Daviess, Joseph Hamilton (1774-1811) Papers, 1780-1855

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Daviess, Joseph Hamilton, 1774-1811 

Title:  Papers, 1780-1855 

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

Size of Collection:  1 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A D246 

Scope and Content Note 

Collection includes correspondence, legal papers, land papers, statements of account, commissions, and estate papers.  

Correspondence, 1797-1811, relates chiefly to Ky. lands and slaves, Daveiss’ opposition to Aaron Burr, his removal from office as U.S. attorney for the District of Kentucky in 1807, publication of his pamphlet vindicating his conduct, and authorship of a bill before Congress for arming and disciplining the militia of the U.S. in 1811.  

Legal papers, 1797-1810, include an opinion of Edmund Randolph, 1800.  

Also included are papers of Daviess’ brother, Samuel Daveiss (1775-1856), lawyer of Harrodsburg, Ky., consisting of letters, 1811-1855, legal papers, 1812-1850, and statements of account, 1816-1854; and correspondence of Patrick Moore, lawyer of Harrodsburg, Ky., while serving as U.S. minister to Colombia, 1829-1833.   

Correspondents include John Breckinridge, James Brown, Joseph Desha, Andrew Jackson, Richard M. Johnson, James Madison, Humphrey Marshall, James Monroe, John Pope, John Rowan, James Speed, John Speed, Robert Todd, Thomas Todd, Thomas Tunstall, and others.  

 

Biographical Note 

1774: Born in Virginia.  

1779: Moved to Boyle County, Kentucky.   

1793: Served in the Kentucky militia in action against Native American tribes  

1795: Began the practice of law in Danville.  

1799: Became a U.S. attorney.  

1800: Elected to the Kentucky legislature.  

1801: Moved to Washington, D.C.  

1803: Married Anne Marshall, sister of John Marshall.  

1806: Prosecuted Aaron Burr for treason.  

1809: Practiced law in Lexington, Ky.  

1811: Joined the expedition of William Henry Harrison and was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe 

 

Folder List 

Box 1  

Fl. 1: Correspondence, 1797-1800.  

Fl. 2: Correspondence, 1801-1802.  

Fl. 3: Correspondence, 1803-1805.  

Fl. 4: Correspondence, 1806-1809.  

Fl. 5: Correspondence, Rowan letters. 1807 Apr. 18, and n.d.  

   

Box 2  

Fl. 6: Correspondence, 1810-1811.  

Fl. 7: Correspondence, n.d.  

Fl. 8: Legal papers, 1797-1810.  

Fl. 9: Land papers, 1780-1801.  

Fl. 10: Accounts, 1798-1813.  

Fl. 11: Commissions, 1800-1808.  

Fl. 12: Estate papers, 1812-1819.  

   

Box 3  

Fl. 13: Appointment of Thomas Davis, 1800.  

Fl. 14: Samuel Daveiss correspondence, 1811-1855.  

Fl. 15: Legal papers, accounts, 1812-1849.  

Fl. 16: Legal papers, accounts, 1843-1856 and n.d.  

Fl. 17: Accounts, 1816-1854.  

Fl. 18: Thomas P. Moore correspondence, 1829-1833.  

Fl. 19: Miscellaneous.