Darden Family Papers
Darden Family Papers digital collection contains selected materials from its corresponding physical collection. Putnam Darden, son of John P. Darden, was born on a plantation in 1836 in Fayette County, Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1856, and worked as a farmer until the Civil War broke out in 1861. During the war, he served in the Jefferson Flying Artillery, later known as the Jefferson Artillery and Darden’s Battery. Darden served under Beauregard, Hardy, Joe E. Johnston, and Hood. After the war he was active in the Grange movement, led by the Patrons of Husbandry. Formed in 1967, individual chapters, known as Granges, were created to educate people about farming and to support farmers. Darden was also a key player in the development of the Morrill Land Grant Act, which enabled the founding of Mississippi State A&M in 1878, now known as Mississippi State University (MSU) and the Hatch Experiment Act, which enabled the creation of the MSU Experiment Station in 1886. Known as a gifted orator, Darden gave many speeches in support of Missisisppi State. Putnam Darden died in 1888. He was married four times, had eight children, and was a member of the Christian Church in Fayette and superintendent of the Sunday School. A memorial to him may be found on the MSU campus, located across from the SMART bus stop next to McCool Hall. This digital collection has receipts, checks, and other business documents. For more information, contact the Special Collections faculty and staff at this link.
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Letter, Charlotte Capers to Mrs. H. B. Sanders, June 5, 1944
This typed letter, dated June 5, 1944, is written from Charlotte Capers, the acting director of the Department of Archives and History in the State of Mississippi, to Mrs. H. B. Sanders thanking her for the donation of some Darden letters. The letter goes on to ask Mrs. Sanders if she would be willing to entrust the Department of Archives and History with a Darden diary in her possession.
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Post Card, Harold Sanders to Roger Sanders, June 2, 1943
This "Landmarks of New York City" postcard is written from Harold Sanders to his brother, Roger Sanders letting him know his travel plans. The image on the front of the postcard includes a view from Central Park in New York City. The description on the front of the card reads "In Central Park against a background of luxury apartment houses stands the Obelisk, a relic of ancient Egypt, Strangely akin to the architecture it antedates two thousand years. Some pencil scribbles are on the front image as well as the back of the postcard. The postcard is postmarked New York, N. Y., June 2, 1943 and includes a stamp imaged of a train from Grand Central Station.
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Letter, Mother to Harold, April 5, 1941
This handwritten letter, dated April 5, 1941, is written from Mother to Harold asking him if he and Roger would come to see Stokes the next day.
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Homemade Game of Famous Persons
This is a typed homemade game titled "A game OF Famous Persons (Answer with names brought to mind by the following questions;)" The game lists several Biblical or historical phrases or events with answers beside them. The paper is torn along the bottom edge.
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Invitation, Golden Anniversary for Albert E. Raudabaugh and Hannah E. Bloom, November 16, 1930
This card invites the recipient to a golden anniversary party honoring Albert and Hannah (Bloom) Rodabough on Sunday, November 16, 1930 at Aberdeen, Mississippi. The Rodabough's were wed on Wednesday, November 17, 1880. The cover of the invitation includes a golden rope swag decorated with white and gold daisy's and a bell made of white and gold daisy's in the middle. Photos of the Rodabough's from 1880 and 1930 are beneath the swag.
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Newspaper Clipping, San Antonio Church News, Undated
This page, clipped from an undated issue of San Antonio Church News, includes a directory of churches and short articles updating news of church members and activities.
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Newspaper Clipping, San Antonio Church News, Undated
This page, clipped from an undated issue of San Antonio Church News, includes the following headlines: Southside Christian Pastor Is Loved By Young People; McKinley Av. Scouts to Leave for Camp; Riverside Baptists Lead Monday Group; Officers Re-elected for Church School; Series of Sumer Sermons to Begin; A photograph of Reverend Joseph D. Armisad is included with the first article. Articles on the right side of the page have been cut off.
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Letter, Fannie Sanders to Mother, June 20, 1924
This handwritten letter, dated June 29, 1924, is written from Fannie Sanders to her mother while she is on the train heading to Hammond. The letter updates her mother on what Fannie, her dad, grandad, her cousins and Christy (her sister?) have been doing while visiting family in or near Kosciusko, Mississippi. She writes of "plumb hunting", riding in a taxi to Durant, visiting Uncle John, seeing a 12 story building with an elevator going up inside it as they passed through Jackson. Notes of the writer's identity is written in blue at the top of the last page.
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Letter, Fannie Sanders to Her Mother; 06/20/1924
Fannie Sanders Lacy
From Fannie Sanders [later Fannie Lacy] age 11 yrs - enroute to Hammond, Louisiana to visit Paul & Ruth with Christie & Dady & G-Dady.
