Thomas A. Turk Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Thomas A. Turk Letter, February 18, 1859, SC 0256, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.06 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Turk, Thomas A., 1808-1871 and Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Abstract:
Single-page letter, written by Thomas A. Turk to a Mr. Larry, dated February 18, 1859. Turk writes from Staunton, Virginia, and requests information about a Mr. Lockridge in order to secure the purchase of one or more enslaved people.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Thomas A. Turk Letter, February 18, 1859, SC 0256, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

This is a single-page letter, written by Thomas A. Turk to a Mr. Larry, dated February 18, 1859. Turk discusses an upcoming trip to Pokahontas, and requests that Larry relay information about a Mr. Lockridge, so that Turk can secure the purchase of an enslaved person from him. He states, "if you can find out which Lockridge that has the negroes for sale and where he lives it is likely that I can make it on my way to see him before I return."

Biographical / historical:

Additional records pertaining to Thomas A. Turk (1808-1871) reveal that he owned land, likely in Augusta County, Virginia. An 1850 letter written by lawyer and future Confederate general, John Daniel Imboden, to Alexander H.H. Stuart, discusses a lawsuit of Daniel Mosby against Thomas Turk over possession of a tract of land.

Pokahontas (Pocahontas) is in Tazewell County, in northwestern Virginia, near the West Virginia border.

Acquisition information:
Item was purchased at auction on November 10, 2017, from Jeffrey S. Evans and Associates and formed part of Lot #195.
Custodial history:

According to the record of sale, the letter was formerly the property of a private collector from Augusta County, Virginia.

Processing information:

The Thomas A. Turk Letter was separated from other documents in Lot #195, based on collection assessment at the time of purchase.

Arrangement:

One document housed in a folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard