Business papers, 1763-1815

Most of the papers in this series relate to business interests of Stephen Minor. He apparently owned land around Natchez, Miss., and possibly in Louisiana, and was a cotton planter.

Some of the earliest papers relate to individuals whose relationship with the Minor family is not known. There are a few papers, 1763, of William Evans of Middlesex County, England, including a loan agreement between him and Benedict Arnold of New Haven, Conn.

In the late 1700s, there are deeds for land sales to Stephen Minor written in Spanish. He was apparently buying land in the vicinity of Natchez. A few of the documents record sales of land made to John Minor, Stephen's brother. Some of the letters and other documents are directed to Major Stephen Minor, indicating that he was or had been an officer in some type of military organization. Natchez at that time was under Spanish control, and it is not known in what capacity he was serving or had served.

In the early 1800s, there are a few business papers and personal letters to members of the Lintot family in Natchez. Stephen Minor married Katharine Lintot, which probably accounts for his having these papers in his possession. Also included are accounts for purchases of goods made by General John Wilkins of Pittsburg from William T. McCormack, a merchant in Natchez.

Stephen Minor was involved in the cultivation of cotton and received letters from cotton factors in Liverpool, England, and New Orleans, La., 1812-1815. Stephen apparently used the firm of Barclay and Salkeld in Liverpool and received detailed reports from them on the cotton market. In 1815, there is a letter from this firm reporting on the condition of the market due to "the peace," probably a reference to the defeat of Napolean at Waterloo. There are also a few documents pertaining to Stephen Minor's use of people whom he claimed as property and enslaved, including an agreement to lease enslaved people from his brother John.

Stephen was an administrator for the estate of William Lintot, who was probably a brother or relative of his wife, Katharine Lintot Minor. Some of the estate papers are contained in this series. Documents show that Stephen was interested in theater and belonged to a theatrical club formed among the gentlemen of Natchez.

Also included is a scattering of family correspondence from Stephen's relatives and friends. In 1815, there is a copy of his will beqeathing his property to his wife Katharine and his children Frances, Katharine Lintot, Stephen, and William John.

Estate papers, 1816-1826

Stephen Minor died sometime in 1815 or 1816, and the papers following his death relate chiefly to his brother John Minor. There was frequent correspondence from cotton factors in Liverpool, England, and New Orleans, La. John was probably managing Stephen's property as well as his own, as he was an executor in the estate. John used William Kenner & Company in New Orleans and George Green in Liverpool as factors. George Green wrote frequent, detailed reports on the state of the cotton market in England and included printed statements on prices of cotton and tobacco from locations in the United States and around the world. There was occasional correspondence and papers from other cotton factors, Barclay and Salkeld in Liverpool. Included is an affadavit by an employee of Barclay and Salkeld attesting that a load of cotton from John Minor was received in damaged condition.

John Minor was apparently managing a number of estates at this time. There are papers about the estates of Stephen Minor, William Lintot, Bernard Lintot (father of Katharine Lintot Minor), and James Kercheval. It is not clear whether John was executor for all these estates, but he was apparently involved in them in some way. Items include bills, receipts, accounts, and other legal documents relating to the estates. John corresponded with Nathaniel Wiltshire, an overseer for William Lintot's property, and Ambrose Bridges, overseer for Stephen Minor's property (possibly Waterloo in Iberville Parish, La.) about the cultivation of cotton and its transportation to New Orleans for sale.

Stephen's widow, Katharine Lintot Minor, had gone to Philadelphia, Pa., with her children in 1816, and there is little correspondence from her. It is unclear whether she remained permanently in Philadelphia or returned at times to Mississippi during this period. In 1820, William J. Minor (son of Katharine and Stephen) wrote to John from Philadelphia.

Correspondence and other papers, 1827-1831

Beginning in 1827, some of the correspondence and other papers are directed to Katharine Lintot Minor, who had apparently returned to Mississippi. Her son William was left behind in Philadelphia in the care of James Dinsmore and F. N. Ogden. Both men wrote to Katharine about William's progress in his studies, his health, and his social life. Katharine wrote to William from Concord (possibly Concordia Parish, La.), giving family news and telling him of her sister's financial troubles.

Katharine wrote to William in 1828 about his brother Stephen, who was ill. She had advised Stephen against attending a meeting to divide up his father's estate, which she thought might excite him. Later that year, William returned to Mississippi, possibly on business connected with his father's estate. He received several letters from F. N. Ogden describing the activities of his friends in Philadelphia. By the end of 1829, William had returned to Philadelphia.

There are also papers of John Minor, who continued to correspond with cotton factors. Included are a few papers relating to the estates he was involved in. In 1829, John and Katharine as executors for the estate of Stephen Minor, sold some land to William Minor. In 1830, John received a letter about the final settlements in the estates of William and Bernard Lintot.

In 1831, William Minor had apparently settled permanently in Natchez, Miss. John Minor wrote from Nashville to congratulate him and his wife Rebecca on the birth of a son.

Correspondence, 1835-1900

Scattered correspondence, chiefly of William Lintot, his wife Rebecca, and their children.

William grew sugar on his plantation, and there are accounts for sugar sales. The family lived first at Waterloo, possibly in Iberville Parish, La., and later at Southdown Plantation, possibly in Terrebone Parish, La. Rebecca corresponded with her mother in New York.

In the 1840s, William's correspondence relates to property in his father-in-law's estate. In 1853, there is a receipt for payment to an individual who had captured and returned an enslaved person who had attempted to self emancipate.

Most of the letters from the 1870s are to Rebecca Minor from her children. There are only a few letters after that time.

Undated material includes some personal letters to Katharine, Rebecca, and Stephen Minor. There are several documents written in Spanish, some of which appear to be deeds for land. Also included are lists of people who were enslaved, accounts of goods purchased, papers in the estate of Stephen Minor, and a notebook with notes on grammar.

Microfilm copy of collection, 1763-1900

Extra oversize papers