4 August 1864

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Says he received her letter of the "28th" on 3 August. Is glad their mother's health is better, but sorry to hear that "little Mary" is ill. Sends his love to Will and tells "him to keep out of the Draft as it is bad for young men." Says "I am glad you can make my letters out. I think I can write better after a while as my hand is so heavy. I am trying to learn to read also and Jack is helping me all he can[.] I wish I had of taken it in hand when I first came out." Sends further greetings to family members and closes by saying there is "no news here at present of any account." Postscript…

GLC02829.14

13 August 1864

Allen, William, fl. 1834-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Says heat is bad, but he feels better than he ever has except for loneliness. Says "I have not the least caus[e] to complain only some times when I am off of duty and get to thinking and studying I will get low spirited when thinking of home and friends and the time will get tedious but I have to throw it off[.] you Know my disposition as well as I do[.] I cant Help it sometimes." Received the photographs of Becky and Winfield. In reference to his family says "the longer I am from them the mor[e] I love them[.] I dont think I will be long from them[.] I dont know weithe[r] al men are alike…

GLC02829.15

26 August 1864

Allen, William, fl. 1834-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Will Allen

Writes to his brother Will. Says he got a letter from their other brother George, which says he is well. Is glad that Will is getting along so well "in the Lodge" -- the Masonic Lodge. Says there are many Masons; on the Potomac Flotilla with him and they all seem happier when they meet. Says if he joins the Navy he can get him a position as paymaster steward for the flotilla. Says the pay is 45 dollars/month. Advises him to think about it rather than be drafted. Says he loves children and misses his very much. Goes on to send greetings to other family members. Says their brother Frank has…

GLC02829.16

29 March 1862

Oves, William, fl. 1862-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Seems to have been written during the build up for the Peninsula Campaign. Left New York on Monday last and arrived on Wendesday in Hampton Roads. Says there are many war vessels in the harbor as an expedition is ready to go up the river to Yorktown and other places along the James River. Expects they will go up the river the middle of next week. Reports there were 14 or 15 steamers with 20,000 men in the harbor yesterday. More are on the way. Says there is 115,000 troops in the area. Wanted to see Bill Mayberry of the National Guard, but they were not there yet. References several of the…

GLC02829.17

December 12, 1862

Oves, William, fl. 1862-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friend

Writes to tell him he is doing well. Knows he owes him "that small some," but that he has not been able to draw his pay due to various circumstances until now. Includes the payment with this letter. Wants him to write to inform him that he received it. Says they will stay at Fortress Monroe for about a week and then will sail for Wilmington, North Carolina and expects to stay there all winter. Asks him not to talk to anyone about the money he borrowed. Says he will see Joseph Allen before he leaves. Letter only dated "Dec 12th," but year inferred from content. Wilmington was not taken by…

GLC02829.18

May 6, 1857

Manuscript document signed

Title: Extract of a dispatch from Mr. Crawford to Lord Clarendon

A manuscript extract from a May 6, 1857 dispatch from British consul at Havana, Joseph T. Crawford, to Lord Clarendon, giving names and tonnage of five American vessels sent to Havana, presumably for the slave trade. The ships are the schooner "Abbot Devereaux," brig "R.B. Lawton," schooner "J.H. Record," barque "Clara B. Williams" and barque "Minetonka." This is followed by a one paragraph update, written in the same hand as the extract, and signed "G.G.," noting the August 1, 1857 capture of the "Abbot Devereaux," with 266 slaves on board, by the HMS "Frazer" and the September 2, 1857…

GLC05832.01

12 October 1857

Davidson, Hunter, 1827-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Lt. Davidson of the USS "Dale" reports on his official interview with Commodore Wise, commander of the H.M.S. "Vesuvius," regarding Wise's capture of the slaveship "Bremen" on October 10, 1857. Davidson interviewed Wise by order of the captain of the "Dale," William McBlair. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" off the West Coast of Africa. Davidson relays Wise's statement that he boarded the "Bremen" and told her captain that he knew she was a slaver flying an American flag without proper papers. The slaver's captain then threw the flag and papers overboard, stating that he would rather be…

