23 November 1948

Rutledge, Wiley B., 1894-1949

Typed letter signed

Title: to D. Lawrence Groner

Discusses a book that Groner mailed to Rutledge. Remarks that it reminded him of scenes from his childhood in eastern Tennessee.

GLC04352.06

1857

Howard, Benjamin C., 1791-1872

Book

Title: Report of cases argued and adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States. December term, 1856.

Published by William M. Morrison and Company. Includes report on Dred Scott v. Sandford.

GLC04394

1860

Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864

Pamphlet

Title: The Dred Scott Decision

A pamphlet containing Taney's ruling in the Dred Scott case, as well as two articles asserting the inferiority of "the negro race." One is an introduction by Van Evrie stating "the Supreme Court, in the Dred Scott decision, has defined the relations, and fixed the status of the subordinate race forever-for that decision is in accord with the natural relations of the races, and therefore can never perish. It is based on historical and existing facts, which are indisputable, and it is a necessary, indeed unavoidable inference, from these facts." The other is an essay by Cartwright entitled "…

GLC04393

February 14, 1844

Gilmore, Hiram Sandford, 1819-1849

Printed letter signed

Title: [Subscription letter for legal defense of John "Vansandt" (Van Zandt), who helped a fugitive slave]

Printed letter with blank subscription page summing up the case of Jones v. "Vansandt" (Van Zandt) and seeking contributions towards Van Zandt's defense. Van Zandt, a Cincinnati farmer, had transported an escaped Kentucky slave in his wagon, and was being held accountable in a Kentucky court for $1,700 for his actions. Trying to raise money for him to take his case to the Supreme Court and fight the "atrocious act of 1793" under which he was convicted. The act "renders any man liable to a fine of $500 for feeding, sheltering, or aiding a wayfarer." Says the suit is "one of the most…

GLC04555

1864

Churchill & Dennison

Photograph

Title: Gipsy Booth Groupe, At Army Relief Fair, Albany, NY.

One photograph entitled, "Gipsy Booth Groupe, At Army Relief Fair, Albany, NY," dated 1864. Published by Churchill & Dennison. Image is of seven people dressed as gypsies. The people are identified by numeric notations written in graphite around the image. The numbers correspond to graphite inscription on verso: "1 Miss Annie Van Nechten. 2 Miss Telinghast. 3 William Worth (Brig. Gen. USA) 4 Dudley Olcott 5 Miss Cynthia R. Dexter. 6 [blank] 7 Capt. Hilot USA." Additional ink inscription on verso: "13 John Kingsbury, Albany, NY."

GLC05111.01.0060

21 November 1840

Baldwin, Roger Sherman, 1793-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Sedgwick

Discusses a two hundred page report (possibly of the Amistad case). Mentions Lewis Tappan, an abolitionist who supported the Amistad Africans' freedom. Discusses the authenticity of treaties admitted as evidence in the Amistad case at District Court. Refers to the Amistad Africans, whose recent importation to Cuba, reflected the violation of international and Spanish law. States that John Quincy Adams, who assisted with the Africans' defense, "Thinks the govt, when they see the record, may abandon their appeal without a hearing; as he is very confident they cannot hope to be successful.…

GLC07099

November 1861 circa

Bradshaw, Wesley, 1837-1927

Broadside

Title: General M'Clellan's dream

Relates a dream McClellan supposedly had, in which George Washington reveals Confederate plans to him. Story claims that McClellan, shortly after taking command, had a dream where George Washington revealed to him that there was a traitor in his midst, and also showed him where all the Confederate forces were massed, which would allow him to easily win the war. This version was printed a few months after the original publication of the story. The printers are "unable to vouch for the truthfulness" of the dream, and it was most likely either apocryphal or completely fabricated by the author…

GLC06452.01

1843

Lattimer, George, fl. 1843

Pamphlet

Title: Massachusetts Congress "House No. 41" [slave case]

Account of slave case of George Lattimer. First and only edition. Original wrappers. Lattimer, a free black Boston resident, had been arrested on application of James Gray of Norfolk, Va., as his escaped slave. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, acting as Circuit Judge, had Lattimer detained. Many Bostonians were outraged, and a meeting at Fanueil Hall voted that disunion was preferable to returning slaves. With the threat of massive civil disobedience, Gray sold Lattimer to a group of Bostonians for $400. A result of this incident (included in this pamphlet) was the passage of "An Act to…

GLC06838

1898

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, 1815-1902

Book signed

Title: Eighty years and more (1815-1897). Reminiscences of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Inscribed to Mr. and Mrs. Thadeus Wakeman, New York, "Progress is the victory of a new thought over an old superstition." Inscription dated 11 March 1898. Tipped-in is a 6 August 1902 postcard from Stanton's secretary addressed to Wakeman, as editor of the Torch of Reason in Silverton, Oregon. Stanton's secretary asks if the Robert Ingersoll essays published in the Torch of Reason had been collected into a volume. First edition.

