This collection was accumulated mainly by Major James L. Trask and James Alexander Ventress, both of whom lived near Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi. The papers are fiscal in nature and primarily concerned with the production, shipment, and sale of cotton grown on their plantations in Wilkinson County.

Major Trask, who was a native of Brimfield, Massachusetts, settled in Mississippi in 1805. During the War of 1812, he served with General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. After acquiring large tracts of land in Wilkinson County and Concordia Parish, Louisiana, Major Trask became a successful cotton planter. The correspondence and fiscal papers of the three brothers of Major Trask, Augustus, Colonel Israel E., and Dr. William P. Trask, are included in the collection.

Charlotte Davis Pynchon, daughter of Major Trask’s sister, came to Mississippi to live with her unmarried uncle. She remained with Major Trask until his death and inherited the largest portion of her uncle's fortune. In 1848, Charlotte Davis Pynchon married James Alexander Ventress, who had settled near Centreville, Wilkinson County, in 1809.

James Alexander Ventress attended the Academie in Paris, the University of Berlin, and the University of Edinburgh, studying law, philosophy, and science. He was a contributor to several English and French literary and scientific magazines. Although Ventress was admitted to the bar, he spent little time practicing law. Much of his attention was devoted to his planting interests and experiments that resulted in several notable inventions, including a patented bullet that he offered to the Confederate government. However, an application for a cotton-gin patent was rejected by the United States Patent Office in 1857.

Ventress was a presidential elector, a state senator, and was elected speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. While serving in the legislature, he was instrumental in establishing the University of Mississippi, and he was a member of the board of trustees of the university from its organization until his death. In politics Ventress was a states' rights democrat and Unionist.

Major Trask built the first story of La Grange, the plantation home of the Trask and Ventress families, which was located near Woodville. James Alexander Ventress added an additional story and an observatory prior to the Civil War. La Grange was destroyed by fire in 1908.

The correspondence and fiscal papers of the three sons of James Alexander Ventress, James Alexander, Jr., Lawrence T., and William P. S. Ventress, are included in the collection. The three brothers formed an enterprise known as Ventress Brothers and continued farming their Wilkinson County plantations.

A considerable portion of this collection, which is primarily fiscal in nature, is organized into the following groups: Civil War, cotton factors, cotton machinery (gins, presses, etc.), cotton sales, plantations, slavery, and transportation. A significant amount of the material was generated from the following locations: Grand Cut-Off, Concordia Parish, and Pointe Coupee, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana; Fort Adams, Wilkinson County; Friars Point, Coahoma County; Natchez, Adams County; Washington, Adams County; and Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi; Brimfield and Springfield, Massachusetts; New York City; and Liverpool, England.

The collection has been organized as follows:

1. Folders 1–164: Trask family correspondence and fiscal papers.
2. Folders 165–179: Trask family land and legal papers.
3. Folders 180–190: Trask-Ventress family land grants, indentures, and deeds.
4. Folders 191–241: Charlotte D. Ventress correspondence and fiscal papers.
5. Folders 242–272: James Alexander Ventress correspondence and fiscal papers.
6. Folders 242–272: James Alexander Ventress correspondence and fiscal papers.
7. Folders 273–301: Ventress Brothers correspondence and fiscal papers.
8. Folders 302–331: Ventress family fiscal papers (miscellaneous).
9. Folder 332: Trask-Ventress family slave lists; The Republican, (Woodville, Mississippi).

Microfilm edition contents:

• Roll 1 (MF Roll # 36030): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 1-32 (partial).
• Roll 2 (MF Roll # 36031): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 32 (continued)-64.
• Roll 3 (MF Roll # 36032): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 65-86 (partial).
• Roll 4 (MF Roll # 36033): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 86 (continued)-116.
• Roll 5 (MF Roll # 36034): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 117-143.
• Roll 6 (MF Roll # 36035): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 144-160 (partial).
• Roll 7 (MF Roll # 36036): correspondence and fiscal papers (James L. Trask), folders 160 (continued)-164; land and legal papers (James L. Trask), folders 165-179; land grants, indentures, and deeds (Trask-Ventress family), folders 180-190 (partial).
• Roll 8 (MF Roll # 36037): land grants, indentures, and deeds (Trask-Ventress family), folder 190 (continued); correspondence and fiscal papers (Charlotte D. Ventress), folders 191-224.
• Roll 9 (MF Roll # 36038): correspondence and fiscal papers (Charlotte D. Ventress), folders 225-241; correspondence and fiscal papers (James Alexander Ventress), folders 242-249 (partial).
• Roll 10 (MF Roll # 36039): correspondence and fiscal papers (James Alexander Ventress), folders 249 (continued)-272; correspondence and fiscal papers (Ventress Brothers), folders 273-278.
• Roll 11 (MF Roll # 36040): correspondence and fiscal papers (Ventress Brothers), folders 279-299.
• Roll 12 (MF Roll # 36041): correspondence and fiscal papers (Ventress Brothers), folders 300-301; miscellaneous fiscal papers (Ventress family), folders 302-319 (partial).
• Roll 13 (MF Roll # 36042): miscellaneous fiscal papers (Ventress family), folders 319 (continued)-331; slave lists (Trask-Ventress family); September 12, 1848, supplement, The Republican (Woodville, Mississippi), folder 332.

