January 17, 1863

Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863

Newspaper

Title: The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 28 (January 17, 1863)].

Attacks emancipation proclamation. Local women working to relieve soldiers. Attack of gunboat Cotten. Overlapping circles pattern printed in gray-blue and light tan.

GLC06208.15

24 September 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Holding themselves in readiness, rumors on Burnside, McClellan. "We have just got news that the president has issued a proclamation freeing all the slaves on the first of January. It may be for the best but stil my hopes (if I had any) of a speedy termination of the war is thereby nocked in head for I know enough of the southern spirit so that I think that they will fight for the institution of slavery even to extermination. I am glad that the enlisting spirit has been felt so generaly through the north for I wish we had army enough to sink the south out of existance in a…

GLC04558.044

24 October 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Feeling better, wishing he could help his wife with farm-work, speculating about McClellan's intentions. "...I dont feel as patriotic as I did, Maybe, because I have lost confidence in most of the head officers, for I dont believe they want the war to end, and further, in the way things are going it will never end, by fighting. I am not alone in this opinion, for it is one generally, and openly expressed thoughout the ranks, except, by some of the new troops, who have not forgotten the old home idea, that the South is a going to be scared to death of a presidents proclamation or a call for…

GLC04558.050

20 September 1863

Tillotson, Edwin, fl. 1861-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: To George Tillotson

Enclosed with GLC04558.122.01. Written by George Tillotson's sister Mary and her husband Edwin. Mary writes of her hard work and says Nelly [Nelson] was taken prisoner. Edwin's letter (beginning on p.2) complains of poor health (consumption) and answers GWT (punctuation regularized): "I can scarcely believe you serious in your accusation against abolitionists as the cause of the war. It was the slave masters who first made opinions on slavery [into] political tests, and demanded 'soundness on the [illegible]' of every man north or south who asked office at Washington. It was they who…

GLC04558.122.02

31 March 1864

Fleetwood, Christian, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Gibbs

Civil War letter of one of first African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and the first honored by the Smithsonian, to "Mother Gibbs." "…the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being instrumental in freeing fifty or more of them…I had the pleasure of depriving our southern brethren of over fifty contrabands, four or five horses with carts, wagons etc [?], five or six teams with carts and a considerable part of their good temper. For all of which I am truly thankful."

GLC09405

21 August 1865

Bryan, L.W., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Letter about avoiding conscription...]

Leon County, Texas man writes about avoiding conscription and slaves being told of their freedom. "When I reached Palestine [Texas] last July a year ago, the conscript officer of that place notified me to take my place in the army or he should instantly conscript me…Hundreds of white men here are continually talking to negroes about there being free and fools to work for their former owners...the negro will never work for pay as he would through fear of the lash…"

GLC09411

8 March 1826

Book

Title: Message from the President of the United States ... Due under the Award of the Emperor of Russia, for Slaves and other private property carried away by the British Forces, in violation of the Treaty of Ghent

"Message from the President of the United States Transmitting the Information required by a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 10th ultimo, Relating to the proceedings of the Joint Commission of Indemnities, Due under the Award of the Emperor of Russia, for Slaves and other private property carried away by the British Forces, in violation of the Treaty of Ghent." Pierce Butler and other plantation owners' claims, listing values of 2,682 slaves and property, owners' names, slaves' names, and proof supporting the claims.

GLC09296

22 August 1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her cousin

Alabama woman writes to her cousin in Michigan about family news and her mother's illness, and how life has changed since Emancipation: "It does not seem possible that I could go through the same amount of labor and endure the anxiety and suspense of the past two months again. But one has not the most distant idea of what they can perform until circumstances forces them to exertion. Until our servants were freed, I was considered entirely too delicate to perform any kind of household work. And had any one told me that I could, or would in a few years, perform the entire work that was then…

GLC09375

21 April 1866

Harper's Weekly

Newspaper

Title: Harper's Weekly [Vol. 10 No. 486 (April 21, 1866)]

One issue of Harper's Weekly Newspaper dated April 21, 1866. Newspaper features many advertisements and articles of current events. Of particular note on the cover is an image and article concerning the Abraham Lincoln School for Freedmen in New Orleans. There is an article concerning the reentrance of representation for the "Rebel States" in the congress. There are also articles concerning; the Civil Rights Bill of 1866, emigration from Ireland, amnesty possibilities for confederate leaders, humors of the day, domestic and foreign news, life on the plains including engravings, and idol…

GLC09791.14

1 June 1825

Wolcott, Oliver, Jr., 1766-1833

Printed document

Title: [Connecticut Legislature Calls for the Gradual End to the "Great National Evil" of Slavery, 1825]

One resolution detailing an assembly in Connecticut which took place on May 1, 1825, regarding the removal of the "great national evil" of slavery as voted by the Ohio legislature. Signed by Secretary, Thomas Day. An official copy printed on the second page dated June 1, 1825, sent to the Governor of Pennsylvania requesting to be presented before the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. Signed by Oliver Wolcott.

GLC09713

1881

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Book

Title: Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, is a biography of Frederick Douglass. This book is broken down into 41 chapters in two parts. There is also an appendix at the end of the book. There are 18 engravings throughout the book.

