Series 495: Mississippi Territorial Elections Records. 1800-1817; n.d.

Creator: Territorial Governor (RG 2).

Collection Summary: Records of various elections held throughout the territory. There are three general types of elections to which these records pertain: elections for a territorial representative to the U.S. Congress, elections for representatives to the Mississippi Territorial General Assembly, and elections for county and military officials (with most of the elections being at the county level). The records consist of election returns, usually with a certifying official signature; a voter list and a poll book; copies of oaths sworn by elected persons; correspondence and authorizations relating to elections; and a substantial number of depositions relating to voting irregularities such as illegal activities (bribery and corruption) and vote disqualifications. A calendar of documents can be found below.

Access Restrictions: Original records in this series are restricted due to age and/or fragility.

Date(s): 1800-1817; n.d.

Volume: 0.50 Cubic Feet.

Finding Aid Created By: Colby Cox in March 2025.

Related Materials: TBD.

Record Group History: The Territorial Governor of Mississippi was the figure selected by the U.S. Congress to be the leading political figure of the Mississippi Territory. The Office of the Territorial Governor was created on April 7, 1798, when the creation of the Mississippi Territory was authorized. The Territorial Governor initially had full power over the creation of legislation until a general assembly was formed to represent the state in May of 1800. The Territorial Governor additionally served as the commander-in-chief of the Mississippi militia and was given authority over affairs with native peoples. The office was abolished once Mississippi became a full state in 1817.

Collection Inventory:

Box Content	Box Number
1800-1814: Election Returns, Depositions, Oaths, Poll Book	117
1815-1817: Election Returns & Certificates; Voting Irregularities	19856

