5 January 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Letter

Title: to Anne Brown Adams

One letter from Aaron D. Stevens to Anne Brown Adams dated January 5, 1860. Awaiting his upcoming trial and execution, and recalls the deaths of John Brown and other Harpers Ferry raiders. Says "The boys met their fate very cheerful." Was badly wounded in the jaw. Written from the Charlestown Jail. Says he is sharing a cell with Harrison, the name that Albert Hazlett had assumed. Likely copied in Anne Brown Adams' hand.

GLC03007.01

1 March 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Letter

Title: to Anne Brown Adams

Likely copied in Anne Brown Adams' hand. Awaiting his execution "very cheerful and happy," he councils her to always try and do what is good, for "the better they do the higher they rise in happiness." Looks forward to "the other world" and meeting old friends there. Says Harrison, the assumed name of Albert Hazlett, is also awaiting his execution. Written from Charlestown Jail.

GLC03007.02

January 17, 1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Letter

Title: to Anne Brown Adams [Fragment]

Likely copied in Anne Brown Adams' hand. Written to one of John Brown's sons as well, addressed simply to "My Dear Brother." Portion of the letter written to the son states Stevens is awaiting execution, ready to die, and looking forward to the next life. He writes, "Some of us must suffer that the rest may learn." Says he did not see John Brown write anything before his death, but was not with him at the very end. Part written to Anne has the same content as GLC03007.01, except that the end of the letter has been lost. Written from Charlestown Jail.

GLC03007.03

1878-1898

Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897

Scrapbook

Title: [Alexander Ross' scrapbook related to John Brown's family]

Ross' collection of letters relating to John Brown's family, mostly letters sent to him by John Brown's children. Scrapbook contains twenty one letters and one cartoon relating to John Brown, as well as envelopes for most of the letters. Letters written by Anne Brown Adams, Ruth Brown Thompson, John Brown Jr., Sarah Brown, Owen Brown, George B. Gill. One letter is signed W. H. Harrison, the pseudonym of Albert Hazlett. Also contains letters written by others to Anne Brown, which she copied and forwarded to Ross. Inside the pages is a small envelope labeled "California wild flowers.…

GLC03007.56

30 November 1859

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Samuel Cooper

Written as Colonel. Cooper was Adjutant General. Written two days before John Brown's execution.

GLC03326

1860

Drew, Thomas, fl. 1860

Book

Title: The John Brown invasion; an authentic history of the Harper's Ferry tragedy, with full details of the capture, trial, and execution of the invaders, and of all the incidents connected therewith. With a lithographic portrait of Capt. John Brown, from a photograph by Whipple.

An attempt to compile a wide variety of contemporary sources in order to present a balanced view of the events surrounding the raid on Harpers Ferry. However, portrays Brown as a hero and states that the purpose of the book is to "combine in these pages every fact and incident relating to the event, which the friends and admirers of the man would wish to preserve, as mementoes of the simplicity of his character, the nobility of his purposes, the disinterestedness of his motives, the sublime heroism of his deeds, and the remarkable piety by which he was governed and sustained." Compiled by…

GLC03346

26 March 1911

Parsons, Luke F., 1833-1926

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. E. Boos

Reminiscences about John Brown by a former follower. Gives a physical description of Brown, and discusses Brown's conviction to always fight for what was right. "He said the Lord had created him to be the deliverer of the slaves from bondage, the same as he did Moses." Of Brown's composure says he was "never excited, always cool, calm, and thoughtful, but had the deliberate courage of a lyon." Also relates a story from their days together in Kansas. Written from "Home."

GLC03227

circa 1859

Anderson, Osborne Perry, 1830-1872

Signature

Title: [Signatures of six of John Brown's supporters]

Piece of paper with six signatures, reportedly found in Brown's carpetbag. After Brown's capture, soldiers found a carpetbag of his in the farm where the raiders had been living. The bag contained numerous papers written and signed by his Northern supporters, this piece supposedly included among them. John Jr., Jason, and Owen Brown were Brown's sons. Neither John Jr. nor Jason came to Harpers Ferry. Owen participated in the attack, but managed to escape capture. Anderson, one of five African Americans that participated in the raid, also managed to escape, later wrote a book on the…

GLC04463.04

February 23, 1851

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ruth Brown

Relates news of friends and family from "the hill," their house in Ohio. Encloses a letter from "grandfather," most likely Owen Brown. Discusses construction projects, his health, family pastimes, a fire in Akron and Ruth's recent marriage. Asks that she and their brother Owen both reply to him, and that Owen send him as many animal skulls as possible. Plans to leave the house soon, and resume time on the speaking tour. Last page includes a note from Jason Brown.

GLC04463.05

3 September 1830

Brown, Owen, 1771-1856

Document signed

Title: Almon Kingsbury petition for tavern licence

Petitioning the Court of Common Pleas in Portage County, Ohio for a tavern license. State their opinion that "a tavern is needed at the center of Hudson...that the house lately occupied by Owen Brown Esqr...would constitute a favorable stand for said tavern, and that Almon Kingsbury who now occupies said house is a suitable person to keep said tavern." Signed by Owen Brown and 13 others, including Gideon Mills, Oliver Brown, Heman Humphrey. Title from docket.

