Cumming family correspondence

Collection

Identifier: MSS-025

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of papers of Thomas Cumming and the Cumming family of Augusta, Georgia from 1794-1954. The earliest letters are between Thomas and Anne Cumming and their relatives and children, particularly Joseph who resided in Savannah. Letters after 1830 concentrate on Henry Hartford and Julia Bryan Cumming and their children. Of particular interest are letters (1857) from their son Alfred, a West Point soldier, who was in the Utah (Mormon) Expedition. Alfred describes his journey to Salt Lake City; meeting Brigham Young and his followers; and encounters with his uncle, Alfred Cumming, the new territorial governor. Joseph Bryan, on a three-year grand tour of Europe, also wrote to his parents describing his travels. During the Civil War, the correspondence contains letters from Alfred Cumming (10th Georgia Infantry Regiment) mainly from Virginia, Joseph Bryan Cumming (5th Georgia Infantry Regiment) mainly from Mississippi, and from Julien (48th Georgia Infantry Regiment) in Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign, Seven Day's Battles, and later as a prisoner of war on Johnson's Island (Ohio). Julien's prison letters are addressed to family members and to Henry W. Hubbell of New York and discuss prison life, his health, and supplies he needs. Collection date span: 1794-1954

Dates

Created: 1794-1954
Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1983

Creator

Cumming family (Family)

Conditions Governing Access

Restricted Access is through microfilm. A calendar of the letters allows researchers to pinpoint letters to examine. Calendar is available in print at Special Collections Reese Library or is available in digital format.

Biographical or Historical Information

Letters were donated to Augusta College (Augusta University) in 1983 by Joseph "Mr. Joe" Cumming. Correspondence to, from or about includes the following historical figures: Thomas Cumming, first intendant (mayor) of Augusta, Henry Cumming, developer of the Augusta Canal, Alfred Cumming, first military governor of the Utah territory, Katherine Cumming, wife of the first governor of the Utah territory. Bulk of the collection is of Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction period.

Note written by entered by Tammy Westafer after Mary Ann Cashin

Extent

4.00 boxes

Language

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Original letters, beginning with business letters to Thomas Cumming, first intendant (mayor) of Augusta, letters from his children through several generations. There is a large group of letters from Julien Cumming from a prison camp during the Civil War. Julien later died there. Thomas Cumming (1765-1834), businessman, married Anne Clay (1767-1849), resided in Augusta, Georgia and had eight children. Their children included Joseph (1790-1846) and Henry Harford (1799-1866) who married Julia A. Bryan (1803-1879). Henry and Julia's children included Alfred (1829-1910), Julien (1830-1864), and Joseph Bryan (1836-1922) who all served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Custodial History

Previously titled Cumming family letters. Retitled in 2017.

Source of Acquisition

Joseph "Mr. Joe" Cumming

Method of Acquisition

This material was donated to Reese Library Special Collections, Augusta University, by Joseph "Mr. Joe" Cumming in 1983. Acc# 1983.03

Related Materials

Cumming family papers, 1893-1983 (MSS 113); Cumming and Wood corresponce, 1954-1984; Joseph and Henry Cumming papers, 1799-1983; Joseph B. Cumming correspondence, 1978-1983;"Poor, poor Jule"-the story of Julien Cumming, 1830-1864; Julien Cumming papers (MSS 227); Cumming and Coppage family geneaology chart (MSS 361)