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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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1856

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Pamphlet

Title: The Crime Against Kansas. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. In the Senate of the United States, May 19, 1856.

Sumner delivered this speech after the May 1856 debates on slavery in Kansas. Condemns Southern advocacy of the expansion of slavery. Published by Greeley and McElrath, New York. Advertised on cover page as being "for sale at the office of the New York Tribune." With advertisements for other publications on the back cover.

GLC02095.20

circa 1860

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Autograph note signed

Title: [Quotation of Charles Sumner on liberty]

Complete quotation reads: "For myself in a case of doubt I feel that I cannot go wrong when I lean to the side of Liberty."

GLC02095.25

30 December 1833

Winn, John, 1789-?

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Terms for hiring slaves]

Lists the names and prices of enslaved people who have been lent out by John Winn, and to whom they have been lent. Terms specify the time payment is due, the return dates, provisions required to be given to the enslaved people, and forbidding their working near water or in mines.

GLC03434.54

7 November 1818

Daniel, Peter Vivian, 1784-1860

Document signed

Title: [Appointing Richard M. Segar sheriff for another year]

Partially printed document re-appointing Segar as Sheriff of Middlesex County for another year. Daniel signed as Lieutenant Governor.

GLC03434.55

30 June 1827

Manuscript document

Title: [Account between the estate of Horatio Wills and John Winn]

An account between the estate of Horatio Wills and John Winn, listing transactions from 1818 to 1826. Lists expenses for enslaved people, books, and household goods. The second page lists claims against the Wills estate.

GLC03434.58

30 December 1829

Winn, John, 1789-?

Autograph document signed

Title: Terms of hiring negroes belonging to the estate of Thomas Winn

Specifies the terms under which enslaved people belonging to the estate of Thomas Winn can be hired out for the year 1830. Agreement provides for enslaved people to be returned with blankets, shoes, and clothes, that they be "treated humanely," and not allowed to work on the water. The three enslaved people named are Sam, Jenny and Diley. Signed twice by Winn. Docket lists who the enslaved people were hired out to, and at what price.

GLC03434.59

6 December 1824

Manuscript document

Title: Account of sales of the personal estate of Thomas Winn

Lists property sold by the estate of Thomas Winn, with name of purchaser and amount paid listed for each item. Property sold includes enslaved people, animals, tools, foodstuffs and furniture. John Winn and George Winn purchased several items from the estate. Docket also lists the hiring of three enslaved people.

GLC03434.60

26 November 1824

Manuscript document

Title: Inventory and appraisement of the personal estate of Thomas Winn deceased

Lists appraised value of items in the estate of Thomas Wood. Included in the list are enslaved people, cattle, and household goods.

GLC03434.61

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

6 October 1838

Winn, George, 1793-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winn

Reporting on crops and the low prices of slaves. George quotes a previous letter from his brother regarding the purchase of slaves, and questions whether the price had already been agreed upon. Although they want to keep the slaves in the family, and avoid "the risque of going to a trader" George believes he paid for them through his share of the estate and will not take them at any other price. Expressing a wish to keep peace in the family, George informs John he will buy his slaves in Kentucky, where they are inexpensive. Also discusses a drought that has harmed corn and tobacco crops.

GLC03434.65

29 September 1840

Shepherd, M.B., fl. 1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winn

Opposition to the federalists and the Subtreasury. Requesting that Winn volunteer for a position to canvas the county protesting issues related to an upcoming election. Shepherd says of Joe Watkins, a politician, that "his scheme of getting rid of the slaves more dangerous than that of the Abolitionists because more insidious." Opposes the Subtreasury feeling it will cause too much government control and believes the residents of the county agree with him. Suggests a meeting to discuss these subjects.

GLC03434.66

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

2 January 1827

Winn, John, 1789-?

Autograph document signed

Title: [Terms for hiring slaves from the estate of Thomas Winn]

Lists the terms under which slaves will be hired out from Thomas Winn's estate. Requires that hired slaves receive medical care and limits their working conditions. The document lists each slave for hire and the requirements for each slave. Special mention is made for Phebe, who is "unhealthy and labouring under a disease called the asthma." Phebe "is not to be exposed to wet or cold weather...should she die before the end of the year, a proportionable part of the sum for which she is supported &c will only be paid." Signed twice by Winn.

GLC03434.84

circa 1830-1910