Auburn Methodist and Baptist Schools
Education; Lee County, AL; Antebellum Era; Harper, John; Auburn, AL; Methodist Church; Baptist Church; Yancey, Simeon; Flanagan; C.C.
Judge John Harper led a party of Methodists to the future site of Auburn, Alabama in late 1836. The next year, members the new community collaborated to erect a log Methodist church, located on the corner of modern-day East Magnolia Street and South Gay Street. The log church also functioned as a schoolhouse, where the town’s first teacher, Simeon Yancey, held class. Later in 1837, Baptists moved to the nascent community and built a stand-alone schoolhouse across the street from the log church. C.C. Flanagan became Auburn’s second schoolmaster. The Baptist log schoolhouse functioned as a primary school where Auburn’s youth learned reading, writing, and arithmetic. Flanagan became one of Lee County’s most highly regarded antebellum era educators, teaching primary and secondary school in the Auburn area for the following twenty years. Today Auburn United Methodist Church occupies the site of the original Methodist Church and School, and a historic marker notes the exact location of the original log structure.
Taylor McGaughy
Image Source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/48984044
Text Source: Ralph Draughon, Jr., Delos Hughes, and Ann Pearson, Lost Auburn: A Village Remembered in Period Photographs (Montgomery: NewSouth Books, 2012), 47.
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
2014-11-28
Taylor McGaughy
JPEG and Text
English
Still Image and Text
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Auburn, AL; Lee County, AL; African-American History; Religion; Segregation; National Register of Historic Places
Ebenezer Baptist Church was the second African-American church in the city of Auburn. The congregation was formed in 1868 and construction completed on the building in 1870. Ebenezer served as the primary member of the Auburn District Association, a collection of 27 African-American Baptist churches in Lee, Macon, and Tallapoosa counties. The association provided monetary support to the Baptist Colored University in Selma and for the creation of African-American schools in Opelika. After the departure of the Ebenezer congregation in 1969, the building was renovated by the Auburn Heritage Association. It currently serves as the home of the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Evan Isaac
Image: Auburn University, http://www.auburn.edu/academic/classes/hist/3970/m2a.jpg
Text: W. Warner Floyd, NHRP Nomination Form, http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/nrhp/text/75000317.pdf
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
2014-12-08
Evan Isaac
JPEG and Text
English
Still Image and Text
Cathedral Church of the Advent
Religion; Episcopal Church; Birmingham AL; Jefferson County, AL
http://adventbirmingham.org/about/our-parish/history/
Taylor McGaughy
Image Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Church_of_the_Advent_(Birmingham,_Alabama)
http://archive.adventbirmingham.org/articles.asp?ID=4163
Text Source: Cathedral Church of the Advent - History, http://adventbirmingham.org/about/our-parish/history/
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
2015-7-23
John Harper Harris
JPEG and Text
English
Still Image and Text
2005.36.167: P.M.B Young to Mother, 1854 March 25
1854; Georgia Military Institute; Marietta; Georgia; mother; Elizabeth Caroline Young; Pierce M.B. Young; sickness; death; religion; transcriptions
A short letter from Young to his mother discussing the death of a “brother cadet” at the Georgia Military Institute. Young comments on the cause of death, which was pneumonia, and how symptoms such as pleurisy induced a very painful death. Young also expresses sadness toward the fact that no family members of the dead cadet were present before his death and that few are aware of his death. Young calls on God to have mercy on his soul despite the fact that the dead cadet is not a Christian.
P.M.B. Young
P.M.B Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1854 March 25
Peter R. Thomas Jr.
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG; PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.289: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 May 22
1858; Thomas F. Jones, Jr.; Kate; Dr. Mayson; Aunt Mary; Kingston; Georgia; Mill Creek; Occupation; Physician; Love; Letters; Religion; Bible; Choir; Money; Transcription
Tom tells Kate that he has to cancel their upcoming visit due to a rise in patient visits. He also writes about his unsuccessful quest to find two letters she had previously written to Jones. He finishes the letter by telling her of the church choir and Bible school. 3 handwritten pages.
