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.
Size | 0.5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 200 items) |
Abstract | Abraham Rencher was a lawyer, Governor of the New Mexico Territory, 1857-1861, U.S. minister to Portugal, and U.S. Representative from North Carolina. The bulk of the collection consists of papers of Rencher while U. S. charge d'affaires in Lisbon, 1843-1847, including letters home, diplomatic correspondence, and accounts, and letters from his brother, Daniel G. Rencher of Alabama, 1838-1858, discussing family and plantation news. There are also letters to and from Rencher while he was governor of the New Mexico Territory, 1857-1861, correspondence and financial receipts relating to the mining industry in New Mexico, and scattered other political and family items. |
Creator | Rencher, Abraham, 1798-1883. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
Language | English |
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.
Abraham Rencher, graduate of the University of North Carolina, practiced law in Pittsboro, N.C., served as a Democrat in the House of Representatives, 1829-1839 and 1841-1843; U.S. charge d'affaires in Portugal, 1843-1847; Governor of New Mexico, 1857-1861; and then retired to Chatham County, N.C. The collection includes letters written by Rencher and his wife, Louisa Mary Jones, while they were in Portugal. About 17 letters were written by Rencher's brother, Daniel G. Rencher who had moved to Alabama in 1833. These letters cover roughly 1838-1858 and describe family events, health, slaves, and business affairs.
Back to TopCorrespondence and financial receipts from the period of 1844-1869 include materials pertaining to Rencher's work with the American delegation in Lisbon, Washington, and Santa Fe. These documents are filed in folders 5, 7 and 8.
Folder 9 contains an album of Miss Louisa Mary Jones, daughter of Edward Jones of "Rock Rest" of Chatham County, N.C., and future wife of Rencher. It includes entries from Carolina Lee Hentz of Chapel Hill, 1827 and copies of poems. Folder 10 contains photocopies of pages from Rencher's family Bible, which remains in the possession of his descendants.
Back to TopFolder 1 |
1784-1843 |
Folder 2 |
1844-1846 |
Folder 3 |
1847 |
Folder 4 |
1848-1853Included are three letters from 1851 (14 June, 24 June, and 16 July) that discuss the purchase of an enslaved man named Arch who had apparently been falsely accused of trying to poison another enslaved person. |
Folder 5 |
1854-1883Included are letters that discuss sickness among enslaved individuals (8 May 1857), the purchase price of enslaved men and women, and the death of an enslaved little girl (4 January 1858). |
Folder 6 |
Undated |
Folder 7 |
Lisbon, Portugal, financial accounts, 1844-1847 |
Folder 8 |
New Mexico, financial accounts, 1869 |
Folder 9 |
Album of Miss Louisa Mary Jones, 1826-1830 |
Folder 10 |
Photocopy of family pages from Rencher's Bible |
Extra Oversize Paper Folder XOPF-627/1 |
Three oversize documents:OP-627/1-2: Appointment documents as charge d'affaires in Portugal, 27 September 1843 and 11 January 1844 #00627, Xopaperfolder XOPF-627/1OP-627/3: Santa Fe Gazette, 24 November 1860 #00627, Xopaperfolder XOPF-627/1 |