rare books come home to Carson house

a literary homecoming

Credit: contributed

Sisters Marianne Odom (left) and Margaret Williams hold a book that was owned and signed by Samuel Price Carson. It was copyrighted in 1819. They are also sitting with the family Bible that belonged to Jonathan Logan Carson. The sisters donated these rare books to Historic Carson House.

By Mike Conley
Published: September 28, 2009

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Two important artifacts of the storied Carson family of McDowell County have come home after a prolonged absence.

Two valuable books belonging to the Carsons were donated recently to Historic Carson House. The treasured artifacts were given by sisters Margaret Williams and Marianne Odom. They are direct descendants of Col. John Carson, who built the home more than 200 years ago.

The sisters donated a Carson family Bible that had belonged to Jonathan Logan Carson, son of Col. John Carson. They also donated a copy of "Roman Antiquities, Manners and Customs of the Romans" that belonged to Samuel Price Carson, another son of Col. Carson.

The Bible features many pages registering births, marriages, and deaths of various family members through the many generations. The rare book belonging to Samuel Price Carson has his personal autograph on the title page of the book. It is signed, "Sam P. Carson." A member of Congress, he became famous through his deadly duel with Dr. Robert Vance and his later role in establishing Texas as an independent republic. A friend of Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, Sam Carson became the first secretary of state for the Republic of Texas.

Both sisters are descendants of Jonathan Logan Carson, who owned the house during the War Between the States and Stoneman's Raid. These treasures have been in the family for many generations. The Bible's copyright is 1850 and the Roman antiquities book's copyright is 1819.

Sara Bryant, executive director of Historic Carson House, received the donated books on Saturday, Sept. 12.

"We are very touched by the generosity of these two ladies for donating such family treasures," she said.

The house's acquisitions committee will decide as to how these historic books will be put on display.

"We have to decide exactly how we are going to handle these acquisitions," said Bryant. "At this point, we probably will display the books in a protected casing with photocopies of the important pages (genealogy materials) for view. The books are very fragile."

One location under consideration would be in the "Hatchery," the bedroom of Jonathan Logan Carson and his wife, Mary Presnell Carson.

For more information, call Historic Carson House at 724-4948 or visit www.historiccarsonhouse.com.