Calendar of Documents for Elections Records

DOC. #	DATE	ABSTRACT	BOX #
E1	Undated	List of voters	117
E2	Undated	Oath, Philander Smith, swearing oath of office as Member of the House of Representatives	117
E3	Undated	List, Baldwin and Mobile Counties, of civil and military officers	117
E4	July 29, 1800	Report of election, Will. Ferguson, Sheriff, et al, Pickering County, for Representatives	117
E5	Oct. 18, 1804	Return of election (copy), William Nicholls, Sheriff, Adams County, to Acting Governor Cato West, for Representatives	117
E6	July 11, 1805	Certificate of election, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Legislative Council, Washington, certifying William Lattimore's election as Delegate to the Congress of the United States	117
E7	Oct. 24, 1806	Return of election, George Ellis and Law. Ross, River Amit [sic], Wilkinson County, for officers of a volunteer rifle company	117
E8	July 1808	Certification by Inspectors Malone & Stringer for election of July 1808	117
E9	July 25, 26, 1808	Return of election, ? Malone and Francis Stringer, Inspectors, house of Lewis Moon, near Fort Saint Stephens, Washington County, for Representatives	117
E10	July 25, 26, 1808	Return of election, Robert Lewis, et al., house of Lemuel Henry, at Nauner Hibba Bluff, Washington County, for congressional delegate and assembly members	117
E11	July 26, 1808	Same sense as Doc. #E10	117
E12	July 28, 1808	Return of election, William Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, for a Delegate to the Congress of the United States	117
E13	July 30, 1808	Return of election, Ralph Regan, Sheriff, Claiborne County, to Governor Williams, for a Delegate to Congress	117
E14	Aug. 1, 1808	Return of election, Daniel Beasley, Sheriff, Jefferson County, for a Delegate to Congress and Representatives to the General Assembly	117
E15	Aug. 3,1808	Return of election, Montfort Calvit, Sheriff, Adams County, to Governor Williams, for a Delegate to Congress	117
E16	Aug. 14, 1808	Return of election, David Lea, East fork of the River Amite and Tickfaw, for militia officers	117
E17	March 2, 1809	Deposition, Captain John Hanes, Representative Chamber, before the Committee of Privileges and Elections, regarding fraud in the Washington District election	117
E18	Jan. 4,1810	Oath, Hugh Davis, swearing to support the Constitution of the United States and to faithfully and justly execute the office of Lieutenant Colonel in the Second Regiment	117
E19	Feb. 5, 1810	Oath, Samuel Stockett, swearing oath of office for Major in the Second Regiment	117
E20	April 11, 1810	Oath, David Greenleaf, swearing oath of office as Paymaster to the Third Regiment	117
E21	June 19, 1810	Recommendation, Will King, certifying that James H. Drury was elected an Ensign in his Company in the Third Regiment	117
E22	Sept. 13, 1810	Cover sheet, for return of election, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to Governor Holmes [election return itself is missing]	117
E23	March 23, 1811	Recommendation, E. Hunter to Major E. H. Marsalis, reporting election of Jas. [James] W. Moon as Lieutenant and Thomas Ward as Ensign	117
E24	April 11, 1811	Recommendation, Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Davis to Acting Governor Daingerfield, reporting election held in Captain Hunter's Company, Second Regiment, for subalterns (see above)	117
E25	April 20, 1811	Recommendation, Lieutenant Colonel David Neilson, Amite, to Governor Holmes, reporting officers' elections in the First Regiment	117
E26	May 28?, 1811	Return of election, Robert ?, Franklin County, for Legislator and Delegate to Congress; cover sheet	117
E27	May 28, 1811	Return of election, Stephen Neil, Sheriff, Madison County, for Legislators and Delegate to Congress	117
E28	May 28, 1811	Return of election, Jos. [Joseph] Briggs, Sheriff, Claiborne County, for Delegate to Congress	117
E29	May 29, 1811	Return of election, Wm. [William] Patton, Sheriff, Wayne County, to Governor Holmes, for Representative to Congress and Delegate to the Territorial Legislature	117
E30	May 30, 1811	Return of election, Hugh Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to Governor Holmes, for a Delegate to the Congress	117
E31	May 30, 1811	Return of election, Hugh Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, for Representatives to the General Assembly	117
E32	May 30, 1811	Return of election, Benjamin Baldwin, Sheriff, Baldwin County, for Congressional Delegate	117
E33	May 31, 1811	Return of election, Daniel Beasley, Sheriff, Jefferson County, for Delegate to Congress	117
E34	June 1, 1811	Return of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, for Delegate to Congress	117
