848. 14 items.
1848, Jan. 13 Dallas. 1 p.
1848, Feb. 9 Dallas. 6 p. [N. B. not copied in typescript.]
1848, June 26 Dallas. 3 p.
1848, June 28 Dallas. 2 p.
1848, July 5 Dallas. 2 p.
1848, July 10 Dallas. 2 p.
1848, July 11 Dallas. 3 p
1848, July 22 Dallas. 3 p.
1848, Sept. 19 Dallas. 1 p.
1848, Oct. 1 Dallas. 1 p.
1848, Oct. 7 Dallas. 2 p.
1848, Oct. 21 Dallas. 3 p.
1848, Nov. 7 Dallas. 4 p.
1848, Nov. 15 Dallas. 1 p.
Folder 15: Walker-Nelson Correspondence, 1849. 12 items.
1849, Jan. 19 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, Feb. 4 Dallas. 2 p.
1849, Mar. 4 Dallas. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 2 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, Apr. 20 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, July 8 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, July 16 Dallas. 2 p.
1849, Aug. 11 Dallas. 2 p.
1849, Aug. 16 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, Sept. 16 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, Oct. 24 Dallas. 3 p.
1849, Nov. 6 Austin. 2 p.
Folder 16: Walker-Nelson Correspondence, 1850. 5 items.
1850, Feb. 22 Dallas. 7 p.
1850, Mar. 17 Dallas. 3 p.
1850, Apr. 5 Dallas. 4 p.
1850, May 2 Dallas. 4 p.
1850, May 5 Dallas. 4 p.
Folder 17: Walker-Nelson Correspondence, 1846-1850. Typescripts. 42 items.
BOX 2
Folder 1: Correspondence from Nelson, 1837-1842. 7 items.
1837, Sept. 19 Bangor. To Horatio Nelson [brother]. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
1837, Dec. 19 New Orleans. To Samuel Nelson [father]. Typescript [source unknown]. 3 p.
1838, Jan. 30 New Orleans. To Samuel Nelson [father]. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
1839, Sept. 20 Nacogdoches. To Charles Nelson [brother]. Typescript [source unknown]. 2 p.
1841, Oct. 25 Nacogdoches. To Charles H. Nelson [brother]. Typescript [source unknown]. 3 p.
1842, May 23 Nacogdoches. To Charles H. Nelson [brother]. Typescript [source unknown]. 2 p.
1842, Nov. 11 Nacogdoches. To Charles H. Nelson [brother]. Typescript [source unknown]. 3 p.
Folder 2: Correspondence from Nelson, 1843-1851. 4 items.
1843, Sept. 25 Nacogdoches. To Brother. Typescript [source unknown]. 3 p.
1844, Aug. 6 Nacogdoches. To Charles H. Nelson [brother]. Typescript [source unknown]. 2 p.
1848, Sept. 7 n. p. To Mrs. H. B. Dillingham. Typescript [source unknown]. 1 p.
1851 [?], Apr. 19 Nacogdoches. To Wm. Phillips. 1 p.
Folder 3: Correspondence - Not Nelson, 1838-1860. 13 items.
1838, Oct. 13 John P. Border, Com. General Land Office, Houston. To W. A. Ferris, County Surveyor, Nacogdoches. 2 p.
1839, June 11 John P. Border, Houston. To W. A. Ferris. 2 p.
1839, Aug. 8 H. W. Raglin, Chief Clerk, General Land Office, Houston. To Willis A. Ferris. 2 p.
1839, Aug. 28 John P. Border, Houston. To W. A. Ferris. 1 p.
1839, Sept. 2 John P. Border, Houston. To W. A. Ferris. 2 p.
1840, Mar. 6 Ja[mes] H. Starr, Secretary of the Treasury, Austin. To Sir. 1 p.
1840, Apr. 22 John P. Border, Austin. To Willis A. Ferris. 2 p.
1840, Oct. 28 John P. Border, Austin. To County Surveyor, Nacogdoches. 1 p.
1841, Mar. 15 Thos. Wm. Ward, Commissioner, General Land Office, Austin. To County Surveyor, Nacogdoches. 2 p.
1847, Jan. 21 Thos. Wm. Ward, Austin. To Burrell J. Thompson. 1 p.
1849, Feb. 25 J. De Cordova, Houston. To Adolphus Sterne 1 p.
1860, Dec. 29 Samuel Burriss, n. p. To C. C. Grayson, Nacogdoches County Surveyor. Photocopy of typescript from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 1 p.
n. d. J. H. Mallory, n. p. To Mr. Bristow. 1 p.
Folder 4: Business Papers, 1870-1871 3 items.
1870, Sept. 20 New Orleans. Statement for A. A. Nelson from Albert Eyrich, Wholesale Bookseller Stationer. 1p.
1871, Dec. 1-20 Receipt of Mr. Nelson for tuition of Miss Lula at Sacred Heart Convent. 1 p.
1871, Dec. 1 Receipt of Mr. Nelson for fuel expense for Miss Lula at Sacred Heart Convent. 1 p.
Folder 5: Legal Papers and Miscellaneous, 1848-1850. 13 items.
1848, July 4 Dallas Co. Petition to retain A. G. Walker as Dallas Co. Surveyor. 6 p. Typescript. 7 p.
1848, Nov. 22 Nacogdoches Co. Appointment of Robert A. Terrell as Deputy Surveyor under Nelson. Photocopy of typescript from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 1 p.
1849, Apr. 18 De Soto, Parish, LA. Power of attorney granted by Anthony Manchack (?] to William Craig. Witnessed by John P. Irion, John W. Parsons, P . W. Caspavy [?].
1850, Jan. 10 n. p. Memo for Col. W. A. Brislow. Land notes. 1 p.
1850, May 9 Hunt Co. Appointment of John Grainger as County Surveyor. 4 documents on 3 p.
1850, May 19 Hunt Co. Petition to appoint John Grainger as County Surveyor. 2 p.
1850, Aug. 27 Dallas Co. Appointment of A. M. Keen as Deputy Surveyor. Photocopy from Blake Vol. LIX [source unknown]. 2 p.
n. d. Dallas Co. Petition to appoint Meredith Myers as Deputy Surveyor. 2 p. Typescript. 2 p.
n. d. Memorandum. 1 p.
n. d. Page of an index. 1 p.
n. d. May of a survey. 1 p.
Folder 6: A SCRAPBOOK CONTAINING THE MOST REMARKABLE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED DURING A LONG VOYAGE IN PACIFIC OCEAN FOR WHALES. COAST OF BRAZIL. Typescript of a diary, 1833 -1838. [Copied in 1936?] 36 p. Typescript. [Copied in 1936]. 39 p.
Folder 7: Biographical and Genealogical Materials. 5 items.
1892, Sept. 27 "An Old Timer Gone." Photocopy of typescript of obituary from GALVESTON NEWS in Blake Vol. LIX. 2 p.
1930 [?] Photocopy of Crocket's handwritten Nelson Family Tree. Original in Crocket Folder 14. 1 p.
n. d. Photocopy of typescript of biographical sketch from TEXAS AND TEXANS in Blake Vol. LIX. 1 p.
1952 Photocopy of biographical sketch from THE HANDBOOK OF TEXAS Vol. II. 1 p.
1965 Typed manuscript of "A. A. Nelson: Sailor, Surveyor, and Citizen: A Personal Profile" by James G. Dickson, Jr., SFASU. [Later printed in EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL, Oct. 1965.] 16 p.
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