November 9, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Remsen, Jr.

Jefferson writes after a Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia had scattered the functions of the federal government through the countryside, and questions whether Congress could gather after voting to re-convene in Philadelphia. Question of seat of government. He looks forward to retirement as farmer and briefly discusses a threshing machine. The letter is docketed.

GLC00639.16

November 12, 1848

Van Valkenburgh, Loty, fl. 1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written to Frank when he was 13 years old by his sister Loty who seems to be somewhere in the western part of the South. Frank is referred to as "Master" in the address. Frank is separated from his family (GLC00686.19 says he is at "the Academy") and Loty is writing him to alleviate his loneliness. Loty seems to have been married recently and writes of understanding about homesickness: she says "I have learned that contentment is the only true happiness." Goes into further reminisces about her old home. Mentions that the church is 6 miles away and that services are only every other week. Says…

GLC00686.02

March 14, 1861

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mollie Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit to his sister Mollie. Attempts to justify his decision, as a transplanted Northerner, to side with the South. Mixes support for his adopted home with love for the family he left in the North. He references her letter of from February 12 and says he will answer it now even though she takes six months to respond to him. Says he is at Warren, Arkansas attending court and collecting money. He reports that people in Warren are getting over the political excitement which has been the absorbing topic of conversation. He claims they are ending the talk and preparing for war. He says…

GLC00686.05

October 26, 1863

Van Valkenburgh, Jacob, 1795-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written by Frank's father, J. Van Valkenburgh, to Frank. He says he sent 6 barrels of apples by train to Milwaukee for him and other family members. He declares that he picked 16 barrels by hand from his orchard. He also sent several barrels of better apples. He mentions that they got a new stove and that it heats the whole house. Says his sister Mary has given birth to a daughter. Note in pencil at the top of recto says "From my Grandfather to My Father."

GLC00686.09

March 28, 1866

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother Mary, declaring that he wrote two or three weeks ago, but he knows many of his letters do not make it, so he is writing again. He reports that he has recovered from his bout of Erysipelas and that he weighs more now than he ever has (Gerrit also suffered from the disease in February 1865; see GLC00686.16). He says he has not suffered from chills since January. He mentions that communication in Arkansas is not good because of the lack of bridges, and discusses his garden and fields.

GLC00686.25

April 25, 1934

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Lewis L. Strauss

Letter concerns the Rindge Land business, the financing, and outlook of investing in "The richest soil in California." Also mentions tenant-related issues, particularly keeping land in the hands of white farmers rather than Asian tenants. Letter typed on personal stationery, with an autograph and initialed postscript pertaining to a possible visit by Strauss.

GLC00707

1852

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Memorandum book]

Signed and dated on front cover by Semmes, 26 June 1852. Concerns a trip to Arkansas to purchase a planation and to enslave people to work on the cotton crops. Records that he left to go to Memphis on June 28, 1852. Keeps an account of his finances. Makes notes on land for sale and pertinent details such as the county, crops, etc. On page two he writes, "Look at the negroes bought by Fawlks." He later writes, "Mr. Morey engages to buy negroes for me at $10 per head...all acclimated & good negroes accustomed to making cotton…" On 2 August 1852 he details what he is looking for in a…

GLC00715.03

September 24, 1842

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George N. Briggs

John Quincy Adams declines an invitation to a Cattle Show and fair, citing age, and his inability to attend public functions, and previous engagements. He hopes to soon meet Briggs in Washington, D.C., "under better auspices than those which have overshadowed us since Captain Christopher Sly was installed at the white house," possibly referring to John Tyler. Briggs was a congressman from Massachusetts.

GLC00655.03

July 9, 1826

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Autograph letter signed

Title: to B. Tappin

William Henry Harrison asks Tappin to send more lime for use in the construction of an aqueduct for Harrison's distillery.

GLC00655.08

05 November 1862 - 09 July 1865

Winegar, Daniel G., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of Daniel G. Winegar, B company, 95th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .001-.189]

This collection consists exclusively of correspondence from Daniel G. Winegar, to his wife Elvira in Belvidere, Ill. Winegar enlisted as a private in August 1862, and was mustered into Co. "B" of the 95th Illinois infantry in September of that year. As these letters indicate, his service took him to Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, with the largest concentration being in Vicksburg. These letters bear witness to the siege of that city, as well as the Battle of Franklin, and capture of Mobile. The letter dated 2 May 1865 mentions the official announcement of Lincoln's assassination. In…

GLC01014

March 8, 1859

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Tyler

John Tyler writes a letter to his son in which he touches on the issue of slavery and the election of 1860. He discusses "Healy's portrait of me" as admirable and being "often mortified at the misrepresentations of me which are occasionally seen in the print shops." He discusses the plans and character of James Semple. In regard to current affairs he writes: "The Country, I fear, is in a bad state." He attributes the dissension among Democrats as "about a mere abstraction." He comments that "A cotton region will have slaves, while a grazing country [western territories] does not want them."…

GLC00948

June 24, 1852

McCormick, Cyrus Hall, 1809-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: Invitation for the President of the National Agricultural Convention

McCormick, inventor of the reaping machine, invites the President of the National Agriculture Convention to attend a demonstration of the machine. He indicates that the convention is assembled in Washington, D.C. Includes an initialed postscript. Letter written at the National Hotel. "Having advertised an exhibition of my Reaper, as may be observed now more fully in the 'Intelligencer' of this morning, this is to say that, if you and as many members of the Convention as can find it convenient should think proper to witness the exhibition, as above, I should be very much obliged & honored…

GLC00974

10 November 1864

Newspaper

Title: Daily wanderer. [Vol. 1, no. 24 (November 10, 1864)]

Published as Railroad Edition. Printed on smaller size paper. Partial reprint of an article from the New Orleans correspondent of the "New York Times," says "Although the cotton crop is naarly [sic] a total failure, the laborers are being employed throughout the department ... Excepting a few crops, which were planted early, there will be but little cotton realized in this department." Takes on comments made by the "Milledgville Union," that the "Daily Wanderer" is too excited about reconstruction, saying "In our opinion there never was a more useless and unnecessary labor performed.…

GLC00842

August 22, 1872

Rosecrans, William S. (William Starke), 1819-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William F. Smith

William S. Rosecrans writes to General Smith to discuss commercial opportunities for trade with Mexico. He mentions possible steam and rail connections and comments on cattle raising opportunities. Closes the letter by asking about President Grant's re-election prospects.