Microfilm edition index:

• Adams, Daniel. Letter to James Alexander Ventress concerning various guns from Daniel Adams, April 16, 1849, folder 245.
• Adams, George J. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1888–1893, folder 275.
• Adams, Thomas C. Correspondence with James L. Trask, 1818–1841, folders 2–3.
• Alcorn, James L. Letters to James Alexander Ventress from James L. Alcorn, levee commissioner, concerning levee tax on Ventress lands in Coahoma County, 1860, folder 245.
• Alexander, John C. Receipts for payments made by James L. Trask, 1838–1842, folder 4.
• American Machine Works. Correspondence between P. B. Tyler of American Machine Works and James Alexander Ventress concerning equipment for a cotton gin, 1856–1860, folder 269; correspondence with James Alexander Ventress, 1857–1860, folder 258.
• American Trotting Register. Applications, correspondence, and registration certificates concerning livestock owned by Ventress Brothers, 1887–1913, folders 328–329.
• Arthur and Brown. Correspondence with James L. Trask concerning cotton sales, 1835–1838, folder 4.
• Babcock, Gardiner, and Company. Correspondence to James L. Trask, 1829–1831, folder 5.
• Bailey, Samuel E. Correspondence to Mr. Welch, 1840–1841, folder 5.
• Baker, L. Account with James L. Trask, July 6, 1822, folder 5.
• Baker and McDowell. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning hardware and agricultural implements, 1888, folder 277.
• Baldwin, B. Account with James L. Trask, 1846–1852, folder 5.
• Bank of the State of Mississippi. Notice for payment of note, James L. Trask, folder 5; stock certificate owned by James L. Trask, May 19, 1825, folder 153.
• Bank of the United States. Notices for banknotes due James L. Trask, undated, October 7, 1842, folder 157.
• Barbers, D. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning hardware and plantation supplies, 1871–1891, folder 276.
• Barkdull, Jesse A. Account with James L. Trask, 1840–1844, folder 5.
• Bayou Sara Cotton Compress Company. Receipts for cottonseed pressed by Ventress Brothers, 1887–1890, folder 277.
• Bazerga, Joseph, and Julio Barceli. United States land grant of Joseph Bazerga and Julio Barceli, assigned to Saurent Millandon, and signed by President John Tyler, September 20, 1842, folder 181.
• Beach, Robert M. Bill of sale for slave named Celia sold to James L. Trask, Woodville, May 5, 1828, folder 6.
• Bell and Rodney. Account with James L. Trask, Fort Adams, 1849–1854, folder 6.
• Benedict, A. T. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning carriages, saddlery, and bridles, 1881–1894, folder 278.
• Benjamin, J. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning dry goods, 1878–1881, folder 278.
• Biddle, Joseph. Account with James L. Trask, Woodville, 1822–1839, folder 7.
• Bonnhorst and Company. Account with James L. Trask, December 31, 1845, folder 8.
• Boothe, Jesse D. Memorandum regarding corn to James L. Trask, January 19, 1851, folder 8.
• Briggs, Lacoste, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, Natchez, 1836–1837, folder 9.
• Brimfield, Massachusetts. Accounts of James L. Trask with firm in Springfield, Massachusetts, residence of Israel E. Trask.
• Brown and Currell. Account with James L. Trask, January 1, 1819, folder 11.
• Brown, Albert Gallatin. Invitation for James L. Trask to attend a barbecue honoring Governor Brown in Hazlehurst, August 25, 1858, folder 10; three letters to James Alexander Ventress from Governor Brown concerning the upcoming election; one letter mentions Colonel J. F. H. Claiborne; one letter is franked by Governor Brown, 1847–1858, folder 246.
• Brown Brothers and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1842–1853; includes statements of cotton sales, correspondence, and shipping and commercial lists, folder 10.
• Brown, James and William. Account with James L. Trask, 1818–1834; includes statements of cotton sales, folder 11.
• Brown, Ogden, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1836, folder 11.
• Brown, Shipley, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1839–1849; includes statements of cotton sales, correspondence, and shipping and commercial lists, folder 12.
• Brown, Thomas. Account with James L. Trask, Woodville, 1835, folders 11, 13.
• Browning, J. T. Account with James L. Trask, April 24, 1834, folder 13.
• Browning, Joseph D. Correspondence to James L. Trask, 1827, folder 13.
• Byrne, Hermann, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1835–1836; includes statements of cotton sales, correspondence, and shipping and commercial lists, folder 16.
• Byrne, J. B., and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1841–1855; includes statements of cotton sales and correspondence, folder 17; account with James Alexander Ventress, 1830–1853; includes copies of New Orleans Price-Current and Commercial Intelligencer, correspondence, statements of cotton sales, and balance sheets, folders 247–248.
• Byrnes, W. Tax notices and receipts of James L. Trask, Concordia Parish, Louisiana, 1825–1831, folder 18.
