Thomason Room: Local and Family History
Goree Letters — Family letters dating from the 1850's encompassing their history from Grandmother Eliza T. Nolley, Thomas Jewett Goree, Sarah Williams Kittrell, including letters from Civil War battlefields, and postwar letters to and from the Longstreet family.
McFarland Papers — Research notes, clippings, correspondence, local and U. S. history compiled by Mae Wynne McFarland, daughter of Gustavus Adair Wynne and Samuella Gibbs Wynne.
Smither Family — Civil war letters written by John Marquis “Mark” Smither describing his experiences as a member of Hood's brigade. Typed transcripts concerning R. M. Powell and Smither as well as Smither history sent to Dr. J. L. Clark.
Eastham Papers — Two typed manuscripts From Virginia to Texas and Back and Making a Home in Texas , as well as several deeds from the 1840's, a store ledger page and claims statement.
Sexton Papers — Extensive collection of personal and professional papers of Frank B. Sexton, a member of the Confederate Congress and eminent statesman of the Civil War era. Father of Loulie Sexton Estill, wife of Dr. Harry Estill. Papers indexed by Works Progress Administration.
Spring Hill Store Journal — Detailed entries describing purchases May 1839 through 1841. Exact location unknown. Pages carefully restored and preserved with archival materials. Purchasers' names and amounts duly noted on numbered lines.
Gibbs Ledger — Account book of Gibbs Brothers, December 9, 1854-February 27, 1855. Fragment of store ledger from early Huntsville mercantile, also available on Microfilm, from Dr. J. L. Clark ‘s collection.
Smither Ledger — Account book of Smither family's store in 1857. Microfilm copy made available through Walker County Historical Commission and Smither descendants. Indexed by family name of purchasers.
Leyendecker Diary — Transcribed copy of diary of John Frederick Leyendecker, a member of the marching band of the Confederate States of America , and a Texas State Senator in 1872. Civil War “Personal Narratives” archival box.
Daisy L. Smith — Reminiscences of General Sam Houston compiled by Miss Smith in February of 1922, the year she graduated from Sam Houston Normal. She interviewed local persons who remembered family stories of the general.
Van Devender Diary — Personal Reminiscences of the War Between the States 1861-65, a gift of Sylvan Cohen, a family document written by his maternal Grandfather, accompanied by comments of Charles Dwyer, former director of Newton Gresham Library.
Farnsley letters — Facsimile reproduction of letters written by Alexander Farnsley of Fernlea to Mary Elizabeth Thurman of Louisville, KY. 1856-1860 . Farnsley contributed articles to the Farmers Home Journal.
Huntsville Item during the Civil War- click on each date to view its newspaper.
July 31, 1863; Feb 26, 1864; March 25, 1864; Nov 11, 1864; Nov 18, 1864.Thornton Letters - click on each date to view its letter. Sept. 23, 1861; Oct. 2, 1867; Jan. 16, 1870; July 17, 1870; Mar. 1, 1871; Nov. 19, 1873; Jan. 14, 1877; May 9, 1878; June 28, 1878; Jan. 5, 1879; Oct. 7, 1879; Feb. 27, 1880; June 11, 1880; Sept. 29, 1885