Archive of six (6) documents pertaining to Lunsford Meredith Bramlett, Esq. (1785-1858), Tennessee judge, planter and politician, 8 items total. 1st-2nd items: One page printed and handwritten White House dinner invitation from President James Knox Polk (1795-1849), 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849, to the Honorable Lunsford M. Bramlett, Chancellor &c of the middle division of the State of Tennessee, dated Thursday, February 10, for the following Wednesday, February 16, 1848, at 6 o'clock p.m. Includes one envelope, postmarked February 12th and 16th, red wax seal, en verso. 3rd item: Handwritten document signed by William W. Bibb (1781-1820), First Governor of Alabama, stating that he "…hereby license[s] Lunsford M. Bramlett, Esq., to practice as an attorney and Counsellor at law…within this territory…" dated February 7, 1818, and signed by Bibb, below. Later ink inscription, en verso. 4th item: Handwritten five-page copy of Bramlett's Last Will and Testament, primarily pertaining to the welfare of his wife, daughters, sister, grandchildren, slaves, and land that he owned in Pulaski, TN, original document signed by Bramlett and witnessed by L. W. Ezell and P. H. Ezell, dated November 10, 1853, copy dated December 1, 1871, witness signature for William F. Ballantine and J.B. Stacy, Jr. 5th item: Black bordered printed bifolium invitation addressed to John Marshall, Esq., of Franklin, TN, for Bramlett's funeral from his residence, on Saturday, April 22, 1854, at 4 o'clock p.m. Later pencil inscriptions, below, ink inscription, en verso. 6th item: One piece of lined paper with handwritten inscription reading, "L. M. Bramlett/$5.00", possibly intended as a receipt or a promissory note. Also includes two (2) handwritten documents pertaining to Anna B. Bright, possibly Anna Bramlett Bright, including one (1) copy of a Lincoln County, TN land deed, dated circa 1877. Note: A miniature portrait of Bramlett is also included in this auction. North Carolina-born Lunsford Bramlett was licensed to practice law in Alabama in 1818 but had moved to Giles County, Tennessee by 1820, where census records show him living with his first wife, at least one daughter, and eleven slaves. His second wife was Mary Crockett, daughter of Dr. Samuel Crockett and Frances Bland Dudley. Mary was the granddaughter of Guilford and Anne Eaton Dudley. Bramlett served as an attorney and Judge in Giles County, was Attorney and Chancellor for the middle division of the State of Tennessee, and unsuccessfully challenged James K. Polk for Congress in 1827. Note: Lot 232 in this auction features a period portrait of Lunsford Bramlett.

PROVENANCE: Property of the Lincoln County Museum, Fayetteville, TN; Bequest of Mary Bright Wilson (1909-2004), formerly of Fayetteville, and descended in her family.

CONDITION: All items in overall good, legible condition with toning/acid burn, foxing spots, tears, dampstaining, to be expected from age. 1st-2nd items: Invitation with light toning. Envelope with wear, tears, staining, to be expected from age and manner of use. 3rd item: Bibb signature in very good condition.