January 14, 1864

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria B. Weaver

Thanks her for her letter. Disapproves of the remarks of her "female teacher" about religion and is pleased that she also disapproves. For him, "the Christian religion & the teachings of our Saviour and his Apostles are necessary both for this life and the life to come." Asks news of her brother, James. Reports that they have had good sleeping weather.

GLC06400.03

2 May 1864

Draper, John William, 1811-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Maury

Draper, a chemist and historian, discusses his views on black inferiority. "Inferior races cannot be merged in superior ones, without bringing the standard down. For such reasons I look upon all schemes for the removal of the Blacks by absorption in the whites with the severest reprehension, and not to be tolerated in civilized communities." Attests that there are anatomical differences between blacks and whites. Despite his beliefs, remarks, "But though I am thus led to look upon the Negro as of an inferior grade, I regard him as having equal rights with ourselves in the sight of God. The…

GLC06452.02

4 September 1859

Thompson, Dauphin Adolphus, 1838-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother and sister

Discusses preparations for the raid on Harper's Ferry. Never mentions a raid, or any specific plans, but states "we have not got ready to begin operations yet." Also does not reveal his location, saying he is writing from "parts unknown." Discusses a religious meeting of the anti-slavery "winebenarians" (Winbrennians). Worries that "we have to be very careful how we act in everything we have one colored man in our company who has been seen by a woman but she thinks he is a fugitive slave and that we are trying to help him onto his freedom," and thinks she will not report them. Also in…

GLC06471

January 15, 1874

Herndon, William H., 1818-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Noyes

Replies to a request for a lecture on Abraham Lincoln's religion. Describes Lincoln as "a kind - tender & sympathetic man feeling deeply in the presence of suffering - pain - wrong or oppression in any shape: he was the very essence and substance of truth ..." States that in the 25 years he knew Lincoln, he never knew him to do a wrong thing. "I never knew so true a man - so good a one - so just a one - so uncorrupted and so uncorruptable a one." Remarks at the end that Lincoln was not a social man.

GLC06648.02

18 May 1878

Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878

Autograph quotation signed

Title: [Verse from William Cullen Bryant's poem, The Battlefield]

Verse from Bryant's poem, "Truth crushed to earth, shall rise again/The eternal years of God are here. But Error, wounded, writhed in pain/And dies amid his worshippers." Signed and dated, New York, May 18th, 1878.

GLC06631.03

18 May 1891

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894

Autograph quotation signed

Title: The Chambered nautilus.

The last seven lines of his poem on immortality.

GLC06631.06

15 May 1888

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894

Autograph quotation signed

Title: Union and liberty.

This is the next to the last stanza of his poem on divine protection for humanity.

GLC06631.07

14 October 1826

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles B. Haddock

Replies to a previous inquiry from Haddock, his nephew, regarding the first settlers of New Hampshire. States that Nathaniel Adams' 1825 book, 'The Annals of Portsmouth', adds little to general knowledge on the history of New Hampshire. Offers his opinion on how religion and politics shaped the history of New England.

GLC06641.02

9 October 1863

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Poem

Title: Sonnet to Liberty.

"Know this, O man, whate'er thy earthly fate-/God never made a tyrant nor a slave:/Woe, then, to those who dare to desecrate/His sacred image! - for to all He gave/Eternal rights, which none may violate;/And by a mighty hand th'oppressed He yet shall save." Signed and dated Boston, October 9th, 1863.

GLC06643

6 December 1780

Dunlap, John, 1747-1812

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, or, the general advertiser [No. 686 (December 6, 1780)]

Prints the Continental Congress's proclamation of a day of "public Thanksgiving and prayer." There is also an article on national fiscal matters and "Doctor Shippen's Vindication" for charges of neglect to soldiers during the American Revolution. Contains other news from around the colonies and many advertisements.

GLC06665

24 April 1882

Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Moore Teller

Stephens, a United States Representative from Georgia, introduces Reverend Henry M. Turner to Teller, Secretary of the Interior. States that Turner, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, is Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the South. Praises Turner's character. States that Turner wishes to confer with Teller regarding an unspecified matter. A pencil note at the bottom of the page states "colored bishop." Written on House of Representatives stationery.

GLC06612

circa 1861-1865

Anderson, William, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Encloses a certificate (not included) to thank Ogden for "the interest you have taken in this mans faith." The man, a neighbor of Anderson's, was a soldier who "felt unable to return" to the war and "believes that he will not be able to perform Military service in the future." Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.001

December 1, 1853

Ogden, Sarah Perot, 1831-?

Document signed

Title: Quaker marriage certificate for Edward H. Ogden and Sarah M. Perot

Large vellum marriage certificate signed by the bride and groom as well as members of the meeting.

GLC06559.160

1886

Pamphlet

Pamphlet

Title: "Mormon" women's protest.

Title continues: "an appeal for freedom, justice and equal rights. The ladies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints protest against the tyranny and indecency of federal officials in Utah, and against their own disfranchisement without cause. Full account of proceedings at the great mass meeting held in the Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, Saturday, March 6, 1886." This is a record of the protest held when it was apparent that the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 would withdraw the right of suffrage from Utah women. Printed in Salt Lake City by the Deseret News. Flake, C.J. Mormon bib…

GLC06609

1804

Moore, Clement Clarke, 1779-1863

Pamphlet

Title: Observations upon certain passages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia

Title continued: "...which appear to have a tendency to subvert religion, and establish a false philosophy." An attack on Jefferson's Notes, by the clergyman better known for his poem "The Night Before Christmas."

GLC06819

1842

Channing, William Ellery, 1780-1842

Pamphlet

Title: The duty of the Free States, or remarks suggested by the case of the Creole

In original wrappers. Channing argues in favor of the slaves who had taken over the Creole, a slave ship. Steering towards the British West Indies, they won freedom under British law, even though the U.S. attempted to reclaim them. Blockson Collection 9370, Dumon p. 36.

GLC06835

1820-1879

Gilpin, Sarah Lydia, 1802-1894

Header Record

Title: [Diaries and journals of Sarah Lydia Gilpin] [word processed inventory available]

Diary of a woman who was a close friend of Sophie Du Pont. Writings span with gaps, 1820-21, 1863-72, 1874-75, 1879. Diaries are written from Wilmington, Delaware and New York City. The author of the later diaries corresponded with Admiral S.F. Du Pont, among other people. Usual topics include household events, weather, her reading, church meetings, family, financial and parties. Noteworthy topics include the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln Assassination, aid for free blacks. Abolition sentiment is evident in a 21 January 1865 entry "brought an appeal for aid for the poor negroes liberated by…

GLC06846

1849

Mott, Lucretia, fl. 1849-1860

Pamphlet

Title: A Sermon to the medical students

First edition. 12mo. Printed gray wrappers. An important speech on anti-slavery and women's rights. Described on the cover as a "revised Phonographic Report." Mott rejects the doctrine of original human depravity, credits the birth of reform movements to "people... thinking and acting for themselves." Other topics include abolition (which caused some people to leave the meeting), capital punishment, and peace. DAB notes that Mott was acknowledged as a minister among the Quakers. The Feminist Companion pp. 766-777 notes this sermon as especially noteworthy.

GLC06857

1882

Hanson, E.R., fl. 1882

Book

Title: Our woman workers. Biographical sketches of women... in the Universalist Church.

Title continued: "for literacy, philanthropic and Christian work." Inscribed by Mary Livermore to her daughters. Among those profiled: Clara Barton, Alice and Phoebe Cary, M. Louise Thomas, Elizabeth Oakes Smith, and Frances Dana Gage. (Title is "Our Woman [sic] Workers.") Accompanied by a loose printed poem, laid-in, from a newspaper.

GLC06858

1837

Chapman, Maria Weston, 1806-1885

Book

Title: Right and Wrong in Boston. Annual report of the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Soc.

Subtitle: "Annual report of the Boston Female Anti-slavery Society, with a sketch of obstacles thrown in the way of emancipation by certain clerical abolitionists and advocates for the subjection of women." Printed by Isaac Knapp. 16mo. Rebound. Women formed their own anti-slavery societies in Philadelphia, Boston, Andover and elsewhere. The report chides clergy for hobbling anti-slavery efforts and digresses from anti-slavery to address "the sphere of women," a major issue in that year. In 1837, the societies held a national convention in New York and were widely ridiculed in the press.…

GLC06860

1833

Child, Lydia Maria Francis, 1802-1880

Book signed

Title: An Appeal in the Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans

First book of American abolitionist movement; inscribed in pencil with respects of "the author" to J. J. Dixwell. Exlibris stamp of Meadville Theological School on top, with duplicate sold stamp. Includes engravings.

GLC06867

circa 1860-1865

Cooper, Peter, 1791-1883

Manuscript document

Title: [Draft of speech introducing Lincoln]

Reads in part, "God has made our future peace depend on virtue -- and our national health on wise and temperate use of the blessings entrusted to our care." On page four he begins to introduce Lincoln but does not finish. With cross-outs and corrections.

GLC06474

December 21, 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Written by Major General Greene as commander of the Southern Department to Brigadier General Weedon. A friendly, and at times humorous, letter addressed to Weedon as "My good old friend." Also has a note from Greene's wife Catharine after his signature. She signs the note "Caty Greene." References Weedon's letter of 6 November 1782. Says Major Ichabod Burnet, an aide-de-camp to Greene, is going to Philadelphia "with an account of the long expected evacuation of Charleston." In reference to the religion of New England says "To speak in the language of Connecticut now rejoice and be…

GLC06496

February 13, 1782

Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas, 1723-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Discusses the supply of iron, a congressional resolution rearranging the hospital department, the pregnancies of unmarried Roman Catholic women, and an act of the assembly regarding fornication.

GLC06503

May 27, 1845

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph manuscript

Title: Railroad Depot Speech for Unitarian Coalition [Christian unity and tolerance]

Addressed to "Fellow Citizens - Christians, Brethren and Sisters." Adams's hope for unity among all Christians; he even quotes an unnamed Roman Catholic poet at the beginning. While describing dissenssions between denominations in various countries, Adams suddenly stops and asks instead for people to pray for those who fight each other. He calls upon his listeners "Let us teach them by the example of harmony among ourselves, how good and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren (and sisters) to dwell together in unity...when they shall have found...harmony among themselves, we shall be ready…

GLC06965