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Perkerson family papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS699f

Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera about the Perkerson family, as well as awards given to Angus Millard Perkerson Jr. and Medora Field Perkerson for their work in journalism. Of particular note is a newspaper article published in Atlanta Journal Constitution Magazine about a letter written by Elizabeth Frances “Lizzie” Perkerson Butler about the impact of the Civil War on her family. She wrote the letter in 1864 but was not delivered until 1944. Also included is a letter written by Lela Perkerson Barth describing home life in Atlanta during the war.

Dates

  • 1890-1958, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Angus Millard Perkerson (1843-1895) was born in Fulton County, Georgia, to Thomas Jefferson Perkerson (1805-1878) and Isabella Ferguson Perkerson (1814-1900). He had a sister, Elizabeth Frances "Lizzie" Perkerson Butler (1836-1934). Angus Perkerson served in the Confederate States Army for four years. In 1873, he was elected sheriff of Fulton County, where he served until 1883. He was the second to hold the position, his father had been the first, serving between 1853 and 1873. In 1871, Angus Perkerson married Ann Bethuel Moore (1847-1918). The couple moved to Clayton County, Georgia, and had five children: Eger (1873-1961), William (1875-1943), Harry (1877-1936), Nellie (1879-1909), and Angus Millard Jr. (1888-1967).

Angus Millard Jr. served as a lieutenant in World War I. He started writing for the Atlanta Journal in 1906, and founded the Atlanta Journal Constitution Magazine in 1912, where he served as its editor for 44 years. In 1922 he married Medora Field (1892-1956), whom he had hired as a staff writer for the magazine. She wrote several columns, including "Marie Rose" and "White Christmas," as well as the novels Who Killed Aunt Maggie and Blood on Her Shoe. Both Angus Perkerson Jr. and Medora Field Perkerson won numerous awards for their work in journalism.

Extent

2 folder(s)

Language

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

This collection contains pdfs of the article "Lizzie's Letter" and of Perkerson family genealogy information. Patrons who want access to the pdfs must use the linked digital copies.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1967, with subsequent additions

Bias in Description

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete.

Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Content Advisory

This collection contains original unedited versions of all content. Some material may contain depictions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There may be instances of racist language and depictions, particularly regarding African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record for the purpose of education and research. The viewpoints expressed in this collection do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers.

Description Control

This collection reprocessed in 2022.

Title
Perkerson family papers
Subtitle
ahc.MSS699f
Author
Finding aid prepared by Britny Davis
Date
September 2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
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Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040