Charles Edgeworth Jones congressional autograph journal, W.0128

Abstract: Autograph book containing signatures of representatives who served as members of the 28th United States Congress during the 1844-1845 legislative session.Scope and Content Note: This autograph album contains the signatures of approximately 180 representatives of the 28th United States Congress, which was in session between 1844 and 1845. An inscription at the front of the book notes that the journal was presented to Georgia historian Charles Edgeworth Jones by Georgia state representative Thomas J. Chappell on January 1, 1895; Chappell's connection to the Congress is unclear. The book contains the signatures of several notable political figures who were then serving as members of the House of Representatives during the 1844-1845 legislative session. Notable names include former president John Quincy Adams; future vice-president Hannibal Hamlin; future secretary of state Hamilton Fish; and future Confederate vice president Alexander Hamilton Stephens.Biographical/Historical Note: The 28th United States Congress served during the 1844-1845 legislative session. The House of Representatives was composed of 223 members, and the House held a Democratic majority.The son of Charles Colcock Jones Jr. and Eva Berrien Eve, Charles Edgeworth Jones was born on July 27, 1867. Jones wrote several books on Georgia history, including Georgia in the War, 1861-1865 and Education in Georgia. He died on October 30, 1931, in Augusta, Georgia.Thomas J. Chappell was born on June 8, 1860. Chappell graduated from the University of Georgia and read law under his father. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and began a law practice in Columbus, Georgia. In 1883, he was elected to represent Muscogee County in the Georgia House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1886 and served as the chairman of the House's railroad committee