GLC00858

May 22, 1634

Winthrop, John, 1588-1649

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Rich

One letter from John Winthrop to Nathaniel Rich dated May 22, 1834. Describes the agricultural developments, establishing a local government and church system. Mentions that most local indigenous people had died from smallpox which he felt allowed them to take over their land more easily.

GLC01105

November 23, 1779

Paine, Samuel, 1754-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amasa Davis & Co.

Letter describes trading conditions in the South. Encloses account of sale of the cargo of the ship "Dove," which amounted to over 20,800 pounds (the account is not included here). Knows recipient will be disappointed with the small cargo being sent to Boston, but says the war has made shipping a precarious business. Complains of high prices after the failed attempt to take Savannah and the increased local demand after the harvest. Apologizes for not finding any light articles or valuable produce to ship and says prices will not drop until after Christmas. Recommends against shipping indigo…

GLC01450.158

April 11, 1772

Irving, William, fl. 1772

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Irving

Letter written by William Irving to his son Thomas Irving, who was Inspector General of Imports, Exports, and Register of Shipping for North America in Boston. Says he has waited impatiently the past three weeks for the result of Charles's petition. Says Thomas's brother James has christened a new boy, named William. Claims that James has determined to live more frugally now, and has moved to a smaller farm called "Waterside" where he hopes to live a quiet life away from the mismanagement of large farms. Says "Mistress Goldie" has again left her husband. Wants to know if "Thomie" has finished…

GLC01450.406.01

1805-1863

Murphy, David, 1769-1844

Header Record

Title: [Items related to the Murphy family of Missouri] [Decimalized .01- .81]

Contains account books, numerous receipts, and letters related to the Murphy family of Missouri. David Murphy's signature appears on many of the receipts, and the collection includes his will and materials related to a local election.

GLC01450.600

June 18, 1813

Roby, Henry, fl. 1810-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abiel Wood

The top half of the first page records three diary-like entries for June 16-18, 1813. They discuss the weather, farming, and local naval activities in the War of 1812, including reports of "a heavy cannonading." The bottom half takes the form of a letter dated June 18, 1813. It discusses hauling a load of rocks, tending to the potatoes, and the town's reaction to the cannonading heard two days before. The townspeople called a meeting and discussed building and arming a battery. Notes that when "the true result of the firing is heard their fears will subside[.]" Also claims that "one half the…

GLC01450.711

October 18, 1812

Hall, J W., fl. 1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Hall writes about finding work for $15 per month and staying with two professors of religion, possibly at Middlebury College. Asks to be sent clothes and several other things and seeks news, mostly regarding farming related activities. Comments on the dragoons and artillery passing through during the War of 1812. Notes that he "saw the Artillery and spoke with many of them they Looke some fatigued but all hearty & ruged." Continues the letter on October 20, 1812 and reports that staying with Mr. Hubbard was a presbyterian priest who had been "in Ogdensburg when the Cannonading took place…

GLC01450.719.01

1875-1880 ca.

Rocher, H., fl. 1875-1880

Photograph signed

Title: [Cyrus H. McCormick]

Cabinet photograph of Cyrus H. McCormick. Signed on mount. Image by H. Rocher of Chicago.

GLC01451

4 July 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Written by Major General Knox to Peirce, an associate in Boston who was handling some of his business affairs. References Peirce's letter of 16 June. Says he wants to purchase a farm where he can "live a decent oeconomy." Says if one cannot be found he will have to get a house in town, but he still hopes to find a home in the country. Says spending a few pounds more to get the country house would be worth it. Says it is essential to his affairs to be in Boston in September and hopes to work on this then. Wants Peirce to try to get him the "Lime rock farm." Says he is not unfamiliar with the…

GLC02437.02237

17 August 1786

Pemberton, Robert, ?-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office," which was likely in New York City during this period. Pemberton, apparently a staff member of Knox's at the War Office, relates several matters of business for Knox while he is away in Boston. Writes that he was so pressed for time while sending the last letter, in order to complete it in time for the post, that he neglected to include copies of the "returns of military, and Quarter masters stores, at Forts Pitt, and McIntosh," so he includes them now. Also includes "Governor Griswolds discharge to the two deserters apprehended by Serjeant [sic] Webster with…

GLC02437.03293

14 October 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Addressed to "Joseph Peirce & Son." Asks Peirce to inquire after a gardener Knox is supposed to be hiring from England. Also asks Peirce to forward a variety of articles, including crackers, hinges, nails, and a kettle.

GLC02437.06840

15 August 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses matters related to the Ohio Company settlement at Marietta, including the possibility of defense against Native American attacks. Intended to send Knox a plan of Marietta, but was unable to draw one due to his injured or afflicted hand. Relates the details of cultivating the land and discusses land prices. Plans to go down the [Ohio] River to meet with nine Indian tribes.

GLC02437.03962