Archives

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Pope, William, 1775-1844 

Title:  Papers, 1783-1864 

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

Size of Collection:  1.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A P826 

Scope and Content Note 

Collection includes correspondence, 1786, 1809-1844, chiefly about his lands in Ind. and Ala., and litigation with the heirs of Peyton Southall and others about land on Beargrass Creek, Jefferson County; accounts, 1800-1844; land papers, 1801-1844, consisting of deeds, tax receipts, etc. for lands in Ky. and Ind.; legal papers; fee bills, 1813-1843; records of lawsuits with William B. Randolph, Thomas Joyes, the Louisville Turnpike Co., and the Lexington and Ohio Railroad Co.; and miscellaneous papers, 1783-1839. In addition there are accounts of his son, William H. Pope, as administrator of his estate, 1844-1864. 

Pope’s correspondents include Larz Anderson, John Dangerfield, Cyrus Edwards, John Edwards, Norborne A. Galt, James S. Lemaster, John McKinley, William Owens, George F. Pope, Nathaniel Pope, William B. Randolph, George W. Southall, John Speed, Robert Sturgus, Robert Wickliffe, John Pope, and others. 

Collection also includes a small group of U.S. senator and Arkansas territorial governor John Pope’s (1770-1845) papers, 1797-1839, which include his 1839 Jan. 2 letter to Charles Wickliffe; will of Matthew Walton, Pope’s father-in-law; deeds for Ky. land , 1797-1839; and legal documents. 

Also included are papers of Alexander Pope and William S. Vernon, trustees of Fortunatus Cosby, consisting of accounts and vouchers; bank book for an account with the Bank of the United States, Louisville, Ky.; and financial papers and receipts. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Correspondence, 1786-1814.

2 Correspondence, 1815.

3 Correspondence, 1816-1826.

4 Correspondence, 1830-1833.

5 Correspondence, 1834.

6 Correspondence, 1835.

7 Correspondence, 1836-1837.

8 Correspondence, 1838-1839.

9 Correspondence, 1840-1841.

10 Correspondence, 1842.

11 Correspondence, 1843.

12 Correspondence, 1844.

12a Letter to Godfrey Pope, 1841 July 7.

 

Box 2 

13 Accounts, 1800-1820.

14 Accounts, 1821-1835.

15 Accounts, 1836-1839.

16 Accounts, 1840-1842.

17 Accounts, 1843-1844.

18 Canceled checks, 1838-1844.

19 Estate accounts, 1844-1845.

20 Estate accounts, 1846.

21 Estate accounts, 1847.

22 Estate accounts, 1848.

23 Estate accounts, 1849-1857.

24 Estate accounts, 1861-1864.

25Miscellaneouspapers. 

26 Accounts for James, Godfrey, Robert, and Charles Pope, 1838-1871.

 

Box 3 

27 Bullitt County land papers, 1815-1821.

28 Jefferson County (Beargrass Creek) land papers, 1808-1840.

29 Louisville land papers, 1812-1843.

30Shippingportland papers, 1817-1837. 

31 Deed from William and Penelope Pope to William Pope, Jr., 1801 Nov. 19.

32 Jefferson County land papers, 1813-1840.

33 Nelson County land papers, 1814.

34 Kentucky land papers, 1847.

35 Vincennes, Ind. land papers, 1818-1824.

36 Vanderburgh County, Ind. land papers, 1835.

37 Vigo County, Ind. land papers, 1822-1845.

38 Vigo County, Ind. land papers, 1845-1860.

39 Indiana land papers.

40 Land papers.

41 Louisville land papers. Deed from Larz Anderson and wife, Catherine, to their son, 1855 Nov. 12. 

42 William and James C. Johnston land papers, 1792-1815.

 

Box 4 

43 Power of attorney to Pope from his father William Pope (1744-1825), 1815 Apr.14.

44 Fee bills, 1813-1843.

45 William Pope v. William B. Randolph et al., 1802-1823.

46 Louisville Turnpike Co. v. William Pope, 1832. 

47 William Pope v. Thomas Joye, 1832-1843.

48 Thomas Kane et al. v. James Pope, 1834-1839.

49 John Doe on demise of Hancock Taylor etc. v. Richard Roe and William Pope,1835.

50 William Pope v. the Lexington and Ohio Railroad Co., 1842.

51Miscellaneouslegal papers, 1846-1848. 