GLC05832.02

October 19. 1857

Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Directing McBlair to proceed to the Congo River area to suppress the illegal traffic in slaves and ordering him to cooperate with British naval forces already in the area. Sends "private instructions" (possibly related to GLC00722.04) on how to deal with foreign vessels. Tells McBlair "The slave trade appears to be centered chiefly at and near the mouth of the Congo River" and that he should patrol mostly around this area while searching for illegal slave trading ships. Written on board the U.S.S. "Cumberland" at St. Paul de Loando, now called Luanda, the capital of Angola. These orders…

GLC05832.03

13 November 1857

Burgess, George F., 1827-1860

Manuscript document

Title: [Statement regarding slave ship capture]

Clerical copy of a statement by British commander George F. Burgess recording the capture of the slave ship "Joseph H Record" by HMS "Antelope" on September 3, 1857. The vessel had "191 Slaves on board - and had a crew of Spaniards & Italians - or other foreigners - no papers or colours." The statement also excerpts the boarding book of the HMS "Hecate" regarding information received about the "Windward," a ship flying American colors, but with a Portugese crew. The original statement was written on board the HMS "Hecate" at Sharks Point, R. Congo. The schooner "Joseph H. Record" was…

GLC05832.04

1 December 1839

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily L. Gerry

Slave trade to Cuba and the evils of the slave traders. Details the methods used by traders who bring slaves to Cuba, and the horrible acts they have committed. Also discusses personal and family affairs, events in his daily life, and happenings in the Navy. "The Slave Trade is carried on openly from the port to a very great extent and that altogether in American built vessels and thru the agency of Americans...vessels arrive and depart daily, that are known to be Slavers...The horid barbarities committed by these fiends of darkness upon the poor Africans after they are taken on board…

GLC09099.04

December 1839

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann T. Gerry

Desires to be a captain, and believes he may soon attain the role, though the Commodore, whom he dislikes, is making matters difficult for him. Describes Havana, Key West and the local flora, discusses slave traders and their evil ways. Believes he already does much of the work of a captain, and believes he should be promoted to the roll soon, though the Commodore may prevent this. Written on board the U.S.S. "Warren."

GLC09099.05

29 November 1860

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry who was an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy and appears to be in New York. Mentions a band that came from Frederick, Maryland to play on Thanksgiving. Says that their father went to Baltimore on Friday morning to see their cousin William. They are going to look at a farm owned by a Mr. Keg. Questions the purchase and wonders if William can run it properly. Also mentions other investment possibilities. Last 2 pages updates him on friends and neighbors, especially on weddings that have taken place. Says there is little news to pass on, but mentions she did…

GLC03523.21.04

January 31, 1861

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

From his father. References previous letters. There is confusion where the writer should send letters - to New York or Fortress Monroe in Virginia.

GLC03523.21.01

21 November 1860

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Henry as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy. References receiving Henry's letter the day before. Says he is in negotiations with John Janney(?) to purchase his farm "as you were so anxious I should buy land." Claims "The affairs in the South look very threatening - But when action comes they will find more difficulties in the way than they expect." Thinks they will reconsider and not break from the Union. Is worried he has too many temptations to spend his money where he is and will not send it home. Letter is fragile and has a partial tear along a fold.

GLC03523.21.02

27 November 1860

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry who was an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in Brooklyn, New York aboard the USS "Vandalia." References receiving Henry's letter. Says he ought to get any books that he wants as "time spent in reading good works is well employed." Says the more she looks at his photograph, the more she realizes it is such a good likeness. Mentions sights to see in New York, including Trinity Church, the Cooper Insititute in the Astor Library, and "Mr. Aspinwall's picture of the Immaculate Conception." Says Dr. McGary came by to say goodbye. McGary is…

GLC03523.21.03

28 November 1860

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Henry as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy. References receiving his letter. Gives him investment advice. Tells him Tom is getting married tomorrow, Anna is writing him again, and that Dr. McGary will stop and call on him before going to Europe. Reports that two hogs were killed, giving them 659 pounds of meat. Says he has not settled on a contract to buy John Janney's(?) farm and will not "unless the southern difficulty is settled."

