Samuel Williams papers, 1836-1850

Descriptive Summary

Title
Samuel Williams papers, 1836-1850
Creator
Williams, Samuel, d. 1848.
Extent
23 pieces.
Subjects
Williams, Samuel, d. 1848.
Williams, John R.
Clay, Green.
Hemp industry--Kentucky--Bourbon County.
Slaves--Social conditions.
Slaves--Suicidal behavior.
Land titles--Registration and transfer.
Cotton trade--Kentucky--Bourbon County.
Businessmen.
Farmers.
Bourbon County (Ky.)
Correspondence
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Finding Aid Author
Processed by: Archives Staff ; machine-readable finding aid created by:Eric Weig
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Businessman, farmer. Samuel Williams was a resident and local businessman of Bourbon County near Paris, Ky. He was owner and operator of a hemp factory and was a slaveholder.
Scope and Content
These are the papers and correspondence of Samuel Williams. The letters from Williams to his son John R, document local business dealings, market prices and land transactions. Williams also writes about agricultural activity including cotton and hemp and slave trading and prices. Several letters include accounts of slaves who committed suicide and one letter mentions the sale of Green Clay's estate. A copy of the funeral notice of Samuel Williams is included with the materials.

Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

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Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

Contact SCRC with questions.

Requests

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.