circa 1864

Scrapbook

Title: [Union autograph and sentiment album]

Includes thirty-five autographed quotations and sentiments, and ten signatures. This collection was possibly prepared for sale by the United States Sanitary Commission at the April 1864 Metropolitan Fair, held in New York City. The sentiments and autographs are written on separate pieces of paper inlaid into the album. Includes signatures and quotations contributed by John Pierpont, J. G. Holland, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Fred A, [Coggins?], Richard Henry Dana, Alfred Billings Street, Thaddeus Stevens, William Lloyd Garrison, Lydia Maria Child, Horace Greeley, John B. [Gerysh?], John G…

GLC06620

1843/10/18

Thurmond, Alfred Sturgis, 1816-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary A. Willis

Writing from inside the walls of the "Castle of Perote" (Perote Prison), Thurman informs Willis that her husband, O.R. Willis, has died. Praises her deceased husband as a "Patriot and a Gentleman," telling her that he "was highly esteemed" and his "Death was much Lamented by this crowd." Indicates that he and others in the prison are in good health but have no idea when they will be released. Dejected, he comments twice on how his family has forsaken him by not responding to his letters. Comments that he still has affection for them and asks her to communicate his love to his…

GLC06626

15 April 1899

Fontaine, Lamar, 1829-1921

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary C. Day

A graceful acknowledgement of Day's letter of thanks for receiving "All Quiet on the Potomac." He writes in part: "It is a gratification to an old crippled Reb to receive such as womanly letter as yours." He closes by wishing her a long and peaceful life and a content death.

GLC06640.03

1848/08/19

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M. MacGregor

Expresses his sense of relief from "painful suspense and much anxiety" when he failed to be nominated for the presidency by Whig Convention in Philadelphia. Also thanks her for "attentions to Dr. LeHerd[?] and his Lady" and for being a good friend. Hopes to see her again.

GLC06641.01

27 March 1791

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear

Writes about household affairs at Mount Vernon. Discusses the staff and forbids the steward from having wine. Asks him to keep the garden in order. Asks Lear to, "Furnish Mrs. Washington with what money she may want and from time to time ask her if she does want, as she is not fond of applying."

GLC06431

26 January 1862

Smith, John, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Smith

Reveals his anti-Lincoln sentiment, and discusses hardships due to war. Smith, an ardent secessionist, writes to his son Thomas. Mentions hardship, the number who have died for "The Cause," scarcity of money and provisions from "Lincoln's war." He says that he does not have long to live. "Times are hard here, money scarce, provisions high but plenty. I think we have passed through the tightest place in Lincoln's war but if we have not I for one am willing to suffer on, even unto death rather than submit. But to be conquered and have no fears they may and doubtless will do us a vast injury…

GLC06370

1858/10/04

Manuscript document

Title: [Petition of a free black to become a slave of W.C. Lewis]

Ann Jackson's petition to become the property of W. C. Lewis, signed by her with an "X". The document was based on an Act of the Texas Legislature "Free persons of African descent [may] select their own master and become slaves...." With stamp of Company seal. For related documents see GLC08955, GLC03840, and GLC09123.

GLC06375

1840-1891

Header Record

Title: Slavery archive [decimalized]

Duley Family Papers, mostly by Enoch Duley and his son Enoch M. Duley. The papers consist of correspondence, deeds, land grants, genealogical material, land surveys and maps, a hymn book, and photographs, including cabinet cards, tintypes, and cartes de visite. These materials document the acquisition and division of land by the Duley family; genealogy of the Duley, Wood, and Underwood families; and serve as photographic documentation of a number of Duley family members over a range of years. For instance, the collection contains several photographs of Eva (Duley) Underwood, the youngest…

GLC06377

December 14, 1863

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. O. W. Lebert

General Beauregard, Commander of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, writes to Mrs. Lebert in Alabama, on "the 158th day of the siege" (referring to military activity in Charleston Harbor). Relates that he transmits photographs (not included), and hopes to receive photographs of Mrs. Lebert and Octavia in return. Refers to Captain B., who regrets not being able to return to Mobile, Alabama. Reports that the ship Monitor sank in the Charleston Harbor during a gale two nights before. Referring to the Monitor as the "Weehawken," writes "Only 28 yankee liver men lost on…

GLC06395

24 January 1863

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria B. Weaver

Former President Buchanan acknowledges receipt of her letter and thanks her for the photograph she sent of herself. Her friend, his niece, White House hostess Harriet Lane is upset by the death of her brother James Buchanan Lane. Buchanan was supporting Weaver's education, for he promises to pay promptly the next bill for it that he receives. Written from Wheatland, his home near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

GLC06400.01

1863/07/10

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria B. Weaver re:

GLC06400.02

14 January 1864

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria B. Weaver

Thanks her for her letter. Disapproves of the remarks of her "female teacher" about religion and is pleased that she also disapproves. For him, "the Christian religion & the teachings of our Saviour and his Apostles are necessary both for this life and the life to come." Asks news of her brother, James. Reports that they have had good sleeping weather.

