Collection Details:

Collection Name and Number: Allen Hargrove Papers (Z/0796).
Creator/Collector: Allen Hargrove.
Date(s): 1858, 1863, 1864, 1869, 1886.
Size: 0.30 cubic feet.
Language(s): English.
Processed by: MDAH staff; Redescribed by William Smith, 2024.
Provenance: Gift of H.H. Hargrove, Jackson, Mississippi, on October 7, 1963.
Repository: Archives & Records Services Division, Mississippi Department of Archives & History.

 

Rights and Access:

Access restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Publication rights: Copyright assigned to the MDAH. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to Reference Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the MDAH as the owner of the physical items and as the owner of the copyright in items created by the donor. Although the copyright was transferred by the donor, the respective creator may still hold copyright in some items in the collection. For further information, contact Reference Services.

Copyright notice: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Preferred citation: Allen Hargrove Papers (Z/0796), Mississippi Department of Archives & History.

 

Biography:

Allen Hargrove

Allen Hargrove was a Methodist-Episcopal minister, who served as a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. He was granted a license to preach in the Methodist-Episcopal Church, South, Demopolis District, Alabama, after having presumably migrated from South Carolina.

Hargrove was involved in the Southern Theater of the Civil War with activity around Mobile, Alabama, and all throughout the state of Georgia. During the battle of Atlanta, he was captured and sent to Camp Douglas Military Prison. Either having already been in bad health or having his health deteriorate over the march would lead him to pass away after three days of arriving at the camp.


Scope and Content Note:

The letters are mostly from Allen Hargrove to his wife and sent back to his place of residence. Most of these letters took place during the Civil War or, more specifically, the Southern Campaigns undertaken by the Union. The letters reflect his everyday life in the Confederate Army as well as his hopes for the future while also doing his best to comfort his loved ones during the difficult times and hardships of wartime. On several occasions, he also encouraged her to keep faith in God and that His will would prevail. 

The earliest item is the renewal of a license giving Hargrove authority to preach.  Also included is a letter from Mary Hargrove's aunt, Carrie Hancock, detailing how portions of the farm had to be either sold or rented.  informs her of the conditions on the old home place, noting that part of the farm has been rented to African-Americans to help pay some debts. Additionally, a transcript for a letter written by W. T. Gray to John Hargrove (brother of Allan Hargrove), dated September 25, 1869, is included, in which Gray tells of the death of Allan Hargrove. 

 

Series Identification:

Series 1: License Renewal, July 10, 1858.
The series consists of one renewal of a license giving Allen Hargrove authority to preach in the Methodist-Episcopal Church, South, Demopolis District, in Alabama. The series contains the original item and a transcript of the license.

Box 1, Folder 1

Series 2: Correspondence, 1863-1864; 1869; 1886.
The series consists of correspondence and accompanied transcripts. The primary focus of the collection are letters from Allen Hargrove to his wife Mary Hargrove. Several pieces of correspondence are partial letters, missing significant information.  Additionally, there is a letter from Carrie Hancock, the aunt of Mary Hargrove, to her niece. There is also the transcript of a letter from W.T. Gray to John Hargrove, but the original letter is not part of the collection.

Box 1, Folders 2-15

 

Box List:

Folder 1: Renewal of license giving Allen Hargrove authority to preach in the Methodist-Episcopal Church, South, Demopolis District, Alabama, July 10, 1858. (original & transcript)
Folder 2: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Miss M.A. Hargrove, April 29, 1863. (original & transcript)
Folder 3: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, June 22, 1863. (original & transcript)
Folder 4: Letter fragment, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, November 13, 1863. (original & transcript)
Folder 5: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, January 1, 1864. (original & transcript)
Folder 6: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, April 16, 1864. (original & transcript)
Folder 7: Letter fragment, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, May 22, 1864. (original & transcript)
Folder 8: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, May 28, 1864. (original & transcript)
Folder 9: Letter, W.T. Gray to John Hargrove, September 25, 1869. (transcript only)
Folder 10: Letter, Carrie Hancock to Mary Hargrove, July 8, 1886. (original & transcript)
Folder 11: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, n.d. (original & transcript)
Folder 12: Letter fragment, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, n.d. (original & transcript)
Folder 13: Letter fragments, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, n.d. (original & transcript)
Folder 14: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, n.d. (original & transcript)
Folder 15: Letter, Allen Hargrove to Mary Hargrove, n.d. (original & transcript)