December 26, 1782

Moore, David, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Cox

Travel to Baltimore disrupted by "the enemy." His boat was forced to return to Petersburg because the British controlled "the bay." Is informed that a ship bound for France carrying her nephew was lost, and hopes she has heard from him. Has directed Captain Skinner, a travelling companion, to stay at her house as a favor.

GLC01450.412.14

March 8, 1858

Foster, fl. 1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his cousin

He received his cousin's paper, but has not written earlier because his studies, at Brown University, have kept him busy. Reports of a local stable fire in which eight of sixty horses died and nearly all their carriages were destroyed. Two days later, their was an attempt to set fire to another stable. A hackman was suspected. Mentions good weather and discusses skating. A note on the back, possibly a response to a letter from Annie mentioned in the letter's main body, records a day's schedule a Brown.

GLC01450.712.01

October 22, 1813

Addams, Charity, fl. 1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John P. Addams

Charity Addams wishes her brother success in his determined effort to "preach the Gospel to the poor" and relays family news. Comments on the soldiers quartering on their farm during the War of 1812, and the damage they caused and paid for. Discusses celebrations surrounding the election of the governor and secretary of state, remarking that "it seemed as if peace began to dawn." Reports alarm in Plattsburgh, New York. Comments on a boating accident. Notes that their brother Charles Addams came home and went to a camp meeting in Plattsburgh. Relates other news, much of it pertaining to…

GLC01450.719.02

9 December 1798

Ulmer, George, 1756-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox his and Mrs. Ulmer's house and all of their belongings burnt down. Notes they lost everything except the clothes on them and one bed. Says he thanks God his and his whole family's spirits have never been greater. Mentions his neighbors appear willing to help them. Describes the accident, explaining how the house burnt down and his family's narrow escape. Appears to asks Knox for employment and assistance.

GLC02437.09855

19 April 1773

Oliver, Andrew, 1731-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written on same sheet as Knox's reply to Oliver's last letter (see GLC02437.00046), in which Oliver requested a new copy of the Nautical Almanac for 1774 because pages were missing. Knox promises to return Oliver's Almanac to him with a fixed page. Oliver acknowledges Knox's response and requests some additional books. Among them are the annual registers for 1771 and 1772, "A Treatise of Artificial Magnets," "Tables of Time," "Pilgrim's Progress," and the 5th volume in "A General Dictionary Historical and Critical," which Oliver lost in a house fire in 1760. Oliver one of the founders of…

GLC02437.00053

17 July 1792

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes about an earthquake that hit Quebec "By a letter from Quebec of the 5th Instant - I find they had a most violent Earthquake on the 6th Decr - a vulcano [sic] broke out about 70 miles north - the light so great as to be seem at Quebec in the night." Mentions that the shakes continued for a day and a town 40 miles from the volcano received damage. Comments on an Indian raid, "The Indian Acct (very untrue) 1000 Indians engaged - Killed & wounded of our people, left on the field upwards of 1000!" Noted as written at "D Works," which is most likely Delaware Works, located in what is…

GLC02437.05543

20 July 1863-15 May 1864

Simpson, Edward, 1824-1888

Diary

Title: Diary of Lt. Commander Edward Simpson

Diary of captaincy of the "Submarine Battery 'Passaic'". Details attacks upon Charleston, Fort Moultrie and Battery Gregg; inner workings of a Monitor and intraservice rivalries. Quarter calf, marbled boards, pencil loops. The USS Passaic, one of a series of single-turret ironclad gunships designed by John Ericsson, was commissioned in November of 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She saw action at Fort McAllister in March of 1863 and at Fort Sumter in April of that year. Following the latter engagement, she was sent to New York for repairs and command was…

GLC05911.04

12 August 1801

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Seeks help from Knox for compensation from his previous employment noting that the 1800 War office fire destroyed much of his evidence. Mentions he has provided letters proving past employment as an engineer in the state of Pennsylvania and Delaware but they have not helped his cause. Asks Knox to testify and deliver his opinion before the Justice regarding L'Enfant's case.

