The Arkansas State Archives houses approximately 13,000 cubic feet of state records and manuscript collections pertaining to the history of Arkansas and its people. These materials have been described and inventoried for ease of access. These inventories, called finding aids, are keyword searchable. Click the collection's title to view the finding aid's information page. Click on the pdf icon to go straight to the finding aid.
Separated Materials: Some archival collections contain materials that have been stored separately from the bulk of the collection due to those items' preservation needs. Generally, this affects collections that include artifacts that have been moved to the archives' museum collection, and the existence of artifacts in a collection has been noted in that collection's finding aid. Due to the nature of artifact and other separated materials, we require researchers to fill out an Artifact Access Form and send it in to state.archives@arkansas.gov, to schedule an appointment to view artifacts from the museum collection.
Article
This collection contains Jerry Witt's manuscript and research notes concerning the Arkansas Tenth Confederate Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. The manuscript was not published.
Jesse Brazil land grant certificate, 1847 February 11
This collection consists of one land grant certificate to Jesse Brazil, Saline County (Ark.), signed by President Millard Fillmore, dated February 11, 1847.
Jesse Turner convention statement, 1861 February 4
This document concerns Turner’s candidacy as a delegate to the secession convention of 1861. It states his opposition to secession and his belief that the federal government needed time to withdraw from their anti-slavery position. Although he opposed secession, he was elected to the Secession Convention in 1861 and stood as the temporary chair for the first session. After the war, he served as a state senator in 1866-1867 and again in 1874-1875. In 1878, he was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court by Governor William Read Miller.
Jesse Turner papers, 1863-1889
This collection contains Civil War items, correspondence to Jesse Turner, a pamphlet on George W. Paschal, and issues of "The Van Buren Argus" and "National Intelligencer" newspapers.
J.F. Bates letter and historic recollection, 1914 May 20
This collection contains a letter and a historic recollection, both written by J.F. Bates, of the Cane Hill murders of 1839.
J. Frank Wilson circular letter, 1884 March 31
This collection consists of one circular letter, from J. Frank Wilson, announcing his candidacy for prosecuting attorney of the 4th Judicial District, Yellville, Arkansas, dated March 31, 1884.
J.F. Weaver manuscript, "Fort Smith in Old Times," 1930s
This manuscript about Fort Smith, Arkansas, by J.F. Weaver was written in the 1930s.
J. Gilbert Leigh article, undated
This collection contains three copies of an article about J.G. Leigh, published in The Eastern Underwriter." The article is undated.
J.H. Anderson letters, 1873-1874
This collection contains correspondence from J.H. Anderson to his brother H.W. Anderson about the recently opened silver and lead mines in Howard and Sevier counties, Arkansas.
J.H. and Garner Fraser papers, 1843-1893
This collection contains manuscripts written by John Garner Fraser, along with fragments of legal documents, typescripts, news clippings, and articles.
J. Harrell Burke papers, 1917-1919
This collection contains correspondence from J. Harrell Burke to his parents in Marion, Cross County, Arkansas, during his Army service in World War I. They cover his entire stay in the Army, including his training at Camp Pike in Little Rock, Arkansas; Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri; Camp Meigs in Washington, District of Columbia, and his stations in Nevers and Verneuil, France. The papers also contain letters from Lewis Burke to the Burke family in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he was enrolled in the Student Army Training Corps, and letters from Roland W. Hine, a Burke family friend and United States Marine stationed in France.
J.H. Atkinson article on Civil War Battle of Prairie D' Ane, undated
This collection contains a typescript of an article, "Battle of Prairie [De Anne] or Gum Grove, April 1864," by J.H. Atkinson.
J.H. Atkinson papers, 1915-1973
This collection documents J.H. Atkinson's dedication to Arkansas history and his active involvement in creating interest in that field for over 40 years. The papers are arranged according to subject.
This collection contains an application for a pass by J.H. Barton of Little Rock, Arkansas to the superintendent of the Little Rock Railroad.
This collection contains a deed.
J.H. Lewelling deed and land patent, 1870-1892
This collection contains two deeds and a land patent.
J.H. Logan collection, 1868-1870
This collection contains two receipts from the Reconstruction era in Arkansas. One of the receipts is from the Cairo and Fulton Railroad company.
J.H. McMillan proof of loss of deed form, 1902
This collection contains one proof of loss of deed form by J.H. McMillan, for Eliza W. Smith, dated 1902 December 2.
