1815-1860

Pringle, Thomas, 1789-1834

Note

Title: Transmission of two cards for the Institute of France's annual assembly

Attributed to Pringle, the Scottish poet and abolitionist, circa 1820. Pringle relates that Athanase Coquerel sends compliments to [Ch. N. N.] Richard and Elihu Burritt. Transmits two cards (not included) for the annual assembly of one of the Academies of the Institute of France. Written on stationery of the Eglise Reformee de Paris.

GLC00496.276

May 20, 1844

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Barbara O'Sullivan Addicks

He thanks her for the copy she sent of her "pocket manual treating the Science of the French Language" ("An elementary practical book for learning to speak the French language, expressly adapted to the capacity of children. Tr. from the German of Doctor J.H.P. Seidenstuecker") and indicates he sent a copy, per her request, to the National Intelligencer. He apologizes for not responding promptly and explains why he cannot give her manual the scrutiny it deserves, citing the volume of letters he receives.

GLC00693.05

circa 1845-1847

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: Typed excerpts of compositions by Franklin Van Valkenburgh when he was 12

Not an original document; no date for typed excerpt. Contains 2 excerpts from compositions, one written when Frank was 10 in 1845, the other when he was 12 on September 28, 1847. First composition is about wishing. The second composition is titled "the History of a Black Board." Some handwritten notes in pen on second page. Image of purple and yellow flower on the back of the stationary. Includes an envelope with the words "News Paper Scraps &C &c." The return address is for the Van Valkenburgh family in Milwaukee.

GLC00686.01

January 31, 1849

Van Valkenburgh, Mary, fl. 1849

Autograph letter

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Incomplete letter from Mary to her 14-year-old brother Frank. References a "little letter" that Frank wrote to her. Writes about her life at school. Says most days are alike and comfortable. Asks him how "the Academy" is going. Asks for an update on family members and reports what she knows to him. Asks him to give her a detailed account of his school, teachers, and studies. Reminisces about how she nursed him through an illness. Philosophizes about their futures and gives him advice.

GLC00686.03

1 June 1854

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Document

Title: [Printed party invitation]

Franklin Van Valkenburgh's name is written in pencil at the bottom. An invitation for "A Cotillion Party." The party will begin in the assembly room of J.M. Brewster in Townsend (unknown state). The party is on 3 July 1854 at 4 p.m. Lists 8 committee members and 2 room managers. Small image of an eagle at the top. Written from "Townsend," with no state given.

GLC00686.04

August 18, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit to his mother Mary. Says he loves his relatives in the North and often thinks of them. Mentions that his brother, Frank, has already written about his release from the prison. Says the charges against him were false. Since he has been in Pine Bluff, he has been sick with chills and fever - he thinks typhoid. Reports that he is feeling better though. Says he boards with his employer, who is originally from Connecticut. Mentions an uncle who lives in Warren, Arkansas and says "their slaves - or former slaves - [are] still with them." The uncle bought a flour mill and his sons…

GLC00686.24

June 1, 1863

Semmes, Emily J., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Paul J. Semmes

Writes to her "dearest husband" as he is on his way to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was mortally wounded in battle. She hopes that he is over his cold and fatigue, and asks if he would be able to come home if one of the family got sick because knowing this would put her at ease. She gives thanks that he made it through battles, and comments on their children and their schooling. She criticizes their daughters for their excessive pride, "...they do look down upon these poor people with such contempt I think it is so wicked I pray that they may see their sin." States that she has been…

GLC00715.10

14 May 1827

Moore, Thomas, fl. 1827

Document

Title: [Grant of guardianship to Henry Gibbons]

Copy of the court document of Laurens County, Georgia granting guardianship over minors David Brown Gibbons and Margaret Gibbons to Henry Gibbons. Charges Henry with managing the minors' estate, education, and upbringing. Moore signed as the court clerk.

GLC00658.05

January 17, 1825

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cummings, Hilliard & Company

Jefferson mentions ordering books for the schools of art and modern languages and ancient and modern history. He writes concerning courses in law at the University of Virginia and the need for books, especially "Thomas' edition of Coke Littleton published not long since in London. it is the first book which will be put into the hands of our law Students, and will in fact be the elementary book of the school" and is therefore "the most essential and most immediately necessary..." He notes that they will need to order the edition from London and gives a detailed description and how much it…

GLC00782.12

November 13, 1915

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to William R. Castle

Writes to the assistant dean at Harvard (later founder of a professional consular service of the United States). Roosevelt encloses an article (not included) from the November 1915 Metropolitan magazine which had been vetted by James Brown Scott, an expert on international law. Roosevelt condemns isolationism, pacifism, Wilson's neutrality policies, and American indifference to Germany's August 1914 invasion of Belgium in violation of the Hague and Geneva Conventions. Includes interlinear editing and manuscript comments by Roosevelt. Letter written on Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York,…

GLC00782.19

November 18, 1861

Leavenworth, F.P., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

A Confederate captain in an ordnance unit tells his father about Civil War activities in Arkansas and Missouri. He comments on the arrival of Union General David Hunter with 36,000 soldiers. He discusses the strength and position of Confederate General Ben McCulloch's men. He claims that "The burning of the bridge in Tenn. has virtually cut the Confederacy in two," and consequently the mail has been limited, and may be worse still if Union General William T. Sherman moves into South Carolina. He notes that they have not heard from their enemies in the Creek nation, indicating that…

GLC00653.07

February 20, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Griffith

George Washington discusses his uncertainty as to whether he is fit to be the school's Chancellor. Also mentions Presidency of William and Mary College.

