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This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 9 items |
| Abstract | A. C. Cowles was born in 1833 in Hamptonville, N.C. He served as North Carolina state senator from Yadkin County, 1865-1866 and 1870-1874. He married Margaret Caroline Reynolds, with whom he had three children. The collection is nine letters, eight of which A. C. Cowles wrote, 1871-1874, to his wife while he served in the state senate in Raleigh, N.C. Letters chiefly discuss family and social life. In his 24 February 1871 letter, Cowles alluded to his wife's pregnancy, her impending confinement, and her medical care. In his 1872 and 1873 letters, Cowles mentioned his father's failing health and depression caused by the onset of old age and commended his wife for attending to his father's care. Cowles often relayed news of other friends and family. He lamented the fact that his legislative duties caused him to be separated from his family. Some letters mention Cowles's financial and business interests. His 19 January 1871 letters indicates that Cowles appears to have operated a distillery without a retail license. His 17 January 1872 letter briefly mentions letting-out Cowles family land. There is little information about Cowles's political work. Also included is an undated letter addressed to Cowles's wife from her nephew, J. E. Cowles, detailing his plans for studying pharmacy and his future as a druggist. |
| Creator | Cowles, A. C. (Andrew C.), 1833-1881. |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
| Language | English |
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Biographical Information
A. C. Cowles, son of Josiah Cowles (1791-1873) and Nancy Caroline Carson Duvall (1802-1863) and half-brother of Calvin Josiah Cowles, was born 12 January 1833 in Hamptonville, N.C. He married Margaret Caroline Reynolds, with whom he had three children: Carrie Bell Cowles (1871-1890), Reuben Reynolds Cowles (1873-1902), and Hugh R. Cowles (b. 1875). Cowles served as North Carolina state senator for Yadkin County, 1865-1866 and 1870-1874. Cowles died 5 January 1881, at the age of 48.
(Information from the Poe Letter Archives website and other sources.)
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Scope and Content
The collection is nine letters, eight of which A. C. Cowles wrote, 1871-1874, to his wife while he served in Raleigh, N.C., as North Carolina State Senator from Yakin County, N.C. Letters chiefly discuss family and social life. In his 24 February 1871 letter, Cowles alluded to his wife's pregnancy, her impending confinement, and her medical care. In his 1872 and 1873 letters, Cowles mentioned his father's failing health and depression caused by the onset of old age and commended his wife for attending to his father's care. Cowles often referred to the activities of "Uncle Hugh" and "Sis Bell," and relayed news of other friends and family. He lamented the fact that his legislative duties caused him to be separated from his family. Some letters mention Cowles's financial and business interests. In his 19 January 1871 letter, Cowles, who appears to have operated a distillery without a retail license, warned his wife to "sell no liquor to anybody ... [since] it is a custom once established hard to undo and productive of no profit." His 17 January 1872 letter briefly mentions letting-out Cowles family land. There is little information about Cowles's political work, although he did complain in his 22 January 1871 letter that he "never did as hard a week work in [his] life" as when he worked as chair of the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
Also included is an undated letter addressed to Cowles's wife from her nephew, J. E. Cowles, detailing his plans for studying pharmacy and his future as a druggist.
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