GLC09659

31 August 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy Ellen Jones

Jones, a Civil War soldier, replies to a letter from his wife. Expresses joy that Nancy spends time with Brother Millis, possibly a pastor. Traveled the previous day from Bellefont to Stevenson, Alabama. States that divisions led by Generals [Jefferson C.] Davis and [Philip] Sheridan crossed the Tennessee River the previous day. Informs Nancy that corps led by Generals Alexander M. McCook and Thomas L. Crittenden will cross, or have already crossed the Tennessee between Stevenson and Chattanooga, Tennessee. States "the rebs is stil retreating and falling back to atlanta gorga ... "…

GLC02739.067

1863

Drake, Charles D. (Charles Daniel), 1811-1892

Pamphlet

Title: The Wrongs to Missouri's Loyal People

Speech given before a convention at Jefferson City, Missouri on September 1 , 1863. Denounces the "conservatives" of Missouri as disloyal secessionists and Southern sympathizers. Expresses his outrage for the injustices done to the loyal people of Missouri. States that the citizens of the state have been wronged more than "any other state that has adhered to the Union." Discusses emancipation in Missouri and the Missouri State Convention of 1862.

GLC01265.18

1866

Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874

Header Record

Title: Speeches by Charles Sumner [Decimalized 496.088.01-.02]

Two speeches by Sumner.

GLC00496.088

7 April 1857

Payne, Thomas N., fl. 1857

Printed document signed

Title: [Check promising payment of $124]

Payne promises to pay the sum to Waddell, Russell, & Co. (William Bradford Waddell, William Hepburn Russell, and Alexander Majors).

GLC04128.02

17 March 1837

Keller, Thomas, fl. 1837

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave named Ester]

Signed by Keller stating, "I hereby emancipate & discharge from all obligation of service my slave named Ester aged about thirty nine years." Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, John Ruland. With seal of the court. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.01

4 May 1839

Lucas, John B.C., fl. 1839

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission of slave Polly]

Emancipation document of Lucas's "negro woman Polly." Lists who she was brought from and who she was raised by. Witnessed by Charles D. Drake and Wilson Primm. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, John Ruland. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.02

2 January 1843

Paul, Rene, fl. 1843

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Ophelia]

Document signed by Rene Paul emancipating his slave Ophelia on the condition that she remain as a servant. "...hereby do manumit and let free from slavery, my negro girl O'phelia, aged about three years, on condition...Ophelia...shall remain with me as a servant, until the said Ophelia shall attain the age of eighteen years." If Paul should die within that time, Ophelia will be freed from servitude. States he brought Ophelia's mother Makelia. Signed by three witnesses. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, John Ruland. Docketed by clerk on a…

GLC08564.03

18 May 1852

White, John R., fl. 1852

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Ann Simms]

Emancipation of a 23 year old female slave owned by Colonel John R. White and described as "of an orange color and about five feet seven inches in height." Lists her history and who he bought her from. Signed by three witnesses. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, M. S. Cerre. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.04

20 November 1857

McCune, John S., fl. 1857

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Rose Dixon]

McCune signs the emancipation of his female slave named Rose Dixon upon reaching 24 years of age. Sites the reason for emancipation as her mother Martha's faithful service. States that Rose will be free April 1873 after finishing her term of service to Johnathan Jones, to whom she was hired. Signed by two witnesses. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, Stephen Rice. With seal of the court. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.05

4 March 1858

Blaine, John R., fl. 1858

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Susan Reilly]

Blaine emancipates his slave Susan, "being an able bodied healthy woman now about forty two years of age..." Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, Stephen Rice. With seal of the court. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.06

circa 29 April 1858

Burritt, Elihu, 1810-1879

Printed document signed

Title: Prospectus of "The North and South."

Transmitted by Burritt to Reverend Dr. Murray with a letter (GLC 2448.03.01). Advertises the publication of a weekly newspaper, "The North and South," with Burritt as editor. The paper's objective is to "unite the millions of all sections and parties who deprecate the existence of Slavery, from moral, political, or economical considerations, in a plan of co-operation for its peaceful and gradual extinction, by which the Southern States shall receive a fair and honorable compensation..."

GLC02448.03.02

13 May 1862

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Weir

References his friend's letter of 3 April. References Farragut and Porter's running of the forts below New Orleans. Tells the story of a ship that snuck past him. Tells of other run-ins while on blockading duty. Relates a conversation he had with a captured Confederate blockade runner while his ship was recoaling. Talks for 2 pages on General McClellan, mostly in a positive vein. Says the politicians and "crazy abolitionists of the Horace Greely school" are the only ones against him. Mentions General David Hunter and says "He has issued a proclamation recently, freeing all the slaves in South…

GLC03836.35

August 1, 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Updates his father on the commanders of the regiment. Writes that General Asboth is the Brigadier General, Nicolas Grensel is the colonel and also a member of the Free Masons;. Lieutenant Colonel Joselyn and Major Barry have resigned and Capt. J.Q. Adams (also a Mason) is very sick. Complains that the quality of clothes they are receiving is not as good as before. Would like to see his family but has a "good a will as ever to obliterate rebellion". Writes that he is in favor of the confiscation and emancipation bill if colonization is strictly attended to. Reports that a Negro was…

GLC06728.019

27 April 1853

Darbee, L. & Son, fl. 1853

Newspaper

Title: Williamsburgh Daily Gazette [Vol. 18, no. 291, whole no. 1676 (April 27, 1853)]

Includes the conclusion of a preview of a work soon to be published called "The Narrative of Solomon Northrop, a Citizen of New York, Kidnapped and Sold into Slavery in Washington City, in 1844, and Rescued in 1853 from a cotton plantation, near the Red River, in Louisiana." The first half was printed the day before, see GLC 6069.01. Also has an image of women running a printing press on the last page. Other local news, ads, and announcements.

GLC06069.02