GLC00745

December 4, 1805

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

John Adams writes concerning his and George Washington's administrations by referring to those "melancholly books" such as "Tully's Memoirs" and "Cicero's Life" from which he compares the first and second triumvirates to Hamilton's "Schemes, to get rid of Washington, Adams, Jay and Jefferson, and monopolise all power to him Self."

GLC00747

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

To his wife discussing naval life and family matters. He discusses his movements and activities at sea. He notes that some Liberians misspell their names, including a young boy he has taken on board the ship to help for a time. He states that he is getting along well with the commodore, and with his new first lieutenant, Edwin Winder. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea. Letter dated June 24, 1858 - 20 July 1858.

GLC00722.62

circa 1863-1874

Various

Header Record

Title: Check and three prints pertaining to Gerrit Smith [Decimalized .01-.04]

GLC00723

December 13, 1823

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

Andrew Jackson requests to the Secretary of War that he make sure that Rufus Bowyer be allowed to enter the military academy as a cadet. He recommends him based on his own merits, and those of his father, Colonel Bowyer. Docket labeled "Va. [77]."

GLC00655.04

January 5, 1861

Furniss, John P., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judge Haden

John P. Furniss asks for financial remittance due to his having taken "private classes to improve [himself] in particular branches of Medicine." He relates that two convicts hung the day before, and a friend of his took a part of one of the bodies for Furniss to dissect. Signed "Your friend & ward." Furniss was a Confederate doctor.

GLC00653.24.01

September 29, 1794

Washington, Martha, 1731-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Bassett Washington

Letter discusses Fanny's children's health and schooling, and a possible suitor named Tobias Lear, who was Washington's secretary. In regard to the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, she notes that "The insurgents in the back country has carr[i]ed matter[s] so high that the President has been obliged to send a larg[e] body of men to settle the matter."

GLC01055

23 - 28 September 1776

Pemberton, James, 1723-1809

Manuscript signed

Title: Extracts from minutes of our yearly meeting of Pennsylvania & New Jersey, held in Philadelphia by adjournments from the 23rd day of the ninth month.

One copy of a meeting minutes dated September 23-28, 1776. States that Quakers should not participate in governments active in war, or contribute to the promotion of war through business or other activity. Condemns all forms of slavery and indentured servitude, and requires all Quakers to free anyone so held. All need to support religious education for children. Clerical copy certified by James Moon. Extracted and prepared by James Pemberton, clerk to the yearly meeting.

GLC01021

4 July 1852

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

Document signed

Title: [Virginia Military Institute diploma for W. O. Yager]

Printed diploma signed by several future Confederate Generals, including Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, who taught at the Virginia Military Institute as a professor of natural philosophy. Tied with blue ribbon with blue embossed paper seal. Also signed by the Governor of Virginia, Joseph Johnson.

GLC01023

November 30, 1812

Wood, Eleazor D., 1783-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Wood

He writes to his sister about his orders to see General William Henry Harrison at Detroit. He urges her to take an educational opportunity and discusses the benefits education would bring her. Notes that the time has come for him to be tested as a soldier (in the War of 1812).

GLC01043.01

1787

M'Culloch, John, fl. 1787

Book

Title: Introduction to the History of America [first book printing of the Constitution]

Printed by Young & McCulloch. Student's textbook, heavily annotated. The Constitution appears in back with separate titlepage and pagination.

GLC00920

1786-1802

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Header Record

Title: [Collection of letters to Harvard classmate James Bridge. Decimalized.] [Decimalized .01-.13.02]

A collection of letters from young John Quincy Adams to his Harvard classmate James Bridge, originally assembled by Bridge in a letterbook. The Adams letters were removed by a previous owner from the book and have been decimalized. The remainder of the collection, letters from other Harvard classmates retained by Bridge, are decimalized under one number. [decimalized GLC00958.01-GLC00985.13.02]

GLC00958

November 17, 1787

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bridge

Adams covers several topics in this long letter to his Harvard classmate shortly after their graduation. He attended the ordination of Henry Ware, his first roomate at Harvard. While there, he has saw a number of their fellow classmates and learned of their plans. He tells a story of how several classmates helped to pay the bills of two of their peers, allowing them to graduate. Adams discusses studying law in Theophilus Parson's office, and invites Bridge to join him in a few months when places become available (which Bridge did). He also briefly discusses law texts he is studying. Adams…

GLC00958.01

October 20, 1788

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bridge

Adams writes to his friend and former Harvard classmate, Bridge, about his health, law studies, and longing to see his female friends. Adams also reports that Townsend, who also studied law with Theophilus Parsons, is spending the winter in South Carolina and asked Adams to help "Jo." with his studies. Adams might be away, and hopes Bridge can fill in for him.

GLC00958.02