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Election Certificate, Justice of the Peace, December 31, 1919
This certification, signed by Mississippi governor, Theodore G. Bilbo and secretary of state, Joseph W. Power, certifies that Thomas L. Darden, Sr. was elected as a justice of the peace in the state of Mississippi for the third district in Jefferson County. The certificate is dated December 31, 1919 and is illustrated with images of enslaved people and riverboats on the upper corners and bottom center and an eagle over a shield in the top center. The state of Mississippi gold seal is on the bottom left corner.
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Bill from Franklin Female College
Bill for Josephine Darden's expenses at Franklin Female College in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
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Exhibit A
J. R. Armstead
A financial report for the Phoenix Cooperative Association by J. R. Armstead, treasurer and clerk.
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Exhibit B
J. R. Armstead
A financial report for the Phoenix Cooperative Association by J. R. Armstead, treasurer and clerk.
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Exhibit C
J. R. Armstead
A financial report for the Phoenix Cooperative Association by J. R. Armstead, treasurer and clerk.
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Account Statement for Cotton, October 15, 1904
This account statement, dated October 15, 1904, documents the payment for one bale of cotton purchased by B. Straas from Thomas L. Darden at a cost of forty-six dollars and thirty-one cents paid in cash.
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Account Statement, October 15, 1904
This account statement, dated October 15, 1904, details points on cotton and is signed by B. Straas.
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Letter, Theodore H. Price to Unknown, June 14, 1902
This typed letter, dated June 14, 1902, is written from Theodore H. Price to an unknown recipient that serves as a notice that Price will be reporting on the progress and promise of the cotton crop throughout the cotton season. Price goes on to inform the recipient that he will be sending questionnaires to be filled out and returned to him. Included with he letter is a summary of acreage report for May 28, 1902.
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Ledger Page, Undated
This undated ledger page includes the names of multiple people and the calculations of time spent, time lost, money owed and money credited. Calculations are also included.
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Letter, William Bradford Dillingham to H. B. B. Sanders at the Aberdeen Examiner, Undated
This typed form letter, written from William Bradford Dillingham and sent to the H. B. B. Sanders at the Aberdeen Examiner soliciting free advertising on the trip Dillingham has made to Africa. The letter includes a map of Africa with indications of where Dillingham will be traveling.
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Medical Account, Undated
This undated medical statement documents medical visits and their costs totaling seventy-seven dollars.
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Receipt, 1896
This receipt, dated November 14, 1896 documents a payment of eighteen dollars and nine cents from Thomas L. Darden to Baker Jameson for an unspecified purchase.
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Account Statement and Sale Agreement for a Gin feeder and Condenser, July 1, 1893
This sale agreement and account statement documents the purchase agreement for a gin feeder and condenser by Thomas L. Darden from Charles M. Williams. The purchase agreement requests the items be shipped at once and the terms of sale state the cost and when payment is due, absolves the Brown Cotton Gin Co. of any damage caused during shipping. The post office is noted as Fayette in Jefferson County, Mississippi. The agreement is signed by T. L. Darden and taken by D. H. Chamberlain. The back of the agreement contains an account statement of other materials purchased at a cost of $165.40.
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Patrons' Union Association Stock Certificate
J. B. Bailey
$10 stock certificate for Thomas L. Darden from Patrons' Union Association of Mississippi.
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Account Statement for Cotton, March 4, 1890
This account statement, dated March 4, 1890, documents cotton purchased by R. R. Liddell from Rumble and Wensel on March 3, 1890. The statement includes charges for freight, taxes, storage, insurance, and commission.
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Ledger Page, Undated
This handwritten ledger page lists payments owed and to various proprietors totaling $570.18.
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Ledger Page, Undated
This handwritten ledger page lists payments owed and to various proprietors totaling $586.83.
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Account Statement for Food and Household Items, 1889
This account statement details lists food and household items purchased by Thomas L. Darden from November 1889 to February 1890 from R. R. Liddell for a cost of $318.96. The statement also included credit balances.
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Receipt for Delivery of Registered Letter From the United States Post Office, April 18, 1889
This receipt, dated April 18, 1889, documents the delivery of a registered letter mailed through the United States Post office from Thomas L. Darden in Fayette, Mississippi to B. W. Geffen in Jackson, Mississippi. The receipt is signed by C. S. Bauck and E. P. Odeneal.
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Attendance Note
Certification that J. M. Cooper was a delegate at the State Alliance of Mississippi.
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$11 to J. H. Beeman
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden to pay $11 to J. H. Beeman from the expense account.
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$14.40 to J. H. Beeman
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden to pay $14.40 to J. H. Beeman from the National Alliance account.
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$16 for National Alliance
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden, treasurer, to pay D. R. Hearn $16 in expenses for attending the National Alliance.
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$25.60 for National Alliance
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden, treasurer, to pay R. S. Magee $25.60 in expenses for attending the National Alliance.