• Carter, Jesse. Spanish land grant signed by Carlos Trudeau, November 14, 1803, folder 190.
• Carver, J. E. Letter to James Alexander Ventress concerning cotton gins built by J. E. Carver, March 22, 1858, folder 249.
• Cat–Bulkly. Account with James L. Trask, 1841–1843, folder 15.
• Citizens Bank of Wilkinson County. Checks written by L. T. Ventress, 1906–1908, folder 297.
• City Hotel. Receipt for lodging, James L. Trask, 1839, folder 5.
• Civil War. Correspondence of James Alexander Ventress with: A. K. Farrar, Kingston, discussing the foraging on his plantation by the Union army, July 16, 1864, folder 252; N. F. Moreland, Grand Cut-Off, concerning the construction of a raft to obstruct the Yazoo River to prevent Union army passage near Yazoo City, December 6, 1862, folder 262.
• Clayton, James F. Wage schedule of James F. Clayton who was employed by James L. Trask, 1851–1855, folder 19.
• Coleman and Ward. Account with James L. Trask, Louisville, Kentucky, 1834–1839, folder 19.
• Columbus Dash and Wagon Company. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning dashes and wagons, 1887–1888, folder 279.
• Concordia Parish. Taxes paid there by James L. Trask, 1825–1831, W. Byrnes, sheriff; Cut-Off Plantation located there, folder 18.
• Confederate States Army. Copy of Officers and Privates Who Enlisted in the Confederate States Army from Wilkinson County, 1861–1865; compiled by W. C. Miller, Woodville, 1903, folder 320.
• Confrey and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1844–1845, folder 20.
• Connell, Hugh. Indenture between Hugh Connell and Joseph Forman, August 24, 1816, folder 180.
• Connell, William. Louisiana land patent no. 733 granted to William Connell by Governor Henry C. Warmouth, April 24, 1871, folder 180.
• Cooley, A. H. Correspondence to James Alexander Ventress concerning legal matters, 1860–1862, folder 249.
• Cooley, John B. Personal correspondence between Cooley and James L. Trask, 1827, folder 20.
• Cotton factors. Papers relating to the purchase of cotton from plantations owned by the Trask and Ventress families: Brown Brothers and Company, New York City, 1842–1853, folder 10; James and William Brown, Liverpool, England, 1818–1834, folder 11; Brown, Shipley, and Company, Liverpool, England, 1839–1849, folder 12; Byrne, Hermann, and Company, New Orleans, 1835–1866, folder 16; Curry, Person, and Company, New Orleans, 1836–1866, folders 21–46; Goodhue Company, New York City, 1830-1855, folders 57–59; Hermann, Briggs, and Company, New Orleans, 1836–1840, folder 63; Samuel Nicholson, New Orleans, 1841–1853, folders 79–81; Reynolds, Byrne, and Company, New Orleans, 1827–1857, folders 94–129; John G. Tappan, Boston, 1839–1843, folder 139; Charles Gallagher, New Orleans, 1857–1879, folders 192–227; J. B. Byrne and Company, New Orleans, 1830–1855, folders 17, 247–248; J. B. Gribble, New Orleans, 1866–1867, folder 254.
• Cotton machinery (gins, presses, etc.). Correspondence of James Alexander Ventress with: J. E. Carver, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, March 22, 1858, folder 249; United States Patent Office, December 7, 1857, folder 255; N. F. Moreland, Grand Cut-Off, June 8, 1859, folder 262; J. S. Tuttle, Bridesburg, Pennsylvania, 1857–1858, folder 269; American Machine Works, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1856–1860, folder 269; Vose and West, New Orleans, 1859–1860, folder 271; correspondence of Ventress Brothers with: E. Van Winkle and Company, Atlanta, 1888, folder 294; brochures illustrating cotton gins, presses, and hullers, folder 303.
• Cotton sales. Correspondence of James L. Trask with: Arthur and Brown, 1835–1838, folder 4; Otis and Billings, New Orleans, July 5, 1815, folder 7; Brown Brothers and Company, New York City, 1842–1853, folder 10; James and William Brown, Liverpool, England, 1818–1834, folder 11; Brown, Shipley, and Company, Liverpool, England, 1839–1849, folder 12; Byrne, Hermann, and Company, New Orleans, 1835–1836, folder 16; J. B. Byrne and Company, New Orleans, 1841–1855, folder 17; Curry, Person, and Company, New Orleans, 1836–1866, folders 21–46; Goodhue Company, New York City, 1830–1855, folders 57–59; Hermann, Briggs, and Company, New Orleans, 1836–1840, folder 63; Samuel Nicholson, New Orleans, 1841–1853, folders 79–81; Reynolds, Byrne, and Company, New Orleans, undated; 1827–1857, folders 94–129; John G. Tappan, Boston, 1839–1843, folder 139; correspondence of Charlotte D. Ventress with: Charles Gallagher, New Orleans, 1857–1879, folders 192–227; correspondence of James Alexander Ventress with: J. B. Byrne and Company, New Orleans, 1830–1853, folders 247–248; J. B. Gribble, New Orleans, 1866–1867, folder 254.
• Curry, Person, and Company. Account with James L. Trask and James Alexander Ventress, 1836–1866; includes twenty-five folders of correspondence, balance sheets, statements of cotton sales, and shipping and commercial lists, folders 21–46.
• Curry, S. B. Business correspondence with James Alexander Ventress, 1853–1857, folder 249.
• Curtis, Henry E. Account with James L. Trask for work done repairing sawmill and cotton gin, folder 47.
