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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 | 1.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 90 items) |
| Abstract | Abraham Watkins Venable (1799-1876), the son of Mary S. Carrington and Samuel Woodson Venable, was born in Prince Edward County, Va.; educated at Hampden Sydney and Princeton; became a lawyer; and in 1824 married Isabella Alston Brown of Granville County, N.C. Venable moved to North Carolina in 1829 and became active in politics as a Democrat, serving as a presidential elector in 1832 and 1836 and in the United States House of Representatives, March 1847-March 1853, representing the fifth congressional district of North Carolina. After congressional redistricting in 1852, Granville County was in the new fourth district, which he failed to win. Venable was a presidential elector on the Breckinridge-Lane ticket in 1860; a delegate from North Carolina to the Provisional Confederate Congress; and a member of the Confederate House of Representatives, 1862-1864. He died in Oxford, N.C., on 24 February 1876. The collection consists chiefly of letters written to Venable, primarily from his constituents, either commenting on politics and campaigns or seeking office. In 1847 and 1848, some of the letters deal with efforts to obtain appointments in the United States Army. Ten of the letters were written by William Woods Holden, editor of the Raleigh Standard and a leader in the Democratic Party. Also included is an account book belonging to Venable documenting the Brownsville plantation in Granville County, 1864-1872. Entries include contractual agreements, wages, and amounts deducted for staples for freedmen who worked for him (first and last names are listed). Also included are records of wheat and corn crops during this time, with a few memos, promissory notes, and receipts interleaved. |
| Creator | Venable, A. W. (Abraham Watkins), 1799-1876. |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
| Language | English |
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Processing Information
Processed by: Manuscripts Department Staff and Margaret Dickson, February 1969 and July 2007
Encoded by: Margaret Dickson, July 2007
Updated by: Kathryn Michaelis, February 2010
Updated by: Laura Hart, August 2021
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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
Abraham Watkins Venable (1799-1876), the son of Mary S. Carrington and Samuel Woodson Venable, was born at "Springfield," Prince Edward County, Va.; educated at Hampden Sydney and Princeton; became a lawyer; and in 1824 married Isabella Alston Brown, daughter of Dr. Thomas Brown, physician of "Brownsville" in Granville County, N.C. Venable moved to North Carolina in 1829 and became active in politics as a Democrat, serving as a presidential elector in 1832 and 1836 and in the United States House of Representatives, March 1847 to March 1853, representing the fifth congressional district of North Carolina (Granville, Person, Caswell, Orange, and Chatham counties). After congressional redistricting in 1852, Venable's home county, Granville, was in the new fourth district, the other counties being Wake, Franklin, Warren, Orange, and Johnston. Venable announced himself a candidate for re-election prior to the meeting of the Democratic Party convention of the district. When the convention did not endorse him but nominated instead A. M. Lewis, he ran anyway, producing a three-cornered race won by the Whig, Sion H. Rogers. In 1855, Venable's name was again presented to the convention, but for a second time the convention nominated another, G. W. Thompson, who declined to run. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch was then nominated, Venable did not run, and Branch won. Venable was a presidential elector on the Breckinridge-Lane ticket in 1860; a delegate from North Carolina to the Provisional Confederate Congress; and a member of the Confederate House of Representatives, 1862-1864. He died in Oxford, N.C., on 24 February 1876.
The Biographical Directory of the American Congress has a brief sketch of Venable's life, and he and his family are discused in Alice Read Rouse's The Reads and their Relatives (1930).
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Scope and Content
The collection consists chiefly of letters written to lawyer and United States congressman A. W. Venable, primarily from his constituents, either commenting on politics and campaigns or seeking office. In 1847 and 1848, some of the letters deal with efforts to obtain appointments in the United States Army. Ten of the letters were written by William Woods Holden, editor of the Raleigh, N.C., Standard and a leader in the North Carolina Democratic Party. Also included is an account book belonging to Venable documenting the Brownsville plantation in Granville County, N.C., 1864-1872. Entries include contractual agreements, wages, and amounts deducted for staples for people who were formerly enslaved and who worked for him (first and last names are listed). Also included are records of wheat and corn crops during this time, with a few memos, promissory notes, and receipts interleaved.
