Dates: 1852 - 1855; 1985.
Bound typescripts must be used.

Biography:

Nathan Jackson Fox was born to William and Margaret Steadman Fox of York County, South Carolina, on February 1, 1815. William Fox and his family subsequently moved to Greene County, Alabama, and in 1835 finally settled near Louisville, Winston County, Mississippi, where William Fox became a prominent farmer. William Fox died on March 22, 1868, and Margaret Steadman Fox died on April 17, 1846. They are both buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery in Winston County. Nathan Jackson Fox was educated at Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, during the 1840s. However, it is not known if he actually received a degree from the university. Fox later became a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. As a young man Fox lived in Winchester, Tennessee, and also rode ministerial circuits in northern Alabama and Mississippi. Nathan Jackson Fox married Eliza Lavisa Love of Harleman County, Tennessee, on June 24, 1858. They reared five children. In later life Fox and his wife returned to Louisville, where they ran a boarding school during Reconstruction. Nathan Jackson Fox died on either July 13 or 14, 1891. Eliza Lavisa Love Fox died on May 25, 1907. They are both buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Louisville, Mississippi.
 

Scope and Content:

Perhaps the greatest strength of the collection is its documentation of local social history pertaining Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Fox often mentions, describes, or comments on the various places he visited on his ministerial circuit and the people he encountered through his ministry. One of the most significant local events recorded by Fox is a description of a devastating fire in Columbus, Mississippi, in September 1854. Fox occasionally mentions the location of various local industries including textile mills and iron foundries. Nathan Jackson Fox rarely refers to contemporary national or state events in his diary. However, one notable exception to this is a detailed account of the funeral of Massachusetts statesman Daniel Webster that was probably gleaned from a contemporary newspaper article (see November 29, 1852, diary entry). Fox also reflects on the life and accomplishments of Webster.

The Nathan Jackson Fox diaries are somewhat limited in their documentation of Fox family genealogy, as there are only scattered references to the activities of a few Fox family members. However, Fox does manage to sporadically record some of the marriages he performed; and he also notes the death dates of some individuals. The collection also contains an address of Nathan Jackson Fox delivered before the Alumni Society of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, on July 14, 1853; and a promissory note of Benjamin Decherd in the amount of $521.95.

Series Identification:

Series 1: Diaries (restricted). February 1, 1852–January 28, 1855. 3 items. 

Original diaries of Nathan Jackson Fox. According to the donor, volume one is probably not extant. Arranged chronologically. Bound typescripts must be used instead of the original diaries (see series 2). Volume 2: February 1, 1852–February 25, 1853. Volume 3: February 25, 1853–October 26, 1853. Volume 4: November 4, 1853–January 28, 1855. Box 1, folders 1–3.

Series 2: Diary Typescripts. February 3, 1985. 3 items. 

Bound typescripts of volumes two through four of the original diaries of Nathan Jackson Fox prepared by Albert H. Spinks, great-grandson of Fox. Arranged chronologically. Box 2, folders 1–3.

Series 3: Commencement Address. July 14, 1853. 1 item. 

Printed commencement address by Nathan J. Fox, delivered before the Alumni Society of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, July 14, 1853. The address was published by Harrison and Neal Printers, Lebanon, Tennessee, 1853. Box 2, folder 4.

Series 4: Promissory Note. September 27, 1853. 1 item. 

Promissory note of Benjamin Decherd, promissor, to Nathan Jackson Fox, promissee, in the amount of $521.95. Box 2, folder 5.