Elisha Franklin Paxton PapersWLU.Coll.0273

Elisha Franklin Paxton PapersWLU.Coll.0273


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Washington and Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library Special Collections and Archives

204 W. Washington St.
Lexington, VA 24450
camdent@wlu.edu
URL: http://library.wlu.edu/specialcollections

Repository
Washington and Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library Special Collections and Archives
Identification
WLU.Coll.0273
Title
Elisha Franklin Paxton Papers Inclusive 1845-1897 Bulk 1854-1863
Quantity
.5 Linear Feet
Creator
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
Creator
Paxton, Elizabeth White
source
Paxton, Matthew White, Jr.
source
Paxton, Robert Owen, Dr.
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Elisha Franklin Paxton Papers, WLU Coll. 0273, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Matthew White, Jr. & Robert O. Paxton.


Biographical / Historical

Elisha F. Paxton, a 1843 alumnus of Washington College was a member of a prominent pioneering family in Lexington, Virginia, members of whom are still prominent citizens.

Scope and Contents

The Elisha Franklin Paxton Papers are comprised primarily of the personal correspondences, business and military papers of Elisha F. Paxton between 1845 and 1863. The core of the personal letters are written from Paxton to his wife Elizabeth White Paxton during their courtship in the 1850s and during the American Civil War, 1861-1863, while he served as an officer in the Confederate States Army's 27th Virginia Infantry, a member of the staff of General Stonewall Jackson, and general in command of the Stonewall Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. Paxton was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1828. He attended Washington College (Va.) and Yale University - both for two years. After graduating from Yale, he moved on to law school at the University of Virginia graduating in 1849. Paxton lived and practiced law primarily in Lexington, Va., but for a period in Logan County, Ohio. He had business interests in farming and real estate and was for a period the president of the Bank of Rockbridge in Lexington, Va. Paxton was an officer in the Rockbridge Rifles, a Rockbridge County (Va.) militia company formed in the wake of John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry, Va., in 1859. Paxton was a strong proponent of secession and when Virginia voted to exit the Union in the spring of 1861, Paxton marched to war as an officer with the Rockbridge Rifles company. The company became attached to the 27th Virginia Infantry, later a part of Stonewall Jackson's Brigade. Paxton, ascended the ranks ultimately achieving full command of the Stonewall Brigade as a brigadier general. He was killed on May 3, 1863 during the Battle of Chancellorsville (Va.). There are numerous items in this collection pertaining to his death including obituaries, recollections and reflections of his life and character. Other letter writers include his brother James Gallatin Paxton, Matthew White, Samuel F. Jordan, James G. Hamilton, William A. Glasgow, and William McCorkle, each from or connected to Rockbridge County. Other highlights of the collection include various reports written by Paxton as a member of Lexington's Franklin Society and Library Company which shed light on his perspectives on topics such as Secession. There is also a printed broadside for the sale of land at Rockbridge Baths, Virginia, in 1860.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Text [0000004828] box: 1 folder: 2
Elisha Paxton Correspondences
Paxton, Elisha FranklinWhite, MatthewWhite, WilliamHensley, William H.
25 Item
1845-1860English.
Scope and Contents

Paxton was in Bellefontaine, Ohio at this time and most of the correspondences are related to business.

Realia [0000004830] box: 1 folder: 3
Miscellaneous
Bank of Baltimore
10 Item
1808-1861English.
Scope and Contents

This file consists of warrants, a circuit court summons, letters from the Bank of Baltimore, and a note for Jas. G. Paxton, endorsed by Elisha Paxton to E. F. Paxton.

Realia [0000004829] box: 1 folder: 4
Receipts
Paxton, James GardinerConevy, J. B.Echols, E.Samuel Waterbury, Cabinet and Upholstery WarehouseMcCorkle, WilliamHamilton, James G.McChesney, Frances, Mrs.
19 Item
1850-1860English.
Text [0000004832] box: 1 folder: 5
Wartime Papers
Kelly, Mary A.Lee, Robert E., General (Robert Edward)Paxton, James Gardiner
18 Item
1862-1863English.
Scope and Contents

This file consists of Elizabeth Paxton's obituary and many articles about the death of General Paxton. It also includes sympathy notes to Mrs. Paxton at the time of his death. There is notification of Paxton's death by d R. E. Lee.

