Date Original
1840-1915
Description
This collection contains correspondence, a will, and news clippings related to the Yell family.
Biographical/Historical Note
Archibald Yell was an army officer, United States Representative, and the second Governor of Arkansas. He was born in North Carolina around 1797 to Moses and Mary Curry Yell but grew up in Tennessee. Archibald served in the War of 1812 and fought at the Battle of New Orleans, reaching the rank of sergeant. He went on to serve during the First Seminole War as a first lieutenant. Yell married Mary Scott, on November 8, 1821, in Tennessee. Mary Yell died in 1823 while giving birth to their daughter, Mary Scott Yell. In 1827, Yell married Nancy Jordon Moore with whom he had four children, Artemesia, Jane, Elizabeth, and Dewitt Clinton. While in Tennessee, Yell served in the state legislature and also practiced law. He served as Receiver of Public Monies in Little Rock, Arkansas. However, he resigned after he developed malaria and moved back to Tennessee to recover. Yell returned to Arkansas in 1835, settling in Fayetteville, after receiving an appointment as a territorial circuit judge. Nancy Jordan Moore Yell died in October 1835, and Yell married Mary Ficklin in July 1836. That same year, Yell became the first congressman from the State of Arkansas. He did not run for reelection due to the death of his third wife. In 1840 he successfully ran for Governor of Arkansas and served until his unexpected resignation in spring 1844. Retirement was short-lived, with Yell entering the congressional election against his law partner, David Walker. Yell won the election and served until the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846, when he resigned. He enrolled as a private under Captain Solon Borland, but was elected colonel. During the Battle of Buena Vista, Yell led a charge against the Mexican Army, received multiple wounds, and died on February 22, 1847.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Arkansas; Louisiana; North Carolina; Tennessee
Language
English
Identifier
SMC.021.008
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Archibald Yell papers, SMC.021.008
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
Archibald Yell papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
