Wednesday’s Wonderful Collection - James E. Caldwell papers, MG.00093

James E. Caldwell (1833-1920) was born in Saline County, Arkansas. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1851 and was licensed to preach in 1852. His ministerial labors were mostly in south-central Arkansas centering on Tulip in Dallas County, where he settled soon after the Civil War. In 1869 he retired from the ministry due to increasing deafness. Caldwell married Martha S. Grubbs in 1854, and they had nine children. During his later years, he recorded a detailed discussion of the Methodist Church and many candid descriptions of his fellow clergymen.

This collection contains diaries, journals, sermon notes, clippings, scrapbooks, church records, resolutions, clippings, genealogical data, business records, and correspondence.

·         1. Journal and autobiography, 1833-1859 (Reel MG00093)

·         2. Journal and autobiography, 1847-1867

·         3. Scrapbook and newspaper clippings

·         4. Caldwell-Grubbs family Bible

·         5. "Record and Form Book" and school director's book

·         6. Tulip Methodist Church ministers, 1844-1974

·         7. Miscellaneous family materials

o    A. Martha Ann (Grubbs) Caldwell information

o    B. Resolution from J.R. Sanders and T.O. Rorie of the Little Rock Conference

o    C. Caldwell journals excerpts

o    D. Newspaper clipping related to Caldwell's diary

o    E. Caldwell family lineage

·         8. Diary, 1853-1855 (Reel MG00094)

·         9. Sermons and ministerial acts, 1853-1891

·         10. Sermons and cash book, 1865-1891