JOHN D. HENRY LETTERS
Correspondence, 1861-1881
Manuscript Collection MC 49
John D. Henry was a farmer from Locust Cottage, Jefferson County,
Arkansas, who in 1876 attended the Arkansas Industrial University
in Fayetteville, Arkansas. While enrolled at the school, Henry
developed what he described as a "bad cold," and he died near the
end of March, 1876.
The John D. Henry letters were donated to Special Collections by
Walter L. Brown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, in November, 1965.
Five of the six letters in this collection are addressed to P.G.
or Martha P. Henry, John's father and mother living in Locust
Cottage. Two letters from John describe his living arrangements
and financial difficulties in Fayetteville. Another letter, from
O.C. Gray of Fayetteville, describes John's final illness.
The last two letters are from relatives living or visiting
Fayetteville and describe John's death and his burial site at
Evergreen Cemetery.
The earliest letter in the collection is from Private John L.
Russell, Company C, 6th Arkansas Infantry, dated July 7, 1861,
from Pocahontas, Arkansas. Russell, a Confederate volunteer who
probably lived in Dallas County, Arkansas, may have been related
to the Henry family.
The six letters in this collection have been arranged
chronologically.
Processed by Kim Allen Scott, February 1988. Special Collections
Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
- July 7, 1861. John L. Russell (Pocahontas, Arkansas) to Mary
[Russell] [Dallas County, Arkansas].
- Letter from brother to sister describing conditions at
"Missouri Camp," including civilian actions, camp rumors, and
food.
- January 15, 1876. John D. Henry (Fayetteville, Arkansas) to
P.G. Henry [Locust Cottage, Arkansas].
- Letter from son to father complaining about the lack of mail
from home, shortage of funds, and describing conditions at the
Arkansas Industrial University.
- January 30, 1876. John D. Henry (Fayetteville, Arkansas) to
P.G. Henry [Locust Cottage, Arkansas].
- Letter from son to father pertaining mostly to family and
financial matters.
- [ca. April 1, 1876]. James Decatur Henry and Lucy A. Henry
(Fayetteville, Arkansas) to Martha P. Henry [Locust Cottage,
Arkansas].
- Letter from sister and brother to John's mother describing
his final illness and financial obligations.
- April 4, 1876. O.C. Gray (Fayetteville, Arkansas) to P.G.
Henry [Locust Grove, Arkansas].
- Letter describing John Henry's final illness and
death.
- May 29, 1881. W.W. Harrison (Fayetteville, Arkansas) to P.G.
Henry [Locust Grove, Arkansas].
- Letter from a friend describing John's grave location at
Evergreen Cemetery and conditions at Fayetteville.
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