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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.
Funding from the State Library of North Carolina supported the encoding of this finding aid.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 1.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 500 items) |
| Abstract | The Neal Family Papers document white farmers and plantation owners, enslaved and free people of color, and freed people in Franklin County, N.C.; Fayette and Henderson counties, Tenn.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Hinds County, Miss.; Waxahachie, Tex.; and other areas of the old Southwest in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Antebellum letters from white enslavers in the Neal family and related Fox and Timberlake families concern moving west, buying land, establishing profitable cotton plantations, trafficking in forced labor, religious life in the old Southwest, and student life at the University of North Carolina. Of note are letters with describing an act of resistance planned by enslaved people and their subsequent murders by hanging in Livingston, Miss.; the murder of an enslaved person by another enslaved person; attitudes toward and treatment of enslaved people, including corporal punishment; health of enslaved people; courtship, marriage, and divorce among enslaved people; and Black musicians. There are two letters written by enslaved people about life after being trafficked away from home and family. Letters from the American Civil War years describe camp life and combat experiences, mainly in the Virginia theater. Letters from after the war describe an African American religious revival; a 12 year old African American girl who was jailed for starting fires; the perception of antagonistic relations between African American people and Indigenous people of North America; the oppressive impact of stock laws on Black and white farmers; home remedies; and more broadly, late 19th-century farm life in North Carolina and small-town life in Texas. Financial, legal, and other items date from both before and after the American Civil War. Of note are a promissory note related to the trafficking through hiring out of the labor, skills, and knowledge of an enslaved person and a list of people enslaved by the Neal family in 1862. |
| Creator | Neal (Family : Franklin County, N.C.) |
| Curatorial Unit | Southern Historical Collection |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Processing Information
Processed by: William T. Auman and Enola Guthrie, 1984
Encoded by: Mara Dabrishus, October 2004
Updated by: Amanda Loeb, March 2012
Conscious Editing by Nancy Kaiser, December 2020 and June 2024: Updated collection overview, subject headings, biographical note, scope and content note, and contents list.
In June 2024, archivists reviewed this collection to uncover more information about the lives of enslaved and free people of color. Containers that include materials related to enslaved and free people of color during the antebellum period, the institution of slavery, or freed people after the Civil War are indicated as "Records of enslavement and/or free people of color" or "Records of Reconstruction." Researchers are advised that the collection may include more documentation of slavery, free people of color, and Reconstruction than has been identified in this finding aid.
Since August 2017, we have added ethnic and racial identities for individuals and families represented in collections. To determine identity, we rely on self-identification; other information supplied to the repository by collection creators or sources; public records, press accounts, and secondary sources; and contextual information in the collection materials. Omissions of ethnic and racial identities in finding aids created or updated after August 2017 are an indication of insufficient information to make an educated guess or an individual's preference for identity information to be excluded from description. When we have misidentified, please let us know at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.
Funding from the State Library of North Carolina supported the encoding of this finding aid.
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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
The Neals, Foxes, and Timberlakes were all white families of at least moderate wealth that was dependent on the forced labor of enslaved people. The Neal family owned a plantation in Louisburg, Franklin County, N.C. Family members who went west all trafficked enslaved people with them and had the cash to buy good farm land.
The two generations of the white Neal family in these papers lived between 1816 and 1915. Principal figures in the earlier generation included Moses (d. 1853), James, John, Aaron (d. 1869), and Mary (Timberlake), all of whom were the children of Moses Neal (d. before 1830), a plantation owner of Franklin County, N.C. Other individuals who figure in the earlier portion of these papers are Aaron's wife, Elizabeth Fox; her relatives (probably siblings) Burrell, Robert, Richard, Martha, and William Fox; Richard Timberlake (Mary Neal's husband); Sim Neal, who originally was enslaved in Louisburg, N.C., but by 1827 had been trafficked to Fayette County, Tenn., probably by James Neal; and Foxes Peney, who originally was enslaved in Louisburg, N.C., but by 1834 had been trafficked to Meridian Springs, Hinds County, Miss., probably by Burrell Fox.
In the 1820s, James and John Neal moved west, first to Alabama, then to Tennessee, to buy land and establish cotton plantations. Their sister Mary Neal Timberlake and her family soon followed. By the 1830s, Burrell, Richard, Robert, and William Fox were in Mississippi setting up plantations, and their sister Martha and her family were homesteading in Tennessee.
Aaron Neal remained on the family plantation with his mother and his wife Elizabeth Fox. The Population and Slave Schedules of the Federal Census for Franklin County indicate that Aaron Neal in 1860 enslaved 18 people and had real estate worth $15,210 and personal property worth $20,402. According to a list included in the collection, he enslaved 21 people in 1862.
