30 December 1770

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Mecom

Written to his sister concerning various matters, including stories of the threatened loss of his position as colonial postmaster, the difficulties he faces for expressing his political opinions, and sending some books Jane had asked for. Franklin comments that the books resemble the opinions of a Mrs. Ilive, whose "Solemn Discourse" attempted "to prove, that this World is the true Hell or Place of Punishment for the Spirits who had transgress'd in a better State, and were sent here to suffer for their sins in Animals of all Sorts."

GLC05508.003

31 August 1842

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary P. Payson

Jackson sends Miss Payson a sentiment: "Seek true wisdom[:] it is the pearl of 'great price' which cheers us thro' life, and ends in happy mortality." One black and white bust engraving of Jackson included.

GLC05508.005

3 January 1855

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his uncle

A heartfelt letter noting the spiritual guidance that Jackson's uncle gave to Jackson's now deceased wife, Ellie. Jackson expresses thanks for his uncle's condolence after her passing. He discusses his sadness and changed outlook on life. Jackson also writes of his faith in God overlooking him.

GLC05508.006

9 March 1790

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Polly Stockton

On the second anniversary of his recovery from illness, Rush thanks his sister for nursing him. His illness left him with strong ideas of the vanity of wealth, the evil of Sin, etc. He continues by talking about his delight in reading John Wesley's sermons concerning the rise and progress of Christianity, which Wesley described as a series of concentric circles. Rush also discusses a new translation of the four gospels by Dr. Campell of Aberdeen.

GLC05508.011

circa 1910

Broadsheet

Title: Uncle Tom's Cabin

J. H. J. Ronner announces a play by Harkins and Barbour of Uncle Tom's Cabin with 200 people in the cast. Boosts, "Cotton pickers, dancers, jubilee singers, Mississippi steamboat." "Scenically the most mammoth production of modern times." At the Majestic Theatre. A scene from the play is printed on both sides. Circa date based on type of newsprint and photography.

GLC05508.013.01

14 November 1942

Astor, Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess, 1879-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mr. Wilson

Astor cannot choose a favorite poet; she starts by listing several: Browning, Keats, Kipling, Poe, and Longfellow. Her favorite book to read is the Bible.

GLC05508.023

1989

Bailey, Pearl, 1918-1990

Book signed

Title: Between You and Me [inscribed to Lena Horne]

Inscribed to singer Lena Horne on the title page: "My darling, beautiful sister -- Keep a firm, loose arm -- and know that God is ever present -- You are His -- nothing is more important[.] I love you[.] Sister Pearl --"

GLC05508.026

circa 1905

Bates, Katharine Lee, 1859-1929

Typed document signed

Title: America

Also known as "America the Beautiful," Bates' lyrics begin "O beautiful for spacious skies..." Four stanzas, carbon printed.

GLC05508.031

8 June 1898

Bickerdyke, Mary Ann, fl. 1898

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [Let the words of my mouth...]

Quoting Psalm 19:14, Bickerdyke writes: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." A small bust engraving of Bickerdyke is collateral to the quotation (GLC05508.037.02).

GLC05508.037.01

circa 1975

Boles, Tiffany, fl. 1975

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Boles writes: "I cannot sign the enclosed pin-up of me because it is not me anymore. I have become a Christian and do not enjoy that image of me carried on." Written in blue felt tip pen.

GLC05508.041

circa 1920

Booth, Evangeline, fl. 1920

Typed document signed

Title: [There is abundant evidence...]

Commander of the Salvation Army Booth argues that "class consciousness" is giving way to "service consciousness." She comments on the Church's strengthening appeal and its readiness for service. The speech began a fund-raising effort within the church for a million dollars.

GLC05508.044

circa April 3, 1887

Booth, Maud Ballington, 1865-1948

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Harrison

Booth thanks Harrison for her donation to the Salvation Army.

GLC05508.045

26 December 1795

Bradford, William, 1729-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bradford

Bradford gives condolence to his daughter, Lydia, for young men who died at sea, and expresses the sentiment that while this may be unfortunate "to us as men, it must be right as relative to Deity." He also mentions visiting a Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia on Christmas day. There is also some discussion of legal business before Congress; Bradford was a senator from Rhode Island.

GLC05508.047

4 March 1862

Bridgman, Laura Dewey, 1829-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Williams

Bridgeman, a deaf-blind mute who learned to read via embossed letters, writes of a deeply religious life. She fulfills his request for a letter, and offers Williams a prayer.

GLC05508.049

circa May 1, 1850

Burnet, David G., fl. 1830-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie

Burnet writes to a young girl who is feeling swings in emotion, and ascribes the problem to excessive indulgence in "fashionable amusements." He advises putting "a philosophical curb on our enjoyments and restrain[ing] them from exciting us too much," and preserving "our minds from too great depression by contemplating the transitory nature of all earthly things." The rest of the letter continues with family news and concludes with general marriage advice.

GLC05508.056

1 June 1940

Cheatham, Kitty, fl. 1940

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Webster defines "Success"...]

This is a speech dedicating the Drake Memorial Mausoleum Shrine to the world's first oil well, drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania by Edwin C. Drake in 1859. Cheatham's speech discusses the meaning of success. She refers to Jesus Christ as the world's greatest success, and discusses how his teachings inspire her to produce art reflecting her love and reverence for children.

GLC05508.066

28 August 1957

Jai-Shek, Chiang, 1897-2003

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mrs. C. L. McDaniel

She was glad to learn her article "The Power of Prayer," published in Reader's Digest, inspired McDaniel and the members of her church. The article is a condensation of her book "The Sure Victory." She mentions that Dr. Norman Vincent Peale recently spoke at her church.

GLC05508.067

1862-1920s

Photograph

Title: Photographs of circus performers, including Tom Thumb, circus set-up, etc.

Three carte de visites, two of Tom Thumb and wife. Twelve cabinet cards featuring various circus performers, most wearing street clothes. Three 20th Century 8x10 prints ca. 1919. One shows setting up of the midway, another is of Ruth Cohen and her horse Romo and the third is of a woman sitting on a white horse with a dozen birds perched on both the woman and the horse. Separate inventory exists.

GLC05508.068

29 November 1912

Cleveland, Frances Folsom, 1864-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Neal

Frances Cleveland offers her nephew condolence on the loss of his child. She urges him to trust in God's plan. She empathizes with his loss by mentioning her thoughts about the age her deceased daughter Ruth would be.

GLC05508.070

22 November [1880]

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter

Title: to Nahum Capen

Written and signed by Varina Davis, for her husband. Discusses the founding and failure of the "first Confederacy" and the "dispersion of His chosen people." Davis argues that if their example had been followed, perhaps there would not have been a Civil War. He hopes that the Union can be returned to its founding principles but fears the nation has become "an example to be avoided not followed." Davis then questions the presidential candidacy of James A. Garfield, citing that he is charged with "an offence, an indictment for which could only be successfully answered by pleading the Statue…

GLC05508.083

18 February 1886

Dix, Morgan, fl. 1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Bishop of Albany

Suggests possible reforms to help arrest the rising rate of divorce. Dix first establishes a difference between holy matrimony and secular matrimony. He proposes six reforms including publication of bans, a state license requirement, discouraging marriages in private homes, requiring the couple to furnish two witnesses, devising alternate forms of marriage when both parties are not members of the same church, and requiring Clergy to keep records of all marriages performed. He also mentions that the innocent party in a divorce case may be allowed to remarry, depending on the situation. He…

GLC05508.086

3 November 1873

Dodge, Mary Abigail, fl. 1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Ward

Response written to Mr. Ward, her publisher and a minister. Mr. Ward apparently disliked an article Dodge sent him because he disagrees with religious interpretations in the text. Dodge defends her beliefs and criticizes that ministers compel people to search the Scripture but at the same time want people to believe only what they say. She claims she is not mad at Ward, because he spoke his mind, but she will not alter her manuscript.

GLC05508.087

8 December 1897

Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926

Typed letter signed

Title: to Rev. E.M. Fairchild

Written in response to a letter from Fairchild. Elliot agrees that the Roman and Anglican churches do not recognize the equality of sexes in their marriage rituals. He wishes that advocates of gender equality were not so determined to assert that the sexes are alike. Eliot views denominational strife as just one part of the conflict between individualism and socialism. He mentions changes to the Kansas educational system that he thinks are detrimental.

GLC05508.095

13 August 1815

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his grandson

Congratulates his grandson's wife's safe delivery of a baby boy. Advises that the child be taught piety and virtue from a very young age, so it will stay with him always. He also urges the mother to nurse the baby and "not suffer any silly ideas of the polite to prevent her discharging this duty to which nature & nature's God require." The recipient possibly may be George G. Channing, with whom Ellery corresponded for many years. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of…

GLC05508.097

12 October 1945

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mamie D. Eisenhower

States that he is just back from Berlin and Prague. Discusses some family and friends. Writes that politicians are trying to get him to accept a job in Washington or with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration to whom he responds, "I just want to be a one-mule farmer in Virginia or Georgia or Tennessee. But my desires are nothing - at least to no one else." Informs that he had lunch with their son John. Mentions that there is no new information on Marshall Zhukov. Postscript states he is sending her birthday present soon. Envelope is addressed to Mamie in…

GLC05266