circa 1860s

Header Record

Title: [Slavery related collection] [Decimalized .01- .10]

Collection of 7 abolitionist and slavery related autograph letter signed and one John Brown carte-de-visite. Autograph letter signed dated 25 June 1861 from H. Giles, "If this war continues, we can not now even imagine our worst days - nor, do I believe that it will emancipate the slave. But I hope in all these dark forebodings, I may prove a false prophet. Yet...the war was inevitable...the English Press...rage at us because we will not make the Slavery question, the direct object of the war...Who asked more from England than neutrality?" Autograph letter signed from E. Littell to…

GLC09190

15 March 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

He writes to his wife that he has just returned from picket to read her letter. Is happy that both her and their baby are feeling better. Writes that he is sad his grandfather's health is failing so fast. Expresses his sympathies for his grandfather and grandmother. States that he hopes she has received the money he has sent and she should use it to pay for the trip to visit him. Comments that he places his faith in God concerning his return home and any battles to come. He is preparing a tent for her and will try to make her visit as comfortable as possible. Captain Smith's family has…

GLC03523.13.086

2 April 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law and all at home

Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. Thanks his friends and family for writing to him and remembering him. Notes that there has been a lot of rain and wind recently. Does not think his brother-in-law will be conscripted as Illinois is already ahead of its quota. Thinks that the New York draft laws are too loose as the rich can "sneak out." Hopes that his brother-in-law will not be drafted but if he is he will be welcomed into the company and regiment. He wishes the army would start to move soon as he wants to fight the rebels. States that he would also like to return home and help "demolish…

GLC07460.072

7 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. Explains that the mail has not gone out for a while because of the Battle of Resaca. He is glad to hear everyone at home is doing well. Writes that he hopes that when the fighting is done the war is over for good. He does not like the idea of all the political connections in the North as there are "so many candidates" for the 1864 elections. Expresses his continued support for Abraham Lincoln. He hopes that the North will unite in order to stop the rebellion and the war. He writes that the regiment is still marching around on the left wing…

GLC07460.080

27 July 1872

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John W. Frughs

Writes shortly after being nominated as Grant's Vice President. "I find your note and the Platform of 'The Young Men's Continental League' ...I have long hoped and believed that the people inhabiting the North American Continent will be united under one Government in one nation. I have faith in our Republican Government, in our free Institutions, in our Christian Civilization, and in our people, and I believe that peace, Law; order and Human brotherhood will be promoted by the unity of the people with their free consent in one nation. Time is needed to bring about this grand result, and I…

GLC09142

February 6, 1865

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that he is quartering with Captain Collins and is honored to do so. Is happy to hear that his sister has become a Christian. Mentions that the Southern Commissioners met with President Lincoln. He has been given command of the company while Lieut. Birmingham is on a leave of absence.

GLC02016.073

1901

Kletzing, Henry F., 1850-?

Book

Title: Progress of a race or the remarkable advancement of the Afro-American...

Full title is: "Progress of a race or the remarkable advancement of the Afro-American from the bondage of slavery, ignorance and poverty to the freedom of citizenship, intelligence, affluence, honor and trust." Published by J. L. Nichols & Co. Co-authored by William Henry Crogman, a professor at Clark University in Atlanta, Georgia. Includes an introduction by Booker T. Washington, horticulturist and president of the Tuskegee Institute, who states that "while the authors record in these pages the progress of the Negro within the past generation, let us hope that when another quarter…

GLC06126.01

January 24, 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses his wife Isabella, whose "proper sense of Religion joined to a firm mind" has helped her adjust to "her misfortunes." Comments on the suffering of their mother, which James had informed him of, and asks James to give their father his best wishes.

GLC02549.10

9 March 1864

Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. P. McIntosh

Former President Fillmore transmits a speech (refer to GLC04884.02) to McIntosh of Cleveland, Ohio. Writes that the address was delivered in Buffalo, New York 22 February 1864 to the Ladies Christian Commission (Great Central) Fair. States "Though it has been attacked by the abolitionists, I adhere to it as it is written changing no word."