Moses Neal was unmarried and a merchant in Williamsboro, Granville County, N.C.
Members of the second generation of Neals represented in these papers are the children of Aaron Neal, their spouses, and a few friends. The 1860 Federal Census for Franklin County listed Aaron's children as Transbry C., Temperance B., Mary E., Lavinia, Moses, Charles I., and Mit. Aaron had two older sons living away from home in 1860, Nathan and James. Nathan Neal was a student at the University of North Carolina in 1857 and, during the American Civil War, worked in Alabama as a railroad construction engineer. His brother Transbry served in the Confederate Army in Virginia.
After the war, Transbry returned to the family farm near Louisburg, but Nathan went west and settled in Waxahachie, Tex., about 30 miles south of Dallas, where he remained until his death. Nathan eventually married and raised a son, Garrett, who joined his father in the land surveying business.
Aaron Neal died in 1869, and Elizabeth Fox Neal apparently had died earlier, leaving Transbry Neal as head of household with significantly less wealth than before the war: the 1870 federal census listed Transbry's real estate as worth $5000, and his personal estate $300.
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Scope and Content
The Neal Family Papers document members of the white Neal, Fox, and Timberlake families, enslaved and free people of color, and freed people in Franklin, N.C.; Fayette and Henderson counties, Tenn.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Hinds County, Miss.; Waxahachie, Tex.; and other areas of the old Southwest in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Most of the antebellum letters were written to Aaron Neal, a white plantation owner in Louisburg, Franklin County, N.C., from Neal, Timberlake, and Fox family members who had moved west. Many letters describe the problems associated with moving west, trafficking in forced labor, buying land, and establishing profitable cotton plantations. Some of the letters provide insight into the experiences of enslaved people from the perspective of white enslavers, including several letters describing an act of resistance planned by enslaved people in Mississippi and their subsequent murders by hanging in Livingston, Miss.; the murder of an enslaved person by another enslaved person; attitudes toward and treatment of enslaved people, including corporal punishment; health of enslaved people; courtship, marriage, and divorce among enslaved people; and Black musicians. There are two letters written by enslaved people about life after being trafficked away from home and family. Lastly, there are a few letters concerning religious life in the old Southwest and student life at the University of North Carolina.
There are twelve letters from the American Civil War years: one each from soldiers serving in the Yorktown and Petersburg, Va., areas in 1861; one from the North Carolina homefront in 1863; two from Nathan Neal in Alabama in 1864; and seven from soldiers in the Virginia theater (mainly Petersburg) in late 1864. Most of the letters were written by soldiers, mostly friends and relatives of the Neals, at the front who detailed camp life and combat experiences.
Letters from after the war describe an African American religious revival; a 12 year old African American girl who was jailed for starting fires; the perception of antagonistic relations between African American people and Indigenous people of North America; the oppressive impact of stock laws on Black and white farmers; home remedies; and more broadly, late 19th-century farm life in North Carolina and small-town life in Texas.
Financial, legal, and other items date from both before and after the American Civil War. Bills and receipts pertain to the operation of Aaron Neal's cotton plantation before the American Civil War and to Moses Neal's cotton farm after the war. There are many tax receipts, including two Confederate tax-in-kind receipts, but most are for Moses Neal in the Reconstruction era. Of note are an 1855 promissory note for payment for the labor, skills, and knowledge of Harriet, an enslaved person who had been trafficked through hiring out; a list of 21 people who were enslaved by Aaron Neal in 1862; and T. C. Neal's account book that documents financial relationships with individuals who likely were freed people.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Correspondence, 1816-1931.
Arrangement: chronological.
The description of the letters has been divided into three time periods: the antebellum (up until 1860), the American Civil War (1861-1865), and Reconstruction (after 1865).
The Antebellum Period
The pre-war period includes two letters written by people who were enslaved. Sim Neal came to Tennessee with his enslaver James Neal and wrote a letter, 3 September 1827, to his mother, brother, and sisters at the Aaron Neal plantation near Louisburg, N.C.,, mentioning that he purchased a tract of land, an act that would have been inconsistent with his legal status as an enslaved person. Foxes Peney, who was enslaved by Burrell Fox, wrote a letter, 22 June 1834, to her mother and brother, who were enslaved by Aaron Neal. She wrote that she was homesick for her family and passed messages from others at Meridian Springs, Miss., back to their families in Louisburg.
Most of the antebellum letters were written to Aaron Neal, a white plantation owner in Louisburg, Franklin County, N.C., from Neal, Timberlake, and Fox family members who had moved west. These letters describe the problems associated with moving west, trafficking in forced labor, buying land, and establishing profitable cotton plantations. In some cases the letters provide insight into the experiences of enslaved people from the perspective of white enslavers.