• Cut-Off Plantation. Correspondence concerning cotton storage from Elizabeth Braunou to James L. Trask, February 26, 1828, folder 9; cotton figures, 1830–1834, folder 47.
• Daniel, A. Account with James L. Trask, 1829–1840, folder 48.
• Daugherty, J. C. Letter to James Alexander Ventress relating to J. Lawrence Trask in Calaveras County, California, January 2, 1852, folder 250.
• Davenport and Drake. Account with James Alexander Ventress, 1859–1860, folder 250.
• Davenport, John and James, Longport, Staffordshire, England. Account with James L. Trask for china and earthenware, September 6, 1825, folder 48.
• Dawson, Samuel. Indenture between Samuel Dawson and David Holt, December 8, 1835, folder 180.
• Delery, A. Account with James L. Trask, 1844–1847, folder 49.
• Dillingham and Jones. Account with James L. Trask, 1838, 1858, folder 50.
• Dilworth, A. B. Mississippi Secretary of State’s certification of survey and field notes of township 1, range 3 west, May 30, 1855, folder 165.
• Dorsey, Orlando. Personal correspondence from Orlando Dorsey, attorney, to Charlotte D. Ventress, 1858–1877, folder 191.
• Duncan, Stephen, Dr. Largest planter in Mississippi in the 1850s; mentioned in letter from J. E. Carver to James Alexander Ventress, March 22, 1858, folder 249.
• Eggleston, Dick H. Account with James L. Trask, 1832–1832; contains lists of charges for medical treatment, folder 51.
• Elliot, John. Account with James L. Trask, 1835–1846, folder 51.
• Evans, Hall, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1826–1835, folder 51.
• False River Island. Contains leases for land on False River Island owned by James L. Trask, James Alexander Ventress, and later Ventress Brothers, 1841–1916, folder 319.
• Farrar, A. K. Letter to James Alexander Ventress concerning a stallion owned by Ventress that was taken by the Union army; Farrar also discusses the foraging on his plantation by the Union army, July 16, 1864, folder 252.
• Feitel, M. Correspondence with Ventress Brothers concerning lumber and machinery, 1887–1888, folder 281.
• Fells, Saunders, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1833–1835, folder 52.
• Feltus, Abram M. Correspondence and fiscal papers, 1821–1864; he married Elizabeth A. Ventress, sister of James Alexander Ventress, folder 53.
• Feltus, Henry J. Indenture between Henry J. Feltus and William C. S. Ventress, August 2, 1862, folder 180.
• Ferguson, A. Account with James L. Trask, 1833–1835, folder 54.
• Forman, David. Spanish land grant signed by Carlos Trudeau, John Girault, and Francois Louis Hector, baron de Carondelet, June 30, 1795, folder 190.
• Forman, Ezekiel. Spanish land grant signed by Carlos Trudeau, John Girault, and Francois Louis Hector, baron de Carondelet, June 30, 1795, folder 190.
• Forman, Margaret. Indenture between Margaret Forman and James L. Trask, May 21, 1817, folder 184.
• Forman, William Gordon. Indenture between William Gordon Forman and Richard Butler, September 28, 1802, folder 184.
• Fort Adams. Accounts of James L. Trask with several persons located at Fort Adams.
• Foster, John. Indenture between John Foster and James L. Trask, April 3, 1828, folder 183; United States land registration filed by John Foster, signed by President James Monroe, December 13, 1819, folder 184.
• Freyhan, J., and Company. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1870–1880, folder 281.
• Friars Point. Location of James L. Alcorn, levee commissioner; deeds for land owned in Coahoma County by James Alexander Ventress; correspondence between James L. Alcorn and James Alexander Ventress, 1857–1860.
• Gallagher, Charles. Personal and business correspondence between Charles Gallagher and James Alexander and Charlotte D. Ventress, 1857–1879; includes thirty-five folders of correspondence, balance sheets, statements of cotton sales, and shipping and commercial lists; New Orleans Price-Current and Commercial Intelligencer, folders 192–227.
• Gastrell, A. T. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning hardware, cutlery, iron, and stoves, 1887–1890, folder 282.
• Gildant, Robert J. Correspondence and fiscal papers, 1814–1850, folders 56-57.
• Girault, John. Keeper and translator of Spanish records, folder 184.
• Goodhue Company. Account with James Alexander Ventress, 1856, folder 253; correspondence and fiscal papers; account with James L. Trask, 1830–1855; includes correspondence and statements of cotton sales, folders 57–59.
• Grand Cut-Off. Location of Cut-Off Plantation owned by James L. Trask.
• Gribble, J. B. Bankruptcy notice of J. B. Gribble sent to Charlotte D. Ventress by F. J. Herron, United States marshal, March 20, 1868, folder 230; correspondence and fiscal papers; account with James Alexander Ventress, 1866–1867; contains correspondence, New Orleans Price-Current and Commercial Intelligencer, balance sheets, and statements of cotton sales, folder 254.
• Guana, Pedro. Land grant issued to Pedro Guana by Anson Jones, president of the Republic of Texas, February 4, 1846, folder 181.
• Gumbel, S., and Company. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning cotton and sugar, 1887–1890, folder 282.