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$30 to S. R. Land
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden to pay $30 to S. R. Land from the expense account.
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$40.50 to A. J. Rylee
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden to pay $40.50 to A. J. Rylee from the Bagging Factory account.
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$6 for National Alliance
C. T. Smithson
Note for Thomas L. Darden, treasurer, to pay R. T. Love $6 in expenses for the National Alliance.
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$10.68 for National Alliance
G. L. Sneed
Note for Thomas L. Darden, treasurer, to pay R. T. Love $10.68 in expenses for attending the National Alliance.
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$15.36 for National Alliance
G. L. Sneed
Note for Thomas L. Darden, treasurer, to pay A. D. Draugh $15.36 in expenses for attending the National Alliance meeting in Jackson, Mississippi.
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$17.36 for National Alliance
G. L. Sneed
Note for Thomas L. Darden, treasurer, to pay J. H. Sanders $17.36 in expenses for attending the National Alliance.
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Attendance Note
Certification that H. C. Wilkins was a delegate at the State Alliance of Mississippi.
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Receipt, January 31, 1887
This handwritten, itemized receipt documents building supplies purchased by John P. Darden from J. B. Carpenter. Payment for the materials is marked as paid on January 31, 1887.
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Attendance Note
C. T. Smithson
Certification that E. B. ? attended the State Farmer's Alliance as a delegate.
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State, County, and Special Fund Taxes Receipt, December 14, 1886
This state, county, and special fund taxes receipt, dated December 14, 1886, documents the thirty dollar and twenty-four cent payment made to Jefferson County, Mississippi by Thomas L. Darden. The receipt itemizes the taxes paid and is signed by the sheriff and tax collector, J. B. McCormick.
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State, County, and Special Fund Taxes Receipt, December 15, 1885
This state, county, and special fund taxes receipt, dated December 15, 1885, documents the thirty-four dollar and eighteen cent payment made to Jefferson County, Mississippi by Thomas L. Darden. The receipt itemizes the taxes paid and is signed by the sheriff and tax collector, J. B. McCormick.
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Account Statement for Food and Household Items, March 21, 1884
This account statement, dated March 21, 1884, lists food and household items for a cost of seventy-four dollars and thirty-six cents purchased by Thomas L. Darden from T. J. Carver. The statement notes that the items will be shipped via J. R. R. to Fayette, Mississippi from New Orleans, Louisiana.)
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Letter, Thomas J. Carver to Thomas L. Darden, January 18, 1884
This handwritten letter, dated January 18, 1884, is written from Thomas J. Carver to Thomas L. Darden concerning the details of Darden's father-in-law's statements with Carver. He assures Darden that doing business was purely to Darden's father-in-law's benefit and not his own and requests that Darden allow his two year rental to pass to the father-in-law's credit so as not to cause undue financial distress to Carver. The letter is written on "Office of Thos. J. Carver" letterhead.
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Letter, Thomas J. Carver to Thomas L. Darden, March 6, 1884
This handwritten letter, dated March 6, 1884, is written from Thomas J. Carver, General Manager of the Southwestern Co-Operative Association to Thomas L. Darden informing Darden that he has shipped his order to Fayette, Mississippi. The letter goes on to discuss one of Darden's tenants who owes both Carver and Darden money. The letter is written on "Office of Thos. J. Carver" letterhead. An envelope addressed to Capt. T. L. Darden and postmarked New Orleans.
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Letter, L. D. McCaleb to J. J. Whitney; 11/16/1884
L. D. McCaleb
Letter from Phoenix Grange secretary L. D. McCaleb to Captain J. J. Whitney.
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Check for $3.33 Dues
Check for $3.33 dues from the Phoenix Grange to the State Grange of Mississippi.
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Check for $4.51 Dues
Thomas L. Darden
Check for $4.51 dues from the Phoenix Grange to the State Grange of Mississippi.
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Check for $5.37 Dues
J. J. Whitney
Check for $5.37 dues from the Phoenix Grange to the State Grange.
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Expense for Paper and Envelopes
Statement of 50 cents expense on paper and envelopes for Phoenix Grange.
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Receipt for Freight Shipping of Livestock Feed, March 11, 1882
This receipt, dated March 11, 1882, documents payment for freight shipping of livestock feed to Thomas L. Darden by Steamer J. M. White on trip number 144 for a cost of five dollars and twenty cents.
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Statement Account for Livestock Feed, March 10, 1882
This account Statement, dated March 11, 1882 lists livestock feed purchased by Thomas L. Darden from the South-Western Co-operative Association at a cost of seventy-eight dollars and fifty-four cents. The statement notes that the merchandise was shipped from New Orleans per J. M. White to Fayette, Mississippi.
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Check to Carrie Campbell
J. J. Whitney
Check for $4.50 to Carrie Campbell from the Phoenix Grange, 1883.
