25 August 1923

Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933

Typed letter signed

Title: to L. S. Johnson

Written on mourning White House stationery (with black border). Coolidge writes about the importance of studying the economic foundation of American institutions. Johnson apparently headed the National School for Commerce Executives at Northwestern University.

GLC05182

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Lincoln's Funeral Procession, Chicago

Handwritten on back: "Lincoln's funeral, Part of procession Cor[ners] Clark and Lake St. Chicago"

GLC05137.259

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Confederate Cemetery

W.J. Thompson, Photographer, Columbus, Ohio." A Confederate cemetery. Three children stand by a boulder on which is inscribed: "2260 Confederate Soldiers of the War 1861-1865 Buried in this Enclosure." Sign above the cemetery gate reads "Americans."

GLC05137.260

20 October 1864

Button, Charles W., fl. 1858-1877

Newspaper

Title: Lynchburg Virginian. [October 20, 1864]

Includes an article discussing the recruitment of African Americans for military service. States "We prefer to organize colored regiments now, while we have an abundance of the white element in the field to absorb the other, and to guard effectually against the danger which some people apprehend from arming and organizing the servile race." Contains articles pertaining to recent Civil War events. Mentions Generals John Mosby and William Tecumseh Sherman, among various others. Discusses the Supreme Court vacancy caused by the death of Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice.

GLC05196

12 April 1862

Gordon, George Washington, 1836-1911

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his daughter

Written in pencil as P.O.W. at prison no. 3, Camp Chase, Ohio. Gordon writes about conditions living as a P.O.W and the liberty he enjoys through Christ. He mentions sickness in the camp, both deceased and surviving members of his company, and some of his neighbors.

GLC05508.004

2 April 1836

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Henry

Buchanan writes to his sister because he is concerned for her health. He writes: "let me strongly urge you to resist the gloomy feelings & apprehensions which I fear you indulge." He asks her to submit to the will of God, but also acknowledges he is not a model Christian. Buchanan assures Harriet that should he survive her, he will comply with any requests she makes of him.

GLC05508.054

30 May 1924

Carver, George Washington, 1864-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Hardwick

Discusses at great length Hardwick's emerging spirituality. Carver mentions that he created a medicine from peanuts to alleviate respiratory problems after hearing a sermon about an African girl who converted to Christianity and then died, probably from tuberculosis.

GLC05508.063

19 August 1940

Davis, James, fl. 1940

Typed letter signed

Title: to G. F. Robinson

Davis believes Willkie will be the next President. He discusses the passing of his wife, the life they had together and the one she now has in heaven. Briefly mentions aid to Britain. Written on Stationery of the Senate Committee on Finance.

GLC05508.082

1865

Object

Title: [Mourning ribbon]

The ribbon is made of gathered black cloth and is tied with white ribbon in the center. A small lace rondelle with a portrait of president Lincoln is found in the center, below the white ribbon.

GLC05502

14 September 1699

Cotton, John, 1640-1699

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Lord

Cotton writes from Charleston, South Carolina, where he had been called in 1698, to Joseph Lord, a minister at Dorchester, South Carolina. Lord had sailed to South Carolina with Cotton in November 1698. Speaks of mutual acquaintances in Charleston and touches on various issues, most significantly the proper procedure of the church when members, baptized as infants, renounce their baptism. Mentions the funeral of a Rev. Marshall, and the pending baptism of a slave owned by Madam Blake. Cotton died of yellow fever on 18 September 1699, four days after this letter was written. Contains…

GLC05508.002

3 January 1855

Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall", 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his uncle

A heartfelt letter noting the spiritual guidance that Jackson's uncle gave to Jackson's now deceased wife, Ellie. Jackson expresses thanks for his uncle's condolence after her passing. He discusses his sadness and changed outlook on life. Jackson also writes of his faith in God overlooking him.

GLC05508.006

11 July 1874

Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Holman

A letter of condolence over the death of Holman's child. Blaine share's the story of losing his first-born child. He writes that such a loss taxes one's faith, but expresses a belief that "Time's cloud has its radiant silver lining in Eternity." Stamp on p. 1 "Madlener."

GLC05508.038

26 December 1795

Bradford, William, 1729-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bradford

Bradford gives condolence to his daughter, Lydia, for young men who died at sea, and expresses the sentiment that while this may be unfortunate "to us as men, it must be right as relative to Deity." He also mentions visiting a Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia on Christmas day. There is also some discussion of legal business before Congress; Bradford was a senator from Rhode Island.

GLC05508.047

29 November 1912

Cleveland, Frances Folsom, 1864-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Neal

Frances Cleveland offers her nephew condolence on the loss of his child. She urges him to trust in God's plan. She empathizes with his loss by mentioning her thoughts about the age her deceased daughter Ruth would be.

