3 August 1864

Gibson, Tobias, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah [Gibson] Humphreys

He writes that "The blacks are getting worse every day & at the end of this year I think they will be intolerable on account of bad work and the condition of the crops. I told them they must work on Saturday evening last - but they would not do it, and a dozen of the best men, Wesley at the head, went off to Thibodeux (wouldn't go to Capt Lee) and last night got back with a paper from Genl Cameron requiring them [2] to go to work till the Provost Marshall had investigated the matter..." He believes that he will lose half his cotton crop. He notes that Southern feelings will become…

GLC04501.097

23 July 1777

Sherwood, Justus, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written in Skenesborough or Skenesboro, which is now Whitehall, New York. Petition says Captain Sherwood of a Company of the Queens Royal Rangers, was sent off with a detachment in pursuit of rebels on 6 July 1777 and left his baggage in the care of a soldier that was eventually captured. He lost five pounds sterling with the luggage. Also, on 18 July 1777 he was sent with another detachment to stop the rebels from plundering cattle from local inhabitants and when he returned his trunk was broken up and most of his personal clothes stolen, to the amount of 15 pounds sterling. Asks Burgoyne…

GLC04764.17

circa 1777

Hill, Jonathan, fl. 1777-1782

Autograph document

Title: to Robert Kingston

Hill, a Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th Regiment of Foot, was updating Kingston, a staff officer for Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, on the allocation of funds. Says two of seven guineas were given to Boyle as a guide for the 9th Regiment and that the other 5 were also given to Boyle to compensate him for the plundering of his house, garden, and potato field. Claims the General's servant told him that he was to have two loaves of sugar and that he has only received one. Asks for another in mock desperation.

GLC04764.18

8 August 1857

Gadsden, James, 1788-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his Secretary as an addendum to yesterday's letter (GLC03587.26) that the entire idea behind bargaining for the strip of land is to "get the right to import free of duty into any of the Ports of the Gulf Cotton, Rice, flour, Corn and lard."

GLC03587.29

circa February 1928

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Interview responses about experiments to grow rubber plants in the United States]

A series of questions typed on the back of stationery from the Hotel Royal Palm, in Fort Meyers, Florida, with answers written by Edison in pencil. Most questions concern his experiments in trying to find alternative plant sources for rubber. Other topics include agriculture, and mobile electric power for farming. Each page numbered 1-18. Circa date inferred from telegram from Edison in Fort Meyers, Florida (see GLC05791.02). The written interview was given by Wheeler McMillan, an agrarian. See GLC05791.03 for McMillan's write-up on the interview.

GLC05791.01

20 February 1928

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Telegram

Title: [Telegram to Wheeler McMillan]

Western Union telegram sent from Edison in Fort Meyers, Florida, to McMillan with the following information, "Farm and Fireside 250 Park Ave New York NY." Edison ends with, "Will see you anytime - T A Edison."

GLC05791.02

circa 1928

McMillan, Wheeler, 1893-?

Typed manuscript

Title: [Write up of an interview with Thomas Edison on agriculture and rubber production]

Manuscript written after McMillan interviewed Edison on his new interest in agriculture. Describes how Edison became interested in farming and includes quotes from Edison. Also discusses Edison's experiments in manufacturing rubber. Contains some information gleaned from a talk with Henry Ford as well. See GLC05791.01 for the interview questions and answers. Includes corrections.

GLC05791.03

30 October 1849

Manuscript document

Title: The Chugg Water Journal [Vol. 1, no. 3 (October 30, 1849)]

Handwritten third issue of the self-described "largest paper printed at Fort Laramie." Comments on submitted, and in most cases, rejected, articles. Discusses the problems of their "Polemical Editor." Contains a letter pertaining to agriculture and precious metals, another on poetry, and a note on hunting. Reports on a fire at the juvenile infirmary. Written at Fort Laramie

GLC05067.02

31 July 1853

J.B.M., fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his friend reporting the death of an acquaintance. Discusses the declining financial state of his ranch and the inevitable sale of the land. Plans to meet Cripps in Mexico and ponders the possible economic advantages of relocating. The author looks forward to their adventures in Mexico. Imprint in upper left corner is indecipherable. Postscript asks Cripps about the "senoritas" in Mexico. Envelope postmarked 1 August, San Francisco, 24 August, San Francisco, and Acapulco.

GLC03587.03

29 November 1853

J.B.M., fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cripps

Writes to his friend about his lack of correspondence. Chides Cripps about setting up the San Francisco boys for when they arrive in Mexico. Includes local news and describes the financial burden the ranch has become. Sends his regards to Cripps' mother, if she has yet joined him.

GLC03587.06

20 October 1855

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Maitland

Informs his brother that his nine year old daughter recently died, and many friends as well. Discusses the high price of corn. Also speaks of political matters, writing "I can feel as much for suffering humanity as any abolitionist at least, but I think we should be just before we are mercifull and ought not to degrade twenty five milion white men for the purpose of elevating three million blacks, God the creator has for some wise purpose placed unmistakeable marks of distinction between the two races, and we have not right to try to alter what he has done, again Bretheren who hold slaves (…

GLC03523.10.014

21 June 1858

Bryan, C.W., fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William

Writes a friend and answers questions about mathematical calculations concerning farm prices.

