Dates: 1887-1923.

Original newsclippings in folder 4 are restricted; reference photocopies in folder 1 must be used instead.

History:

The Confederate Memorial Association was organized in Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, on March 1, 1887. Its purpose was to care for the graves of the Confederate dead in the city cemetery and to commemorate their service. The association elected its first group of officers on March 22, 1887. They were Charles T. Chamberlain, president; E. S. Levy, vice-president; Theo F. Hammett, secretary; Theo Wensel, treasurer; and E. George Delap, F. A. Dicks, J. E. Gibbs, W. H. Lingard, and Simon Mayer, executive committee members. The association met in the rooms of the Natchez Library Association.

The association’s first undertaking was the erection of a monument on a hill inside Memorial Park in Natchez. Between 1887 and 1888, the association held fundraisers and solicited subscriptions. It was during this time that the association became concerned that its name did not reflect the contributions of citizens who lived outside Natchez. To rectify this, the members voted to change the name to the Confederate Memorial Association of Natchez and Adams County on June 12, 1888. The association unveiled the monument on Confederate Memorial Day, April 26, 1890. It was made of Carrara marble by Morris and Company.

Under the presidency of Laura Edward (Mrs. Robert Bruce) Monteith, the Confederate Memorial Association of Natchez applied for membership in the Confederated Southern Memorial Association around July 1902. The association was still decorating the graves of the Confederate dead interred at Memorial Park as of 1969.

 

Scope and Content Note:

Dating between 1887 and 1923, the minute book and related loose materials document the activities of the Confederate Memorial Association of Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi. The early entries are monthly and describe the formation of the association and its purpose, as well as its fundraising activities. Within some of these entries are newspaper clippings that describe entertainment programs and include lists of officers and honorary members of the association. Between 1909 and 1923, the entries are recorded immediately after the Confederate Memorial Day observances. Some of these are handwritten by Laura Edward Monteith, while others are newspaper clippings recounting the ceremonies.

Of particular interest in the loose items is a circa 1888 list of subscribers to the Confederate Memorial Fund. Also included is a letter from Mrs. W. J. Behan of Alhambra Plantation, White Castle, Louisiana, inviting the Confederate Memorial Association of Natchez to join the Confederated Southern Memorial Association and enclosing a copy of the membership application. There is also an invitation to the Ladies’ Confederate Memorial Association celebration, which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 10, 1916.

 

Series Identification:

Series 1: Minute Book. 1887-1923; n.d. 4 folders.

Box 1, folders 1-3
Box 1, folder 4 (restricted)