52 Slave bill of sale, 1843 June 8.

53 Miscellaneous papers, 1783-1785. Promissory note, 1783. John Tuel’s statement of account against Aquilla Whitiker for salt, 1785 Mar. 

54 Miscellaneous papers, 1807-1839. 

55 Will, 1843 Feb. 28.Codicil, 1844 Apr. 8.Contemporary copy. 

56 Papers of Alexander Pope and William S. Vernon as trustees of Fortunatus Cosby, 1825-1827. 

57 Letter from John Pope to Samuel Watson, 1812 Apr. 23. [click to access PDF]

58 Letter from John Pope to Charles A. Wickliffe, 1839 Jan. 2.Will of Pope’s father-in-law, Matthew Walton of Washington County, 1804 Sept.9. Copy. [click to access PDF]

59 Depositions in the case of George Rogers Clark v. Samuel Shannon, executor of William Shannon, deceased, 1799.

60 John Pope land papers, 1807-1839.

61 John Pope Louisville land papers, 1797-1822.

62 E. Pope Crittenden County, Arkansas land papers, 1869.

63 Edmund Pendleton Pope estate ledger, 1857-1871.

 

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Pirtle-Rogers Family 

Title:  Papers, 1797-1875 

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

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A P672a 

Scope and Content Note 

Collection includes papers, 1816-1875, of Henry Pirtle. Pirtle papers include letters to him from Larz Anderson, George Bancroft, John Barbee, Rufus Choate, James Kent, and others of a personal and business nature; letter from Pirtle, 1856, defining his position in regard to the American Party; and a contract, 1845, between Pirtle and James Speed to be partners in a law practice. Other papers include letters, 1801-1836, to General James Taylor of Newport, Ky., from Dr. Coleman Rogers, Dr. John Sellman, Judge John Coburn, James W. Moss, Dolly P. Madison, and Richard M. Johnson; letter, 1829, from Martin Van Buren to William T. Barry about the return of Taylor’s fugitive slaves from Canada; a power of attorney, 1797, from Joseph Rogers of Fayette County, to John Winn to obtain property due him from the estate of his wife’s father, Thomas Ford, and her former husband, Joseph R. Farrar; correspondence, 1803-1820, of Dr. Coleman Rogers and his wife, Jane Farrar Rogers, while he was studying medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; and twelve cards of admission to medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Biographical Note 

Coleman Rogers 

• 1781 Born in Culpepper County, Va. 
• 1802? Began to study medicine under Dr. Samuel Brown at Lexington, Ky. 
• 1803 Entered the University of Pennsylvania. 
• 1804? Returned to Danville and practiced with Dr. Ephraim McDowell. 
• 1805 Married Jane Farrar. 
• 1817 Received the degree of M. D. 
• 1817 Began to teach Anatomy at Transylvania University. 
• 1833 Procured a charter for the Louisville Medical Institute. 
• 1855 Died in Louisville 

Henry Pirtle 

• 1798 Born in Washington County, Ky. 
• 1826-1832 Served as Judge of the Circuit and General Court in Louisville. 
• 1840-1843 Served as state senator. 
• 1846 Appointed Circuit Judge. 
• 1846-1869 Law professor at the University of Louisville. 
• 1850 Appointed Chancellor of the Louisville Chancery Court by Governor Crittenden. 
• 1868 Retired as a judge. 
• 1880 Died. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Henry Pirtle: Plan for finding the time of the sun’s rising, 1816 July 11.Contract with Nicholas MacArthur for purchase of a lot in Louisville, 1833 Mar. 15. 

