28 May 1778

Campbell, Donald, fl. 1776-1778

Document signed

Title: [Legal declaration on the ship Clarendon in the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida]

Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Legal document signed by Donald Campbell of Kingston, Jamaica as a witness identifying the vessel "Clarendon." Campbell attested that the ship currently named "Lizette," sitting in the harbor of St. Augustine, was formerly named the "Clarendon." He says the ship had been captured by the "rebels" and is the property of Thompson C. Whitelaw of Jamaica and Mr. Coates in Glasgow, Scotland. Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.02

25 June 1776

Wood Joseph, fl. 1776

Document signed

Title: [Legal document for recovery of debt in East Florida Court of Common Pleas]

Legal document from the East Florida Court of Common Pleas. Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Signed by Joseph Wood who was swearing that John Williams, a "Practitioner in Physics," owes him the sum of "Ten pounds and upwards." Also signed by John Holmes in the docket that the document was filed with the court. Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.03

2 January 1778

Sviney, Noel, fl. 1776

Document signed

Title: [Oath on papers captured and thrown overboard from the ship Bourbon]

Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Legal oath sworn before the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida and signed by Sviney as the purser of the British ship "Perseus." Sviney attested that the packet of papers from the captured ship "Bourbon" were all the written materials that came from the vessel. Claims he does not know of any other papers, but that he has been informed that a number of papers were thrown overboard when the "Bourbon" was about to be captured. Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.04

January 18, 1777

Catherwood, Robert, fl. 1764-1783

Document signed

Title: [Judicial order for the officers of "Beaufort" to be examined under oath]

Order signed by Judge Catherwood and sent to John Halsey, the Marshal of the Court of Admiralty of East Florida. After reading the petition of William Panton and another claimant and hearing from several witnesses, Catherwood tells Halsey to order the officers of the privateer "Beaufort" to come to shore and testify under oath. It appears that Panton was claiming he did not get his fair share of the prize money. the officers shall "be forthwith sent on shore to be examined upon Oath touching the promises, security being given." Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.05

14 November 1777

Catherwood, Robert, fl. 1764-1783

Document signed

Title: [Judicial order concerning the ships "Polly and "White Queen"]

Judicial order of the Vice Admiralty Court of East Florida signed by Judge Catherwood. It was ordered that the cargo belonging to the vessel "Polly" be landed and an inventory be taken. Also orders that the "Polly" be used for "the purposes of lightening" the vessel "White Queen." Says that the cargoes will remain under the joint care of the Marshal of the Court and the Captors Agent until a final decision is made. Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.06

December 15, 1777

Wallace, Richard, fl. 1777

Document signed

Title: [Oath sworn before the Vice Admiralty Court of East Florida]

Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Legal document affirming the statement made under oath by Richard Wallace, Master of the ship "Ichard"(?). Wallace was claiming that all the papers from the captured brig "Hope" are in the possession of the court, except for one ledger which the Master of the "Hope" lost or mislaid. Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.07

10 August 1778

Somervill, Francis, fl. 1778

Document signed

Title: [Oath sworn before the Vice Admiralty Court of East Florida]

Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Legal document signed by Somervill swearing that the accounts are just and true and that the 137 pounds, 13 shillings, 7 pence, and 3 farthings were lost by being taken on the schooner "William." Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.08

3 March 1779

Johnson, William, fl. 1779

Document signed

Title: [Oath sworn in the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida]

Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Legal document signed by William Johnson, swearing an oath before the court that the ship "The Chance Now" brought in on 2 March by the privateer "Tory's Revenge" is rightfully owned by the merchants Peter and John Berthon of London. The Americans had called the captured ship the "Maria." Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.09

circa 1779

Yonge, Henry, 1712-?

Document signed

Title: The Sloop Lucky Chance her Tackle and One Negro

One legal document in the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida given to Judge Robert Catherwood dated approximately 1779. Claims that the sloop "Lucky Chance" contained tackle and one enslaved person identified as "one Negro." The ship previously belonged to a subject of the King of Spain. The person who captured the sloop, Jacinta Pau, did not have commission or authority to take the ship on the high seas and Yonge is stepping in to take the ship for Britain. Document dated from around the time Spain and Britain began fighting during the American Revolution. Probably written in St.…

GLC01411.10

6 June 1841

Carter, Henry L., fl. 1841

Printed document signed

Title: [Printed bill of sale for John, an enslaved man]

One printed bill of sale paid by John P.B. Jones to James C. Pleasants dated June 6, 1841. Jones paid 670 dollars to enslave a man named John. The document was filled out and signed by Henry L. Carter, Pleasants' attorney.

GLC01445.01

December 27, 1862

Jones, William W., fl. 1862-1863

Printed document signed

Title: [Printed bill of sale for Tom, an enslaved man]

One printed bill of sale paid to W.W. Jones from Leroy Jones dated December 27, 1862. Leroy Jones had paid $1,450 to enslave a 32-year-old man named Tom. According to the printed bill, W. W. Jones enslaved Tom through Pulliam & Betts, Auctioneers at Odd Fellows' Hall in Richmond, Virginia. It appears that Leroy Jones lived in Raleigh, North Carolina.

GLC01445.02

December 29, 1862

Cohen, Solomon, fl. 1862

Printed document signed

Title: [Printed bill of sale for Lee, an enslaved man]

One printed bill of sale paid by William W. Jones to Solomon Cohen dated Richmond, December 29, 1862. