More: George W. Campbell

Apparently the Library of Congress owns a copy of our ancestor's picture, as part of its historic collection of Booker T. Washington papers.  This is what is indicated by the caption under George W. Campbell's likeness in the book: The Booker T. Washington Papers, Volume 2.

The business which was operated by our great-great-grandfather, other than his position as President of the Macon County Bank, was called Campbell & Wright.  Since the term merchant was applied to him, I imagine that the firm Campbell & Wright was engaged in some sort of retail trade.  Eliza Jane Wright Campbell's brother William Wright was the other partner in this operation.

I just found another fascinating fact about George W. Campbell and his brother-in-law William H. Wright.  In the book History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography (1921) by Thomas & Marie Owen, it is stated that these men and several others established the Tuskegee Railroad Company in 1860, with the object of connecting the town of Tuskegee to the Montgomery & West Point Railroad.  However, the Civil War interrupted this project, and the track was torn up during hostilities.  In addition, William Wright joined the Confederate cavalry in 1863; by the War's end he had been promoted to the rank of army Captain.

In 1871, the railway's "franchise and property" were sold to three parties who formed a partnership: E. T. Varner, Mrs. L. V. Alexander, and Campbell & Wright.  Their corporate name was E. T. Varner & Co.; with E. T. Varner serving as its president, G. W. Campbell as first vice-president, and Capt. W. H. Wright as secretary, treasurer, and general manager.  The railway project was completed, and the Tuskegee Railroad was put into operation effective January 1, 1872.  There were about seven miles of track, a locomotive engine, and six cars including one passenger car.  The total investment [cited in 1915] was $106,150, with no indebtedness. 

Post script: George W. Campbell

George W. Campbell is mentioned in the history section of the Tuskegee University website, www.tuskegee.edu, and also in the www.wikipedia.org article about Tuskegee University.

The best place to read about his contributions is in the multi-volume set, The Booker T. Washington Papers, Louis R. Harlan, Editor, published by the University of Illinois Press, 1972. Volume 1 is a compilation of Washington's biographical writings. George Campbell is mentioned many times in both Up From Slavery and The Story of My Life and Work. Volume 2: 1860-89 also contains many references to our ancestor and has his picture in the illustration section.

Here is the title of one example from Volume 2, taken from pages 212-13:

ANNUAL REPORT OF GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE TUSKEGEE COLORED NORMAL SCHOOL, FOR THE YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 1882

In 1881 the State legislature appropriated $2,000 for the school, and this report for the first year accounts for every penny expended, with $226.71 as an ending balance!
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In 1981, the college was commemorating its Centennial Year. On February 12, 1981, or Charter Day, the descendants of George Washington Campbell and of the ex-slave Lewis Adams were recognized and honored with the Tuskegee Institute Centennial Award. These two men, along with M. B. Swanson, were the original,designated State Commissioners, as well as Trustees. Responding to the recognition for the Campbell family were Mrs. Flora Campbell Woodruff and Mr. Charles W. Campbell, children of George Lee Campbell. Our grandmother Lucerne, or Mrs. Hiram G. Haynie, was in attendance as another of the grandchildren of Mr. & Mrs. George W. Campbell, being the daughter of Mrs. Lucerne Campbell Hill. Gloria Hopkins, or Mrs. George D. Hopkins, was in attendance as a granddaughter of Lucerne Campbell Hill.

This program was held in the Tuskegee Chapel. Speakers included the Governor of Alabama and the President of Virginia's Hampton Institute, the place which originally educated Booker T. Washington and recommended him to George W. Campbell for the post of heading up the new normal school, which used to be the term that was used for schools which educated teachers. This school taught many different subjects and trades, right from its beginning. It evolved into a world-class university.

Vincent Shelton Morgan's 1892 letter

Here is the third letter in the trio having to do with the trip made by Lawrence Hill to visit his Aunt Lizzie and cousins in southwest Virginia. Vincent S. Morgan (1818-1894) was the patriarch of the Morgan clan at this point in time; he had served as a State legislator, as well as Smyth County sheriff. He was called Uncle Vint by his nieces and nephews.

His great-grandson told me recently that Vincent Shelton Morgan was wealthy, at least in terms of land ownership. He lives today on part of that land, the Morgan farm, in the vicinity of Saltville.

"Mattie" referred to here was one of V. S. Morgan's three children, Martha Elizabeth Morgan Miles. She was a first cousin of Lawrence Hill's mother, Onie Morgan Covington. The son-in-law referred to here was Mattie's husband and quite an accomplished man, George Miles.

