February 12, 1862

Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anzolette Page

Writes to ask his mother if his sisters, Mary and Rose, may travel to Richmond, Virginia to attend the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as Confederate President. Humorously phrases the request in military terms, describing the request for a "furlough" and his asking as part of a "solemn conspiracy" for which she "will be ready to cry treason!" Notes that his sister has written to their father for permission also. Goes into details about money and where they will stay to allay her fears.

GLC03844

12 June 1789

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cotton Tufts re: political matters: state debts, excise bill

Written as Vice President. In closing, Adams writes "[t]he Note inclosed in your Letter I burned as you directed as soon as I had read it: but not untill it had made too deep an Impression on my heart as well as Memory. -- What shall I do, with that tender hearted Fool?" Adams closes: "When will Mrs. A. come on? I suffer, very much for want of her assistance."

GLC03861

1862 -1895

Goold, Theodore, 1844-?

Header Record

Title: Collection of brothers James and Theodore Goold [Decimalized .01-.23] Collection of letters to Albert Gillett [Decimalized .24- .31]

Theodore Goold enlisted in the army on 21 June 1861 in Rochester, New York, as a private. James Goold enlisted in the army on 29 August 1862 in Macedon, New York, as a private. They were both mustered into the "F" Co. New York 25th Infantry in August 1862 and transferred into "I" Co. New York 44th Infantry on 19 June 1863. Most of the correspondence is written to their parents and brother Johnny. The majority of the content describes daily activities and duties in their regiment, and their living conditions at camp. Theodore writes some letters from Emory Hospital in Washington D.C., where…

GLC03523.05

18 April 1833

Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Williams

Informs that President Andrew Jackson is to assist in the laying of the cornerstone of a monument to the memory of George Washington's mother on 7 May. States that members of the President's cabinet are invited to attend. Asks if a case Williams is to handle will keep him in Baltimore that day, if so, the President will excuse him from attending.

GLC03545.08

circa 1860-1890

Davenport, George D., fl. 1860-1890

Header Record

Title: [Collection of George D. Davenport, B company, 5th regiment, Vermont, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.62]

Mainly concerns Davenport's death and his widow's efforts to learn details and arrange burial. Includes 62 documents, 45 envelopes, and 1 card.

GLC03523.09

January 31, 1861-January 13, 1880

McSherry Family, fl. 1861-1880

Header Record

Title: [Letters to Assistant Surgeon Henry F. McSherry of the U.S. Navy] [decimalized .01-.66] [decimalized]

Letters to Henry F. McSherry (b.1837. Many letters to him begin "Dear Fen") as assistant surgeon in the United States Navy concerning divided sympathies of the border areas, his service in the navy, as well as views of the war and home front. McSherry was from Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), where his father, the physician Richard McSherry (b. 1792), was a slave owner before the Civil War. Richard owned 7 slaves in 1850 (3 males ages 40, 17, & 11 as well as 4 females ages 35, 24, 14, and 13) and 5 slaves in 1860 (2 males ages 50 and 20 as well as 3 females ages 47, 24, & 2…

GLC03523.21

circa 1861-1865

Richards, Leonard H., fl. 1864-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Leonard H. Richards, D company, 75th regiment, Illinois, infantry]

Richards was a devout young soldier, greatly in love with his wife. Letters mention battle of Nashville, Lincoln's death, etc.

GLC03523.29

1862-1864

Morrison, James A., fl. 1862-1864

Header Record

Title: Collection of James A. Morrison, C company, 129th regiment, New York, infantry

Collection includes several writers, but mostly Morrison to his wife. Personal content includes marriage troubles, possibility of deserting to see his wife and opposition to fighting for Negroes. Some battle and political content.

GLC03523.41

5 April 1802

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Last will and testament of Henry Knox]

Signed by Knox once in the text and once at the close. Witnessed and signed by Samuel D. Parker, Thomas Welsh, Jr., Henry Cabot, and William Sullivan. Appoints his wife Lucy as sole executor, leaving the management and division of assets to her judgment. Attests to his "unclouded belief" in the existence of "the Omnipotent, Omniscient, and omnipresent head of the Universe." Also expresses his belief in "the durability and immortal existence of my mind or soul -and that it is bound on an infinite voyage throughout the immensity of the Universe." Written four years before his death.

GLC03536

August 11, 1812

Bankson, Hetty, fl. 1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Williams

Discusses difficulties surrounding the settlement of her husband's will. Mentions the sale of some property left to her children by their father. States she is in desperate need of money and would like him to resolve this matter. Refers to herself and her children as "an injured widow and her helpless orphans."

GLC03545.19

circa 1880 - 1889

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Fragment of speech on the Civil War and its aftermath]

Fragment of a speech at a Civil War commemorative event, probably given in the 1880s with pages numbered 2-10, and 12-13. Sherman discusses the Civil War, national debt, race relations, and General Ulysses S. Grant. "Some of the Witnesses of a Fierce Civil War, which left half a million of graves; an untold amount of human pain and Anguish; a Million of Widows and orphans left to struggle in a Cold World ... " He denounces those who argue that the Civil War should be forgotten. "I would not for the World renew the Angry passions of that period of time, nor do I question the personal…

GLC03546

28 May 1801

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Eppes

Writes to his daughter about her health, his desire for Maria's presence in capital, and planning for her to visit. Waterstaining slightly obscures the text.