2 Henry Pirtle correspondence, 1833-1875. 

3 Henry Pirtle/James Speed law partnership contract, 1845 July 7.

4 James Speed Pirtle correspondence, 1853. Resolutions on James Speed Pirtle’s death. 

5 James Taylor correspondence, 1801-1836.

6 James Taylor statement of account with Smith and Findlay for Miss Farrar,1796 Nov. 11-Dec. 28.

7 Power of attorney from Joseph Rogers to John Winn, 1797 Sept. 30.

8 Jane Farrar correspondence, 1803-1805.

9 Jane Farrar correspondence, 1806-1815.

10 Jane Farrar Rogers correspondence, 1816.

11 Jane Farrar Rogers correspondence, 1817-1820 and n.d.

12 Coleman Rogers correspondence, 1804-1820.

13 Letter from David Todd to Robert Todd, 1848 Jan. 6, about the Battle of Blue Licks.

14 Land grant to Bustard and Nooe, assignees of John W. St. Clair, for 149 acres of Ill. land, 1824 May 3. Signed by James Monroe. 

15 Cards of admission to lectures at the Medical School, Univ. of Penn., 1803-1817.

15a Newspaper clippings.

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Pirtle Family 

Title:  Papers and scrapbooks, 1875-1910 

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

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A P672c 

Scope and Content Note 

Papers include correspondence, 1879-1880, to Judge Henry Pirtle and his wife, Jane Ann, from family and friends, regarding their fiftieth wedding anniversary, family news, and routine matters; and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings, programs, and pictures presented for their anniversary by Ashley P. and William L. Chalfant (daughter and son-in-law). 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Correspondence, 1879 Jan. 5-Apr. 28.

2 Correspondence, 1879 May 16-June 29.

3 Correspondence, 1879 Sept. 21-Nov.

4 Correspondence, 1879 Dec. 9-30.

5 Correspondence, 1880 Jan. 1-Sept. 17.

6 Correspondence, 1880 Oct. 10-22 and n.d.

7 Correspondence, 1900 Apr. 20-1909 July.

8 Printed prayer books, 1875-1877.Pittsburgh Library Loan Exhibition, 1879.

9 Wedding invitations, 1879-1910.

10 List of books in William L.Chalfant’s private library, 1885. 2 v. 

11 Miscellaneous, 1880-1905.

12 University of Louisville-Law and Liberal Arts catalogs for 1907-1908.

13 Gag carnival/picnic advertisement, n.d.

14 Photographs, 1882-1899 and n.d.

pkg. 15 Scrapbook kept by Judge Henry and Jane Ann Pirtle, 1879-1880 and n.d. 

 

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Pirtle. Alfred, 1837- 

Title:  Papers, 1847-1924 

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

Size of Collection:  2.5 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A P672 

Scope and Content Note 

Papers consist of correspondence, 1847-1923, including a volume of Civil War letters; a journal, 1859-1862; and Pirtle’s writings for magazines and newspapers on local and Ky. history. 

Correspondents include Simon Bolivar Buckner, Thomas J. Chenoweth, John M. Harlan, James E. Jouett, John Bassett Moore, Judge Henry Pirtle, and Major General C. P. Summerall. 

Pirtle’s Civil War letter book contains letters Pirtle wrote to his parents, Judge and Mrs. Henry Pirtle, sisters, brothers, covering his service in the 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment under Major General Ormsby Mitchell on the march from Bowling Green to Huntsville, Ala.; service under Major General Lovell H. Rousseau on the return march to Bowling Green in Sept. 1862 and as ordnance officer of the 3rd Division; Battle of Murfreesboro (Stones River); encampment near Murfreesboro 1863 Jan. 3-June 23; service as aide-de-camp to General William Lytle of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps,, 1863 Apr. 20-Sept. 19; Battle of Chickamauga; return of the 10th Ohio; service in and near Chattanooga; and description of the storming of Missionary Ridge. Also included are letters of recommendation for Pirtle from Colonel Curran Pope, Phillip H. Sheridan, A. M. Cook, Lovell H. Rousseau, and George H. Thomas; a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph M. Burke to Pirtle, 1862 Feb. 5; and letters to Mrs. Henry Pirtle from Colonel William H. Lytle, James Barnard, Dr. T. S. Bell, Captain James W. Abert, and others, 1861-1863. 