• Gunst, L., and Brothers. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning general merchandise and plantation supplies, 1879–1891, folder 282.
• Hall, Kemp, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1843–1855, folder 60; account with James Alexander Ventress, 1853–1863; includes balance sheets and business correspondence, folder 255.
• Haygood, E. A. and J. B. Account with James L. Trask, 1840–1848, folder 61.
• Henderson, A. C. Bill to James L. Trask for twenty-two slaves purchased at auction of J. Thompson, January 8, 1824, folder 62.
• Hermann, Briggs, and Company. Account with James L. Trask; includes correspondence and statements of cotton sales, 1836–1840, folder 63.
• Hermean Society. Letter to James Alexander Ventress from Jim I. Smiley concerning the Hermean Society and Ventress's election as an honorary member, April 17, 1849, folder 267.
• Holland, Jehu. Account with James L. Trask, 1832–1839, folder 64.
• Holt, David. Indenture between David Holt and James Alexander Ventress, October 3, 1859, folder 187.
• Homochitto Turnpike and Bridge Company. Stock certificate owned by James L. Trask, September 14, 1838, folder 153.
• Hopkins, H. and W. Account with James L. Trask, 1841–1846, folder 65.
• Howard, Keeler, and Scofield. Account with James L. Trask, 1834–1836, folder 66.
• Indian Hill Farm. Correspondence with Ventress Brothers concerning thoroughbred horses, 1887–1888, folder 284.
• Ireson, L. O. Correspondence with James Alexander Ventress concerning Caledonia Plantation, 1863–1864, folder 256.
• Johnson, Joseph. United States land grant of Joseph Johnson, assigned to James L. Trask, and signed by President James Monroe, May 24, 1817, folder 183.
• Jones, William. United States land grant issued to William Jones, signed by President James Madison, August 14, 1816, folder 181.
• Kolligs Brothers. Account with James L. Trask, 1840–1841, folder 68.
• La Grange Plantation. Home of James L. Trask and presently the home of the James Alexander Ventress family; an indenture between James L. Trask and Edward Trask of March 27, 1848, provides approximate acreage and land tracts and also provides the names of 262 slaves, folder 172.
• Lapice, J. F. Account with James Alexander Ventress, 1858–1861, folder 257.
• Leffingwell, A. Account with James L. Trask, 1838–1845, folder 69.
• Lehmann, A., and Company. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning dry goods, 1881–1893, folder 286.
• Lewis, Charles W. Certification that Charles W. Lewis, a British subject, owned 5,410 bales of cotton, September 11, 1863, folder 190.
• Lewis, James W. Account with James L. Trask, 1820–1825, folder 69.
• Lewis, Moses. Land claim by Lewis Moses of a grant received from the Spanish government, March 22, 1795, folder 181; Spanish land grant signed by Carlos Trudeau and John Girault, March 22, 1795, folder 190.
• Lewis and Monks. Account with James L. Trask, 1826–1833, folders 69-70.
• Liverpool, England. Accounts of James L. Trask with cotton buyers in Liverpool.
• Louisville, New Orleans, and Texas Railway Company. Local cotton bills of lading for Ventress Brothers, 1889–1891, folders 325–327.
• Lobdell, John L. Correspondence and fiscal papers of John L. Lobdell, 1857–1865; included are letters to James Alexander Ventress, folder 259.
• Lombard, Coote. Personal correspondence from Coote Lombard, civil engineer, surveyor, and real-estate agent, to Charlotte D. Ventress, 1872–1874, folder 228.
• Longwood Plantation. Title and papers relating to Longwood Plantation owned by James Alexander Ventress, 1836–1892, folder 313.
• MacKey, Charles. Correspondence and fiscal papers, 1821–1854, folder 71; United States land grant of Charles MacKey, assigned to James L. Trask, and signed by President James Monroe, September 4, 1824, folder 183.
• Magee and Kneass. Account with James Alexander Ventress concerning saddlery hardware, 1849–1859, folder 261.
• Massachusetts Arms Company. Letter from T. W. Carter, agent, to James Alexander Ventress concerning the purchase of a revolver, October 2, 1857, folder 249.
• May, William. Correspondence with James Alexander Ventress concerning money borrowed from him, 1859, folder 261.
• McDonald, Hyram. Indenture between Hyram McDonald and John Foster, March 12, 1823, folder 180.
• McMillan, Alexander P. Indenture between Alexander P. McMillan and William H. Dillingham, March 3, 1847, folder 180.
• McMillan, Robert. United States land grant of Robert McMillan, assigned to Orlando Turness, and signed by President Zachary Taylor, November 1, 1849, folder 181.
• McMurty, Amy. Indenture between Amy McMurty and Francis Gildant, July 31, 1862, folder 180.
• Meeker, M. L. Personal correspondence with James L. Trask, 1852–1855, folder 74.
• Middleton, William G. Personal correspondence with James L. Trask, 1813–1826, folder 75.
• Miller, Peter. Agreement between Peter Miller and Charles W. Lewis of Kidderminster, England, for 34,000 pounds of cotton to be sold by Peter Miller for protection against Confederate and Union seizures, September 16, 1863, folder 244.