GLC04884.01

December 12, 1777

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph note

Title: [Note on a missionary]

Index says the note is in General Burgoyne's hand. Initialed "JB" at the top. Says: "To be attended to: Joshua Wingate Weeks of Marblehead Missionary from the Society for propagat[ing] the gospel -" Weeks was a Royalist Anglican minister kicked out of Marblehead, Massachusetts for continuing to preach in the Anglican Church there. Date of creation inferred from the date of Weeks's ejection from Marblehead.

GLC04764.81

circa October 1777

Broadside

Title: Burgoyne's Lamentation, At his surrender to the American army, under General Gates.

Nine stanza poem printed in Boston. Each stanza has eight lines and follows an "aabbccdd" pattern of rhyme. This broadside is the seventh edition. Date is estimated as around the end of the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, but it could be later than that given this is the seventh edition. Told from the point of view of British General John Burgoyne while he is surrounded by American forces. Burgoyne sends his lamentations to the Greek goddess Diana in the poem. First stanza mentions that earlier American generals made Burgoyne overconfident of an easy victory. Poem goes into Burgoyne's…

GLC04764.83

28 August 1864

Yorke, J.P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M. A. Hazen

Yorke, a soldier, replies to a letter from Hazen, a reverend in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Discusses the death of Amanda, (possibly his wife), stating "It seems at times, the world looks so dark & dreary, to me, that I have nothing for which to live. Yet I know that it is not right, to fact, thus, I have something for which to live. My country calls & calls ..."

GLC06452.05.03

29 April 1847

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

On a tour through the southern states, Webster writes to his sister-in-law Paige, stating that Richmond, Virginia has a "pleasant beat." Poetically describes morning as a "new image of light, a new breaking forth of the sun, a new waking up of all that has life, from a sort of temporary death, to behold, again the works of God, the Heavens & the Earth." Reports that he had left Washington the previous day with his wife Caroline LeRoy Webster, William Seaton (Webster's friend and co-owner of the congressional paper The National Intelligencer), Josephine Seaton (William's daughter), and…

GLC01946.35

27 March 1844

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Describes a service he attended the previous evening to his sister-in-law. Discusses the form used in the book of Habakkuk, stating that the "passages ... present ... a remarkable instance of the Hebrew form of Poetic composition." Quotes 3 Habakkuk, verses 17 and 18. Suggests Harriette read Bishop Lowth's writings on Hebrew Poetry, which for Webster "opened ... quite a new view of the beauties of the prophetical & practical parts of the Old Testament." Signed and docketed on the back by Paige.

GLC01946.28

13 April 1864

Stone, Elijah James, 1819-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis H. Pierpont

Reverend Stone appeals to Governor Pierpont for aid in obtaining the position of Chaplain of Wheeling prison and hospital. Believes he is best suited for the job, since he has been praying with the prisoners for many years, while others who seek the job are only doing so because it is now an official paying job. Autograph note signed by Pierpont on verso, endorsing Stone for Chaplain, citing the same reasons Stone himself gives. "I believe every word of this….I have no faith in the efficacy of those who only pray for money…" Excerpt: "…he (I believe) made the prisoners believe I was one of…

GLC02233.38

July 1918

Committee on Public Information, 1917–1919

Photograph

Title: "At the grave of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt."

Chaplain Francis P. Duffy conducts a service at the grave of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, near Chamery, France. Lt. Roosevelt's plane was brought down back of the German lines, July 14, 1918. The American advance brought the spot within American lines a few days later. The Germans had marked the grave with a cross of boughs and an inscription upon a board from the wrecked plane: 'Lt. Roosevelt, American Aviator.'" Stamp of U.S. Committee on Public Information on reverse. A second stamp on back reads: "A.E.F. [American Expeditionary Forces] Passed as Censored."

GLC07002.90

1863-1885 circa

Goldstein, Isaac, fl. 1863

Printed document

Title: A Song of praise to Moses Montefiore

In English and Hebrew. A song praising Montefiore for his work for the Jewish people. Also includes a quote from Proverbs. The song mentions Montefiore's travels to Morocco, which occurred in 1863, so the document could have been written any time between then and his death in 1885. However, the song does not mention a similar important journey to Romania in 1867, so it is possible that it was written between 1863 and 1867.

