Dates: 1885-1891.

Biography:

James A. Smith

James A. Smith was living in Madison County, Mississippi, by 1852. An active member of the Old Madison Presbyterian Church, Smith was elected as a ruling elder on August 12, 1866. He was elected as clerk-of-session for the church on September 8, 1872. Smith married Mary Sophia Hull of Madison County on May 27, 1875, and he moved to his wifes farm, Erin. Mary Smith died after the birth of a son, Laurin, on October 17, 1876. Smith married his second wife, Harper G. McLaurin, also of Madison County, on May 14, 1885. The couple lived at Erin with Smiths son, Laurin, and his mother-in-law, Sarah, who died on April 5, 1889. James A. Smith died sometime after February of 1891.

 
Scope and Content Note:

This collection consists of two diaries kept by James A. Smith of Madison County, Mississippi. Both diaries record daily farm-related activities such as crop planting, weather, and animal husbandry. Smith also discusses social and religious activities such as visiting with neighbors and family and attending church services. Servants of the Smith family are also mentioned. The first diary begins on May 14, 1885, the day Smith married his second wife, Harper, and it continues with daily entries until December 31, 1887. The second diary begins on January 1, 1888, and it contains daily entries until June 30, 1890. The last entry is dated February 26, 1891, and it is a list of expenditures for a potato crop.

 
Series Identification:

Series 1: Diary. 1885-1887. 1 folder.

The first diary begins on May 14, 1885, the day Smith married his second wife, Harper, and it continues with daily entries until December 31, 1887. 

Series 2: Diary. 1888-1891. 1 folder.

The second diary begins on January 1, 1888, and it contains daily entries until June 30, 1890. The last entry is dated February 26, 1891, and it is a list of expenditures for a potato crop.