• Mississippi, State of. Cotton pledges in denominations of three, five, and twenty dollars, 1862, folder 303.

• Monet, J. C. Personal correspondence to Charlotte D. Ventress from J. C. Monet, clerk of the courts, Hancock County, 1867–1871 folder 231.

• Montross and Stilwell. Account with James L. Trask, 1849, folder 77.
• Moreland, E. F., and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1845, folder 77.
• Moreland, N. F. Letters to James Alexander Ventress concerning construction of a cotton gin on La Grange Plantation, June 8, 1859; letter concerning construction of raft to obstruct Yazoo River to prevent Union army passage near Yazoo City, December 6, 1862, folder 262.
• Morris, E. A. Executor of estate of Israel E. Trask, Springfield, Massachusetts; correspondence with James L. Trask, 1840–1847, folder 77.
• Morton, Bill. Free black in Wilkinson County; last will and testament, A. T. Welch, executor, October 26, 1857, folder 175.
• Mt. Pleasant Plantation. Field notes of plantation owned by James L. Trask, folder 87.
• Natchez. Accounts of James L. Trask with firms in Natchez; residence of Augustus Trask, brother of James L. Trask.
• Natchez Livery and Sale Stable. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning the purchase of mules and saddlery, 1887–1888, folder 288.
• Newman, H. and C. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1887–1888, folder 288.
• New Orleans Canal and Banking Company. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1888–1894; includes receipt, folder 296.
• New York City. Accounts of James L. Trask with firms in New York City.
• Nicholson, Samuel. Account with James L. Trask, 1841–1853; includes statements of cotton sales, correspondence, shipping and commercial lists, and balance sheets, folders 79–81.
• North Brothers. Account with James L. Trask, 1846–1849, folder 82.
• Ogden, R. N. Personal correspondence to James Alexander Ventress, 1852–1859, folder 264.
• Oliver, Andrew, and Company. Wholesale druggist account of James L. Trask, 1833–1846, folder 83.
• Olmsted, Denison. Personal correspondence with James L. Trask, 1836–1837, folder 84.
• Onderdonk, J. Ramsen. Account with James Alexander Ventress, November 1855, folder 264; wholesale hardware account with James L. Trask, 1840–1854, folder 84.
• Otis, Billings. Statement of cotton sales, New Orleans, July 5, 1815, folder 7.
• Palmer, L., and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1837–1838, folder 85.
• Perit, P. Personal correspondence with James L. Trask, 1830–1854, folder 86.
• Pitcher, Remuel and Mary. Personal correspondence with James L. Trask, 1819–1847, folder 86.
• Plantations. Correspondence and papers concerning plantations owned by the Trask and Ventress families: Caledonia, folder 256; Cut-Off, folders 9, 18, 47, 66; La Grange, folders 172, 180, 182; Longwood, folder 313; Mt. Pleasant, folders 87, 332; Prospect, folder 87, 332.
• Planters' Bank of Mississippi. Stock certificate owned by James L. Trask, March 18, 1836, folder 153.
• Plumbe, William Trask. Personal correspondence to his uncle, James L. Trask, 1852–1854, folder 88.
• Poindexter, George. Judge of Superior Court of Chancery of Wilkinson County; heard case between Augusta Forman and Joseph Forman, May 15, 1816, folder 168.
• Poindexter, George L. Bill of sale for slave named Margaret sold to James L. Trask, March 13, 1833, folder 171.
• Politics. Political pamphlets, announcements, and letters, 1850–1877, folder 305.
• Porche, Severin. Tax receipts for land owned by James Alexander Ventress, 1858–1861, folder 265.
• Porter, Alexander. Bill of sale for slaves sold to James L. Trask, March 22, 1817, folder 168.
• Prospect Plantation. Field notes of plantation owned by James L. Trask, folder 87.
• Pynchon family papers. 1815–1890, folder 90.
• Pynchon, Sarah Trask. County and town tax receipt, 1843.
• Raynolds, Sam. Executor of Israel E. Trask estate, 1837–1861, folder 92.
• Republic of Texas. Land-transfer record negotiated between George M. Dolson, buyer, and Pedro Gauna, folder 171.
• The Republican (Woodville, Mississippi). Public notice that J. Alexander Ventress was a Democratic candidate for presidential elector, September 12, 1848, folder 332.
• Reynolds, Byrne, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, undated, 1827–1857; includes statements of cotton sales, correspondence, shipping and commercial lists, and balance sheets, folders 94–129.
• Reynolds, Marshall, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1833–1835, folder 93.
• Richardson and May. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1884–1893, folder 290.
• The Richmond Daily Whig. List of distinctions given at the Norwood School on June 19, 1872, folder 332.
• Robinett, J. H. Estate papers, 1809–1814, folder 131.
• Rodney, W. O., and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1845–1856, folder 132.
• Rogers, Slocomb, and Company. Account with James L. Trask, 1827–1842, folder 133.
• Rothschild, Martin, and Brother. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning general plantation supplies, 1884–1897, folder 292.
• Rothschild, Morris H. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1907–1910, folder 291.
• Rowan and Brastrut. Account with James L. Trask, January 1, 1838, folder 9.
• Ruffin, William H. Indenture between William H. Ruffin and James L. Trask, March 24, 1826, folder 183.
• Sargent, Winthrop. Indenture between Israel E. Trask and Winthrop Sargeant, March 12, 1818; provides acreage of land and a list of forty-two slaves, folder 182.
• Scharff, Bernheimer, and Company. Account with Ventress Brothers concerning flour, provisions, and groceries, 1887, folder 293.
• Sharkey, W. L. Letters to James Alexander Ventress concerning fees for legal services rendered, folder 267.
• Simon, Frank, and Company. Account with James Alexander Ventress pertaining to dry goods and clothing, 1855–1856, folder 267.