GLC03148.02

December 1852

Header Record

Title: Collection of two documents related to Harriet Beecher Stowe [Decimalized .01-.02]

Two letters regading the controversy that developed after Harret Beecher Stowe cited Joel Parker as a pro-slavery preacher in her book "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

GLC08965

7 December 1852

Parker, Joel, 1795-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anson Rood

Discusses the controversy that developed after Harret Beecher Stowe cited Parker as a pro-slavery preacher in her book "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Parker, claiming his statements were misrepresented, threatened to sue for libel, and a scandal began. Two newspapers, the Independant, run by Henry Ward Beecher, Stowe's brother, and the Independant, which was pro-slavery, escalated the quarell. Beecher, who was Parker's friend, eventually managed to bring about an amicable end, agreeing that the footnote would be removed from later editions. Parker discusses the misrepresentations of himself that…

GLC08965.01

14 December 1852

Stowe, Calvin E., 1802-1886

Autograph letter

Title: to Anson Rood

Discusses the controversy surrounding his wife, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Joel Parker that developed after she cited Parker as a pro-slavery preacher in her book "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Parker, claiming his statements were misrepresented, threatened to sue for libel, and a scandal began. Two newspapers, the Independant, run by Henry Ward Beecher, her brother, and the Independant, which was pro-slavery newpaper run by Samuel Iraneus Prime, escalated the quarell. Beecher, who was Parker's friend, eventually managed to bring about an amicable end, agreeing that the footnote would be removed…

GLC08965.02

8 June 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Dundas

Offers a detailed description of the Gordon Riots. Describes the mobs' activities, including the release of prisoners, lighting of fires, extortion, and assaults on members of Parliament and known Catholics. Admits his suspicion that the French "are at the bottom of it." Mentions that "There are 10 or 12000 Soldiers now in London." Docket reads: "Brother David with an account of the proceedings of the Mob at London," referring to the Gordon Riots.

GLC02549.11

7 October 1863

Ewing, Philemon, 1820-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

This letter is a draft copy of Philomen Ewing's final letter, GLC03601.06, as it contain crossouts. The text differs slightly. Ewing Consoles Sherman on the loss of his son. "He lived long enough to attain all that is of real value in human life - a passage to Heaven: and not long enough to taste the sorrows or bear the burdens which are inseperable from the happiest mortal life ... " Informs Sherman that their father, Thomas Ewing, has recovered from illness but that their mother is still very unwell. Written to Sherman in Memphis, Tennessee. Sherman's son, William T. Sherman, died in…

GLC03601.05

9 October 1863

Ewing, Philemon, 1820-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William T. Sherman

This letter is the final copy of Philomen Ewing's letter to Sherman consoling him on the death of his son William. GLC03601.05 is a draft copy of the letter. The text differs slightly. Sherman's son, William T. Sherman, died in Memphis on 3 October 1863 of yellow fever.

GLC03601.06

15 July 1872

McQuade, James, 1829-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John T. Hoffman

Discusses Hoffman's impending candidacy for the Governor of New York. Comments on the Irish vote, "I don't find that the well-informed people have an idea that you would lose much of the Irish vote. Only an Irishman, or one with Irish blood in his veins, can appreciate and understand Paddy. Those who think you will be hurt materially by the Irish vote are of two classes - the people who know nothing about it, and those who want somebody else nominated." Mentions someone named Frank Kernan, who might run for office. Remarks that "... if you should decline to become a candidate it wouldn't…

GLC09011

1 March 1900

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Book signed

Title: The Future of the American Negro

Published by Small, Maynard & Company in 1899. Inscribed in 1900 on the inner front cover to Almira Thornton Goff, wife of Lyman B. Goff, an active Republican and head of the Union Wadding Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Includes a photograph of Washington opposite the title page. Contents explore African-American history, history of the Tuskegee Institute (of which Washington was President), and the difficulty of racial integration, among other topics. Provides his theories on the importance of African-American education: believes that "thorough academic and religious training […

GLC04297.01