GLC05171

6 April 1864

Donahue, Thomas, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Almira Winchell

Talks about some of the other people whom he is corresponding with. He jokes about the number of children they will have and a trip to the fortune teller. He wants to find out who started the rumors about him doing "Something else besides kissing..." while he was on furlough.

GLC04706.07

23 July 1864

Remington, William, fl. 1864-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Almira Winchell

Writes from Harris Hospital. Expects to be home in two weeks. He went to see the "old dutch woman that tells fortunes and well never mind."

GLC04706.20

19 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that Uncle Jack has yet to be awarded a contract and that the Secretary of War has yet to sign his commission as Quarter Master. He mentions his "horrid dream" about her last night that bothered him all day. He says that Nannie Pendleton and Miss Buffington will go up with him and that she should expect them on Monday. He is anxious to be home. He says that he has no time to write any more. He will go to see if Uncle Jack's collar is done. He sends his love to all and closes the letter with the idea that they will soon see each other "after so long a separation."

GLC06582.62

15 July 1944

Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvia Weiner

Moe continues his quest for a decent shower. He responds to Sylvia's letter about the Ouija board by saying it's just another way of seeking answers in the occult when reality gets too tough. As to the end of the war, he says it could any time.

GLC09414.1141

24 June 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Sylvia played with a Ouija Board with Bess and Ruth

GLC09414.0304

February 15, 1863

Jackson, Elizabeth, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard H. Jackson

He writes that Miss Mulligan went to a fortune teller who told her her lovers' name was Richard and she would get two letters from him.

GLC07705.255

1 October 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has recently become more concerned with superstitions, given the "occupational hazards" of his profession. Sidney describes an incident that had occurred during a recent battle.

GLC09120.514

11 September 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Written at 8:00 PM at home. Sylvia reacts to the news that Moe will be deployed out of Fort Lewis. He should know that wherever she is; she is forever loving and thinking of him and picking up pins (for good luck). She took David (sister Mad's son) with her and comments on how much fun it is to watch him and see his mind grow.

GLC09414.0109

22 March 1852

Gibson, Claude, fl. 1852-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Gibson

He is preparing for examinations and does not have time to write very often. He tells of a dream which he believes means he should learn to play the flute.

GLC04501.065

11 August 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Warns his wife of a reoccurring dream in which he is taken prisoner and recounts occasions when his dreams have come true. Page 4 is addressed to his daughter "Dollie". Encourages her to improve herself. Tells her of the dangers of camp life. With accompanying letter from Dollie. [Georgiana - reference to # 145] Written near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.154.01

1 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to questions from his family about the belongings of Marvin Wait, one of the men who was wounded in battle and to news that it was the anniversary of his father's death. Believes his father to be the guardian angel that watches over him and his family. Reports the news of General Burnside being promoted to commander in chief of the Army of the Potomac. Written from "Gaskins' Mill," likely in Virginia.

GLC03603.179

1945

Mission Inn International Shrine of the Birdmen

Object

Title: St. Francis Medal

One St. Francis Medal owned by Robert L. Stone. The medal was carried by Stone on all of his bombing missions during World War II. During training at March Field, Bob and a fellow cadet drove to the Mission Inn in Riverside, California there was an international shrine of the birdmen. Once there they received the St. Francis medals. The medal is worn along the edges and on the rear as a result of Bob rubbing and carrying the medal on every mission and every airplane flight after returning home.

GLC09620.421

28 June 1879

Whittier, John G., 1807-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Child

Discusses the Yearly Quaker Meeting he just returned from, in addition to speakers at Garrison's funeral and William Lloyd Garrison's views on the after life. Whittier is "shocked by the barbarism & superstition of our popular faith." He says another George Fox is needed to call men to a life of the spirit. He thanks Child for the translation of George Sand.

GLC05508.262.01

23 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 43 (April 23, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Front page article says the Confederacy has seized Harper's Ferry. Account of the capture of the steamship "Star of the West." Local news says "Abolition Sympathsizers to be Looked After." The meeting named ex-Brigadier General Palfrey to lead the efforts to watch over the abolitionists. Several stories of abolitionists in the South. One story says a bald aboltionist lost his hair because of his sentiments. Says free slaves have been posing as slaves and visiting real slaves in New Orleans. The newspaper says "It would be a good joke to catch and sell a few."…

GLC05960.02.10

21 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the Dress Parade and writes that he believes his performance to have gone very well. The townspeople are very kind to the soldiers and have given them bread and apples. The field staff, including Coit, are staying in an empty house which the townspeople believe to be haunted. Also describes the "splendid" greenhouse bouquet that he received when leaving Hartford and carried to Long Island, where it sits on the mantle in the dining room of the "haunted" house. Reports that he will soon have a servant. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.014

29 July 1805

Scales, William, fl. 1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he did not pick a side during the war, and was against the war entirely. Now regrets that he is being made to suffer the repercussions of a war he did not support. Discusses importing clergy members from Britain, as well as belief in the supernatural in rural Maine. Explains his belief in religion. Apparently is recommending that Knox ensures that a new clergy member from Britain, a Mr. Chillea, enjoys the approval of local churchgoers before Knox finalizes his employment.

GLC02437.07955