• Sims, John H. Letter to James Alexander Ventress discussing candidates in the election for United States senator from Mississippi, February 19, 1852, folder 267.
• Slave lists. Prospect Plantation, 1853; slaves of William Gildant, 1827; slaves of George T. Miller; Mt. Pleasant Plantation, 1852-1853; slaves of J. Thompson, 1820, 1822; slaves of James L. Trask, 1817, 1838, folder 332. See also plantation names.
• Slavery. Bills of sale and slave lists of James L. Trask: Robert M. Beach, Woodville, May 5, 1828, folder 6; A. C. Henderson, Natchez, January 8, 1824, folder 62; Alexander Porter, March 22, 1817, folder 168; George L. Poindexter, March 13, 1833, folder 171; La Grange Plantation, Woodville, March 27, 1848, folder 172; Bill Morton, free black, Wilkinson County, October 26, 1857, folder 175; La Grange Plantation, Woodville, January 1, 1839, folder 180; Winthrop Sargent, Adams County, March 12, 1818, folder 182; Prospect Plantation, 1853, folder 332; William Gildant, 1827, folder 332; George T. Miller, folder 332; Mt. Pleasant Plantation, 1852–1853, folder 332; J. Thompson, 1820, 1822, folder 332; James L. Trask, 1817, 1838, folder 332.
• Sleepen, F. H. Personal correspondence from F. H. Sleepen to Charlotte D. Ventress, October 1871–May 1872, folder 229.
• Slocum, Elijah. Account with James L. Trask, 1839–1848, folder 135.
• Smith, Elizah. Indenture between Elizah Smith and Joseph Forman and James L. Trask, November 5, 1822, folder 183.
• Stanwood, A. H. Account with James L. Trask, 1838–1853, folders 136–137.
• Steamboat receipts. Contains receipts for several steamboat lines used by Ventress Brothers, 1867–1890, folders 299 and 301.
• Stewart, William R. Correspondence with James Alexander Ventress, 1859, folder 268.
• Tappan, John G. Account with James L. Trask, 1839-1843; includes statements of cotton sales and correspondence, folder 139.
• Thearel, Elizah. United States land grant issued to Elizah Thearel by President James Monroe, December 12, 1821, folder 181.
• Therrell, Elijah. Last will and testament, November 1819, folder 140.
• Thompson, Jonathan. Natchez account with James L. Trask, 1814–1834; includes correspondence and estate papers, folders 141–142.
• Transportation. Papers relating to the transportation of cotton by the Trask and Ventress families: West Feliciana Railroad Company, 1841–1888, folders 271, 314–317; Louisville, New Orleans, and Texas Railway Company, 1889–1891, folders 325–327; steamboat receipts, 1867–1890, folders 299–301; see also papers of various cotton factors.
• Trask, Augustus. Brother of James L. Trask; bond between Augustus Trask and Hatton Middleton for $20,000, February 3, 1813, folder 167; correspondence and fiscal papers, 1810–1847, folder 143.
• Trask, Charles. Nephew of James L. Trask; contains personal correspondence, 1834–1857, folder 144.
• Trask, Edward. Personal correspondence, 1827–1851, folder 145.
• Trask, Harriet. Sister of James L. Trask; personal correspondence to James L. Trask, 1828–1851, folder 146.
• Trask, Israel E., Colonel. Brother of James L. Trask; personal correspondence, fiscal papers, and will, 1817–1848; Israel E. Trask represented his county in the legislature and constitutional convention of Massachusetts and was one of the incorporators of Amherst College, folder 147; indenture between Israel E. Trask and James L. Trask, March 12, 1811, folder 184.
• Trask, J. C. Nephew of James L. Trask, Springfield, Massachusetts; personal correspondence, 1844–1853, folder 148.
• Trask, J. Lawrence. Nephew of James L. Trask; personal correspondence, 1842–1854, folder 148.
• Trask, James L. Adams County tax receipt, 1825, folder 130; Adams County tax receipts, 1826, 1828-1832, folder 9; Adams County tax receipt, 1822, folder 5; Concordia Parish, Louisiana, tax receipts, 1840–1841, A. C. Hunter, sheriff, folder 66; correspondence and fiscal papers, 1816–1859, folders 149–154; estate of James L. Trask, entered into fee book C, page 116, Wilkinson County Probate Court, by F. Conrad, clerk, February 4, 1856, folder 20; indenture between James L. Trask and Elizabeth C. Trask of New York City, January 1, 1839; lists acreage and tracts of La Grange Plantation and 198 slaves, folder 180; land and legal papers, 1817–1911; n.d., folders 165–179; last will and testament, September 4, 1855, folder 154; section map showing Trask property in relation to surrounding tracts, undated, folder 182; testimony in Fifth District Court of New Orleans concerning the Gildants, interrogatories conducted by John Henderson, undated, folder 166; United States land grant to James L. Trask, signed by President James Monroe, September 4, 1824, folder 183; United States land grant to James L. Trask, signed by President Martin Van Buren, December 1, 1838, folder 186; United States land-registration certificate filed by James L. Trask, signed by President Martin Van Buren, August 15, 1839, folder 183; Wilkinson County tax receipts, 1844–1850, H. H. Davis, sheriff, folder 49; Wilkinson County tax receipts, 1851–1852, T. W. Hays, sheriff, folder 61.
• Trask, William E. Nephew of James L. Trask, Springfield, Massachusetts; personal correspondence with James L. Trask, 1840–1850, folder 155.
• Trask, William P., Dr. Brother of James L. Trask, Wilkinson County; correspondence and fiscal papers, 1813–1852; includes statements of cotton sales and balance sheets, folders 155–156.
• Tuttle, J. S. Correspondence with James Alexander Ventress concerning cotton-gin patents, 1857–1858, folder 269.
• Union Bank of Mississippi. Appraiser's certificate and oath for property of James L. Trask, August 14, 1838, folder 183.
• United States Patent Office. Rejection letter for patent sought by James Alexander Ventress for a cotton gin, December 7, 1857, folder 255.
• United States Surveyor General. Copy of General Instructions to His Deputies by the Surveyor General of the United States. Cincinnati: John H. Wood, Printer, 1833, folder 320.
