HICKERSON, WILLIAM P., Sr.
(1816-1882)
PAPERS
1820-1896
Processed by:
Theodore Morrison, Jr.
Archival Technical Services
Accession Number: 94-055
Date Completed: 10-27-94
Location: IV-F-4
Microfilm Accession Number: 1473
MICROFILMED
INTRODUCTION
This finding aid focuses on the papers of William P. Hickerson, Sr., lawyer, jurist, and
businessman, born in Franklin County, Tennessee. Spanning the years 1820-1896, the papers
contain numerous land records involving Hickerson, Sr., and others in the sale and transfer of
substantial tracts of land, mainly in Franklin and Coffee County. Also contained within the
collection are copious court records produced by Hickerson, Sr., and numerous account records
pertaining to promissory notes. The collection also comprises documents created by his son,
William P. Hickerson, Jr., in the form of missives and records produced during his presidency of
the Stone Fort Paper Company. Other items within the collection include correspondence, estate
papers, notes, publications, slave records, and writings.
The materials were discovered at an estate sale in Denver, Colorado, by Mrs. Christine Genovese
of the Colorado Historical Society, Denver, Colorado. These materials as donated by Mrs.
Genovese were housed in a single Paige box and arranged in no specific order. It should be noted
that the unprocessed materials had been stored for several years within conditions which lacked
humidity and temperature control prior to their transfer to the Tennessee State Library and
Archives.
The materials in this finding aid measured 1.0 cubic feet while in its original box, but was
reduced to 0.84 cubic feet by the removal of numerous canceled checks written by Hickerson,
Sr., and his son William P. Hickerson, Jr. An example of some of these checks, written mainly
during the mid 19th century, has been retained within the processed collection. There are no
restrictions on the material. Single photocopies of unpublished writings in the William P.
Hickerson, Sr., Papers may be made for scholarly research