GLC03641

December 29, 1780

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard K. Meade

Lafayette discusses selection of an American envoy being sent to France. Congress had decided to send an envoy extraordinary to France to secure a loan and improve supply shipments. Lafayette tried to help Alexander Hamilton attain this post, but failed. Says that all admitted Hamilton was the "best calculated for this mission," but "he is not very popular" and not a "Southern Man" so he was not chosen by the Congress. Instead John Laurens was selected. Inform his "very good friend" that a French officer will soon be arriving to meet Meade. He is happy to hear from Martha Bland that Meade…

GLC03647

28 August 1865

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philemon Ewing

Writes about the anticipated arrival of his wife and family. He wants the children to arrive so they may start their classes on time. States his desire to postpone building a house until the following spring. "I am more than convinced that I should hold the $30,000 at interest this winter and next spring. I can build a house to suit us Exactly." Believes they should board at a hotel for the winter. Ask Ewing to try to convince Ellen (his wife) of this, as he fears," ... she may think we must have a house at whatever cost of money or subsequent discomfort." Written on stationary marked…

GLC03600

31 July 1864

Williams, George W., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Williams

Williams, a Union soldier, informs his sister that he was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Crater by Confederate forces the previous day. Relates that he was not wounded, and is in excellent health. Instructs Mary to write to Mrs. L. F. Hand of Binghamton, New York, to inform her that her husband, Sherman P. Hand, was also taken prisoner. Cross-writing on verso reveals that Williams served in Company I of the 48th Pennsylvania volunteers, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps. Page three measures 10.6 x 7.1 cm. Envelope states "Care of Col Ould Com of Exchange C.S.A. to be…

GLC03618

1862-1899

Header Record

Title: Various Civil War documents [Decimalized .01-.15]

Includes an address from The New England Women's Auxiliary Association encouraging women to assist in the efforts of the United States Sanitary Commission. Contains various letters, printed song sheets, and one military document regarding the War.

GLC03619.01

22 September 1839

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to McKinstry Griffith

Writing as a cadet at West Point, Grant offers self-consciously romantic comments to his cousin about the Hudson Highlands. He also complains about "a few of the drawbacks," such as insufficient blankets and money, difficult lessons, the lack of familiar faces or women, tight clothing, and eight demerits he received that very day for missing church. Earliest known Grant letter.

GLC03632

14 July 1798

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Eppes

Writes with fatherly concern to his daughter that he has learned of her illness and hopes that she is recovering. Advises that though he is anxious to see her, she should only travel if she is strong enough. Mentions that his eyes have been very sore for a few days but are better now. This delayed the men working on the roof of Monticello and he is anxious to have it done.

GLC03640

February 4, 1870

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Orne

Writes that she has been suffering from an illness this winter which her doctor believes is an inflammation of the spine brought on by great mental stress. He has advised her to go south, but she admits candidly that she does not have to money to do so. Describes the pain she is experiencing and her fear that she will lose the ability to walk. Comments shamefully that with her small means, she can only stay in second class boarding houses. Observes that the doctor told her that all of Germany would like to see the wife of such a great man put in a more comfortable position; bitterly remarks…

GLC03651

01 July 1881

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Book signed

Title: Inaugural Address of James A. Garfield / Mar. 4, 1881 [inscribed to Mrs. Blaine]

Inscribed to Mrs. Blaine by Garfield the day before he was shot by Guiteau.

GLC03558

16 July 1963

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Otelia Pendergast re: convicted of violation of section 265

GLC03590

1861-1865

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. T. Doswell

Dated "Saturday morning." Beauregard encloses a note (not included) from "a gentleman who had offered me that servant girl & her family." Two of the family recently died, and though Beauregard regrets their death, he is "glad it has occurred before they had been bought." Doswell was likely a financial agent and/or merchant in New Orleans.

GLC03564

18 November 1856

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charlotte Chase

Ohio governor Chase writes to his sister Charlotte. Discusses her visiting him in Columbus, Ohio, where he was serving as governor. Speaks of a disagreement of opinion with Justice John McLean but still holds him in high esteem and respect. He is still in support of him for president. Regrets that McLean no longer considers him a friend. Chase supported Supreme Court Justice McLean over Fremont in the election of 1856. Written on Executive Department, State of Ohio stationery.

GLC03572

18 August 1882

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter

Title: to Mrs. Randall L. Hunt

Written entirely and signed by Varina Davis, for her husband. Declines an invitation to visit a church festival because he has a prior engagement and must be in New Orleans at that times. Explains that his daughter "would be very glad to contribute by a song to the laudable purpose you have in view" if someone could be sent to rehearse with her beforehand. Written at Davis's home, Beauvoir.

GLC03574

1839-1844

Jones, William, fl. 1823-1860

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Plantation Book]

Plantation account book of William Jones, the owner of a cotton plantation in the vicinity of Jonesville, Liberty County, Georgia, near Savannah. Also mentions planting rice, but cotton appears to be the main staple of the plantation. Gives a nearly day-by-day account of the operation of his plantation. The book was kept as a record of planting, harvests, weather, preparation of ground, allocation of slave labor, crop yields, prices realized, and other agricultural matters. Provides extremely little on Jones's personal life. No systematic listing of slaves on the plantation is provided, but…

GLC03703