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A. W. Venable Papers, 1847-1872.
Arrangement: chronological.
| Folder 1 |
Fourteen letters, 1847-184817 December 1847 #03871, Folder 1Abram Nathaniel Womack, son of Venable's sister Mary and her husband William M. Womack, from Buna Vista, Mexico, explaining that he had been with the army a year as a sergeant in Company C, Virginia Regiment, wanted an appointment in the regular army. 18 December 1847 #03871, Folder 1John S. Eaton, Henderson, commenting on politics, very critical of Calhoun, high praise for Polk and Robert J. Walker. 25 December 1847 #03871, Folder 1James H. R. Taylor, former captain in the 1st Regiment, Mississippi Rifles, recommending T. O. McClanahan for a position in the army. To this is appended a brief note by Jefferson Davis. 4 January 1848 #03871, Folder 1W. S. McClanahan, Oxford, commenting on politics, critical of Whigs, hoping Venable can help his son, T. O. 18 January 1848 #03871, Folder 1Nathaniel J. Palmer about the mail schedule from Danville to Milton. 22 January 1848 #03871, Folder 1W. H. Bayne, editor of the Fayetteville Carolinian, wanting to know if a new mission to Rome is to be created, as an unnamed Democrat wants it. For some reason a number of Democrats of Fayetteville and Wilmington turned to Venable for help despite the fact that their representative, James I. McKay, was a Democrat with longer service than Venable. 24 January 1848 #03871, Folder 1G. A. Schwarzman, Fayetteville, wanting a commission in the army; R. B. Gilliam, Oxford, recommending J. Winslow of Fayetteville for military appointment. 25 January 1848 #03871, Folder 1J. W. Lancaster, Goldsboro, asking Venable to get a promotion of Lieutenant George P. Andrews, 3rd Artillery, West Point graduate from Goldsboro; Venable to the Raleigh Register, copy, correcting a reference the newspaper made to him. 26 January 1848 #03871, Folder 1J. Allison, Hillsborough, sending a petition from Julia Davis, who asked for the discharge of her husband, who had gone to Mexico with the army, leaving her and two children at home without support. 1 February 1848 #03871, Folder 1J. Jackson, Pittsboro, asking for aid for Dr. Windship Stedman, who wanted appointment as army surgeon. 10 February 1848 #03871, Folder 1Samuel S. Cooper asking Venable to subscribe to the Washington Union for him. 19 February 1848 #03871, Folder 1Frederick Nash, North Carolina Supreme Court justice, about a Mr. Busbee who had resigned as a purser in the navy, anxious to know the state of his accounts because a Mrs. Taylor of Raleigh had signed his bond, family news (they were distant relatives); William A. Graham, printed letter signed, sending Venable resolution ofthe General Assembly asking that United States government improve inlets to North Carolina ports. 24 February 1848 #03871, Folder 1Barzillai Graves commenting on politics. 29 February 1848 #03871, Folder 1David N. Currie, medical student in Philadelphia, planning to visit Washington and Venable on his way home to Caswell County. |
| Folder 2 |
Eight letters, 18482 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2Barzillai Graves commenting on politics, death of Supreme Court Justice Joseph J. Daniel and his possible successor to be appointed by "Billy Graham and his counsellor-would be Governor Doct Roan" (probably Nathanial Roane of Caswell County). 9 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2N. J. Palmer, former post master at Milton, saying he has just been replaced by his former deputy, a man named Owen; several letters about the Palmer-Owen episode, from C. N. B. Evans, Graves, Venable to Evans and to Palmer (copies), W. L. Brown, assistant postmaster general, and N. M. Lewis. 12 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2William Woods Holden commenting on politics, especially the gubernatorial election and possible candidates. 20 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2William P. Graves, Saltillo, Mexico, asking aid for William High for a military appointment in opposition to Rush J. Mitchell, a "violent Federalist," comment on Robert Treat Paine and the North Carolina Regiment. 21 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2Colonel Joseph G. Totten, Engineer Department, United States Army, sending an appointment to West Point for George B. Anderson. 22 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2Totten explaining that anyone to whom Venable gives a service academy appointment must be a resident of his district (Anderson's home was in Wilmington, but he entered West Point that fall). 23 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2Robert J. Walker replying to an inquiry of Venable about the amount of custom duties collected in the fiscal year 1847-1848. 26 March 1848 #03871, Folder 2W. E. Anderson, Wilmington, thanking Venable for aiding George, who had come home to get prepared to leave. |