Pirtle’s journal, 1859 Jan. 1-Feb. 11, 1861 Apr. 20-1862 Sept., relates his residence at Gallatin, Tenn., in 1859 as an employee of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad; return to Louisville, where he records the impact of the Civil War on Ky. and Mo.; flag raisings; peace meetings; recruiting; drilling; blockades; his encampment with the Citizen Guards, 1861 May 21-27; routine of camp duties; sojourn at Ohio White Sulphur Springs with mother and sister, 1861 July-Aug.; volunteer service in the Crittenden Army Zouaves, 1861 Sept.-Nov.; loss by his brother, Dr. John Pirtle, of his command as major in the U.S. Army, Ky. Volunteers; Ohio River flood in 1862; defeat of General Felix Zollicoffer at Mill Springs, 1862 Jan. 19; commission, 1862 Feb., as lieutenant, Co. H, 10th Ohio; service in General Ormsby Mitchell’s division on the march from Fort Jefferson on Bacon Creek, Ky. to Bowling Green, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., where he was encamped during the summer; aide-de-camp to General William H. Lytle; change in command of the 3rd Division, 1862 July 3, from General Mitchell to General W. S. Smith; and on 1862 July 13, from Smith to General Lovell H. Rousseau; evacuation of Huntsville, Ala., 1862 Aug. 31; the return march to Bowling Green, 1862 Sept. in pursuit of Braxton Bragg and his army; and the column being impeded by slaves seeking freedom. 

Biographical Note 

Alfred Pirtle, insurance man of Louisville, Ky. was born March 25, 1837. He began his career in the insurance business in 1864, finishing with the firm of Pirtle, Weaver, and Menefee. Pirtle married Fannie Alevia Nold, of Louisville, Ky. in 1869. Pirtle served in the Union Army as an aide-de-camp to General William H. Lytle, and fought in numerous battles. Pirtle served as director of the Louisville Free Public Library and as director of the American Printing House for the Blind. Pirtle also wrote several works of history including a history of Louisville. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Portrait of Pirtle. Biographical sketch in newspaper clipping. Kodak picture of Mr. Pirtle. 

2 Correspondence, 1847. [click to access PDF]

3 Correspondence, 1861-1863.

4 Correspondence, 1892.

5 Correspondence, 1895-1897.

6 Correspondence, 1901-1913.

7 Correspondence, 1917-1923.

 

Box 2 

8 The Life of James Edward Jouett, Rear Admiral United States Navy, 1896.

8a The Life of James Edward Jouett, Rear Admiral United States Navy, 1896.

9 The Battle of Tippecanoe. Proof of the first page, 1900 Jan. 17. 

10 Log of a trip to Mackinac Island, 1901 Aug.

11 My first Journey, 1901 Dec. 26. Article describing the steamboat “Bob Letcher.” 

12 Memoranda on the sleet storm at Louisville, 1902 Feb. 7-26.

12a Colonel Cuthbert Bullitt’s personal recollections of General George Rogers Clark, 1902 Oct. 12. 

13 Stone River Sketches, 1904 Dec. 7.

14 A Trip to Salt Lake and Back, 1905 Aug. 

15 A Trip to Salt Lake and Back, 1905 Aug. 

16 Early Railroading in Kentucky, 1906.

 

Box 3 

17 Farragut’s Famous Fight: The Battle of Mobile Bay, 1908.

18 Farragut’s Famous Fight: The Battle of Mobile Bay, 1908.

19 Farragut’s Famous Fight: The Battle of Mobile Bay, 1908. 

19a Farragut’s Famous Fight: The Battle of Mobile Bay, 1908. 

 

Box 4 

20 The Chenoweth Family Massacre, 1909. 

2 1TheChenoweth Family Massacre. 