E35	June 1, 1811	Return of election, David Lea, Sheriff, Amite County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress and Representatives to the Territorial Legislature	117
E36	June 3, 1811	Return of election, A. Glass, Sheriff, Warren County, to Governor Holmes, for a Member of the House of Representatives for the Territory and a Delegate to the Congress	117
E37	June 11, 1811	Return of election, Stephen Neal, Sheriff, Madison County, for a Delegate to Congress	117
#E38 and #E39	June 11, 1811	#E38 - Letter, Benj. [Benjamin] S. Smoot, Sheriff, St. Stephens, to Governor Holmes, transmitting return of election for Washington County;	117
#E38 and #E39	June 11, 1811	#E39 - On back: Return of election, Benjamin S. Smoot, Sheriff, St. Stephens, Washington County, giving number of votes cast in an election [for Delegate to the Congress]	117
E40	Jan. 13, 1812	Depositions, Elijah B. Wall, et al., Amite County, appearing before James Y. McNabb, deposing concerning an election for Justice of the Peace not being given proper public notice; Jan. 14, 1812, letter, John Donahoe, Justice of the Peace, to Gov., regarding the above (Doc. #E39)	117
E41	June 12, 1812	Affidavit, Cullen Earp, Madison County, swearing before John Martin, Justice of the Peace, relative to the conduct of John Burch	117
E42	May 25, 1813	Poll book, Baldwin County, for election for Delegate to Congress and Representative to the Territorial Legislature; return of election, James Dean, Coroner, Baldwin County, for Delegate to Congress and Representative to the Territorial Legislature	117
E43	May 25, 1813	List, of persons qualified to vote, James Garnett, Clerk, Jackson County, includes a statement of the poles [sic]	117
E44	May 25, 1813	Same as above, except submitted by John Ship	117
E45	May 25, 1813	Return of election, J. W. Smylie, et al., Franklin County, for Delegates to the Congress and the Territorial Legislature	117
E46	May 26, 1813	Return of election, Joseph Dunbar, Sheriff, Jefferson County, for Representatives to the General Assembly and a Delegate to the Congress	117
E47	May 26, 1813	Return of election, David Lea, Sheriff, Amite County, for Delegate to Congress; cover sheet	117
E48	May 27, 1813	Return of election, Stephen Neal, Sheriff, Madison County, for Delegate to the Congress	117
E49	May 27, 1813	Return of election, John Hanes, Sheriff, Clarke County, for Delegate to the Congress	117
E50	May 27, 1813	Return of election, Wm. [William] Patton, Sheriff, Wayne County, certifying that James Patton is duty elected for service as Representative for Wayne and Greene Counties	117
E51	May 27, 1813	Return of election, Josiah D. Lester, Sheriff, Washington County, to Governor Holmes, for a Delegate to Congress	117
E52	May 27, 1813	Return of election, Hugh Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to Governor Holmes for a Delegate to Congress	117
E53	May 28, 1813	Return of election, Jos. [Joseph] Briggs, Sheriff, Claiborne County, to Governor Holmes, for a Delegate to Congress	117
E54	May 29, 1813	Return of election, A. Glass, Sheriff, Warren County, for a Delegate to Congress	117
E55	May 29, 1813	Return of election, A. Glass, Sheriff, Warren County, for a Representative to the Territorial Legislature	117
E56	May 30, 1813	Return of election, White Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress, and cover sheet	117
E57	June 2, 1813	Return of election, Joseph Winn, Sheriff, Franklin County, to the Governor, for Representatives to the General Assembly and a Delegate to the Congress	117
E58	June 2, 1813	Return of election, Hardin D. Runnels, Sheriff, Marion County, for a Representative to the Congress from Marion and Hancock Counties	117
E59	June 12, 1813,	Return of election, Theod. [Theodore] Brightwell, Sheriff, M. [Mobile] Cty. [County], for a Delegate to Congress for Mobile and Jackson Counties	117
E60	June 12, 1813	Letter, Theod. [Theodore] Brightwell, Mobile County, to Acting Governor Daingerfield, enclosing above return (Doc. #E59)	117
E61	Jan. 4, 1814	Resolution, of the Select Men of the City of Natchez, that a committee be appointed to inform the Governor of Saml. [Samuel] Brooks's election as President of the body; certified by Jno. Lombard (Dated Jan. 4, 1813 inside)	117
E62	May 10, 1814	Return of election, Jos. [Joseph] Briggs, Sheriff, Claiborne County, to fill a vacancy	117
E63	Sept. 13, 1814	Return of election, Hh. [Hugh] Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative to the General Assembly	117
E64	Sept. 19, 1814	Return of election, Daniel Duvol, Sheriff, Mobile County, to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in the General Assembly	117