James Neal wrote a letter, 29 December 1826, after he had moved to Fayette County, Tenn., in which he noted that the enslaved people sent their love to their mother and other family members back home in Franklin County, N.C. In a letter dated 15 April 1829, James described his experiences while on a trip to New Orleans during the preceding several months. He mentioned the treatment of Black people; his trafficking of an enslaved person; and courtship, marriage, and divorce among the enslaved people. He also mentioned working as a clerk on a Mississippi River steamboat for a few months and the market prices of cotton and other crops. James Neal's letters more regularly described life in early Tuscaloosa, Ala., and discussed such topics as land speculation, farming, local politics, dancing and public entertainment (including Black musicians), law and order, and business opportunities.
John Neal wrote from Tuscumbia, Ala., where he looked for land and a wife, and later from Fayette County, Tenn., where he moved in with his brother James Neal. In letters to his brother Aaron, John detailed the crude housing and living conditions he had to endure and described the planting and cultivation of his first season of crops.
Mary Timberlake wrote from Henderson County, Tenn., in January 1827, to her relatives in North Carolina about the condition of the people enslaved by her family, the trip west, the trials of homesteading, the construction of a house and barns, religion and camp meetings (Baptist and Presbyterian), local schools, and planting cotton and other crops.
Burrell Fox wrote a letter, 25 September 1835, in which he told of an uprising led by enslaved people in Mississippi that ended with the hanging of five white men and three Black people in the town of Livingston. In other letters, Burrell, writing from Hinds County, Miss., described flush times in Mississippi where the trafficking of enslaved people, land, and cotton crops brought premium prices. He also mentioned the effect of the environment in Mississippi on the health of white and Black people.
Richard Fox mentioned in his letters how Mississippi society differed from society in North Carolina and commented on dancing and popular entertainment. Like his brother Burrell, Richard was elated over the prospects of making large profits in the Mississippi cotton market.
Moses Neal wrote to his brother Aaron Neal from Williamsboro, Granville County, N.C., about business problems, state and national politics (he was a Whig), slavery, courtship, and matters of community and family interest. Toward the end of his life he wrote about his diminishing eyesight. A letter, 25 August 1853, from Aaron Neal, described his Moses's last days and death transition.
Aaron Neal wrote to his son Nathan several letters relating news from home. In letters dated 13 and 21 August and 26 October 1857, Aaron discussed the case of a theft allegedly committed by free Black people. On 9 September 1857, Aaron wrote in detail about the violent punishment he administered to a person enslaved by his neighbor whom he had caught stealing watermelons from his patch. Aaron's letters to his son also dealt with crops, deaths and disease, religion (including "protracted meetings" and revivals), and included fatherly advice on how to be successful in his studies at the University of North Carolina.
Nathan Neal wrote to his father about the murder of one enslaved person by another enslaved person in Chapel Hill. His two letters also discussed his lessons, course work, and professors; and complained that his bed was full of "chincks" and his food "filthy."
The American Civil War Period
There are twelve letters from the American Civil War years: one each from soldiers serving in the Yorktown and Petersburg, Va., areas in 1861; one from the North Carolina homefront in 1863; two from Nathan Neal in Alabama in 1864; and seven from soldiers in the Virginia theater (mainly Petersburg) in late 1864. Most of the letters were written by soldiers, mostly friends and relatives of the Neals, at the front who detailed camp life and combat experiences.
The Postbellum Years
There are about 15 letters from 1870 to 1915, from Nathan Neal, in Waxahachie, Tex., to his brothers and sisters in North Carolina. Nathan frequently exhorted his siblings and their children to move to Texas where economic opportunities abounded. He wrote of Texas weather, crops, livestock, land prices, births and deaths, diseases, weddings, and other matters. On 28 January 1905, Nathan detailed his being assaulted and stabbed in the neck by an angry tenant.
Most of the postbellum letters from North Carolina were written by Moses Neal (son of Aaron Neal), Lavinia Neal, and Tempie Neal to each other. They lived in Franklin or nearby counties. Their letters reflected the daily routine of farm life. Common topics included crops (especially cotton), cooking, quilting, marriage, death, religion, mule and horse trading, rural crime, and other matters.
