10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Georgia Historical Society Creator: Bevan, Joseph Vallence, 1798-1830. Title: Joseph Vallence Bevan papers Dates: 1733-1826 Extent: 0.9 cubic feet (16 folders, 1 oversize folder) Identification: MS 0071
Biographical/Historical Note
Joseph Vallence Bevan (1798-1830), a Savannah lawyer, was appointed official historian of Georgia in 1824. In this capacity he arranged, published, and copied many of the state's official papers and collected others from private sources. He also undertook to write a history of Georgia. Bevan died before he could finish his work, History of Georgia. His papers were scattered, and some were lost.
Scope and Content Note
The Joseph Vallence Bevan papers consist of 138 items, of which most are copies. Many of the originals have been lost or are in other collections not known to the Georgia Historical Society. Some were separated from the boy of the papers and are listed in other Georgia Historical Society collection, with notations that they originated in the Bevan collection.
The papers consist of official colony and state papers, and letters and papers of individuals. The papers cover various phases of colonial and state government; Indian affairs, including original lists of presents to the Indians, 1749-1751; Revolutionary War military affairs, ; and the Yazoo land speculation.
The official papers consist of Lists of Acts disallowed under the Royal Government, 1755-1775; Proceedings of Governor and Council, 1774-1780; Proceedings of Executive Council, 1778-1779, 1782; extracts from the journals of the Georgia House and Senate and resolutions; letters to and from the Governors; proclamations; and negotiations with the Indians.
The writers of letters, depositions, etc. are in alphabetical order: Timothy Barnard, Richard Call, Patrick Carr, Elijah Clark, Zachariah Cox, Count d'Estaing, Nathanael Greene, James Gunn, Abner Hammond, James Jackson, John Loverel, James Madison, M.A.B. Mangourit, Governor Mathews, Old Tossell (Cherokee chief), John Nepommene de Quesada, Archer Norris, Andrew Pickens, Daniel Stewart, Anthony Wayne, Charles Weatherford, and Solomon Wood. In addition, two letters written to Bevan in 1812 relating to the writers' Revolutionary War experiences are from Samuel Beckcom and Richard Winn. There are also parts of two other such letters from sources not identified.
This collection was assembled with the aid of Peter Force's "Table of Documents Collected by Joseph Vallence Bevan," a copy of which is filed with the papers; and through internal evidence, such as notes, etc. The collection is arranged chronologically.
Index Terms
Bevan, Joseph Vallence, 1798-1830. Charleston (S.C.)--History--Siege, 1780--Personal narratives. Cherokee Indians--Georgia--History. Creek Indians--Georgia--History. Depositions. Georgia--Boundaries--Florida. Georgia--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 1/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers Georgia--Politics and government--1775-1865. Government records. Habersham, James, 1715-1775. Indians of North America--Georgia. Legal documents. Letters (correspondence) Lists (document genres) Oglethorpe, James Edward, 1696-1785. Resolutions (administrative records) United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Personal narratives. Virginia Yazoo Company. Yazoo Fraud, 1795.
Location of Originals
Original journal of Richard Winn in the McIntosh papers, Keith Read collection, at the University of Georgia Libraries.
Administrative Information
Custodial History
Dr. William Daniell was the executor of Joseph Vallence Bevan's estate; the acquisition date of 1866 is questionable. In the Society's minutes, December 12, 1839, the members resolve to attempt the acquisition of Bevan's collection from Dr. Daniell (Book I, p. 24).
Preferred Citation
[item identification], Joseph Vallence Bevan papers, MS 71, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Dr. William Coffee Daniell, 1866.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the Georgia Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Division of Library and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Georgia Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Separated Material
Two volumes of the Georgia Governor and Council meeting minutes were separated and cataloged with the Georgia Governor and Council collection, MS 277.