Thomas F. Jones, Jr.
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1858 May 22
Graham R. Neeley
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.112: George and Virginia to Mother (Young), 1859 June 23
1859; George; Virginia; Mother; Father; Grand Pa; Grand Ma;
Bud; Diddie; Lamar; Lou; Miss Jones; Ginie; Calhoun; Sickness; Crops; Children; Family Life; Religion; Hope; Gifts; Correspondence; Family Matters; Death; Transcription
Virginia writes a letter to Mother Young, detailing the family’s recent business, thanking them for gifts of apples while describing how the whole family is sick, especially George. George writes a shorter letter to accompany hers, where he speaks much of religion and sickness. 4 handwritten pages.
Virginia and George Young
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1859 June 23
Neil Humphrey
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.161: Elizabeth Caroline Mills to Caroline Elizabeth Jones, 1857 August
1857; Elizabeth Caroline Mills; Caroline Elizabeth Jones; White Oak; North Carolina; New York; Boston; Massachusetts; Philadelphia; Pennsylvania; Cherokee County; Robert M. Young; Josephine Young; Ida Young; Madie; George W. Young; Louisa Y. Jones; Uncle John; Religion; Theater; Travel; Garden; Clothing; Weather; Grandchildren; Health
Elizabeth Mills writes to her daughter of how proud she is of her and the children, her upcoming travel plans, and general gossip. 4 handwritten pages.
Elizabeth Caroline Mills
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1857 August
Graham R. Neeley
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.120: Emma to brother, 1859 August 29
1859; Transcription; Pleasant Mound; Pa; Kate; Ma; Henny; Mrs. Reynolds; Mr. Watts; Willie; Sallie; Ed; Bereavement; Sympathy; Death; Baby; Religion; Health
A letter to her brother, whose wife (and baby) has recently died. She tells her brother to think of her in heaven. She asks about the baby, if it lived and if so does his mother-in-law have it, and an offer to take the baby if he wants. Three handwritten pages.
Emma
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1859 August 29
Danielle Funderburk
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
PDF
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.82: Elizabeth Jones to Caroline, 1856 January 27
1856; Transcription; Elizabeth Jones; Carolina; White Oak; Sabbath; Health; Weather; Daughter; Religion; John; Souzan; Society; Slaves
In this four-page handwritten letter from Elizabeth Jones, we learn that she wrote phonetically and struggled with grammar--suggesting some degree of illiteracy. This letter is general in content and mostly describes how the family is doing, her unrelenting faith in God, and she mentioned their slave Souzan.
Elizabeth Jones
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1856 January 27
Heather M. Haley
Auburn University
JPEG
PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.266: Thomas F. Jones, Jr. to Kate, 1857 April 18
1857; Transcription; Thomas F. Jones, Jr.; Kate; Love Letter; Travel; Alcohol; Religion; Weapons; Mental Health; Mental Illness; Dr. Bythewood
Thomas F. Jones, Jr. authored this seven-page handwritten letter describing an ordeal with an unidentified drunken friend. He was so drunk that Jones likened him to a "Patagonian" who likened him to "the Evil Spirit." He also reassures Kate the he is faithful only to her, undoubtedly because he is on a long journey.
Thomas F. Jones, Jr.
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1857 April 18
Heather M. Haley
Auburn University
JPEG
PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.162: Unknown to Sister, 1857 June 25
1857; Transcription; Greenville, SC; Marriage; Religion; Agnes Thompson; Gossip; Work Horses; Pierce; Family Home; Maintenance; Agriculture; Family Visitation; Religion
This four-page handwritten letter is commentary on life in Greenville, South Carolina. The author details his labor in fixing railings, fences, and gates. Additionally, he laments how difficult it is to grow a garden. In fact, he is so busy at maintenance work around the estate that the only time he is able to leave the property is to attend church.
