The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System (CLPLS) has digitized one record book belonging to two members of the Morton family, Whitfield “Whit” Morton and Martha “Matt” Elizabeth Morton.
The bulk of the 124-page record book first contains entries from 1861-62 and then picks back up again to cover 1899 through 1904.
The writings from the 1860s belong to Whitfield Morton, who recorded both daily and agricultural information about the Morton plantation. It contains data on the weather, farm work, enslaved persons and more. Specifically, it documents how many hogs and deer were killed, the amount of cotton picked per week, how the weather affected the crops and a list of enslaved persons along with their work production and health.
The portion dating from 1899 to 1904 was written by Whitfield’s sister, Martha Elizabeth Morton. Martha used it as a personal ledger as well as for purchases made to the Morton household at Twelve Gables.
Martha, who was in ill health, made note of many doctor’s visits, prescriptions and medical costs. Besides doctor visits, she also used the book to keep track of purchases for the house, such as ribbons, buttons, tablecloth, milk, bread and gowns. There are also purchases made from different stores in town, such as Loeb’s Department Store.
The Morton family moved from Putnam County, Georgia to Columbus in 1838 and purchased the house called Twelve Gables, located at 220 Third Street South.
Whitfield was born in 1834 and studied law at the University of Mississippi and the University of Virginia in Richmond. He joined the U.S. Army and fought with the 15th Mississippi regiment, Company H, as a lieutenant with the Yalobusha Rifles. Whitfield died at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862.
Martha was born in 1828 and is most known for her part in the creation of Decoration Day. In 1866, she helped organize a day of tribute for those buried in Friendship Cemetery who died in the Civil War. This act was reported in the New York Tribune and memorialized in the poem “The Blue and The Gray” by Francis Miles Finch.
Martha lived at Twelve Gables until she passed away on August 15, 1904.
To view the digital record book, visit https://msdiglib.org/columbus.
The CLPLS works with the Mississippi Digital Library (MDL) out of the University of Southern Mississippi to make collections housed in the library archives available online to researchers worldwide. The MDL provides an online portal for discovery and access of digital collections throughout the state. To visit the MDL, go to www.msdiglib.org.
For more information call (662) 329-5304 or email [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