• University of Mississippi. Copy of Laws and Regulations of the University of Mississippi, 1850. James Alexander Ventress was a founder of this institution, folder 320.
• Van Winkle, E., and Company. Correspondence with Ventress Brothers concerning cotton gins and presses, 1888, folder 294.
• Ventress Brothers. Correspondence, fiscal, and legal papers of Lawrence T., James Alexander, and William P. S. Ventress, 1879–1911, folders 273–301; cotton-sales receipts for Richardson and May and G. W. Sentell and Company, 1886–1890, folders 310–312; cotton-shipment tickets, 1889–1890, folder 309; personal and business receipts of Ventress Brothers, 1879–1911, folder 298; stock certificates, 1886–1911; included are certificates for the Bank of Woodville, Bayou Sara Cotton Compress Company, Citizens Bank of Wilkinson County, West Feliciana Oil and Drilling Company, Mississippi-Louisiana Oil Company, Inc., and others, folder 330; tax receipts and business papers, 1880–1911, folders 273–274; tax receipts for Hancock and Wilkinson counties, 1879–1893, folders 323–324.
• Ventress, Charlotte D. Indenture between Charlotte D. Ventress, niece and adopted daughter of James L. Trask, and James L. Trask, August 4, 1855, folder 183; land and legal records concerning Charlotte D. Ventress, 1852–1876, folder 318; tax receipts for land in Bolivar, Coahoma, Hancock, Sunflower, Washington, and Wilkinson counties, and Montague,Texas, 1867–1880, folder 230.
• Ventress family. Insurance policies, 1869–1921, folder 308.
• Ventress, James Alexander. Auction notice of lands owned by James Alexander Ventress fronting on Bay St. Louis; held on August 18, 1839, by N. Vignie, auctioneer, folder 190; correspondence and fiscal papers, 1815–1866, folder 242–272; deeds for lands owned by James Alexander Ventress in Coahoma County that were acquired by James L. Alcorn, levee commissioner, for failure to pay levee tax, 1857–1858, folder 245; records of public lands sold to James Alexander Ventress in Mississippi, signed by Governor John J. McRae, June 17, 1856, folder 187; seven notebooks consisting of medical and business information, 1855–1858, folder 302; tax receipts for Bolivar and Coahoma counties issued from the state auditor's office in Macon, Mississippi, April 29, 1864, folder 253; tax receipts for Hancock and Wilkinson counties, 1856–1866, folder 243; Texas land grant issued to James Alexander Ventress by Governor Sam Houston, November 1, 1860, folder 187.
• Ventress, James Alexander, Jr. Personal correspondence to Charlotte D. Ventress from her son, James Alexander Ventress, Jr., while attending Norwood School and the University of Virginia, 1871–1879, folders 232–240.
• Ventress, James Alexander II. Progress reports, catalogues, and promotions concerning James Alexander Ventress II while attending Norwood School and the University of Virginia, 1871–1873, folders 306–307.
• Ventress, James Alexander III. Papers made available for microfilming by James Alexander Ventress III, Woodville, Mississippi, December 1, 1973, processed in December 1973.
• Ventress, Lovick. United States land grants issued to Lovick Ventress, signed by President James Monroe, 1819–1821, folder 187.
• Ventress, William C. S. United States land grants signed by President James K. Polk, indentures and deeds, 1848–1865, folder 188; business and legal correspondence to his brother, James Alexander Ventress, Sr., 1851–1865; included is a deed to property owned by William C. S. Ventress in Wilkinson County, folder 242.
• Ventress, William P. S. Personal correspondence to Charlotte D. Ventress from her son, William Pynchon Stewart Ventress, while attending Norwood School and the University of Virginia, 1871–1879, folders 232–240.
• Vose and West. Correspondence with James Alexander Ventress concerning cottonseed huller, 1859–1860, folder 271.
• Warmouth, Henry C. Governor Warmouth issued a Louisiana land patent to William Connell, April 24, 1871, folder 180.
• Washington. Location of federal land office where several land transactions transpired concerning the Trask and Ventress families.
• Waterman and Brothers. Account with James Alexander Ventress, 1855–1857, folder 271.
• Weis, Julius, and Company. Account with Ventress Brothers, 1886–1909, folder 295.
• Welch, Augustus T. Correspondence and fiscal papers, 1825–1859, folders 159–160.
• Welch, Eliza L. Personal letter from Eliza L. Welch to her brother, Edward E. Pynchon, residing in Savannah, Georgia, September 28, 1840, folder 271.
• Wellman, R. M. Articles of agreement between R. M. Wellman and James L. Trask for sum of $49,050, February 1, 1811, folder 167.
• West Feliciana Railroad Company. Bills issued to James Alexander Ventress for items shipped by rail from C. C. West, agent, 1841–1863, folder 271; freight receipts for cotton shipped by Ventress Brothers on this railroad; correspondence is included, 1843–1888, folders 314–317; stock certificate of James L. Trask, June 16, 1832, folder 153.
• Westcott, G. J. Bill to James Alexander Ventress for dental services rendered, July 31, 1843, folder 271.
• Whitaker, John. Account with James Alexander Ventress, 1840–1899, folder 272.
• Wilson, James. Account with James L. Trask, 1834–1852, folder 162.
• Woodsides, James. United States land-registration certificate filed by James Woodsides, assigned to James L. Trask, and signed by President Martin Van Buren, August 15, 1839, folder 183.
• Woodville. Accounts of Trask and Ventress families with local firms; location of La Grange Plantation, home of the Trask and Ventress families.
• Wormeley, Hugh Wallace. Indenture between Hugh Wallace Wormeley and Thomas Strode, August 5, 1807, folder 189.
• Wright and Elder. Account with James L. Trask, 1847–1856, folder 164.
• Wyet, J. M. Sheriff’s tax notice to James Alexander Ventress for back taxes on quarter of land for the year 1874, July 17, 1877, folder 244.