J.H. Moore letter, 1882 February 5
This collection contains one letter written from J.H. Moore, Camden, Arkansas, to his sister, Dora. The letter was written on February 5, 1882. It discusses Dora's plans to marry. The letter also references another sister who is not named. The collection also contains a transcription of the letter, transcribed by the donor of the collection, April Farrar Guin.
J.H. Perry Account with Little Rock/Fort Smith Railroad,1870-1876.
This collection consists of an account between J. H. Perry and Little Rock/Fort Smith Railroad.
J.H. Stirman convention statement, 1861 February 5
This collection is comprised of a message "To the People of Washington County" by James H. Stirman, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, concerning his candidacy as a delegate to the secession convention. In this statement he announces his vote against secession.
Jimmie Carolyn Kyzer family collection, 1800-1976
This collection includes genealogical research notes and photographs.
Jimmy Driftwood and Friends film collection, circa 1950s
This collection contains materials donated by David Jones, former owner and general manager of KARKTV. Jones had more than twenty tapes in his personal archives originally shot for a documentary on Jimmy Driftwood that was never completed. Jones loaned equipment to a California filmmaker and photographer to shoot the footage. After the project's completion, the filmmaker left Arkansas never to return for the footage. This collection contains film footage on videocassette and film reels. The footage in this collection features Driftwood at the height of his creative output and star power performing some of his hits at the Grand Ole Opry and around Stone County, Arkansas. Interviews with Driftwood and other famous names in country music are also captured on the films. It includes country music singers such as Chet Atkins, Porter Wagoner, and also includes footage of actress Jane Fonda.
J.I. Porter Lumber Company stock certificate, 1894
This J.I. Porter Lumber Company stock certificate belonged to J.I. Porter.
J.J. Boyd Civil War election certificate, 1862 July
This collection consists of one certificate of electing of J.J. Boyd as Captain of the Mississippi Militia, dated July 1862.
J.J. Emmerson, Washington County (Ark.) appointment, 1890
This collection contains the appointment of J.J. Emmerson as beneficiary to Arkansas Industrial University, by H.P. Greene, County and Probate Judge of Washington County, Arkansas on April 1,1890.
J.J. Rollison Bank of Gillham letter, 1907 March 4
The letter in this collection is dated March 4, 1907.
J.J. Ware letter [photocopy], 1860 November 19
The letter in this collection is dated November 19, 1860.
The letters in this collection were written in 1956.
J. L. Hall narratives, 1977-1986
This collection contains narrative works of J.L. Hall.
This collection contains a letter.
J.L. Walton teacher's license, 1891
The certificate includes Walton's scores in eight subjects, including mental and written arithmetic, reading, orthography and U.S. history.
J.L. Yeargin Justice of the Peace commission, 1884
This collection contains one commission for the appointment of J.L. Yeargin as Justice of the Peace in Chester Township, Dallas County, Arkansas, on October 30, 1884.
J.M. Bailey/J.T. Ederington warranty deed, 1893
The warranty deed in this collection is dated February 24, 1893.
This letter from Merritt Ish Phillips, Madison County, Arkansas, County and Probate Clerk, to J.M. Bond of Delaney, Arkansas, pertains to a bond.
This letter written by J.M. Curran concerns payment of taxes by Lane Robison.
J.M. Green/Steamer "Europa" receipt, 1860
This collection contains one business receipt.
J.M. Keeler Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) charter, 1902 (1912) April 10
This collection contains a duplicate charter of the J.M. Keeler Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It was created in 1912 as a replacement for the lost original document, which was created in 1902.
This collection contains one letter dated 1838, concerning the sale of a horse and the method of payment.
J.M. Pittman Associate Justice campaign letter, 1885
This collection contains a letter by Judge J.M. Pittman as a candidate for Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. J.M. Pittman did not win nomination.
J.M. Pittman campaign letter, 1878
This collection contains a campaign letter for Judge J.M. Pittman's reelection campaign for Fourth Judicial Circuit judge in 1878.
J.M. Pittman "Circular Letter," 1885 September 18
This broadside is dated September 18, 1885.
J.M. Richardson Company invoices, 1907-1909
This collection contains invoices of dry goods purchased by the J.M. Richardson Company of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, between 1907 and 1909.
This collection contains one letter.
This collection contains one letter.
Joan Ellison collection, 1904-1955
This collection contains materials collected by Joan Ellison, including a bumper sticker, two programs, and one photograph related to various locations around Arkansas.
Joe and Leota Vinson Kelley collection, 1924-1937
This collection contains one Agricultural Extension Service scrapbook with materials related to Leota Vinson Kelley's work with the 4-H Club. It also contains three Russellville High School yearbooks that belonged to Joe Kelley.