GLC03523.10.019

16 November 1853

Morgan, M.E., fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nephew

Describes a hike through a cave to his nephew, writing "After having followed the ravine to the river, we again turned about and began to retrace our steps, after pasing the cave we came to an old orchard, where there was an old dutchman gathering winter apples..." Recalls a story about a traveling man that they came upon.

GLC03523.10.020

14 September 1859

Martin, J.C., fl. 1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. M. Maitland

Writes short letter to his cousin (either James M. or Joseph M. Maitland). Informs him that all is well, except that Grier is sick. Tells him that he is sorry that his crops have failed. Writes, "Give my love to all my friends and reserve a full share for your self."

GLC03523.10.022

19 December 1859

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Maitland

Informs his brother that he has purchased a farm 300 acres from Blair County. States, "Now in regards to Politics: I am an administration Democrat Squatter...Sovernty I care nothing about...any political doctrine that will not suit East west north & South is not the National or Union doctrine...I believe the territory of the United States to be common..." Continues on to discuss the question of slavery and state rights, writing "I believe James Buchanan done just what any honest man would have done who regarded his oath to carry out the laws of the constitution Douglass, Garney, Hickman…

GLC03523.10.023

January 31, 1860

Hunter, G., fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James and Nancy Maitland

Reports that he is enjoying good health and weather and that his brother's farm has been sold.

GLC03523.10.024

7 April 1862

Byn, Ephain, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Maitland

Informs his friend about his farm, providing him with details about his fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

GLC03523.10.040

9 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are repeated scares throughout the night - one soldier shoots at a man who runs away, and two other soldiers accidentally shoot at an ox. Mentions a foraging expedition led by their colonel from which "20 mules 8 horses 2 greys on a buggi 2 loads of corn 4 Sesech prisoners and lots of traps" were brought into camp. Damuth also goes on a foraging…

GLC03523.14.03

15 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Damuth]

Writes that the soldiers have camped in an old plantation. Describes Louisiana as "the most beautiful place I ever saw such fruit trees all kinds." Plans to send a rose "that grew away down South in Dixie." Of the coming fighting, Damuth writes that the soldiers are eager to begin and "when you hear that Vixburgh is taken and the 29th was in the fight…you ought to be proud." The camp ground is 25 miles above Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.22

11 October 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Damuth family

In two days, the soldier have marched twenty-five miles, "the greatest marching we have ever done." Towards the end of the day's march, Damuth and another soldier fall back from exhaustion and arrive at camp after the rest of the regiment. He describes the countryside of Louisiana as similar to the prairie in Illinois. Soldiers from Indiana are sharing beef they have stolen, despite order against foraging. Citizens in the area have been complaining "aganst the boys taken all thear geese and chickens," but the generals say they cannot stop the men from stealing. The next day, Damuth…

GLC03523.14.38

3 April 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men are waiting to fight. A battle is going to take place at Pleasant Hill, thirty-five miles from their campsite. Tells a story about some men out on picket the day before who were captured by a plantation owner who "mad his negros tie them he marched them out in the woods to shoot them." One man is dead and the other two escaped. Damuth describes seeing the dead man's body and his anger that the murderer "pretended to be a union man." Reports that Texans they have captured were completely unaware of Northerners coming South. Predicts the war will be over by the summer…

GLC03523.14.52

8 July 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The men are going to march for Algiers in the morning. Damuth has heard "there is Ocien Steamers waiting for troops at Algiers." Comments on family affairs, his father has sold their oxen, but Damuth reminds him not to sell his colt. Damuth is preoccupied by the idea of taking a furlough to visit his family.

GLC03523.14.62

January 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The morning paper has brought news of "a peace movement…you cant think how the word peace sounds to us we at once begin to build castles in the air." Writes that Jefferson Davis probably "sees no hopes of ever getting his independance [sic]." It is warm in Louisiana and Damuth writes that he can watch "lots of negro men and women at work on the land…fitting it fer a sugar or cotton crop." Many peddler women come to the army camp with liquor hidden under their clothes and attempt to sell it to the soldiers. Damuth suggests that his family subscribe to the Chicago…

GLC03523.14.80

January 22, 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Responds to family concerns that he might reenlist and promises this is not the case. He will come home and "take care of you as you intended I would when you gave me a deed of the farm." Warns his brother not to reenlist, since he has served a hundred days in Memphis and "seen a dead rebel and now he ought to stay at home and trot his young one on his knee." Writes about friends of the family. Ends the letter with the warning, "Dont let evryone [sic] see this."

GLC03523.14.81

12 March 1786

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Nathanael Greene writes, "I thank you for the public attention you are paying to my public Trophies; but I have been so embarrassed and perplexed in my private affairs for a long time past which originated in the progress of the War that I have but little spirit or pleasures on such subjects. My family is in distress and I am overwhelmed with difficulties and God knows when or where they will end. I work hard and live poor but I fear all this will not extricate me." Describes some business losses he has suffered, including poor harvest due to wet weather. Mrs. Greene is about to "…

GLC02437.03251