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[Shackles used on enslaved people]

These shackles resemble those used during the mid-1800s. Handwrought iron, consisting of two leg shackles linked by a flat iron plate. Could have been used for enslaved people, but also might have been used in a jailhouse for criminals.

GLC05338

Declaration of sentiments of the colored citizens of Boston, on the fugitive slave bill!!!

African American citizens of Boston respond to the Fugitive Slave Law. Published by the "Friends of Freedom." Signed in print by Lewis Hayden as President of the Friends of Freedom and William C. Nell as Secretary. Also includes another text block at...

GLC05345

[Mississippi cotton plantation diary and journal]

Signed in inner front cover in August 1850, where English notes that his father, James English, moved from Kingsport, Tennessee to Madison County, Alabama in 1818. Records that James took him, and left his sister in Salem, North Carolina, and his...

GLC05496

Uncle Sam.

Sheet music cover depicting a male runaway slave, Uncle Sam. "The Great Slave Song, respectfully dedicated to Anderson, the fugitive slave & sung with immense success by T. Maclagan." Written by G. W. Hunt with music by Frederic Archer.

GLC05508.013.11

Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when about to receive the sentence of death, for his heroic attempt at Harper's Ferry...

Small broadside with lithograph signature of Brown produced by the Liberator, reprinting his address to the Virginia Court before sentencing. Brown denies wanting to murder or cause an uprising. He argues that his raid on Harper's Ferry was just...

GLC05508.051

Papers related to the Amistad mutiny [Decimalized .01-.59]

This collection contains the papers of William S. Holabird, who served as United States District Attorney for the state of Connecticut during the Amistad trial. These materials include a letter of Judge Andrew T. Judson which suggests executive...

GLC05636

[Brief from the Circuit Court regarding the Amistad case]

Referring to Lieutenant Thomas R. Gedney, includes information pertaining to the Amistad case: "Gidney & others v. The Amistad Negroes. Circuit court U.S." Considers four principle points: "shall the vessel, & the blacks, be restored to the Spanish...

GLC05636.02

The history of the New-York African free-school, from their establishment in 1787, to the present time; embracing a period of more than forty years: also a brief account of the succesful labors of the New-York Manumission Society

Written by Andrews as the principal of the African Free School. Printed by Mahlon Day at 376 Pearl Street in New York. First edition copy. Includes engraving of the school building, from a drawing by a student, opposite the title page. Provides a...

GLC06084

[Sale of the Harmon residence]

Advertisement for the sale of the late David P. Harmon's home located on the corner of Summer Street and Maple Avenue.

GLC06143.19

Political chart of the United States with a comparative statistical view of North and South

Hand colored Republican campaign chart showing slave states, free states, and territories, as well as an image of John C. Fremont, the party's first presidential candidate. Includes population information for North and South, differentiating...

GLC06143.25

Declaration of sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Adopted at the formation of said society, in Philadelphia, on the 4th day of December, 1833.

Leaflet published by the American Anti-Slavery Society, printed by William S. Dorr. Concludes with "We charge upon the existing national government, that it is an insupportable despotism, wielded by a power which is superior to all legal and...

GLC06200

to John Calkins re: how his money was used for fugitive slaves

A long, detailed letter from Bibb, the noted runaway slave and conductor on the Underground Railroad, telling Calkins of Wilbraham, Mass., how his money was spent in aiding runaway slaves who had traveled on the Underground Railroad, particularly...

GLC06834

to J. S. Foy re: politics, slavery and morality in North and South

"I am quite aware that the people of the South are not all 'slave drivers' or 'slave holders,' but the non-slaveholders allow the slave drivers to rule them and rule us by means of them.... We have prostitution and other evils here, but our laws are...

GLC06837

to Willis A. Hodges

Discusses arrangements at North Elba, and upcoming plans for this African American farming settlement. Says money is being raised to help the "infant colony," urges residents not to lay out plots yet, but instead cut wood. Also discusses the...

GLC06615

to Mr. Bayley re: plan to liberate his slaves, colonization, personal matters

Written to Mr. Bayley in England. Discusses his plans for colonizing his freed slaves in Haiti or Liberia. Lafayette also mentions the Catholic emancipation bill, etc.

GLC06721

to Craig Langford re: negotiating sale of family to former slave

"I would give you more time... but I do not know at what time James may be here and run some of them off and sell them..."

GLC06733.02

to Jesse Stubbs re: helping fugitive slaves escape (the Langford family)

GLC06733.04

to his brother and sister

Discusses preparations for the raid on Harper's Ferry. Never mentions a raid, or any specific plans, but states "we have not got ready to begin operations yet." Also does not reveal his location, saying he is writing from "parts unknown."...

GLC06471

to Joseph Allyn

Nelson writes to his brother Joseph in Connecticut, roughly one month after Nat Turner's Rebellion. Discusses family and mutual acquaintances, noting he is in good health. Writes, "the insurrection of the blacks have made greate disturbance here...

GLC05655

New York Colonization Society certificate of membership for Alexander Fraser

Certificate of membership for life for Alexander Fraser of Fowlerville. The certificate has a large engraving at top showing a white man shaking the hands of thankful naked Africans while a ship rides at anchor in the background. Two scriptural...

GLC05781

to Theodore Sedgwick

Tappan, an abolitionist supporting the freedom of the Amistad Africans, discusses a letter from Roger Sherman Baldwin to Sedgwick. States that Mr. B. (Baldwin) requests the advice of Sedgwick and Seth Staples regarding the trial. Refers to Judge T...

GLC05799

to her sister

Addressed to "My Dearly Loved Sister," probably referring to one of John Brown's daughters at North Elba. Expresses sadness at the death of Martha Evelyn Brewster Brown, Oliver Brown's wife, and remembers Oliver's love for her. Sends her condolences...

GLC06348.02

[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...

GLC06375

$200 Reward!

Offered for "my boy Manuel," a runaway slave described as 35 years old and enterprising. Includes a physical description: "He has a shrewd expression of the eye, and has a scar on one of his thighs occasioned from a burn, is well dressed and has in...

GLC06377.01

[Garrison, William Lloyd.]

Half length seated portrait of Garrison facing proper left, probably ca. 1850.

GLC06391.05