Blackburn Family Papers, 1840-1896

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Blackburn Family 

Title:  Papers, 1840-1896 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  1 cubic foot 

Location Number:  Mss. A B628 

Scope and Content Note 

The collection is primarily composed of correspondence between the children of Edward M. and Livinia S. Bell Blackburn and their spouses, their in-laws, and their parents, with some letters to and from business associates. Subjects discussed include family life, local events, business activities in Ky., La., Miss., and Ark., the Mexican War, medical practices, childbirth and general health problems, politics, slaves, river trade and transportation, and post-Civil War Confederate colonization in Mexico. Correspondents include Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn, Luke Pryor Blackburn, and William E. Blackburn. 

Biographical Note 

The Blackburn family was a prominent family of central Kentucky. Prominent members of the family included Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn (1838-1918), lawyer, and Congressman and Senator from Kentucky. Luke Pryor Blackburn (1816-1887), was a prominent physician who won acclaim for his work against yellow fever in the Mississippi River valley. Luke Pryor Blackburn also served as governor of Kentucky. Both of these men were the sons of Edward M. and Livinia S. Bell Blackburn (1794-1863). For more information on Luke Pryor and Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn consult the Kentucky Encyclopedia. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Correspondence, 1841-1844.

2 Correspondence, 1845.

3 Correspondence, 1846 Feb.-July.

4 Correspondence, 1846 Aug.-Dec.

5 Correspondence, 1847 Jan.-June.

6 Correspondence, 1847 July-Dec.

7 Correspondence, 1848.

8 Correspondence, 1849.

 

Box 2 

9 Correspondence, 1850-1851.

10 Correspondence, 1852-1853.

11 Correspondence, 1854.

12 Correspondence, 1855 Mar.-July.

13 Correspondence, 1855 Sept.-Dec.

14 Correspondence, 1856 Jan.-July.

15 Correspondence, 1856 Aug.-Dec.

 

Box 3 

16 Correspondence, 1857.

17 Correspondence, 1863-1867.

18 Correspondence, 1874-1888.

19 Correspondence, n.d.

20 Financial papers, 1834-1898.

21 Financial papers about horses, 1848-1896.

22 Legal papers, 1829-1885.

23 Luke Pryor Blackburn passport, etc. 1857.

24 Miscellaneous.