JAMES SIMPSON BARTLEY COLLECTION

Manuscript MS-2010.09

1870-1932

SOURCE:Elaine Tarpley

SIZE:  .2 linear feet

SHELVING UNIT: 2 folders

PROCESSING:SGH, 2010

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

James Simpson Bartley was born in May of 1870 in Harris County, later moving to Troup County.  He made several contributions to the area and was most well-known for inventing a car coupling used to connect train cars.  The patent for the car coupling is part of this collection.  The success of this invention allowed him to become a “prominent farmer and land owner” according to the LaGrange Daily News in his obituary of 18 October 1950. In 1897, he married Lizzie Mae Johnson of West Point and settled in the Gray Hill community.  He later donated the land on which Gray Hill Consolidated School was built and is the namesake of Bartley Road.  Bartley was killed on 17 October 1950 at age 80 when a Double Cola truck struck him while walking.

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

This relatively small collection pertains to James Simpson Bartley and includes a United States Patent issued to Mr. Bartley and an 1870 photograph of Mr. Bartley.  In addition, is a pamphlet titled Pupil’s Work Book for Building Good English Habit though it probably did not belong to Bartley.

CONTAINER LIST

Folders

1          United States Patent issued on November 23, 1897 for his invention of Car Couplings

PHOTOGRAPH INVENTORY

Folders

1          Photograph of James Simpson Bartley taken in West Point, GA, c.1900.

ITEMS SEPERATED

1          Pupil’s Work Book for Building Good English Habits, 1932