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Z 2259.000 S
BEADLES (CLARENCE VICTOR) PAPERS

1905; 1920; 1923

Biography/History:

Clarence Victor Beadles was born near Big Creek, Calhoun County, Mississippi, on April 11, 1868. He was the son of Thomas Lafayette and Mary Sue Petree Beadles. The Beadles family, including children Cassie B. (b. ca. 1870), Effie (b. ca. 1874), Clyde (b. ca. 1875), and Karl (b. ca. 1877), resided in Calhoun County where Thomas Lafayette Beadles engaged in farming. Clarence Victor Beadles attended Bowling Green Southern Normal School in Kentucky. After completing his education, Beadles moved to Coffeeville, Yalobusha County, Mississippi.

On January 17, 1899, Beadles married Clyde Bryant, daughter of Dr. Alfred Alexander and Margaret Caroline Steen Bryant of Coffeeville. The couple briefly lived in Aberdeen, Monroe County, Mississippi, where Beadles was a merchant. They later returned to Coffeeville, residing there for more than thirty-five years. The couple had three children: Edwa Estes (b. November 13, 1900), Zara Margaret (b. January 27, 1902), and Clarence Victor, Jr. (b. February 8, 1905). Beadles was active in business and also farmed in later years. He owned C. V. Beadles and Company, which was involved in the cotton trade. Clarence Victor Beadles died on September 8, 1925, and was interred at the Coffeeville Cemetery.

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of hand-drawn plat maps and related notes taken from Yalobusha County land deed books. Some of the plat maps and notes were drawn on or written on C. V. Beadles and Company stationery, making Clarence Victor Beadles the probable creator. There are also miscellaneous papers.

The plat maps and notes concern various tracts of land in Yalobusha County. Some of the tracts are located in sections 20, 28, and 33 of township 24, ranges 4 and 5 east, and sections 4 and 9 of township 24, range 6 east. All of section 28, the north half of section 33, and the northeast quarter of section 20 were part of a plantation located near Okachickima, which was formerly owned by United States President James K. Polk.

President Polk and his brother, William, acquired most of this property from Edward C. Wilkinson, the original patent holder. President Polk later bought his brother’s half-interest and became sole owner of the plantation. When President Polk died, his wife Sarah inherited the property. She sold a half-interest to James M. Avent of Mississippi in 1860. James M. Avent, Mary Avent, and Sarah Polk sold the property to D. C. Topp in 1870. Topp apparently sold the property to W. C. Statham, who in turn sold it to Dr. Alfred Alexander Bryant in 1875.

There are plat maps and notes regarding lots in Coffeeville. These lots are primarily located in sections 4 and 9 of township 24, range 6 east. A recurring name in these notes is John S. Topp, whose relationship to D. C. Topp is uncertain.

The miscellaneous papers consist of a promissory note and four pages of interest calculations. The promissory note is dated June 8, 1920. In the note, Clarence Victor Beadles promises to pay Thomas Lafayette Beadles three thousand dollars.

Series Identification:

  1. Plat Maps and Notes. 1905; 1920; 1923; n.d. 2 folders.

    Box 1, folders 1-2

  2. Miscellaneous Papers. n.d. 1 folder.

    Box 1, folder 3