Finding Aid for the Ripley Family Papers, 1811-1930


MS-2384

University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN


Encoded by: Elizabeth Dunham, July 11, 2006.

Summary Information
Title: Ripley Family Papers

Date/Date Range :   1811-1930

Extent: 0.9 linear feet

Abstract:
The Ripley Family Papers, 1811-1930, contain correspondence, legal papers, bill and receipts, and other papers of the members of a Greene County, TN, family. The bulk of the collection consists of documents noting the sale of plots of land.

Call number: MS-2384

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Access and Use
Aquisition Information:
Collection was purchased by Special Collections in August 1995.
Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Copyright:
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of Item], Ripley Family Papers, MS-2384. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Arrangement

Collection consists of nine folders.


Biography / History

Samuel (born October 8, 1793) and Sarah (born June 15, 1797) Ripley of Greene County, TN, had nine children -- five sons (David, Andrew, Tylgman, Lafayette, and Josephus) and four daughters (Nancy, Camaline, Sarah Jane, and Sharlotte). David Ripley, a lawyer, had at least one child -- a son named Dana. In 1930, Dana, who served in the Army during World War I, was elected Justice of the Peace for Greene County, TN.


Collection Scope and Content Note

The Ripley Family Papers, 1811-1930, contain correspondence, legal papers, bill and receipts, and other papers of the members of a Greene County, TN, family.

The bulk of the collection consists of legal papers, primarily those regarding the sale of plots of land. Many belonged to David Ripley and involve other members of the Ripley family who had hired David to handle their legal matters. Some of the earlier legal papers, however, are summons to appear in judicial court in Greeneville. These papers are signed by Valentine Sevier, the county clerk.

A small amount of correspondence is included in the collection. The majority of these letters deals with business transactions, such as land deals. A number of are between David Ripley and W.R. Ripley of Jackson, TN, David's cousin. A small amount of personal correspondence can be found.

The remainder of the collection contains bills, receipts, and other papers of members of the Ripley family. The bills and receipts consist mostly of records of sales made or taxes paid by Samuel or David Ripley. Included in David Ripley's other papers are a daybook recording his expenses during the 1840s, loyalty papers from 1866, and handwritten notes from geographic surveying work. Adie Ripley's papers contain a stock certificate for the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad and a social invitation. Dana S. Ripley's papers contain his military discharge records and a certificate noting his election as Justice of the Peace for Greene County.

Subject Terms

  • Justice, Administration of -- Tennessee.
  • Legal documents -- United States.
  • World War, 1914-1918.
  • Greene County (Tenn.) -- Commerce.
Contents List
Box   1     Folder   1    
Correspondence, 1840-1911

Box   1     Folder   2    
Wills, undated

Box   1     Folder   3    
Legal Papers, 1811-1915

Box   1     Folder   4    
Legal Papers, 1811-1915

Box   1     Folder   5    
Legal Papers, 1811-1915

Box   1     Folder   6    
Bills and Receipts, 1820-1900

Box   1     Folder   7    
Other Papers -- David S. Ripley, 1840-1866

Box   1     Folder   8    
Other Papers -- Adie Ripley, 1881-1893

Box   1     Folder   9    
Other Papers -- Dana S. Ripley, 1919-1930