GLC05508.070

January 11, 1881

Colquitt, Alfred Holt, 1829-1894

Typed letter signed

Title: to Dr. & Mrs. Talmage

Apparently written upon the death of Talmage's daughter-in-law. Colquitt offers his condolence and urges the Talmages and their son to find comfort in tears and faith.

GLC05508.071

circa 1880-1890

Draper, William H., fl. 1880-1890

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: The Lord Knoweth them that are His

This hymn espouses that all people enter God's care when they die, whether they are buried in their local graveyard or on a distant battlefield.

GLC05508.090

30 June 1864

Document signed

Title: Quarterly return of deceased soldiers of company

Reports that African American soliders John Jackson, Shadrick Ham, Benjamin Dobson, George Washington [II] and Anderson West died from disease at Fort Smith, Arkansas. States that Henry Whittle died from an accident at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, that Irvin Wilson drowned at Fort Smith, and that Doctor Randall died from disease at Fort Smith. This document is partially printed.

GLC05336.04

circa 1850-1855

English, John G., fl. 1827-1869

Diary

Title: [Mississippi cotton plantation diary and journal]

Signed in inner front cover in August 1850, where English notes that his father, James English, moved from Kingsport, Tennessee to Madison County, Alabama in 1818. Records that James took him, and left his sister in Salem, North Carolina, and his brother in college at Granville, Tennessee. In the first two pages, English recalls his youth: a trip to New Orleans in 1827, working for John W. Lane of Livingston, Alabama, and managing a large warehouse for Robert King of Knoxville, Tennessee in 1833. Records events, such as the purchase of slaves in 1835 and a business trip to New York in May…

GLC05496

3 May 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to John P. Usher

Discussing the Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee, President Lincoln informs Usher, Secretary of the Interior, "it is now quite certain that a large number of our colored soldiers, with their white officers, were, by the rebel force, massacred after they had surrendered ... " Requests Usher's counsel regarding the government's course of action following the Fort Pillow events. The letter was also sent to the rest of the cabinet, including Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles (see GLC07698). Signed by Lincoln. Written on Executive Mansion stationery.

GLC05620

1825

Blair, John D., 1759-1823

Book

Title: [Sermons collected from the manuscripts of the late Rev. John D. Blair].

Signed by John Marshall. With pasted signature of E. J. Laughlin on front pastedown. Blair was Chaplain of the Virginia House of Delegates and the sermons are about the death of Washington; criticism of the writings of Thomas Paine; and various religious topics. With numeric code penciled on the first four blank endpapers, similar to the diplomatic secret code (cypher) used to encode and decode letters. Marshall used cypher in his role as negotiator during the XYZ Affair. He was Secretary of State from 1800 until 1801 and Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 until 1835. Shoemaker…

GLC05605

30 June 1790

Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Johnson

Thanks Doctor Johnson for his earlier letter and papers containing, ". . . directions by which persons in whom the vital powers are suspended either by natural causes or by accident may be restored to live." Tells Johnson he will exert himself to preserve the health and happiness of mankind, the citizens of Connecticut in particular. Docketed by Huntington as a copy. Contains numerous strikeouts.

GLC05586

5 June 1862

Owen, Lemuel, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Adi Meyers

Recipient is from Clear Creek, New York. Reports death of friend at Fair Oaks and mentions General O. O. Howard. Writes, "General Howard rode up to us & said 'The 64th Must not brake.' " On patriotic letterhead and envelope.

GLC05594

11 October 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward George Washington Butler

Lee, President of Washington College, replies to a letter from General Butler. Acknowledges the receipt of a pamphlet entitled "Oaths, Amnesties, & Rebellions." Discusses the execution of Ferdinand Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, before a firing squad in Mexico, stating that "His death was not necessary & accomplished nothing, but the excitement of the horror of the civilized world. He went to Mexico at the formal invitation of her people, & laboured hard for their improvement." Requests that Butler offer his regards to several acquaintances. Discusses a recent bout with…

GLC05275

8 October 1781

Clift, Samuel, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sally Clift

Clift, a captain in the Continental Army from Connecticut, writes to his wife describing preparations for siege of Yorktown: "till night before last we erected our first parallel within 600 Yards of the Enemies Lines, we shall continue to approach nearer & nearer till the Enemy fall into our hands." Also mentions casualties, his good health, and missing her.

GLC05307

26 April 1865

Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes that he deeply regrets not having gone to the theatre with President Lincoln as he was asked to. Also feels that his habit of constant vigilance may have prevented Lincoln's murder. States that he will give a speech on President Lincoln in Chicago and will go to Springfield with the remains of the president.

GLC07543