Diary of Samuel A. Agnew

Detailed diary of Agnew's thoughts, experiences, and activities; neighborhood news; public events, particularly as they affected the locality; relations with slaves and free blacks; the Civil War, during which he was in the area of operations of both armies; Reconstruction, which was tumultuous in his vicinity; local and regional church affairs; farming and leadership in the local Grange; major natural events; frequent travels to Memphis and to other parts of Mississippi; and many other aspects of personal and public life that came within his view. There are occasional gaps in the diary before 1873 and after 1883.