One volume of Georgia Executive Council minutes, 1777, was separated and cataloged with the Georgia Executive Council papers, MS 284.
http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 2/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers Publication Note
Letters of James Habersham published in Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, VI (Savannah, 1904).Letter, Jonas Fauche to J.V. Bevan, 1825, published as "The Frontier of Georgia in the Late Eighteenth Century," in the Georgia Historical Quarterly, XLVII (March 1963), 84-95.
Sponsorship
Encoding funded by a 2012 Documenting Democracy grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Container List
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1 1-2 Oration, undated "Scattered memoranda, relating to the History of Georgia from 1733-1825 inclusive."
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2 Lists of documents
Covering letter transmitting lists of documents in the Executive Department to Governor George M. Troup, undated
Documents connected with the 1st era, 1732-1766
Documents connected with the 2nd era, 1754-1775
Documents relating to the 3rd era, 1774-1778
Loose documents from, 1783-1802
Documents relating to the 5th era, 1803-1825
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3-4 9-10 Bevan's Ms. History of Georgia in two parts: Revolutionary War, 1738-1763
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http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 3/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers 5 13, Lists of presents delivered to the Indians, 1749 August 10-1751 July 19 15, 23- 31 Including presents sold to Messr. Harris and Habersham towards defraying the expenses contracted on account of the Indians. (1 incomplete)
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6 32 Copy of a letter written by General Oglethorpe on his return from Georgia, 1733 June 27
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6 33 Proceedings of the Assembled Estates of All the Lower Creek Nation, 1739 August 11 Includes James Oglethorpe's letter "To All His Majesty's Subjects..." August 21, 1739. (Coweta treaty)
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6 34 Deed of Conveyance, Malatchi Opeya Mico of the Creeks, to Thomas and Mary Bosomworth, the islands of St. Catherine, Ossabaw and Sapelo, 1750 August 2 Signed by the Chiefs (mark).
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6 35 Confirmation of above deed, 1750 September 29
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6 36 Articles of Friendship and Commerce between the Georgia Trustees and the Chief Men of the Lower Creek, true copy Made October 18, 1733; dated September 20, 1751.
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7 37 Deposition of Thomas Marriott concerning the treaty made at Coweta and Cusseta, 1739 August 11, 1755 April 24
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7 38 List of Captions and Acts disallowed under the Royal government, 1755-1775
http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 4/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
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7 39 Copy of Resolves of Assembly of Georgia on the Oppressive Acts of the British Parliament, 1775 February
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7 40 Conversation and information to the town of Savannah from Governor Wright to Noble Wimberly Jones and Joseph Clay, 1776 January 18 Regarding arrival of Men of War and would be expecting provisions from town.
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7 41 Conversation between Governor Wright, Noble Wimberly Jones and Joseph Clay, 1776 January 22 Reply to above.
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7 42 Proceedings of Council of Safety, 1775 December 11-1776 March 1 View online. Online Inventory Contains Digitized Items
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7 43 Proceedings of Council of Safety, 1776 April 30-1776 August 19
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7 44 Resolutions and proceedings of Supreme Executive Council, 1778 August 31-1779 August 18 Regarding protection of families of persons who have gone to East Florida; appointment of members of Supreme Executive Council.
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7 45 Duplicate of Resolution of August 31, 1778
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8 46 Proceedings of Council (Executive Board?), 1782 January 4-1782 March 12
http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 5/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
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8 47 Letter of General Nathanael Greene to Governor John Martin, 1782 January 9
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8 48 Letter of the House of Representatives of Georgia to the President of the Continental Congress, 1782 January 12 Regarding conditions in the state.
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8 49 Letter from General Anthony Wayne to Governor John Martin, 1782 February 19
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8 50 Proclamation of Governor John Martin, 1782 February 20 Offering pardon and protection to all citizens within British lines, with some exceptions.
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8 51 Proclamation of Governor John Martin, 1782 February 21 Offering land and livestock to every British non-commissioned officer and private soldier who becomes a citizen of Georgia.
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8 52 General orders, 1782 March 2
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8 53 Extract of a letter from General Nathanael Greene to Governor John Martin, 1782 March 12 Asking increase in Georgia Continental line.