Joe Bernhard papers [photocopy], 1936-1937
This collection contains photocopies of correspondence relating to a photograph of the Arkansas Centennial Commission, as well as a photocopy of the photograph.
Joe David Rice papers, 1960-2015
This collection contains material collected by Joe David Rice relating to his work as director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism from 1987 to 2017.
Joel Burns mining claim [photocopy], 1887 May 24
This collection contains Joel Burns' mining claim notice.
Joel Harrell bill of sale, 1857
This bill of sale is for the sale of one slave owned by Joel Harrell and sold to Isham Harrell, his son.
Joel Thomas Dickinson papers, 1861-1863
This collection contains discharge papers of Joel Thomas Dickinson. Also included is a weaving pattern draft for "Freemason Beauty."
This collection contains a letter.
This letter from Joseph T. Robinson to F.R. [F.F.] Freeman asks Freeman for support and advice in Robinson's bid for governor of Arkansas.
Joe Wheeler No. 247, United Daughters of the Confederacy records, 1898-1961
This collection contains applications, meeting minutes, member lists, ledgers, convention and printed ephemera, and financial and correspondence documents regarding the Joe Wheeler No. 247 chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
John Albert Trice collection, 1942-1968
This collection contains material on the school system at the Rohwer, Arkansas, Japanese Relocation Center, newspapers from the senior and junior high schools, school yearbooks from 1943 and 1944, and "The Outpost" (post newspaper). It also contains coursework and other material from John Albert Trice's time at Peabody College for Teachers relating to his Doctor of Education degree that he received from there.
John Allen Thomson letters [photocopy], 1864
This collection contains two letters written in 1864 by John Allen Thomson of the 2nd Arkansas Infantry, Company F, Confederate States Army to his cousin Mary L. Trimmer.
John Anderson account with J.W. Shaver and Son, 1860-1861
The account in this collection is dated 1860-1861.
John and Jane Overturf letter, 1846
This collection contains a letter written by John and Jane Overturf to family in Franklin County, Illinois and dated September 5, 1846.
John and Mary McCloud Webb Photographic Exhibit final grant report, 2017
This collection contains a final grant report for the John and Mary McCloud Photographic Exhibit, from P.H.O.E.B.E. (People Helping Others Excel by Example), which was funded through the Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program. It includes photographs and programs from the exhibit, and a DVD and research on John Webb and Mary McCloud.
John A. Wilkerson Civil War reminiscences, 1863
This collection contains a typed copy of the Civil War reminiscences of John A. Wilkerson.
John B. Deplaice land records [photostat], 1819-1827
This collection contains a land claim and a certificate of title for John B. Deplaice.
John Benton Brown letter, 1847-1990
This collection contains a photocopy of a letter from John Benton Brown to Mr. Parson Jackson. It also contains a photocopy of a letter from Mary Lee Page to Russell Baker of the Arkansas History Commission requesting information on her ancestor, John Benton Brown.
This letter written by John Bidwell gives W.S. Thomas information about the Sir Joseph Hooker Oak Tree in Chico, California.
John B. Pitts estate record [photocopy], 1869
This collection contains a photocopy of a portion of the probate record of John B. Pitts, dated August 28, 1869.
John Breckinridge tax receipt, 1877
This collection contains one tax receipt for John Breckinridge of Jackson County, Arkansas, dated March 9, 1877.
John B. Revill and William Horsley deed, 1864
This collection contains a deed.
John Brown University/Southwestern Collegiate Institute (Siloam Springs, Ark.) collection, 1971-1976
This collection contains bulletins, newspapers, and an athletics booklet from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, from 1971 to 1976.
John Buchanan notebooks, 1835-1870
These notebooks contain records of Buchanan's circuit travels in northwest Arkansas, personal diary entries, accounts of Bible distribution, journal of preaching dates and topics, contributions to the Arkansas presbytery by parishioners, and other items relating to his ministry.
John Buchanan papers, 1859-1867
This collection contains one blank receipt and one letter to Mr. Williams from John Buchanan. The letter details different quantities of food stuffs that would be traded between the two families in the coming year.
John B. Wofford proof of loss of deed form, 1894
This collection contains one proof of loss of deed form for John B. Wofford, dated February 13, 1894.
John Caldwell Brickey papers, 1850-1866
This collection contains the autobiography of John C. Brickey, the White River Baptist convention minutes covering 1850-1856, and a Brickey family genealogical pedigree chart.
John Campbell Civil War letter [photostat], 1861
This letter from John Campbell to "Sir" discusses the vote at the 1861 Secession Convention.
