Following article posted with permission from the Arkansas Toothpick
The members and spouses of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Patrick R. Cleburne Camp from Pine Bluff, Arkansas applauds Dave Burdick, Director of the Jefferson County Library System and Jana Mitchell, Reference Manager who works at the Main Branch of the Jefferson County Library. Per the request of Crystal Hall on behalf of the Cleburne Camp, they have been able to contact the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and are in the process of obtaining a digital copy of the 1871 Wilson Map of Jefferson County. The original map is in the archives at the Jefferson County Main Branch, and over the years, it has deteriorated.
The 1871 Wilson Map appears to be the most detailed map available of Jefferson County during reconstruction (1865-1877). They have taken the Library copy and placed it into a protective box in the Frank Williamson Room in an effort to further protect it, and have ordered a printed copy of the section that is missing from the Library’s copy. The digital copy will be made available to library patrons likely in their online database of Genealogy Resources for Jefferson County.
According to a representative of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Southern Brigade Commander Ron Kelley noted that “Over the years, the SCV has lead the efforts in Jefferson County in historical preservation and restoration. It is our mission to ensure that the history and heritage of our county remains for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”
The Cleburne Camp encourages anyone who is interested in perpetuating the history and heritage of our county to become involved in the multitude of current preservation projects in South East Arkansas, including a study of the Battle of Pine Bluff. The SCV meets every second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Watson Chapel Fire Station on Sulphur Springs Road.
Their web address is www.arkansastoothpick
