The John W. A. Sanford papers consist of the papers of John W. A. Sanford and the Sanford and Blount families from 1794-1897. The papers include correspondence, a letter book, a day book, bills, receipts, legal documents, indentures, and tax-in-kind forms. The correspondence (ca. 1819-1882) includes letters from John Sanford to his grandmother, Mary E. Blount, while at Harvard University, letters from Eugene M. Sanford while at Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.), and some business correspondence of John Sanford pertaining to his law practice. Most of the letters are personal. The letter book (January-December 1831) contains correspondence of John W.A. Sanford to George Rockingham Gilmer pertaining to relations with the Cherokee Nation in Georgia. Topics documented by the letter book include the protection of gold miners in Cherokee Territory and the case of the Cherokees before the U.S. Supreme Court. Also contained in the letter book are lists of men enlisted to guard the miners and lists of individuals who received a license for residence in the Cherokee Territory.