Moses A. Curtis Biographical Files Document 29

The Rev. Moses Ashley Curtis, D.D., of Hillsborough, N.C. to Asa Gray, Harvard Cambridge 6 December 1866

(Papers at Arnold Arboretum). (Harvard)

"The University of the South, eh? - Well, I was on the ground in October. I had left the cornerstone of Tennessee Marble, weighing 6 tons, at my last visit here. I brought away the biggest piece I could find of it, not so large as the second joint of my thumb! The vandal soldiers were not satisfied with burning all the houses, & stealing the few coins & documents (the Constitution of the U.S. being one of them, & deposited by a Bishop with the words "esto perpetua," the whole crowd responding with a hearty Amen - but they must needs beat the poor block into gravel stones.

We fortunately saved our bonds & title deeds, & decided at the meeting that we would go ahead, if it be possible. I do not know how we shall succeed. We are awfully poor now in the South. Manufacturers of Cotton & Whiskey seem to be the only persons who have plenty of money."

Letterhead: EDMUND BERKELEY 42 CANTERBURY ROAD BELLAIR CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22901

December 12, 1976

Mrs. W. Porter Ware Jessie Ball duPont Library The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee 37375

Dear Louise,

Exactly ten years ago you very kindly sent me copies of several letters written by The Reverend Moses Ashley Curtis (1808-1872), of Hillsborough, North Carolina, to Major Fairbanks and to The Rt. Reverend William Mercer Green. Edmund and I were then at Greensboro, and we were planning to attempt a biography of Curtis, an able botanist as well as a clergyman. You may perhaps have wondered since what became of that project. We were also at that time working on a biography of Dr. Alexander Garden, and we soon found it necessary to defer work on Curtis. In the process we went on from Garden to Dr. John Mitchell and to John Bartram. Having at last finished work on all of those 18th century gentlemen, we are at long last returning to full-time work on Curtis. We have been making a more serious study of the letters we collected ten years ago, and we have been acquiring a good many more. As soon as we get these under control we must spend some time at Chapel Hill, where a great many Curtis papers are located, and which started us on the man in the first place.

You may find the enclosed quotation from one of Curtis' many letters to Asa Gray amusing if you are not already familiar with it. There are a number of other references to the University in his letters, and eventually I will collect them for you.

Two questions arise as we study the letters which you sent so long ago. First, the one dated December 26, 1867, which you said was written to Green seems questionable. Curtis in the letter said, in reference to a Dr. Hubbard; "Bishop Green can tell you all about him, so I need not say more." A further statement: "You who are in the centre of operations must bear the burden..." seems to suggest Major Fairbanks. Sometime when you have a chance we would appreciate your reading this letter and giving us your opinion.

Our second question has to do with a letter you listed as being in the Polk collection, a letter from Bishop Polk to Curtis, dated September 21, 1857. If you sent us this one we have managed to file it so carefully that not even we can find it, which is entirely possible. We shall appreciate it greatly if you can send us a copy of it.

Cordially yours,

Dot.

December 21, 1976

Mrs. Edmund Berkeley 42 Canterbury Road, Bellair Charlottesville, Virginia 22901

Dear Mrs. Berkeley:

Since Louise has joined Pete in retirement, she has asked that I reply to your letter of Dec. 12. I've been sort of filling in between Archivists.

I agree with you that the letter of December 26, 1867 from the Rev. Curtis is written to Major Fairbanks, who was in charge of affairs of the University while Sp. Quintard was in England.

His letter of Jan. 22, 1868 to Bishop Green begins with "a letter just received from Mr. Fairbanks...." further supporting this.

Thank you for calling this to our attention. The enclosed memo to Dr. Gray would seem a bit exaggerated but it understandable in the disappointment of the events. From other remarks in his letters, the Rev. Curtis had pretty extreme convictions.

Please let me know if we can be of further assistance. I remember you well - live on Running Knob Lake gear your Sewanee home which I coveted at the time. With all the homes built since, housing is still a problem in Sewanee.

Sincerely yours,

Trudy Mignery Archives Assistant