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8 54 Extract of a letter from General Anthony Wayne to Governor John Martin, 1782 March 15
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8 55 Report of Committee of House of Representatives of Georgia to Consider Ways and Means to raise Georgia's quota of Continental troops, 1782 May 1
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8 56 Governor John Martin's representations of his needs to the House of Representatives, and Resolutions of the House on the subject, 1782 May 3-4
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8 57 Proceedings of Council, 1782 May 10-1782 December 5 Includes memoranda from Governor Patrick Tonyn of East Florida, August and December 1782.
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8 58 Letter of General Anthony Wayne to General Nathanael Greene, 1782 May 4 Regarding military situation.
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8 59 Another copy of above in a different hand
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9 60 Minutes of the House of Representatives of Georgia, 1782 July 3-4
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9 61 Letter of General Nathanael Greene to Governor John Martin, 1782 July 14
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9 62 Resolutions of the House of Representatives of Georgia, 1782 July 27 Providing bounty of Negroes for those who did duty as Dragoons under Colonel James Jackson.
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9 63 Report of a committee of the House of Representatives of Georgia, 1782 July 29 http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 7/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers Regarding pay for Colonel Jackson's Dragoons, and a Resolution of the House, July 30, 1782, granting Josiah Tattnall's Savannah house to Colonel Jackson for his services.
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9 64 Letter of General Nathanael Greene to Governor John Martin, 1782 August 8
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9 65 Letter of Patrick Carr to Governor John Martin, 1782 August 11 and 1782 August 22 Two letters on one sheet.
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9 66 Letter of General Nathanael Greene to Governor John Martin, 1782 August 16
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9 67- Proclamations of Governor John Martin, 1782 September 3 68 Regarding merchants in Savannah, and statement re James Belcher, also a merchant of Savannah, September 6, 1782.
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9 69 Letter of Governor John Martin to Patrick Carr, 1782 October 17
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9 70 Presentments of the Grand Jury of Chatham County, Georgia, 1782 October 23
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9 71 Letter from General Andrew Pickens to Governor John Martin, 1782 October 26 "A message sent to the Middle Grounds, by Charles Beaman, a half breed, and by a fellow called the Horn to the Vallies" September 25, 1782; Talk delivered by General Pickens to the Cherokee Indian Nation, October 17, 1782. 1 folio.
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9 72 Letter of General Elijah Clarke to Governor John Martin, 1782 November 3 http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 8/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
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10 73 Order of the Georgia House of Assembly to Governor John Martin to send Talk to Creek and Cherokee Nations for a congress at Big Shoals to demand cession of land, etc., 1783 January 11
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10 74 Agreement of Georgia House of Assembly reserving lands for refugees and Continental officers, 1783 February 13
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10 75 Letter of Patrick Carr to Governor Lyman Hall, 1783 September 13 Regarding Georgia-Florida border troubles.
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10 76 Letter of Patrick Carr to Governor Lyman Hall, 1783 December 10 Georgia-Florida border troubles.
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10 77 Letter from Comte d'Estaing to the Governor and House of Assembly of Georgia thanking them for a grant of land in Georgia, 1783 December 20
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10 78 Extract of a letter from Comte d'Estaing to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, regarding his Georgia land grant, undated
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10 79 Resolutions of the Georgia House of Assembly empowering the Governor to issue warrants for land for certain officers named in the resolutions, 1785 February 21
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10 80 Extract of a letter from Jonas Fauche to Governor Mathews, 1785 November 4 Should be 1795. Regarding invasion of East Florida and blockade of St. Mary's River. See also http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 9/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers item 118.
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10 81 Talk of Old Tossell Cherokee Chief to Governor of Georgia (Edward Telfair), 1786 February 24
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10 82 Statement of Abner Hammond re Alexander McGillivray and expected invasion of Creek Nation; Extract of a letter from Timothy Barnard to Governor of Georgia George Walton regarding McGillivray and Indian troubles, 1790 January 22 1 folio.