| Folder 1 |
Correspondence, 1770, 1816-1819Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 2 |
Correspondence, 1820-1823 |
| Folder 3 |
Correspondence, 1824-1826Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 4 |
Correspondence, 1827Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 5 |
Correspondence, 1828-1829Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 6 |
Correspondence, 1830-1832 |
| Folder 7 |
Correspondence, 1833-1834Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 8 |
Correspondence, 1835-1836Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 9 |
Correspondence, 1837-1839Records of enslavement and/or people of color:
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| Folder 10 |
Correspondence, 1840-1844Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 11 |
Correspondence, 1845-1849Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 12 |
Correspondence, 1850-1854Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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| Folder 13 |
Correspondence, 1855-1860Aaron Neal wrote his son Nathan several letters relating news from home about the "neighborhood," which likely included people of color. In letters dated 13 and 21 August and 26 October 1857, Aaron discussed the case of a theft allegedly committed by free Black people. Aaron's letters to his son also described crops, deaths and disease, hunting, religion (including "protracted meetings" and revivals), and included fatherly advice on how to be successful in his studies at the University of North Carolina. He frequently mentioned the family's dogs, Snip and Rock. Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
Digital version: Letter from Nathan P. Neal to Aaron and Elizabeth Neal, 2 September
1857
|
| Folder 14 |
Correspondence, 1861-1865 |
| Folder 15 |
Correspondence, 1866-1873 |
| Folder 16 |
Correspondence, 1874-188027 September 1878: letter from Tempie to sisters and brother, mentioning a religious revival attended by African American people in the neighborhood. A suicide is also mentioned. 17 April 1879: letter from Tempie to Mitt, offering home remedies for the croup and for chills. 10 November 1879: letter from Temperance Boddie to brother and sister, reporting that had died of "yellow chills" and typhoid fever. |
| Folder 17 |
Correspondence, 1881-1883 |
| Folder 18 |
Correspondence, 1884-188931 October 1885, letter from Mitt Neal to Brothers and Sisters, briefly reporting that Pitchford was seeking "radical office" in opposition to the stock laws, which required livestock owners to fence in their livestock. Pitchford apparently campaigned on the premise that stock laws were intended to oppress poor white people and people of color. The letter also mentions a store either owned by or catering to Jewish people in Louisburg. 29 April 1889, letter from Tempie Neal to Sister and Brothers, describing a 12 year old African American girl who had been jailed for starting fires, and the perception of antagonistic relations between African American people and Indigenous people of North America. |
| Folder 19 |
Correspondence, 1890-1899 |
| Folder 20 |
Correspondence, 1900-19314 December 1903: letter from Mitt Neal to Sister, mentioning leasing land to several people who likely were African American farmers, including Sarah and Ruffin. 10 December 1903: letter from Mitt Neal to Sister, reporting that they had made shirts and drawers, apparently for African American tenant farmers. |
| Folder 21 |
Correspondence, Undated |
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Series 2. Financial Material, 1823-1941.
Arrangement: by type.
Chiefly bills and receipts pertaining to the operation of Aaron Neal's cotton plantation before the American Civil War and to Moses Neal's cotton farm after the war. There are many tax receipts, including two Confederate tax-in-kind receipts, but most concern Moses Neal in the Reconstruction era. Of note are an 1855 promissory note for payment for the labor, skills, and knowledge of Harriet, an enslaved person who had been trafficked through hiring out; a list of 21 people who were enslaved by Aaron Neal in 1862; and T. C. Neal's account book that documents financial relationships with individuals who likely were freed people.
| Folder 22 |
Bills and receipts, 1832-1859 |
| Folder 23 |
Bills and receipts, 1860-1938 |
| Folder 24 |
Tax receipts, 1823-1941 |
| Folder 25 |
Account book, 1865-1867Records of Reconstruction:
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| Folder 26 |
Promissory notes and miscellaneous items, 1862-1896Records of enslavement and/or free people of color:
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Series 3. Legal Material,circa 1779-1892.
Arrangement: by type.
Estate papers of Aaron Neal and James Neal, land surveys, land grants, indentures, deeds, a marriage certificate (1806), a crop lien contract (1892), and other legal documents pertaining to members of the Neal family.
| Folder 27 |
Estate records, 1833, 1870 |
| Folder 28 |
Land grants, deeds, and indentures, 1779-1848 |
| Oversize Paper OP-4370/2 |
Indenture, 19 May 1801, William Bowers to Moses Neal |
| Folder 29 |
Other legal items, 1806-1892Includes a contract for the rental of a brandy still. |
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Series 4. Miscellaneous Material, circa 1820-1900.
Arrangement: by type.
Cures and recipes, printed items, poems, speeches, and other material. Of note is a printed map of military bounty lands in Arkansas Territory, circa 1821, by John Gardiner, chief clerk of the General Land Office, Washington, D.C.
| Folder 30 |
Cures and recipes, circa1860-1890 |
| Folder 31 |
Printed items, circa1850-1890 |
| Folder 32 |
Miscellaneous items, circa1821-1870 |
| Oversize Paper OP-4370/1 |
Printed map of military bounty lands in Arkansas Territory by John Gardiner, circa 1821 |
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Items Separated
J. B. Gambrell, A View of the Negro Question. (Transferred to the Rare Book Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill)
Oversized papers (OP-4370/1-2)
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