Text [0000004833] box: 1 folder: 6
Envelopes of Letters from Paxton to Elizabeth
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
12 Item
1861-1863English.
Text [0000004834] box: 1 folder: 7
Wartime Correspondence with Elizabeth
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
17 Item
1861English.
Text [0000004835] box: 1 folder: 8
Wartime Correspondence with Elizabeth
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
12 Item
1862English.
Text [0000004842] box: 1 folder: 9
Wartime Correspondence with Elizabeth
Paxton, Elisha FranklinPaxton, Elizabeth White
12 Item
1863English.
Scope and Contents

This file also includes a letter written by Elizabeth to Elisha.

Text [0000004843] box: 1 folder: 10
Love Letters from E.F. Paxton to Elizabeth Hannah White
Paxton, Elisha FranklinPaxton, Elizabeth White
8 Item
1853-1854English.
Scope and Contents

Elisha and Elizabeth were married later in 1854. One of the letters is written by Elizabeth to Elisha.

Text [0000004844] box: 1 folder: 11
Letters from Elisha to Elizabeth Written While on a Business Trip to Ohio
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
3 Item
1857English.
Text [0000004845] box: 1 folder: 11
Letter from Elisha to Elizabeth from New York City
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
1 Item
1860-06-27English.
Scope and Contents

Elisha went to New York to see a doctor about eye problems.

Text [0000004846] box: 1 folder: 12
Envelopes from Correspondences
Paxton, Elisha FranklinPaxton, Elizabeth White
20 Item
English.
Text [0000004847] box: 1 folder: 13
Family Correspondences
Paxton, William HaysJunkin, W. F.White, Matthew Xavier
4 Item
1857-1873English.
Scope and Contents

Letter to J.G. Paxton, son of E.F. Paxton, from W. F. Junkin of Montclair, N.J., dated Feb. 22, 1873, acknowledging sympathy. Letter from W.H. Paxton of New Orleans to his brother, E.F. Paxton, dated May 7, 1857. It mentions receipt of W.H. Paxton's daughter's legacy of $300 from the daughter's grandmother, Margaret McNutt Paxton. Note to Mrs. E.F. Paxton from W.F. Junkin sent from Camp Paxton May 1863 saying he would like to buy one o General Paxton's horses. Letter from Matthew White, brother of Elizabeth, to his parents from Camp Cooper, dated Dec. 23, no year given.

Text [0000004848] box: 1 folder: 14
Debate Papers
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
6 Item
English.
Text [0000004851] box: 1 folder: 15
Endorsement of Judge John W. Brockenbrough for Court of Appeals
3 Item
1852English.
Text [0000004850] box: 1 folder: 16
Military Papers
3 Item
1861-1863English.
Scope and Contents

A charge and specification preferred by Brig. Gen. E.F. Paxton against Brig. Gen. W.B. Talliaferro, PACS, at Camp Winder, Jan. 7, 1862. Copy of battlefield map dated March 20, 1863, sent to Brig. Gen. E.F. Paxton, cmdr. 1st Brigade A $1000 Confederate States Cotton Coupon Loan, 1863

Text [0000004852] box: 1 folder: 17
Miscellaneous
Paxton, Elisha Franklin
5 Item
English.
Scope and Contents

This file includes an obituary of Mrs. Samuel B. Walker, a card from E.F. Paxton to Elizabeth, a note to E.F. Paxton from Annie R. Paine, and a card reading 'J. Gallatin Paxton, Lexington, Virginia.'

Text [0000004860] box: 1 folder: 18
Two Letters Concerning the Death of Elisha Paxton
Paxton, Matthew W.Barton, Randolph
2 Item
1883-1897English.