E65	Sept. 25, 1814	Writ of election, Governor Holmes, Washington, to the Sheriff of Jefferson County, authorizing and directing the Sheriff to hold an election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Thomas Hinds from his seat in the House of Representatives; Nov. 1, 1814, return of election, David Ker, Sheriff, Jefferson County, reporting the election disrupted	117
E66	Nov. 9, 1814	Writ of election, Governor Holmes to the Sheriff of Jefferson County, authorizing and directing him to hold an election to fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives occasioned by the resignation of Thomas Hinds; Nov. 21, 1814, return of election, David Ker, Sheriff, Jefferson County, for Representative	117
E67	Nov. 10, 1814	Letter, David Ker, Sheriff, Jefferson County, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, enclosing writ of election and return; alludding to the cause of the riot	117
E68	Nov. 19, 1814	Return of election, David Ker, Sheriff, Jefferson County, certifying the election of John Burch as Representative	117
E69	May 22, 23, 1815	Return of election, A. Glass, Sheriff, Warren County, certifying a statement of votes for candidates	19856
E70	May 22, 23, 1815	Return of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, for Representative to the General Assembly	19856
E71	May 23, 1815	Return of election, Jos. [Joseph] Briggs, Sheriff, Claiborne County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to the Congress	19856
E72	May 23, 1815	Return of election, Haydon Wells, Manager, et al., Washington County, for Delegate to the Congress and Representative, certified by Geo. B. Malone and William Bicknell, Clerks	19856
E73	May 23, 1815	Return of election, Jos. Acklin and ?, Madison County, cerfifying election of Members of the Legislature	19856
E74	May 23, 1815	Return of election, Jos. [Joseph] Briggs, Sheriff, Claiborne County, for Member of the General Assembly	19856
E75	May 23, 1815	Return of election, James Dean, Coroner, Baldwin County, for Delegate to Congress and Representative to the Territorial Legislature	19856
E76	May 23, 1815	Return of election, James Caller, Inspector of the Election, et al., Washington County, for Delegate to Congress and Representative to the Territorial Legislature	19856
E77	May 23, 1815	Return of election, Danl. Hughes?, William Roundtree, and Jos. Acklin, Madison County, to the Sheriff, forwarded to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E78	May 24, 1815	Return of election, Hugh Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to Governor Holmes, for a Delegate to the Congress	19856
E79	May 24, 1815	Certificate of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to Edward Turner, certifying election of Representatives to the General Assembly	19856
E80	May 24, 1815	Certificate of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to Nathan Swayze, certifying election of Representatives to the General Assembly	19856
E81	May 24, 1815	Certificate of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams Couny, to Anthony Campbell, certifying election of Representatives to the General Assembly	19856
E82	May 24, 1815	Certificate of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to James C. Wilkins, certifying election of Representatives to the General Asembly	19856
E83	May 24, 1815	Certificate of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to William D. Baker, certifying election of Representatives to the General Assembly	19856
E84	May 24, 1815	Certificate of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to the House of Representatives, certifying election of Representatives to the General Assembly	19856
E85	May 24, 1815	Return of election, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to the Congress	19856
E86	May 26, 1815	Return of election, Wm. [William] Spencer, Sheriff, Marion County, for Delegate to Congress and Member of the General Assembly from the election district Marion, Laurence [sic], and Hancock Counties	19856
E87	May 27, 1815	Certificate of election, Daniel Duval, Sheriff of the County of Mobile, for the election of a delegate to Congress in the election districts composed of the counties of Mobile & Jackson	19856
E88	May 27, 1815	Return of election, David Lea, Sheriff, Amite County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress and Representatives to the Territorial Legislature	19856
E89	May 27, 1815	Certificate of election, Stephen Neal, Sheriff, Madison County, certifying the election of Gabriel Moore as a Member of the Territorial Legislature	19856
E90	May 29, 1815	Return of election, Joseph Winn, Sheriff, Franklin County, for Delegate to the Congress and Representative to the Legislature	19856
