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MS10-26 Richard J. Spurr Letter

Richard J. Spurr Letter

Collection Title: Richard J. Spurr Letter

Series Number: MS10-26

Processed and Cataloged by: Processed by Dieter C. Ullrich on May 27, 2010.

Date Listed: May 27, 2010

Date Span: 1863

Size of Collection: 0.10 linear feet.

Number of Boxes: 1 legal size file folder; 1 item.

Type of Material: Correspondence.

Condition of Material: Good.

Arrangement: Chronological arrangement.

Biographical / Historical Information: Richard J. Spurr was born in March of 1808 in Fayette County, Kentucky. He received a limited common school education as a child but studied medicine at Transylvania College when he was in his late 20s. He began practicing medicine in 1838 in Sandersville and Lexington, Kentucky. Failing health led to his departure from the field of medicine in 1856. He served as state representative of Fayette County in 1848, 1855 to 1857 and from 1863 to 1865. In 1878, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the Sandersville Precinct of Fayette County.     

Scope and Content: Collection consists of a photocopied transcript of a letter written by Richard J. Spurr of Lexington, Kentucky to Lewis Jewell of Hickman County, Kentucky on March 3, 1863. The letter describes rebel raids and guerrilla activities near Lexington, Kentucky and the effects they had upon him and his neighbors. 

Subject Headings / Descriptors:

Spurr, Richard J., 1808-

United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Personal narratives.

Fayette County (Ky.) – History.

Legislators – Kentucky.

Additional Sources: See The History of Fayette County, Kentucky by Robert Peter, pages 860-861.