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10 83 Letter from the Governor of South Carolina (Thomas Pinckney) to the Governor of Georgia (George Mathews), 1787 April 2 Regarding armed fugitive slaves.
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10 84 Letter from James Gunn to General James Jackson, 1787 May 6 Regarding armed fugitive slaves.
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10 85 Letter from Governor George Mathews to John Sevier, 1787 August 9 Regarding Indian marauders in frontiers of Greene County.
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10 86 Letter from James Jackson to the Governor of South Carolina (Thomas Pinckney), 1787 Regarding armed fugitive slaves.
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10 87 Letter from James Jackson to the Governor of Georgia (George Mathews), 1787 Regarding armed fugitive slaves.
http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 10/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers Fldr Item
10 88 Letter from Solomon Wood to the Governor of Georgia (George Handly), 1788 March 14 Regarding Indian depredations.
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10 89 Letter from the Governor of East Florida (Manuel de Zespedes) to the Governor of Georgia (George Handly), 1788 October 10 Sending confidential information of preparations of Indians for plundering, led by William Bowles.
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10 90 Deposition of John Loverel, 1788 December 17 Regarding his service under William Bowles.
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11 91 Letter from George Walton to Benjamin Lincoln, Cyrus Griffin and David Humphries, Commissioners, 1789 October 4 Regarding Indian lands, treaties, depredations.
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11 92 Letter from John Jones et al to Seaborn Jones, 1789 December 12 Regarding information of Society to promote emigrations from Ireland, France, Switzerland and sister states to settle Western territory.
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11 93 Motion of the House of Representatives, 1789 December 12 For disposing of certain vacant lands; repeats above letter and gives tabulation of votes on the motion.
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11 94 Address to the Citizens of Georgia signed by Seaborn Jones et al on the sale of the Western territory, 1789 December 17
Fldr Item http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 11/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers 11 95 Petition of Zachariah Cox et al to General Assembly of Georgia, seeking grant for a settlement on Tennessee River, 1789 December
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11 96 The State vs. Patrick Carr et all: indictment for murder of Acquilla Massey, 1790 September 10 Petition of a number of inhabitants of Burke County for Patrick Carr's reprieve, August 21, 1790. 1 folio
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11 97 Extract from proceedings of the House of Representatives of Georgia: Report of the Committee on the Combined Society, 1790 December 4 Regarding land speculation.
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11 98 Extract of a letter from major Richard Call enclosing message of the Mad Dog of the Coweta towns to Governor Edward Telfair, 1794 July 2 Mad Dog's message was asking satisfaction for death of his son is on verso.
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11 99 Extract from a report of Charles Weatherford to Major Richard Call, regarding statement of Alexander McGillivray that it was dangerous to carry mail through Indian Nation, 1791 November 29
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11 100 Copy of Report of Charles Weatherford, reporting on William Bowles' movements, 1792 January 7
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12 101 Letter of Michel Ange Bernard Mangourit to the Governor of Georgia (Edward Telfair), 1793 October 24 Mangourit was French Consul for Georgia and the two Carolinas. The letter concerns celebration of Georgia on the French Constitution of 1793.
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http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 12/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers 12 102 Letter of Charles Howard to the Governor of Georgia (George Mathews) regarding recruiting in South Carolina and Georgia for invasion of Florida, 1794 January 3
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12 103 Letter of Governor of Florida (Juan Nepommene de Quesada) to Governor George Mathews regarding intended invasion of Florida, 1794 January 7
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12 104 Affidavit of William Jones re intended invasion of Florida, 1794 February 6 Enclosed in above letter.
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12 105 Deposition of Archer Norris, 1794 August 1 Gives account of action with Indians near Fort Washington, Georgia; plat of ground where it took place.
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12 106 Letter of Colonel Daniel Stewart to General James Gunn, 1794 November 2 Reporting Indian attack on families in Liberty County.