GLC06400.03

10 February 1817

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lady Sidney Morgan [in French]

Discusses their correspondence, conversations. Also discusses the French chambers debates about liberty, the French revolution, ultra policies, and the pope. Writes about having her book translated. Obliges Morgan's request for information on Napoleon's political career after exile to Elba. Pages are numbered p. 1 "843," p. 2 "844," and p. 5 "845."

GLC06436

1863

Kimball, W.W., fl. 1886

Photograph

Title: Rebecca, An emancipated slave from New Orleans

Typed inscription on verso reads: "Proceeds from photograph sales go to the "Education of Colored people in the Dept. of the Gulf, now under the command of Major General [Nathaniel] Banks." Photo by Kimball, New Orleans. Depicts a very light-skinned former slave, with straight hair curled into fashionable spirals. She wears a child's day dress with dark trim.

GLC06438

1870 ca.

Rockwood, George Gardner, 1832-1911

Photograph

Title: Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe

GLC06439

1863 May

Black, J.W., 1825-1896

Photograph

Title: Fannie Virginia Casseopia Lawrence

Depicts Fannie Virginia Casseopia Lawrence "redeemed in Virginia by Catherine S. Lawrence; baptized in Brooklyn by Henry Ward Beecher..." Full-length standing portrait. Shows Fanny standing with her hands on hips, wearing a day dress, cape and hat. Her hair is fashionably curled. Published by J.W. Black, Boston.

GLC06445

26 December 1774

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Mercer

Written by Washington a month after the adjournment of the first Continental Congress to Mercer as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Informs Mercer of the cost of purchases made for him in Frederick, Maryland including £29 for a slave named Kate. Says the whole of Mercer's purchase was for £2385.14.2. Has heard nothing from Colonel Payton on the Loudoun County land for which Mercer was charged. Washington is involved in a disputed land deal through Mercer for Gray & Adams land, and he writes that it appears that the land in question is 56 acres short of the 1224 he was going to…

GLC06335

21 June 1885

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. F. Giles [?]

Last name of recipient is illegible. Takes responsibility for his former law partner's death at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain under Sherman's command. "McCook was my law partner and I caused his death. I have already written his child the exact truth...." Informs that he is trying to obtain an appointment for the orphaned daughter of McCook. Describes a dilemma Ulysses S. Grant relayed to him during his presidency. Grant apparently agreed to find a position for a veteran fired by his postmaster General Creswell, but was not aware the former soldier was severely disabled by war wounds…

GLC06340

circa 1885

Hoar, George Frisbie, 1826-1904

Pamphlet

Title: Woman's co-operation essential to pure politics.

Transcript of a speech given by Hoar, a noted supporter of women's suffrage. Pamphlet published under the auspices of American Woman Suffrage Association. Date from a letter cited in the piece.

GLC06306.01

circa 1880

Willard, Mary B., fl. 1880

Document

Title: Why the W.C.T.U. seeks the ballot.

Willard explains why the Women's Christian Temperance Union seeks suffrage for women.

GLC06306.02

9 July 1837

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catherine A. Pattison

Apologizes profusely for not writing back sooner and expresses his fondness for her and her friendship. States he has been consumed with perfecting his telegraph, which is "nearly ready to put into operation." Writes very personally and asks about Pattison's summer plans. Advises that if she goes to Saratoga, she should not expect to experience the same pleasures as last year, possibly referring to a former love. Discusses parties he has attended and mutual acquaintances. Addressed to Pattison in Troy, New York.

GLC06327

27 August 1837

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catherine Pattison

Mentions visiting Boston, Plymouth, and Cape Cod where he made a search for the relics of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Updates her on the progress of the telegraph. Reports that the telegraph is testing well but expresses some anxiety over being beaten to the punch. " ... I have reason to fear that other nations will have taken the hint, and will rob me both of the credit and the profit." Mentions what is being printed in journals about the issue. Comments on visiting her and tells her he loves receiving her letters. Discusses the works of Hannah More, an English evangelical writer…

GLC06328

1802

Header Record

Title: Legal documents pertaining to the Easter Plot of 1802 [Decimalized .01-.16]

An archive of legal documents related to the Halifax County, Virginia trial of slaves following Sancho's Rebellion, also known as the Easter Plot of 1802. Includes six indictments, five mittimus warrants, one arrest warrant, and four writs of summons. Sancho, a participant in Gabriel's Rebellion of 1800, instigated a slave uprising intended to take place on or around Good Friday 1802. The ferment spread through southern Virginia (including Halifax County), and northeastern North Carolina. In his book "Gabriel's Rebellion: The Virginia Slave Conspiracies of 1800 & 1802," Daniel…

GLC06338

1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: The Execution of Mrs. Surratt and the Lincoln assassination conspirators

Contemporary print of the famous Brady negative, showing the bodies hanging. Printed with red margin mounts by Taylor and Huntington. Brady photograph catalog list on back of the mount.

GLC06341

December 1859

Wentworth, William, fl. 1859

Broadside

Title: Brown hung

Calling town meeting at Wentworth Hall on 9 December to discuss the hanging of John Brown. "All (not excluding the ladies) are invited to attend." William Wentworth was the chairman of the event.

GLC06354