John C. Barrow papers, 1854-1889
This collection consists of memoranda, accounts, certificates, contracts, publications, correspondence, court orders, tax receipts, advertisements, and deeds.
John C. Betton pension statements, undated
The collection contains written statements by John C. Betton of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, concerning his Civil War Confederate service records and pension application.
John C. Foster papers, 1907-1930
This collection contains religious and educational certificates of John Cathey Foster and his parents, Gussie Sue Berry and John Harrison Foster.
The collection contains the discharge papers for John Chalk from Lieutenant Thomas Crangle's Company C, 6th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry Volunteers, United States Army, and an empty envelope with information about Chalk on the cover.
John Chapin and J.A. Clark proof of loss of deed form, 1893
This collection contains one proof of loss of deed form by John Chapin and J.A. Clark for Maggie V. Chapin, dated October 7, 1893.
John C. Hughes papers [photocopy], 1874-1920
This collection contains correspondence and papers written by and to John C. Hughes of Arkansas written between 1869 and 1920.
John C. Jeter proof of loss of deed form, 1895
This collection contains one proof of loss of deed form for John C. Jeter, dated May 4, 1895.
John Clendennin diary, 1829-1860
This collection contains a diary of daily activities and an account book of John Clendennin. Clendennin was the private secretary of Governor Conway and as such this diary includes information on Conway’s dealing and movements during his governorship.
John C. McGee account book, 1854-1856
This collection contains a 210 page book of John C. McGee, Powhatan, Arkansas, listing individual customer's accounts.
John Cook land grant, 1842 September 5
The land grant in this collection is dated September 5, 1842.
John Crowell Wright papers, 1914-1980
This collection contains material related to or written by John Crowell Wright. His memoir provides details of General Sterling Price's raid into Missouri in 1864, as well as the guerrilla warfare in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri.
This letter written by John C. Saylors informs Governor James S. Conway of the resignation of James F. Smalley.
John C. Tyer papers, 1855-1858
This collection contains tax receipts signed by John C. Tyer and a receipt for his estate.
The letter in this collection is dated March 14, 1872.
John D. Keith Confederate reminiscences, 1912
The reminiscences in this collection are an excerpt from the book, "Reminiscences of the Boys in Gray 1861-1865," by Miss Mamie Yeary, published in 1912.
John Donelson Jr., survey notes, 1831
This collection contains the field notes recorded by John Donelson, Jr., as he surveyed land that ran from southwest Missouri to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
This land grant was issued to John Drennen by President Martin Van Buren.
John DuLaney papers, 1920-1923
This collection contains correspondence regarding laws and regulations in other states as a guide for legislation DuLaney possibly wanted to draft. Other printed material includes a campaign broadside for DuLaney and legislation from Michigan.
This collection contains two letters from 1939.
John E. Carter estate record, 1885
This collection contains one redemption certificate for the John E. Carter Estate.
John Edwin Williams papers, 1866-1894
This collection contains correspondence, most of which was written by A.H. Garland, to John Edwin Williams concerning his time as a state senator. Also included are items concerning Samuel W. Williams, John Edwin's father, and other miscellaneous material.
John E. Knight papers, 1797-1879
This collection contains correspondence, deeds, certificates, plats, fieldnotes, contracts, power of attorney papers, leases, and other papers related to land grants, titles, and claims in the settlement of Little Rock, Arkansas, and surrounding areas. John E. Knight collected documents about the settlement of Little Rock, Arkansas. The majority of these papers are from William Russell to Chester Ashley, pertaining to pre-emption claims in and around Little Rock. Other material concerns the 1819-1822 dispute related to the New Madrid Certificate and pre-emption claims of James Bryant, Stephen F. Austin, and William M. O'Hara.
John E. Martineau appointment, 1928 March 2
This collection contains one document, the appointment of John E. Martineau, United States District Judge, Eastern District of Arkansas.
John Fairchild invitations, 1893-1915
This collection contains invitations received by John Fairchild between 1893 and 1915.
John F. Hart promissory note, 1861
This collection contains one promissory note.
John F. Hill Camp Number 1031, United Confederate Veterans records, 1892-1939
This collection contains membership rolls, rosters, minutes, committee reports, correspondence, funeral notices, clippings, and applications for the Southern Cross of Honor. The microfilm also includes records of the Felix I. Batson Chapter Number 221, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Clarksville, Arkansas, 1892-1932, a separate organization.
John Fogleman newspaper collection, 1930-1948
This collection contains three newspaper titles from the 1930s and 1940s from the northeast Arkansas and Memphis (Tenn.) areas.