22 James Chenoweth the story of one of the Earliest Boys of Louisville, 1910.

23 James Chenoweth the story of one of the Earliest Boys of Louisville, 1910.

24 James Chenoweth the story of one of the Earliest Boys of Louisville, 1910.

25 James Chenoweth the story of one of the Earliest Boys of Louisville, 1910.

26 Where Louisville Started, 1910 Apr. 16.

27 Where Louisville Started, 1910.

28 Our Flag.

29 Remarks about John Todd, Jr., 1910.

 

Box 5 

30ASketch of Portland, Ky., 1913. 

30a Filson Club minutes, 1913 Mar. 3 and Apr. 7.

31Diary, 1914 Nov. 20-1915 Mar. 22.

32 A Sketch of the Unitarian Church, Louisville, Ky., 1830 to 1840, 1915.

33Howa Station was Built, 1915. 

34 Secretary of the Filson Club report, 1915 Oct. 4.

34a Sketch of a trip with Joseph M. Rogers from Frankfort, Ky. via Lexington to Bryant Station, 1916 Sept. 19.

35 Where Louisville Started, 1916.

36Analmost forgotten railroad, 1917. 

37AReminiscence of June, 1845. 1917. 

38 Reminiscences of 1863.1918.

39 Some Stations on Beargrass Creek, 1918 Sept. 3.

40 Some Stations on Beargrass Creek, 1918.

41 A trip to a few locations which were Indian stations, 1779-1790, 1918 May 4.

42 Folklore of the pioneers of America, 1919 May 9.

43Myearly soldiering days. 

44 Lytle’s last sacrifice, 1920.

45 Notes on society in Louisville in 1846. 1921.

46 A Sketchy Autobiography.1922 Sept. 15.

47 A visit to Winchester, Ky. 1922.

48 History and Memory. (Recollections of the Ky. School for the Blind). 1923 Feb. 24. Recollections (of the Ky. Institute for the Blind). [click to access PDF]

48a A Civil War Story.1923 Aug. 24. [click to access PDF]

49 How Great Britain Made War in Kentucky.1924. [click to access PDF]

49a Some Early Engineers and Architects in Kentucky.

 

Box 6 

50 Biographical notes on Daniel Boone.

51 Jack Brady.

52TheGalt Houses. 

53 Jared Brooks biographical notes. 

54 The Jefferson County Court House.  [click to access PDF]

55 Louisville in very early Times.

56 Memories of Old Time Politics-1844.

57Noteon Farmington and Judge John Speed. 

58 Notes on the first settlers of Louisville.

59 Notes for events in or near Louisville in July 1863. [click to access PDF]

60 Notes on the construction of “Tennessee,” a Federal gun boat during the CivilWar.

61 Notes on Major Rogers and Captain RobertBenham.

fl. 62 A Pioneer Bridal Tour.

63 Recollections of General U. S. Grant.

64 Reminiscences of the Lexington and Big Sandy R. R.

65 River Reminiscences. Long ago on the River. 

66 Simon Kenton.

67 Writings, newspaper clippings, 1891-1914.

68 Writings, newspaper clippings, 1915-1923.

69 Excerpt from Travels in the interior of America, in the years 1809-10-11.

70 Statement of Major William Davis to Captain Pirtle, 1920 July, about his service at the time of General Morgan’s crossing of the Ohio River into Ind. 

71 William H. Harrison’s Ky. land papers, 1848.Extract from William Richardson’s diary, 1816 Jan. 29, about William H. Harrison. 

72 Henry Robb letter to Maria Louisa Ross, 1854 Feb. 5, copy. Biographical sketch of David Barr Robb.

fl. 73 A sketch of the life of Thomas P. Shanks.

74Miscellaneousnotes and excerpts. 

75Miscellaneousnewspaper clippings. 

75a Scraps.

 

Box 7 

76 Writings (newspaper clippings mounted on paste board but not bound). 

pkg. 77 Journal, 1859-1862. 2 v. 

pkg. 78 Civil War letterbook, 1862-1863.