E91	May 29, 1815	Return of election, John G. Grady, Justice of the Peace, Jefferson County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E92	May 30, 1815	Certificate of election, Wm. [William] Spencer, Sheriff, Marion County, certifying John Bond's election as Representative from the election district composed of Marion, Laurence [sic], and Hancock Counties	19856
E93	May 31, 1815	Certificate of election, Andrew Glass, Sheriff, Warren County, to the House of Representatives, certifying Henry D. Downs's election as a Representative	19856
E94	June 1, 1815	Return of election, Joseph Mott, Sheriff, Clarke County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E95	June 1, 1815	Letter, Dan. [Daniel] Coleman, Sheriff, W. [Washington] C. [County], to Governor Holmes, enclosing certificates of inspectors of elections	19856
E96	June 7, 1815	Certificate of election, Daniel Duvol, Sheriff, Mobile County, to Speaker of the House of Representatives, certifying ? Crawford's election to the House of Representatives	19856
E97	June 13, 1815	Certificate of election, Hugh Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to Wm. [William] Brown?, certifying the election of William Brown and Gerrard Brandon as Representatives to the General Assembly	19856
E98	July 1, 1815	Nomination, Samuel Davis and Elijah Franklin, Judges, Madison County, of militia officers	19856
E99	Oct. 5, 1815	Certificate of election, David Lea, Sheriff, Amite County, to the House of Representatives, certifying Henry Hanna's election to the House of Representatives	19856
E100	Nov. 1, 1815	Certificate of election, White Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, to the House of Representatives, certifying George Newman's election to fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives occassioned by the resignation of Nathaniel A. Ware	19856
E101	Nov. 1, 1815	Certificate of election, [White Turpin], Sheriff, Adams County, certifying George Newman's election to fill the seat, vacated by the resignation of Nathaniel A. Ware, in the House of Representatives	19856
E102	Nov. 7, 1815	Oath, Wm. [William] Brown, swearing oath of office for a Member of the House of Representatives; certified by Acting Governor Ware	19856
E103	Nov. 11, 1815	Letter, W. [White] Turpin, Sheriff of Adams County, Washington, to John Shaw, Chairman of the Committee of Elections, enclosing statement of the votes for Representative to the General Assembly	19856
E104	[ca. Nov. 15, 1815]	Resolve, Committee [of Elections?], concerning manner of examination of witnesses	19856
E105	Nov. 15, 1815	Deposition, of John Forsythe, taken before the Committee of Elections, Representative Chamber, deposing regarding voting of persons of doubtful qualifications	19856
E106	Nov. 15, 1815	Deposition, of White Turpin, taken before the Committee of Elections, Representative Chamber, deposing regarding the voting of persons of doubtful qualification and irregular procedures in the Adams County election	19856
E107	Nov. 16, 1815	Order, John Shaw, Chairman, Committee of Elections, to the Sergeant of Arms of the General Assembly, ordering him to summon John Rab, et al., to appear before the Committee to testify concerning the legality of the late Adams County election for Representatives	19856
E108	[ca. Nov. 18, 1815]	Depositions: of Parke Walton, concerning the legality or illegality of the Adams County election; of Philip Hill, deposing concerning his knowledge of any corruption, improper conduct, or bribery on the part of returning officers or candidates in the Adams County election; of Robert Williams, deposing regarding the question of misconduct, corruption, or bribery in the Adams County election	19856
E109	Nov. 18, 1815	Depositions: of Arch. [Archibald] Lewis, taken before the Committee of Elections, regarding the question of any bribery, corruption, or improper conduct on the part of returning officers or candidates in the Adams County election; of Marmaduke Reeves, deposing regarding his having voted on a tax qualification; of William Bryce, deposing regarding his having voted on a tax qualification; of George Newman, deposing regarding his having paid taxes for others, and his knowledge concerning any bribery, corruption and improper conduct in connection with the Adams County election	19856
