20 September 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Mansion House Hospital to his wife. Is sorry that he is causing her and the family so much anxiety over his current health status. Writes that he is recovering and will soon return to his regiment. He is happy to hear that Mr. Armstrong is getting married and hopes that he will like his new home. Notes that the regiment is well and that Sergeant Montague visited him today. He writes that he is happy to hear everyone at home is doing so well. Will try to write to his family and his sister Wink soon; he has not been able to do so because he has been so sick.

GLC03523.13.058

4 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp near Upton Hill to his wife. Writes that he has received her letter along with their baby's portrait. Wishes that he could be with his wife and baby. Explains that he is willing to stay until the war is over but also that he wants to be with his family. He hopes he can come home during the winter. States that President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation has raised the men's spirits. He is optimistic that the speech will give the people of the North some hope. He is now more confident in the army but some of the men say that if they do not do better the Confederacy…

GLC03523.13.059

8 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Writes that they are at their old camp ground and it looks like they will be staying there for the winter. Tells her that his health has improved and he is in good spirits. Does not think they have accomplished much but they did work and fight hard. Notes that the ranks have been so thinned that it takes four regiments to make one full-strength regiment. Writes that the dead and wounded of the regiment are spread out from Michigan to Richmond. Notes that many are either dead or discharged and many of the men are unsure of how they will…

GLC03523.13.060

14 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry near Edwards Ferry, Maryland to his wife. Writes that they marched 40 miles in two days. Notes the fine homes, beautiful scenery, and gives a general description of the area, which is, surprisingly, untouched by the war. States that Maryland is "wise" for staying with the Union despite the enemy making raids into the state. Also note that some Confederate troops have made raids into Pennsylvania. He is unsure of what he thinks of her reading his letters to other women. Hopes that his friend will be discharged from the army. Is greatly upset that he…

GLC03523.13.061

circa January 1856

Woodson, Obadiah, fl. 1856

Document signed

Title: [Slave Patrol Contract]

Appoints a captain to oversee a company of men for "Patrol duty at least two nights in each week; and on the Sabbath day to disperse all collections of negroes or boys violating the Ordinances of the Town. On all slaves found off their owner's premises, without written permission... you will inflict not more than fifteen lashes; no slave to be whipped except in presence of the Captain. You will arrest and carry before the Intendant of Police, all free colored men found associating with slaves in the night, or on the Sabbath day, in any kitchen, out-house, or place other than his own…

GLC09122

circa 27 October 1863

Frazier, Charlotte, fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition of a free black to become a slave of Jefferson S. Nash]

Petition to the District Court of Texas. "Charlotte Frazier...respectfully states and shows that she is a free person of African descent - that she is... mother of Six children under the age of Fourteen ... to wit ... Mack ... Betsey ...Luke ... Jerry... Westley... Emma...also free persons of African descent... Petitioner prays that a decree may be made... Whereby petitioner and her said children may become the property as slaves of the said... Jefferson S. Nash, as fully as if she and her said children had been born his slaves... " Signed by Frazier and witnesses. For related documents see…

GLC09123

1834

Garrison & Knapp

Pamphlet

Title: Report of the arguments of counsel, in the case of Prudence Crandall, Plff. in error, Vs. State of Connecticut, before the Supreme Court of Errors, at their session at Brooklyn, July Term, 1834.

Prudence Crandall, having allowed black children into her school, was tried by the State of Connecticut for violating a law against the education of colored children who were not inhabitants of the State, which required consent of the town of jurisdiction. The judge, holding that blacks were not citizens and were devoid of constitutional rights, ruled in favor the State. Here, before the Supreme Court, her counsel argues that "A distinction founded in color, in fundamental rights, is novel, inconvenient and impracticable."

GLC09124

1861

Anderson, Fulton, 1820-1874

Pamphlet

Title: Addresses delivered before the Virginia State Convention by Hon. Fulton Anderson...Hon. Henry L. Benning, ... and Hon. John S. Preston...February 1861.

Wyatt M. Elliott. Representatives of Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina work to persaude Virginia to join a slave-holding Confederacy.

GLC09125

1858

Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858

Book

Title: Historical and Legal Examination of that part of the decision of the Supreme Court ....

" of the United States in the Dred Scott case, which declares the unconstitutionality of the Missouri Compromise Act, and the self extension of the Constitution to territories, carrying slavery along with it..." New York, D. Appleton and Company. Second edition. The most important contemporary commentary on the Dred Scott case.

GLC09126

1846

Pamphlet

Title: The Liberty Almanac for 1847.

Cover woodcut illustration sows idyllic "Emancipation" scene near the U.S. Capital building. With 5 more illustrations throughout. New York: William Harned.

GLC09127

1797

Miller, Samuel, fl. 1797-1806

Pamphlet

Title: A Discourse, Delivered April 12, 1797, at the request of and before the New-York Society ...