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12 107- Abstracts from journals of the House of Representatives, Senate, letters, etc. 117 December 8, 1794, December 11, 1794, December 12, 1794, December 15, 1794, December 18, 1794, December 25, 1794, December 29, 1794, January 3, 1795, January 4, 1795, January 6, 1795. Regarding sale of Western territory.
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12 118 Letter of Governor of East Florida (Quesada) to the Magistrates of Camden County, 1795 October 14 With letter of Thomas King and William Johnston to Quesada, same date. Regarding intrusions of Georgians, particularly General Elijah Clarke into Florida. See also item 80.
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12 119 Letter of James Madison to General James Jackson, 1785 December 27 http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 13/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers Should be 1795. Regarding amendments to U.S. Constitution.
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12 120 Incomplete notes from House of Representatives, 1794 December 20, 1796 January 14
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12 121 Extracts from proceedings of House of Representatives and Senate January 15, 1796 January 22 1796; February 15, 1796. Regarding expunging acts relative to Western territory and details of burning the papers.
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12 122 Extracts from proceedings of House of Representatives of Georgia regarding petition of trustees of children of Samuel Elbert for their relief, 1796 June 29
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12 123 Resolutions of House of Representatives of Georgia regarding land between the Chattahoochee and Mississippi Rivers, 1798 January 29
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12 124 Petition of the Virginia Yazoo Company re method of payment for land, 179?
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13 125 Copies of and abstracts of letters of James Habersham, 1765 October 28-1775 April 7 ( 18.0 p. )
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14 126 Extracts "From Adam Anderson's British Commerce, first published in the year 1760" ( 5.0 p. )
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15 127 Richard Winn to J.V. Bevan (?). Washington, 1812 April 10 Gives details of surrender of Fort McIntosh. Letter incomplete. Writer identified as Winn by internal evidence. http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 14/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
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15 128 Journal of Richard Winn, 1780 May 12-1780 December Tells of his war experiences from the fall of Charlestown, South Carolina to end of 1780.
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15 129 Samuel Beckcom's statement of military operations from 1778-1780, 1812 June 1 ( 9.0 p. )
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15 130 Jonas Fauche to J.V. Bevan. Greensborough, 1825 February 5 ( 10.0 p. )
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15 131 C.F. Bergman to J.B. Bevan. Ebenezer, 1825 October 24 ( 16.0 p. ) Regarding production of silk at Ebenezer; extracts from Urlsperger Tracts.
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15 132 Seth Luther to J.V. Bevan. Augusta, 1826 March 23 ( 1.0 p. ) Regarding drawings and models for Greene and Pulaski monument.
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15 133 Fragment of a letter (to Bevan?), undated ( 4.0 p., ) Regarding Revolutionary War participation. Begins on p. 4, "With about 20 men" to 1782.
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15 134 Fragment of a letter (to Bevan?), undated ( 8.0 p. ) Revolutionary War participation, 1782-1788.
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16 Miscellaneous papers These papers were not found with the body of Bevan papers described above, but because of their content, the period covered, and other internal evidence, they have been attributed to Bevan. http://ghs.galileo.usg.edu/ghs/view?docId=ead/MS%200071-ead.xml;query=;brand=default 15/16 10/18/2014 Joseph Vallence Bevan papers
Taxes for the year 1793. Tax receipts from the counties
Folio containing financial records of Georgia, 1786-1807 Extracts from proceedings of the Senate and House re the embargo, 1808; articles on the value of raising sheep in Georgia.
Folio containing taxes by each county, 1799 extracts from Judge George Walton's charge to the Grand Jury re land conveyances; lists of balances due the state by collectors, 1800-1808; data regarding the Indians, 1803-1812, including extracts from house and Senate proceedings; copies of letters from Return J. Meigs, Prethla Mekko, William A. Bowles, Benjamin Hawkins, Christian Limbaugh, papers re the charges against Judge Jabez Bowen, 1804; message of Gov. Peter Early regarding the alleviating law, 1814.
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1 Items 11-12, 14, 16-22, 31A
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