| Folder 3 |
Seven letters, 184810 April 1848 #03871, Folder 3James M. Wiggins commenting on local politics, the gratitude of Rush J. Mitchell for his appointment. 10 August 1848 #03871, Folder 3B. Graves about the results of gubernatorial election not yet determined, account of a Whig-Democrat debate, Calvin Graves and John Kerr among the participants. 29 May 1849 #03871, Folder 3Pages 1 and 2 of Montgomery Alabama Journal, containing comment on Congressman Henry W. Hilliard, with letter of Venable about the vote of Hilliard on John M. Berrien's substitute for Calhoun's Southern Address, proposed in a meeting of southern members of Congress. 16 September 1848 #03871, Folder 3H. M. Spencer accepting Venable's explanation of some difference between them and regretting his letter to Venable. 17 September 1848 #03871, Folder 3W. F. Leak, Rockingham, about a proposition to hold a pro-southern convention in North Carolina representing both parties. 17 October 1848 #03871, Folder 3Calvin H. Wiley wanting Venable's aid in securing an appointment as charge d'affaires in Turin, denying charge of abolitionism made against him by a Virginia newspaper because of something he wrote in Roanoke. 28 December 1848 #03871, Folder 3Business paper, bill of Venable to Corcoran and Riggs, and record of payment. |
| Folder 4 |
Eight letters, 1850-18518 April 1850 #03871, Folder 4Copies from Charleston Mercury about Governor Whitemarsh B. Seabrook's appointment of James Hamilton Jr. to the United States Senate to succeed Calhoun and Hamilton's resignation of the position when his place of residence was questioned. 21 April 1850 #03871, Folder 4Copy of letter from Venable to Hamilton telling of complimentary remarks about Hamilton made by Calhoun. 15 August 1850 #03871, Folder 4Pamphlet containing a speech of Venable on the Texas and New Mexico question, made in House of Representatives (transferred to the North Carolina Collection). 19 December 1850 #03871, Folder 4John F. Hoke, North Carolina Senate, Raleigh, discussing speeches there about the question of slavery in the territory acquired from Mexico and wanting an army appointment if a new regiment is to be raised. 16 April 1851 #03871, Folder 4W. W. Holden saying that he could not endorse one Democrat over another editorially, but thought Venable deserved re-election, feared J. R. J. Daniel would be opposed and defeated, said Reid was very successful as governor. 21 April 1851 #03871, Folder 4Abraham Rencher advising Venable to come to Pittsboro in May during the Chatham County court. 24 December 1851 #03871, Folder 4Letter from Holden on politics, the slavery question, etc. 29 December 1851 #03871, Folder 4Holden commenting on Kossuth and the presidential nomination. |
| Folder 5 |
Fifteen letters, 185213 January 1852 #03871, Folder 5Holden commenting on the presidential nomination and politics in the state. 28 January 1852 #03871, Folder 5Mary Clay (Smith) Breckinridge acknowledging a copy of a speech sent her by Venable, commenting on her son, John C. Breckinridge. 7 February 1852 #03871, Folder 5Holden commenting on politics. 19 March 1852 #03871, Folder 5David J. McCord thanking Venable for copy of a speech, mentioning writing for the Southern Review, the loss of Venable's library (not mentioned elsewhere in the papers), commenting on President Fillmore. 26 March 1852 #03871, Folder 5Holden commenting on the approaching political campaign in the state. 1 April 1852 #03871, Folder 5C. J. Ingersoll asking for information about Johnston Blakely for his history of the War of 1812. 16 May 1852 #03871, Folder 5Holden commenting on the state Democratic convention. 1 June 1852 #03871, Folder 5R. Buchanan, Cincinnati, sending his "grape treatise" and asking for information on grapes in North Carolina. 