Compton family papers, 1848 - 1861

File — Folder: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of eight letters (1848-1861). Six letters were composed by Thomas Wilber Compton and Walter Sidney Compton during their time as students at Centenary College of Louisiana. Subjects include: class assignments and study habits, recreation (football, picnic, magic lantern slideshow), health, the David O. Shattuck family, and seeing General Zachary Taylor. Two letters addressed to Thomas Alexander Compton were written by Centenary’s President, John C. Miller.

Dates

1848 - 1861

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Physical rights are retained by the Centenary College of Louisiana Archives and Special Collections. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Biographical / Historical

The Compton Family consisted of Thomas Alexander Compton (1802-1861), Eliza Margaret Cromartie Shaw Compton (1805-1884), and their children: Elenora Virginia Compton (1829-1904), Walter Sidney Compton (1831-1875), Mary E. Compton (1833-1914), Thomas Wilbur Compton (1836-1867), Charles Shaw Compton (1837-1876), Frances Adams Compton (1840-1842), William Cromartie Compton (1842-1888), Julia Elizabeth Compton (1844-1880), Margaret Frances Compton (1848-1932), and Henrietta Eliza Compton (b. 1850). The family resided in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Walter Sidney Compton (1831-1875) was born in Jefferson County, Mississippi. He graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1853. He and his wife, Sarah Farrar Smith (b. 1840), had four children. Walter died and was buried in Tensas Parish, Louisiana.

Thomas Wilber Compton (1836-1867) was born in Jefferson County, Mississippi. He graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1856, served in the Tensas Calvary in the American Civil War, and worked as a lawyer. He and his wife, Emma Stacy (1840-1925), had four children. The family lived in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and are buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery.