18 January 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Tells of his upcoming trial and predicts that he will "receive a free pass to the Spirit world." Mentions receiving many presents and aid, including from Mrs. Spring and Miss Watkins. Expresses his desire to tell her more on his views of religion. Written from Charlestown jail.

GLC07231.10

30 January 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother Henry

Describes his wounds at Harpers Ferry: "I received six wounds there [his chest], three in my head, two in my brest and one through my left arm two in my head were the worst." Claims he is enjoying his time in jail, with the help of his jailer Captain Avis and the variety of gifts sent to him by friends, some of whom he lists: "Mrs. R.B. Spring Mrs. L Maria Child, Miss Watkins, Mr. James Redpath and others." Mrs. Spring nursed John Brown, "Capt. B." Discusses his views on spiritualism and his doubt of the Bible, mentioning two books, one by Professor "Robbrt" Hare, the other entitled "Studies…

GLC07231.11

23 December 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Brunt tells Martha how much he enjoys receiving her letters, "for they are full of pure lofty Patriotism." One again, mentions his devotion to the cause of the Union and the emancipated slaves under his command: "I tell them that true manhood lies in the mental worth not in the color of the skin nor in the stature or size of the frame." Writes that his wife is happy at the camp. Expresses his intense anger with draft dodgers and hopes that they "may Each be afficted [sic] with whatever desease they seek to counterfeit." Written at Fort Donelson.

GLC07006.06

17 May 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that his regiment has been stationed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the "Topographical Engineer department." Responds to news that some of his correspondence has been lost en route to Martha. Tells about a trip in March to return his wife and children to their home. Replies to news of Martha's loneliness at home "in the society of secesh sympathizers."

GLC07006.07

3 July 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes that he has been sent to Clarkesville again in order to command the "Contraband Camp." Describes the work he has been doing to get the camp of "900 Men Women & Children" running smoothly, and the compliments he has received from his superiors for his hard work. Martha is leaving Hawesville soon, and Brunt asks her to "please write as soon as you receive this & I will send you my Photograph." Describes the arrival of a Kentucky slave owner at his camp who offers Brunt $250 dollars in bribe money for the return of his family's slaves. Brunt has the man arrested. "Our camp is…

GLC07006.08

17 September 1864

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Awaits the return of his wife and children to camp. The repair of the direct road to Nashville, Tennessee may make Brunt's camp into a supply station. The camp is connected by boat, train and road. Happily reports that he has gotten two black women jobs as school teachers. Proudly copies two letters from his commanding colonel, both of which praise Brunt highly for his hard work.

GLC07006.09

1864

Brunt, Olive, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes of living at camp with her husband - "it is so much like Old kentuck." Mentions that it has been a long time since she has been home in Kentucky and asks after various friends. Describes the area around Fort Donelson as a scene of destruction, with "notheing [sic] but old shells of the best houses left now," but finds her own home, with its river view of "steamboats and gunboats" very beautiful. Written at Fort Donelson

GLC07006.10

4 November 1864

Brunt, Olive, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Olive writes to Martha for her husband, "but I cannot write to you as he would." Writes of how much she misses her home and friends in Kentucky, but enjoys her work at the Contraband Camp. She and one other woman mend the clothing of the entire camp and want "to make this camp a selfe suporting Camp rais the provisions on the farm and get the cloths by exchanging our labor for cotton." Mentions that there are fifteen teachers in the school. The black soldiers have been turned out of their homes to house Confederate refugees, which Olive says she will try not to mind "as long as they don't…

GLC07006.11

5 August 1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Cook

Brunt has just returned from Iowa with two of his children, Dora and David. Dora, who is sixteen, has just been married to an Englishman. Writes that "while I was gone to Iowa Olive let passion instead of virtue rule her & became inconstant to me - this was indeed painful to bear & I obtained a Divorce." Brunt has custody of his children and property. He has given Olive $100 "& sent her home & henceforth we shall be two persons." Mentions that Olive also cheated on him two years earlier. Brunt's son, David, died of typhoid soon after the divorce. Hopes that Martha's…

GLC07006.13

9 April 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp his appreciation of his wife's encouragement not to join the volunteers. He still is not sure if he wants to join them. Closes with discussion of prayer and a religious exhortation.

GLC02715.005

16-17 May 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses the damage the armies have done to the local farms, crops and livestock. Continues writing on 17 May 1862 that he ran out of money and borrowed some from a man who is going home. Tells Mary to feed the man as repayment.

GLC02715.011

22 May 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says the Union has control of the James River all the way up to Richmond, Viriginia. Believes that the Yankees will take Richmond soon. Reminds his wife to pay back the man whom he borrowed money from and asks her to sell his watch.

GLC02715.012

circa June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says he cannot get a furlough. States he wants Aunt Peggy to move in and nurse his wife who is pregnant (see GLC02715.031). Date taken from the content of the letter.

GLC02715.014

2 August 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses his sister Margaret's death. Comments, "Wee would all be a grate deell better off if if [sic] wee could as she did and bid farewell to this proud and wicked world and mount on eagles wings and fly to the mansions above whair there hant [pronounced "haint"] no distress of nations nor wars but all is pease and love . . . ."

GLC02715.024

9 August 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Describes a march toward Fredricksburg, Virginia where his unit encountered and engaged a large number of Yankees (Massaponax, 5 August 1862). Wrties of his appreciation of his wife's offer to raise money to hire a substitute, but says that General [J.E.B.] Stuart will not accept any substitutes.

GLC02715.025

7 September 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: five letters to his family

There are five letters on one folded sheet. Includes two letters from Epperly to Mary Epperly, one letter from Epperly to Harvey D. Phleagar, one letter from Epperly to his "Mother" Catharine Phleagar, and a letter to his "Brothers." Mentions a recent battle (likely the Battle of Chantilly fought on 1 September 1862) and comments on the large number of wounded. Also discusses the Second Battle of Manassas (28-30 August 1862). Notes that General [Stonewall] Jackson has moved into Maryland. Tells her to find someone to plant the crops. In his letter to Harvey he notes that his unit cannot…

GLC02715.027

6 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Suggests she name the baby (likely his son) Christian Dolphus.

GLC02715.031

19 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Phleagar

Says the army has been quiet, but he believes a big battle is coming. He mentions food available and a lack of soap. Asks Mary, his wife, to make him a shirt, drawers, pants, and a knit cap. Notes he received two months pay and that he intends to buy a pair of boots and send the rest to his wife.

GLC02715.033

27 January 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Advises Mary from Camp Loids to sell the grain before the government takes it at a very cheap price. Warns her to watch any Cavalry men that may be in the area because they steal chickens and "beecomes." Offers a lengthy description of their meeting and life in heaven. Advises her to direct her letters: "In car[e] of Capt. Henery Stuarts Hors Artillary, W. H. F. Lee[s Brigade, Richmond, Virginia."

GLC02715.043

2 September 1835

Cleaveland, Porter, fl. 1835

Manuscript letter

Title: to Richard H. Field

A copy of a report of Porter Cleveland and wife Frances Winn Cleveland, responding to a complaint of Edward C. Ancell and wife Ann Winn Ancell, against John Winn, and others, regarding the administration of the estate of Thomas Winn, the father of John, Frances and Ann. Claimants desire to divide property "hotchpot," a legal term in which all property is gathered to secure an equitable distribution among the heirs of an intestate parent. Lists the value of all property given to Porter and Frances during their lifetime by Thomas Winn, including a number of enslaved people. Porter Cleveland…

GLC03434.63

5 January 1837

Winn, John, 1789-?

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Richard H. Field

Report of John Winn, acting as "ally for George Winn," in a complaint against George Winn. Report given in response to a claim by Edward C. Ancel and his wife Ann Winn Ancel, regarding the division of the estate of Thomas Winn. John Winn states that George Winn is willing to place the property inherited by him from his father Thomas Winn into "hotchpot," a legal term in which all property is gathered to secure an equitable distribution among the heirs of an intestate parent. Lists all property George Winn received from his father, including a number of slaves, one only four years old.…

GLC03434.64

20 December 1843

Wills, Willis C., fl. 1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winn

Regarding dispute over the payment owed for slaves rented. Says S. B. Jones expects him to pay for medical treatment received by his slave Jinny while she was rented to Jones, but Wills refuses to pay. Wills gives examples of similar situations to show that it is expected that the renter pay in such situations.

GLC03434.67

7 November 1692

Smith, John, fl. 1692

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Indenture of Mary Gorms to John Smith]

Mary Gorms indentures herself "freely, volintarily, and of her own accord" to John Smith for five years. She had previously been in the service of Thomas Williams. Smith must provide her with food and lodging. Signed by Smith and Gorms, with her mark. Also signed by Middlesex County Court Recorder Edwin Thacker.

GLC03434.68

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [Manumission of Phoebe Miller]

One document emancipating Phoebe Miller in accordance with the will of George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse as court clerk.

GLC03434.70

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [Manumission of Maria Muse]

One document emancipating Maria Muse in accordance with the will of George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse as court clerk.

GLC03434.73