3 July 1852 #03871, Folder 5Venable asked to supply a copy of his address on Clay to be printed with others. 8 July 1852 #03871, Folder 5Holden thanking Venable for letter of sympathy, commenting on politics and plans for the campaign. 11 August 1852 #03871, Folder 5Holden reporting on elections, speculating on makeup of the new General Assembly. 3 September 1852 #03871, Folder 5Letter about Venable's subscription to the Fayetteville Observer. 21 September 1852 #03871, Folder 5Lewis D. Burwell, Rome, Ga., asking for a recommendation by Venable of Dr. James W. Hicks, son of Dr. John R. Hicks of Granville County, N.C., who wished to marry a young lady of Floyd County, Ga., commenting on politics in Georgia. 25 September 1852 #03871, Folder 5Venable to his brother, Samuel Woodson Venable Jr. about some business between them (copy). 31 December 1852 #03871, Folder 5Rich Brothers, London, about a bound set of the Lancet, a medical periodical desired by Venable. |
| Folder 6 |
Various letters, 1853-185526 May 1853 #03871, Folder 6Goodhue, New York, forwarding books (the Lancet) from Rich Brothers. 13 June 1853 #03871, Folder 6Albert Greenleaf, Washington, commenting on the Washington Union, its publisher, Robert Armstrong, the persons who wrote for it, and politics. 26 June 1853 #03871, Folder 6T. Barry thinking it essential for Venable to canvass Orange County. 26 July 1853 #03871, Folder 6J. Robert Jeffreys saying A. M. Lewis was a Whig in 1843-1844. August 1853 #03871, Folder 6A. G. Thornton explaining a remark he made about Venable that was quoted in the Standard. 8 August 1853 #03871, Folder 6John Berry commenting on the choice of Lewis over Venable by the Democratic district convention, criticizing Holden, whom he calls "the dictator." 30 August 1853 #03871, Folder 6J. C. Dobbin to Venable about patronage, especially postal appointments and the attitude of the post office department during Venable's campaign. 15 September 1853 #03871, Folder 6Exchange of letters between Lewis and Venable about a newspaper statement. 23 September 1853 #03871, Folder 6T. A. Woodward, Winnsboro, S.C., asking Venable to give him a statement on a conversation Venable held with James K. Polk during which Polk showed him the minutes of a pre-Revolutionary meeting in Mecklenburg County (prior to the "Declaration") with Thomas Woodward, a member of the committee; Woodward wished the information for a biography of Thomas Woodward and had been unable to get it from Mrs. Polk or Polk's nephew; commenting on politics in North Carolina and Venable's defeat. 26 October 1853 #03871, Folder 6Edward Cantwell about his plans to publish a paper, the Statesman, in opposition to the Standard, trying to get subscribers, Venable's plans to visit Wilmington, inviteing him to stay in his home. 10 May 1854 #03871, Folder 6Hugh Waddell, Pittsboro, about death of an unnamed friend or relative, plans for coal mine leases in association with Charles Manly, Dr. Johnston B. Jones, Venable, and Venable's son Thomas B. Venable. 19 April 1855 #03871, Folder 6N. E. Cannaday, Franklinton, about how the district convention had just nominated G. W. Thompson of Wake County as Democratic candidate for Congress; Cannaday said he thought Venable would accept this decision and not run. 20-28 April 1855 #03871, Folder 6O. L. Burch, Raleigh, Henry Kollock Nash, Hillsborough, and Lucien Napoleon Bonaparte, Battle, Nash County, all urging Venable to run as an independent Democrat against Thompson, some of them commenting on on Holden's enmity to Venable and the domination of the convention by the "Raleigh clique." |
| Reel M-3871/1 |
Microfilm copy of correspondence, 1847-1855 |
| Folder 7 |
Plantation account book, 1864-1872Acquisitions information: Addition of 2006 (Acc. 100562) Plantation account book belonging to A. W. Venable, owner of "Brownsville," in Granville County, N.C. Contains entries, 1864-1872, documenting contractual agreements, wages and amounts deducted from wages for staples for the freedpeople who worked for him (first and last names are listed). Also includes some records of wheat and corn crops during this time. Memos, promissory notes, and receipts have been interleaved. About half of the pages in the book are blank. |
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