Joseph Desha and John R. Desha papers, 1773-1871 (bulk 1800-1855).

Open to research.

Correspondence, indentures, contracts, deeds, wills, surveyors' notes, bills and receipts containing slavery bills of sale, and newspapers concerning the activities of Desha, a soldier-politician in Kentucky in the early 19th century, and of his son, John R. Desha, a physician. Subjects include the conduct of the War of 1812, including the defense and fall of Washington, D.C., to the British, and the conduct of William Henry Harrison; Kentucky and national politics; and the presidential election of 1816. Other topics include descriptions of South American cities and agricultural and economic affairs in Arkansas. Correspondents include John C. Calhoun, William Henry Harrison, Richard M. Johnson, Amos Kendall, and Joel Roberts Poinsett.

Joseph Desha, soldier and politician, and his son, John R. Desha, physician.

Collection material in English.

Finding aid available in the Library of Congress Manuscript Reading Room and at

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms007093