GLC02437.07581

19 November 1774

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that he is in desperate need of printing ink and wants Knox to procure it for him. Discusses pricing for Rivington's edition of Lord Chesterfield's Letters, asking Knox to find purchasers immediately because the resolutions for non-importation issued by the first Continental Congress will soon take effect. Mentions that a fire and legislative action have caused a delay in a lottery Knox had a ticket for. Rivington was a bookseller, printer, and journalist who came to America in 1760. He published Rivington's New-York Gazetteer.

GLC02437.00187

2 October 1863

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Has been feeling very lonesome. Mentions when he first met Mary. He has been promoted to quartermaster in his regiment. Reports that a boat was burned and 40 people died in the fire.

GLC05981.35

April 17, 1790

Gregorie, Catharine S.M., 1765-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mama

One letter addressed to Catherine Macaulay Graham from Catherine S.M. Gregorie dated April 17, 1790. Pertains to Mrs. Sands possibly taking her mother's place in something unidentified and mention of a fire.

GLC01795.028

circa 1892

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to His Excellency The Governor, and To the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts

Losses in the country due to forest fires affect the political economy as well as national wealth. Fireproof buildings of brick and mortar should be the rule rather than the exception. Deforestation should be regulated.

GLC00687.189

January 24, 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

arrived today. before she came there was a skirmish between Cleveland and Erie which killed six and wounded thirty. stopped at the Adams house and then went on to the European Hotel.

GLC08311.01

13 December 1863

Merritt, John B., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard H. Jackson

He writes he is glad to hear of the death of those "inhuman monsters." It is not clear what he is referring to since he he says they can stand on their hind legs. He relays the news that a steamboat was destroyed by fire. Describes a surprise party he wen to.

GLC07705.382

1861-1877

Autograph letter

Title: to Sam

He received the first chapter of Horatio Wait's book. He tells the story of a boiler explosion on board a ship.

GLC08284.013

15 December 1868

Dewey, Squire P., fl. 1859-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norman R. Dewey

He didn't realize the holidays were so close because his mind was on the recent earthquake. He had intended to go to the south of Italy or France but ended up staying there

GLC02161.164

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: Fire San Francisco

One photograph circa 1861-1877. Depicts the San Francisco skyline during a large fire with smoke filling the sky in the background.

GLC08878.0010

23 September 1861

McKinney, C., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Erastus R. McKinney

re: recent fire in the town that burnt down a distillery, family news

GLC02179.01.009

26 May 1901

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

re: A birthday letters to her. Wishes Clara all the best wishes and love. Received 4 letters from her. Wants to save enough money to get married with Clara. A big fire took over Nome. Writes about the mail detail.

GLC05755.039

9 August 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the earthquake that had taken place the previous night.

GLC09120.474

05 September 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Sylvia reports that Ben brought her a Whitman's Sampler, she admits he is a nice guy. Reports on friends and her Mom and Dad and brother Alvin. Her Dad is upset that Alvin may have to go into combat. Asks Moe to write her Dad. Heard of two train wreaks in Philadelphia and Chicago, which makes her nervous that something like that would happen if he gets a furlough.

GLC09414.0104

February 16, 1866

Miller, R., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friend Canfield

Regrets not writing before now but says that it is quite difficult for him because of his lame hand. Describes the success they have had in drilling for oil in the region. Advises that he should invest in the oil territory and come for a visit to see the oil wells. Mentions that there was a terrible fire last week but that it did not burn his well. States that the weather has been very cold.

GLC05802.03

February 16, 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Offers additional updates on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire (see GLC02546.35). Seal partially intact.

GLC02549.40

October 27, 1917

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Hoover

Addressed to "My Dear Mr. Hoover." Discusses the starvation relief in Europe and Hoover's part in its management. Expresses his support and advises Hoover as to the next steps in food distribution abroad. Discusses rationing. Stamped on page one by the U.S. Food Administration, received October 30. Pages two and four have been written vertically by Theodore Roosevelt.

GLC00162.13.01

24 November 1866

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to darling Cherry

An acquaintance went into the shoe manufacturing business but the Great Portland fire burnt up his business. The railroad that is to connect Lisbon with Madrid has been completed. Written in Lisbon Harbor

GLC08284.091