"... for promoting the manumission of slaves, and protecting such of them as have been or may be liberated. By...one of the Ministers of the United Presbyterian Churches in the City of New-York, and members of said society." New York: T. and J. Swords.

GLC09128

February 23, 1833

Glen, Tyre, fl. 1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: Slave dealer letter

" I have purchased...a very large and tolerable likely fellow of Hollingsworth at $450, Ralph of Elder Patterson at $425, he keeps him untill his crop is finished unless he becomes unruly. Thar is at this time at least double the number of negroes for sale that has ever been offered since we have been buying, tho at such high prices that I dislike to buy girls particularly..." Speaking of a new competitor in the slave trade: "He is the damdest man I ever met with in any market, he has a constitution like a hors, rides day and knight sunday not exepted, is as destitute of Honor as ... a dog…

GLC09129

20 September 1864

Document signed

Title: Office of Board of Claims/For Slaves enlisted in U. S. service...

State of Maryland. Compensation claim by Joshua Johnson for a slave, Thomas Johnson, he manumitted and enlisted as a USCT, United States Colored Troops. Partially printed document.

GLC09130.01

29 March 1865

Document signed

Title: Proof of slave ownership

Proof of ownership by Joshua Johnson for the slave Thomas Johnson.

GLC09130.02

16 September 1865 circa

Document signed

Title: Draft amending Alabama Constitution

"Ordinance / in relation to the Institution of Slavery and the abolition thereof. / Sep. 16 - Subst[itution]. Ordered 100 copies be printed. Sp. order Monday 11. / Be it ordained by the people of the state of Alabama, in convention assembled, That [Manuscript insert: Slavery having been destroyed in Alabama by the United States, in its advance & occupancy of the state] ... hereafter there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this State, otherwise than for the punishment of crime... And be it further ordained, that the Constitution be amended by striking out all provisions…

GLC09131

1 June 1780-1789

Header Record

Title: Revolutionary war pay warrants

Five Connecticut Line Continental Army, Revolutionary War pay warrants issued to African American soldiers. Signed by John Lawrence, treasurer of the State, and docketed every year to 1789 when interest was paid. Four of the five have signatures of or remainders of (due to punch cancellations) signatures of the soldiers on the verso. 10 pages total.

GLC09132

1 June 1780-1789

Lawrance, John, fl. 1780;

Document signed

Title: Warrant for money owed to Sharp Liberty

One warrant for eight pounds and five shillings owed to soldier, Sharp Liberty. Signed "X"' by Liberty and J. Lawrence, treasurer.

GLC09132.01

1 June 1780-1789

Document signed

Title: Pay warrant to African American soldier

Philip Negro for six pounds, five shillings, and nine pence. Remainder of Negro's signature.

GLC09132.02

1 June 1780-1789

Document signed

Title: Pay warrant to African American soldier

Castor Freeman for twelve pounds, eight shillings, and four pence. Remainder of Freeman's signature.

GLC09132.03

1 June 1780-1789

Lawrance, John, fl. 1780;

Document

Title: Pay warrant to African American soldier

Pomp McCuffee for nine pounds and nine shillings. Unsigned by McCuffee.

GLC09132.04

1 June 1780-1789

Lawrance, John, fl. 1780;

Document signed

Title: Pay warrant to African American soldier

Jeffery Liberty for three pounds, twelve shillings, and seven pence. Signed in full "Jeffry Liberty."

GLC09132.05

February 12, 1857

Beecher, Henry Ward, 1813-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

"I believe that there were never so many thinking upon the subject, never were thoughts more nearly right on the great question of Liberty. I do not disesteem the political & Commercial aspects of Slavery. Its evils in these regards are greater than any of us imagine. But it is the Moral Condition of the slave & the effect of the system upon the Conscience of the Nation, that I chiefly feel & deprecate. One thing is certain. Let the friends of freedom, those who have no honors to seek, no offices to crave, no ambition to mislead them, let such become if possible more…

GLC09133

1781-1783

Header Record

Title: Clothing and payroll return document 1st Massachusetts regiment [Decimalized .01- .04]

Manuscript clothing and payroll return documents listing many African American freemen who fought in this desegregated regiment during the Siege of Boston and at Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, and Monmouth, and guarded the Hudson Highlands. These highly detailed accounts provide information on nine companies of the First Masachusetts, listing the rank, time of service, and pay rate for each man, deficiencies and surpluses, and a complete inventory of clothing supplied. Notes are made on men who have died, deserted (37 during 1783), or transferred regiments. The average page contains roughly…

GLC09134

1781-1782 circa

Manuscript document

Title: Clothing and payroll return document 1st Massachusetts regiment

Recording deficiencies and surpluses.

GLC09134.01

1783 circa

Manuscript document

Title: Clothing and payroll return document 1st Massachusetts regiment

"Account Clothing for the first Massachusetts Regiment for the Year 1783." Signed by Azariah Egleston, Paymaster and Agent.

GLC09134.02