Unknown
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1857 June 25
Heather M. Haley
Auburn University
JPEG
PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.135: Emma to Sister, 1859 March 25
1859; Transcription; Emma; Ed; Religion; Health; Tom; Caroline Chapman; Miss Hammond; Henry; Julia Farrow; Mary Farley; Lou; Charlie Boyd; Kate; Education; Weather; Hollywood; Family Affairs
This three-page handwritten letter is torn at the top. Written in Emma's hand. she details Ed's recovery from an unknown ailment. She mostly discusses family affairs and general news, including a recent birth, probably to entice her sister to visit in the summer.
Emma
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1859 March 25
Heather M. Haley
Auburn University
JPEG
PDF
English
Manuscript
2005.36.304: Josephine to Mrs. P.M. Young, 1865 April 18
1865; Waco, Texas; Josephine; Mrs. P.M. Young; Texas Prairie; Family Affairs; Society; Scenery; Horses; Cows; Sheep; Goats; Corn; Flour; Prices; Religion; Indians; Raids
In this seven-page handwritten letter, in addition to an envelope, to P.M. Young, Josephine describes the Texas landscape in great detail, even explaining how much corn and flour cost. She is grateful for the equitable society available to her in such foreign territory, but expresses concern about Indian raids and hope that they will be put down militarily.
Josephine
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1865 April 18
Heather M. Haley
Auburn University
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.322: J. Jones to Dr. Jones, 1860 September 6
1860; Transcription; J Jones; Dr. Jones; Cartersville; Rome; Wedding; Wedding Invitation; Religion
This hastily written two-page note expresses the author's enthusiasm and excitement for the forthcoming marriage of Dr. Jones to Lou, commenting that she is "one of the noblest of her sex." He also thanks Dr. Jones for the invitation and invites him to meet the following day.
J. Jones
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1860 September 06
Heather M. Haley
Auburn University
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.122: Jeannie to Louisa Young, 22 May 1859
1859; Charleston; South Carolina; Jeannie; Calhoun family; Family; Emotions; Sickness; Homesickness; Social Relations; Entertainment
This letter expresses pain and disappointment related to the “very long time” since receiving a letter. Jeannie compares the love to a son to her love for Louisa. The letter also discusses the social life of Charleston, South Carolina.
Jeannie
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
22 May 1858
Peter R. Thomas Jr.
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.167: Letter from P.M.B. Young to Elizabeth Caroline Young, 1856 March 25
1856; P.M.B. Young; Elizabeth Caroline Young; Georgia Military Institute; Christianity; Death; Sickness; Religion; Suffering
A short letter from Young to his mother discussing the death of a “brother cadet” at the Georgia Military Institute. Young comments on the cause of death, which was pneumonia, and how symptoms such as pleurisy induced a very painful death. Young also expresses sadness toward the fact that no family members of the dead cadet were present before his death and that few are aware of his death. Young calls on God to have mercy on his soul despite the fact that he is not a Christian.
P.M.B. Young
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1856 March 25
Peter R. Thomas Jr.
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.187: Elizabeth Caroline Young to P.M.B. Young, 1858 August 20
1858; P.M.B. Young; Elizabeth Carolina Young; Religion; After-life; Religious revival; Religious conversion; Death
Young’s mother is writing him to congratulate and also express her excitement concerning Young’s complete conversion to Christianity. The letter goes into detail describing the importance of accepting “the Redeemer” into one’s life.
Elizabeth Carolina Young
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1858 August, 20
Peter R. Thomas Jr.
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
English
Manuscript
2005.36.268: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, unknown
Thomas F. Jones Jr.; Kate; Religion; Health; Family
A letter from Thomas Jones Jr. to Kate. Thomas updates Kate about family matters, discusses recent purchases, asks about her health. 6 handwritten pages
Thomas F. Jones Jr.
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1858 August 11
Erik Haeuser
Auburn Unversity
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
English
Manuscript