Marion, Va.
Nov. 22nd, 1892
Dear Onie,

I just got home yesterday from a visit to Mattie & found your letter awaiting me. Lawrence is here & well & hearty. He can stay here until it is convenient for you to send him money to go home, he is no incumbrance to us. I would lend him the money to go home if I were in a condition to do so provided he wanted it, but I will say in all frankness that I am not able to do so. Money matters are closer with me now than they have been for many years. One reason is I have been trying to help my son-in-law put up buildings for a school, I feel that I am almost compelled to go South this winter if I am able & I shall be pressed to arrange my business & raise the money to pay my expenses.

I was very glad to hear you were all well & getting along fairly well. I am getting quite feeble & my eyesight very bad- rest of my family all well. With best wishes & hoping to hear from you whenever convenient. I remain your uncle,

V. S. Morgan

Reverend Uncas McCluer's 1891 letter

                                                                        Osceola  Va.                                                                                                      

                                                                                                            12. 12. 1891.

Dear Onie -

Your letter arhavd today and is answered forthwith -

We are glad to hear that Lawrence is coming to Va - the "Old Dominion."  Your plan will be to get a Ticket to Bristol Tenn.  Bristol is on the State Line fifteen miles from Abingdon Va.  And both on the Main Line of R.R. from the South West to the North East - Abingdon is (7) seven miles from our house over a good road.

I will meet him at the Depot or if he comes in the night, or very early in the morning, tell him to take the Hack, & go to the "Colonade Hotel" and wait their till I come.  Mr. & Mrs. Harris - the Hotel people are great friends of ours, and if Lawrence will just call my name he will be all right.

Lizzie says, feed that Baby, Morgan, some so you will not break down.  Also, if you have plenty, send us a few pecans. - The children here do not know what they are -

We are as well as usual.  As ever your Brother,
                                                                        U. McCluer
P.S. Tell Lawrence to get off at Bristol,  & have his Trunk rechecked to Abingdon, & get another ticket -  There is usually plenty of time for that -

Lawrence Hill's letter - Circa 1892

A few editorial notes to go with this letter:

Lawrence was about 14 years old in 1892, the year of his trip from Texas to Virginia. He may have been "slow" for his age. Nonetheless, I think this is a charming letter; and I'm so glad that it was saved for us to enjoy, along with the two letters from the adults in Va. [After Ione Morgan Covington died, these things were kept by her son Alto & his wife Effie Covington.]

Lawrence's reference to "cars" means, of course, train cars.

Agnes and Kate are Rev. McCluer's daughters, half-sisters to the children of Lizzie Morgan McCluer & Uncas McCluer. Evidently Kate was away from home during this period; she was 17 yrs old. The other McCluer children & their approx. ages in 1892 were Lacy, age 10; twins Netta & Patty (given name Mattie), age 8; Morgan, age 3; and Robert "Dabney," infant....These five children were first cousins to Onie Covington's children.

An endearing bonus is the page devoted to Lawrence's little sister Cassie Shapard, who was 4 years old at the time. And the reference to "brother" would be to Morgan Covington, who was 1 year old. The last postscript is inquiring about their dog & horses, I presume! Oh, and "Mattie & Vera" are other Texas cousins, children of Emma Morgan Mixon, I think.

I couldn't understand the postscript he wrote to his mother.

Well Mamma I wrote you a letter last night and will write some more to night. I went to the Store this eve and got a par of drawers you sent me. I had to send 9ct. to Abilene to the P.O. Master to put on that bundle. he wrote me a card that there was not a nough Stamps. You thought Agnes was little. She is biger than I. I got acquainted with Some boys here. Aunt Lizzie looks like Aunt Alice. Lacy got a letter from Kate. She said I [was] bold to come here by myself. At Memphis I saw the lectricity. Cars crosed the Mississippi River at night but got to see it. did not take any cold. did not get sick. any way enjoyed my trip fine. went throu one Tunnel it like to made me deaf the Cars sound so loud. I am sory Mr. Harrel house got burnd down heap rather it would have ben Trents. is halken rider or what ever his name is going to mary Julia Trent? it has ben cold and wet wether untill the last 2 or 3 days but think it is fixin up for bad agane. I haven't ben homesick any yet feel like I am at home. well I can't think of any more so I will close. your ever loving Son Lawrence Hill

Postscript I guess you think I can back the boss [?] letters.
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Dear Sister I will write to you a litle letter. Morgan is a bout your size. have you got your litle Waggon and your tu dolls? Aunt Lizzie says you are geting pretyer than you was. are you and brther well? Uncle Mc. says I will hft to [be] a litle patent with Morgan. he is so much like I usted to be. the Twins are so much a like that I can't tell them apart without examimine closely. have you ben to see Mattie and Vera? I will close. your loving broter good Night Lawrence Hill

Postscript how is Shep ageting a long and the Horces?