GLC04463.06

26 July 1819

Brown, Owen, 1771-1856

Autograph document signed

Title: [Invoice for work done in Portage County, Ohio]

Invoice stating Brown was owed twenty two dollars. Signed twice by Brown. Also signed by Elias Harmon and Samuel Brigg as Justices.

GLC04463.07

December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Header Record

Title: Stone print of John Brown's last written words with copy of original [Decimalized .01-.02]

Stone print of the last words of John Brown. "I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty, land: will never be purged away, but with Blood. I had as I now think: vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed; it might be done." Accompanied by a reproduction on paper of a photograph of the original copy of John Brown's last written words.

GLC04463.08

February 3, 1841

Brown, Oliver Owen, 1804-1858

Document signed

Title: [Promissory note]

Promissory note from Oliver Brown for five hundred eighty five dollars and sixty eight cents.

GLC04463.09

1933 circa

Benet, Stephen Vincent, 1898-1943

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mr. Lally

Affirms that "Five Men and Pompey" was his first published work. States that "We had a sketch of John Dos Passos in 'Books' recently, and there will be others. I don't know when or if we'll get together in book form." In 1933 Benet and his wife published "A Book of Americans," with biographies of many notable American figures. This may be a reference to this book, though at the same time he says he wonders if a book will be published.

GLC04463.10

18 June 1859

N.B., Onthank, fl. 1859

Photograph signed

Title: Original painted photograph of Abolitionist John Brown, inscribed by Brown to his children

This is a photograph which has been painted in watercolor by N.B. Onthank. Written on front bottom corner of mount is Brown's signature and salutation, which reads "June 18th 1859. Your Affectionate Father, John Brown." With the oval blind embossment of J.B. Heywood, 176 Wash. St., Boston.

GLC04447

1819-1943

Header Record

Title: Letters and documents relating to John Brown & Family [decimalized .01-.10]

GLC04463

11 October 1856

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frederick Brown & Jeremiah Brown

Leaving Kansas, his poor health, and the health of his sons. Says he is leaving Kansas "both on business: & to recover my health," as he is suffering from "Dysentary & Chill Fever." However, "I expect to go back should the trouble continue" Mentions his half-sister Fiorella Adair and her family. Says John Jr. "is very much broken down; & altered by his troubles" which included being beaten and imprisoned. Brown was also inclined to leave Kansas because he was a wanted man there, and because his homestead had been destroyed. Written to his brother Frederick and half-brother…

GLC04463.01

28 April 1855

Brown, Frederick, 1830-1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Brown

Journey to Kansas, staking claims in Osawatomie, and plans to build a settlement. Says he, Owen, and Salmon arrived in Osawatomie, without John Jr. and Jason, and have found good land. They "intend to put up some cabbins and get to ploughing as quick as possible." Says he has the Ague, Calves are doing well, mentions their relatives the Adair family. Written to his father.

GLC04463.03

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Harpers Ferry, Va.

Writing on mount misidentifies the scene as Richmond, Va.

GLC05087

1 March 1860

Hazlett, Albert, 1837-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne Brown Adams

One letter from Albert Hazlett to Anne Brown Adams dated March 1, 1860. Thanking her for her letter to him in "his prison home." Discussing his fate and death and visits from the "ladies" and "gentlemen." Written at Charleston Jail

GLC03007.56.01

6 March 1898

Thompson, Ruth Brown, 1829-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norman Ross

One letter from Ruth Brown Thompson to Norman Ross dated March 6, 1898. Discusses the death of his father and their relationship. Acknowledges that they are strangers but, due to her closeness to his father, feels that they in fact know each other well.

GLC03007.56.02

15 November 1892

Thompson, Ruth Brown, 1829-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Milton Ross

One letter from Ruth Brown Thompson to Alexander Milton Ross dated November 15, 1892. Discussing family news and their correspondence, a visit from a mutual friend and money he had sent her previously.

GLC03007.56.04.01

19 April 1879

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Milton Ross

One letter from John Brown Jr. to Alexander Milton Ross dated April 19, 1879. Discussing books on the population of the world, the emigration of African Americans and a paper he is writing.

GLC03007.56.05

27 January 1879

Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Milton Ross

One letter from John Brown Jr. to Alexander Milton Ross dated January 27 1879. Discussing a lecture on spiritualists and his brother's escape from Harper's Ferry.

GLC03007.56.06

28 January 1895

Thompson, Ruth Brown, 1829-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Milton Ross

One letter from Ruth Brown Thompson to Alexander Milton Ross dated January 28, 1895. Discussing his health and thanking him for the help he has given them over the years. Discusses mutual acquaintances and a friend's bad marriage and possible visits and an album of "our dear anti-slavery friends." She requests a photograph of him to add.

GLC03007.56.07