GLC03523.21.05

30 November 1860

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to his brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Letter is extremely faded in most sections and is hard to read. References receiving a letter from him. Says she cannot write a book, but has thought of writing children's stories. Wishes he was home and says his life must be hard without "intellectual and sympathetic association." Seems to be giving him an update on events in the neighborhood, but it is hard to read. Several tears in the letter.

GLC03523.21.06

9 September 1861

McSherry, Eliza, 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Extremely faded letter with water damage and mold. Written by Eliza to her brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Seems that several of Henry's friends have been killed. She says she especially is sad at the loss of Holmes and tries to console him. Says "I heard a lady say the other day that she would prefer her friend to be killed ... rather than wounded and suffering on the battlefield. that is terrible indeed." Updates him on friends and family.

GLC03523.21.11

8 December 1861

McSherry, Eliza, 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Letter is faded from water damage. Written by Eliza to her brother Henry. Is sorry he has to "go away without even getting a sight of a home face." Wants him to come up to Littlestown to visit while his vessel is being prepared. Tells him to "not give in to low spirits. Ask Almighty God's direction and all will be for the best." In discussing the political leanings of Littlestown, she says "you would find some of the objections here, that you think you would met in B[altimore], tho' not in so great a degree." Says he can write whatever he wants "even the minutest details of our boat[,] every…

GLC03523.21.12

16 December 1861

McSherry, Richard M., 1818-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his brother Henry. After Henry left, he went to see Mr. Lancaster, who showed him around. Went to the Academy of Music. References receiving his letter from New York, and was glad he made it back on time. Says he sent the $5 to Aunt Eliza and settled with their mother, and says they are now even. Says he walked down the street with Mrs. Spalding and that she enquired after him. Says "We are all rejoicing here over the news from the other side and I hope that you will soon have to leave off blockading etc and go to fight the British Lion." Says there has been a good deal…

GLC03523.21.13

3 January 1862

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Letter is faded because of water damage. Says the letters sent on 10 December might not have reached him yet. Says they heard of him from Kate Dandridge who received a letter from Kate Latrobe, who had just seen him. The letter said he "looked so sad when you spoke of Holmes." Holmes was his friend who was recently killed. Says that is all they have heard of his visit to Baltimore. References his letter of 1 December and says she received it on 11 December. Provides quick update on friends. Creator inferred from content and handwriting. Anna was living in Martinsburg in letters from 1861, and…

GLC03523.21.14

January 17, 1862

McSherry, Kate, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Signed as "Sister Kate" to her brother Henry. Her last name could be McSherry, but never appears in the census. She could be the Kate Latrobe mentioned in GLC03523.21.14, and if that is the case she was born in 1839. Says they received his letter from Key West, Florida. Says "We will feel very uneasy now as you think the Sciota is not very safe, it is a shame they send such boats to sea, and I think the officers should remonstrate against it. It is enough to face the guns, they might at least have a safe vessel to go in." The USS "Sciota" was a new ship, only commissioned on 15 December 1861…

GLC03523.21.15

4 January 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Marching orders, ammunitions, reporting to Burnside for naval expedition.

GLC04558.005

February 4, 1862

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes to his sister and says that he is enclosing 50 dollars in treasury notes. Would have sent more but did not anticipate being at the Portsmouth Navy Yard for so long. Says he has an allotment of 10 dollars a month for 2 years beginning on 31 March being saved at the Navy Agent's office in Boston. The allotment is payable to their father. Wants their father to get Uncle Prescott to collect it. Thanks his mother for the "Puff, Pillow, &c" but that they would not be of use to him. Will sail today or tomorrow and their first destination will be Cadiz, Spain. Tells her to watch the…

GLC02828.01

12 April 1862

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Says his last letter was dictated because he was unable to write. That was because he injured his finger while assisting the ship's doctor remove the tonsils of another sailor. After making the cut, the doctor handed the knife to him "the point of which was covered with pus, and just at that time the ship rolled suddenly, and I accidentally scratched the end of my fore-finger of my right hand with the instrument; the finger immediately commenced paining me; and in the course of the day, swelled to an enormous size; the swelling extending over the whole hand and half way up to the elbow."…

GLC02828.02