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Letter, Thomas J. Carver to Thomas L. Darden, September 6, 1881
This handwritten letter, dated September 6, 1881, is from Thomas J. Carver, General Manager of the Southwestern Co-Operative Association to Thomas L. Darden informing him that he has sent Darden's order for a barrel of pork. Carver states that the price is "simply shameful" and goes on to updated him on the cotton market study. The letter is written on Southwestern Co-Operative Association letterhead.
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Receipt for Balance Due to Steamer J. M. White, June 10, 1881
This receipt, paid June 10, 1881, documents payment made by Thomas L. Darden to Steamer J. M. White for two dollars and seventy-five cents. The balance was billed on June 3, 1881.
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Receipt for Delivery by N. J. & C. Railroad Company, September 8, 1881
This receipt, dated September 8, 1881, is for a delivery made for Thomas L. Darden by N. J. & C. Railroad Company for a cost of one dollar and thirty cents.. The delivery was billed on September 8, 1881 and marked paid on December 24, 1881.
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Receipt for Meal on Steamer, J. M. White, Trip No. 1, June 25, 1881
This receipt, paid June 25, 1881, is for a meal charged to Thomas L. Darden on the Steamer, J. M. White in Natchez. The meal was billed on June 17, 1881.
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Receipt for Meals, N. J. & C. Railroad Company, June 25, 1881
This receipt, dated June 25, 1881, documents payment made by Thomas L. Darden, Darden's Camp to N. J. & C. Railroad Company for two meals charged on June 18, 1881.
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Receipt for Oil and Jug, August 29, 1881
This receipt, dated August 29, 1981, documents two gallons of oil and a jug purchased by Thomas L. Darden for the cost of two dollars and forty cents from Rumble and Wenzel. The proprietor description "Dealers in Reed's Gult Edge Tonic, Acme Champagne," and several other liquors, food, and household items is on the left edge of the receipt.
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Receipt for Payment of Bill with Eisenman and Hirsch, December 22, 1881
This receipt, dated December 22, 1881, documents payment in full of twenty-three dollars made by Thomas L. Darden to Eiseman and Hirsch. There is some light mildew staining on the lower left of the page.
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Letter, Daddy to Hattie, July 8
This handwritten letter, dated July 8, is written to Hattie from her father letting her know when he would be leaving and how their trip has been. The letter is written in pencil on Hotel Del Prado, Mexico, D. F. stationary that bears a sketch of the hotel at the top center. The envelope is addressed to Mr. John Darden in Fayette, Jefferson County, Mississippi.
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Letter, Isabelle to John P. Darden, August 31
This handwritten letter, dated August 31, is written from Isabelle to her uncle, John P. Darden expressing her wonder at realizing how much he and his family love her and discussing some poetry. The letter goes on to discuss how bad yellow fever is
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Medical Account, 1880
This medical account statement lists bills for visits made by various members of the Thomas L. Darden Family from February to December 1880. The account includes payments made and taxes billed and is marked paid to P. K. Whitney.
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Receipt for Balance Due to R. H. Forman, January 6, 1880
This receipt, dated January 6, 1880, is for payment made on a balance due on August 19, 1878. The payment was made by Thomas L. Darden to R. H. Forman, dealer in dry goods, groceries, clothing, etc. in Fayette, Mississippi. The receipt marks the payment as made on January 8, 1880. The receipt bares an illustration of what looks like hay bales in the upper left. The second half of the proprietor's name, "Tunstall" has been marked through.
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State, Bridge, Teachers' Fund, and Courthouse Taxes Receipt, December 15, 1880
This state, bridge, teachers' fund, and court-house tax receipt, dated December 15, 1880, documents the thirty-six dollar and ninety-one cent payment made to Jefferson County, Mississippi by Thomas L. Darden. The receipt itemizes the taxes paid. The receipt is signed by J. B. McCormick, the sheriff and tax collector for Jefferson County.
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Letter, William H. Ker to Thomas L. Darden; 06/17/1880
William H. Ker
Letter to Thomas L. Darden from William H. Ker, accepting an invitation to speak at the County Grange meeting.
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Appointment of Thomas L. Darden as Overseer
McGinly
Notice from the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors to Thomas L. Darden, appointing him overseer of Road 17, from the Fayette and Natchez Road to the ford of a creek near his residence.
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Ledger page, Thomas L. Darden in Account with T. J. Carver, 1879
This handwritten ledger page accounts purchases made by Thomas L. Darden from T. J. Carver from March to December 1879. The total due in December is recorded as $100.62.
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Letter of Acknowledgement for Consignment of Cotton, November 4, 1879
This letter, dated November 4, 1879, acknowledges the receipt of six bales of cotton from Thomas L. Darden received by Meyer, Deutsch and Weis, Cotton Factors and Commission Merchants for the consignment of the cotton.