E110	[ca. Nov. 20, 1815]	Depositions: of Hugh McCrary, regarding his qualifications for voting; of Richard Terrell, deposing regarding deeds being executed for the purpose of qualifying voters; of Edward Hunt, deposing regarding his knowledge of persons voting upon deeds made for that purpose; of Alexander Calvit, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill; of John ? Bowie, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill; of James Steen, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill; of ? Hankinson, deposing regarding Moses L. Hill's view of Chas. Hammond; of Alfred Ferguson, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill; of George B. Wagat?, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill; of Samuel W. Butler, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill; of Moses Richardson, deposing regarding the character of Moses L. Hill	19856
E111	[ca. Nov. 20, 1815]	Deposition, of Godfrey Glasburn, regarding persons admitted to vote on deeds procured for the express purpose of qualifying and whether certain persons voted	19856
E112	[ca. Nov. 20, 1815]	Examination, of G. [Godfrey] Glasburn, regarding the names of persons who voted without being qualified to do so and the source of the fraudulent deeds; deposition, of M. [Moses] L. Hill, deposing regarding deeds being made out fraudulently to enable unqualified persons to vote	19856
E113	Nov. 20, 1815	Depositions: of Robert Callwell, deposing regarding his having voted on another's deed; Moses L. Hill, deposing regarding persons voting on deeds (not their own?) and underage voting	19856
E114	Nov. 6, 1816	Return of election, Barnabus Allen, et al., Pike County, of officers for the Pike Volunteer Rifle Company	19856
E115	1817	Recommendation, Henry Taylor, et al., Lawrence County, to Major Harmon M. Runnels, recommending officers for a horse company of cavalry	19856
E116	March 6, 1817	Return of election, Den. [Dennison] Darling, St. Stephens, to Governor Holmes, for town officers; certification, of Raben Chamberlain's election as President of the Trustees	19856
E117	April 12, 1817	Return of election, Gyon Black, et al., house of Nicholas P. Bond, for Justice of the Peace and Constable	19856
E118	May, 1817	Return of election, Wm. Lesslie, Geo. Phillips, and Thomas ?, Huntsville, Madison County, for Representative to the General Assembly and Delegate to Congress	19856
E119	May 26, 27, 1817	Return of election, Tho. Wiggins, Wm. W. M. Cannica, Thos. W. Connell, Managers, Fort Claiborne, Monroe County, for Delegate to Congress and Member to the Legislature	19856
E120	May 27, 1817	Return of election, Laban Bacot, Sheriff, Pike County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress and Member to the Territorial Legislature	19856
E121	May 27, 1817	Return of election, Jos. [Joseph] Briggs, Sheriff, Claiborne County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E122	May 27, 1817	Return of election, John Burney, Sheriff, Lawrence County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E123	May 28, 1817	Return of election, Henry W. Stevens, Justice of the Peace, Montgomery County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E124	May 28, 1817	Return of election, White Turpin, Sheriff, Adams County, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E125	May 28, 1817	Return of election, A. Glass, Sheriff, Warren County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress and a Representative in the Territorial Legislature	19856
E126	May 29, 1817	Return of election, David Ker, Sheriff, Jefferson County, for a Delegate to Congress	19856
E127	May 30, 1817	Return of election, Elihu ?, Sheriff, Hancock County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E128	May 31, 1817	Return of election, Daniel Duval (Duvol), Sheriff, Mobile County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E129	May 31, 1817	Return of election, John Gilmore, Coroner, Clarke County, for Representative to the National Legislature	19856
E130	June 1, 1817	Return of election, James P. Bates, Sheriff, Baldwin County, for Delegate [to Congress] and Representative to the Territorial Legislature	19856
E131	June 2, 1817	Letter, Den. [Denison] Darling, St. Stephens, to Governor Holmes, enclosing copy of return of election (see March 6, 1817), requesting commission for Justice of the Peace; cover sheet	19856
E132	June 2, 1817	Return of election, Perry King, Sheriff, Jackson County, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E133	June 3, 1817	Return of election, Hugh Connell, Sheriff, Wilkinson County, to Governor Holmes, for Delegate to Congress	19856
E134	June 9, 1817	Return of election, Jno. Cameron, Sheriff, Franklin County, for candidates for Congress and the General Assembly	19856
E135	June 14, 1817	Return of election, ? Lister, Sheriff, Washington County, for Representative to the General Assembly and Delegate to Congress	19856
E136	[June 18, 1817]	Return of election, Joseph Winn, Sheriff, Franklin County, for Representative to the General Assembly	19856