Joseph Desha and John R. Desha Papers
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Joseph Desha (1768-1848) and John R. Desha (1804-1878) span the years 1773-1871, with the bulk of the material dating between 1800 and 1855. The collection consists of correspondence, indentures, contracts, deeds, wills, surveyors' notes, bills and receipts, and newspapers. Some correspondence and legal records, primarily of Joseph Desha, have been bound in two volumes.
The papers illustrate the activities of a soldier-politician in Kentucky in the early nineteenth century and of his physician son. The correspondence covers the subjects of military affairs during the War of 1812, including the fall of Washington, D.C., and the conduct of William Henry Harrison, Kentucky politics, and national politics, notably the 1816 presidential election. Other topics include descriptions of South American cities, and agricultural and economic affairs in Arkansas. The receipts contain many slavery bills of sale.
Prominent correspondents include William Henry Harrison, John C. Calhoun, Amos Kendall, Joel R. Poinsett, and Richard M. Johnson.
Dates
- Creation: 1773-1871
- Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1800-1855)
Language of Materials
Collection material in English
Access and Restrictions
The papers of Joseph and John R. Desha are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Joseph and John R. Desha is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Biographical Note
Joseph Desha
- 1768, Dec. 9
- Born, Monroe County, Pa.
- 1784 - 1789
- Fought against Indians in Tennessee
- 1789
- Married Margaret Bledsoe
- 1794 - 1795
- Fought against Indians under Gen. Anthony Wayne and William Henry Harrison
- 1797
- Member, Kentucky House of Representatives, also served in 1799-1802
- 1802 - 1807
- Member, Kentucky State Senate
- 1806
- Commissioned major general, Kentucky militia
- 1807 - 1819
- Member, United States House of Representatives
- 1813
- Fought at Battle of Thames River, Ontario, Canada
- 1824 - 1828
- Governor of Kentucky
- 1842, Oct. 12
- Died, Georgetown, Ky.
John R. Desha
- 1804, June 24
- Born, Mason Co., Ky.
- circa 1821 - circa 1825
- Attended Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky.
- 1825 - 1878
- Practiced medicine in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky
- 1838
- Married Mary Curry
- 1878, July 27
- Died, Georgetown, Ky.
Extent
1,900 items
5 containers
1.6 linear feet
Abstract
Soldier and politician (Joseph Desha) and physician (John R. Desha). Correspondence, contracts, land records, wills, receipted bills, and newspapers dealing with the War of 1812, Kentucky politics, and national affairs.
Arrangement of the Papers
The bound material is arranged chronologically. The unbound material is arranged alphabetically by type of material and chronologically therein.
Additional Guides
Notice of the original gift was made in the Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress , 1921.
Catalog Record
Provenance
The papers of Joseph and John R. Desha were given to the Library of Congress by Desha Breckinridge in 1921. Additional material was purchased between 1929 and 1979.
Processing History
The papers of Joseph and John R. Desha were arranged and described in 1970. The collection was reprocessed and the finding aid revised in 2007.
Source
- Desha, Joseph, 1768-1842 (Creator, Person)
- Desha, John R., 1804-1878 (Creator, Person)
Subject
- Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850--Correspondence. (Person)
- Desha, John R., 1804-1878. Joseph Desha and John R. Desha papers. 1773-1871. (Person)
- Desha, Joseph, 1768-1842. (Person)
- Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841--Correspondence. (Person)
- Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841. (Person)
- Johnson, Richard M. (Richard Mentor), 1780-1850--Correspondence. (Person)
- Kendall, Amos, 1789-1869--Correspondence. (Person)
- Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851--Correspondence. (Person)
- United States. Congress. (Organization)
Geographic
- Arkansas--Economic conditions.
- Kentucky--Politics and government--1792-1865.
- South America--Description and travel.
- United States--History--War of 1812.
- United States--Politics and government--1783-1865.
- Washington (D.C.)--History--Capture by the British, 1814.
Occupation
Topical
- Agriculture--Arkansas.
- Deeds.
- Medicine--Kentucky.
- Presidents--United States--Election--1816.
- Slavery--United States.
- Surveys.
- Wills.
Uniform Title
- Title
- Joseph Desha and John R. Desha Papers
- Subtitle
- A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
- Author
- Prepared by A. Goodrich Revised by Donna Ellis
- Date
- 2007
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Part of the Manuscript Division Repository
Manuscript Reading Room
101 Independence Ave, SE
James Madison Building, LM 101
Washington, DC 20540-4683
(202) 707-5387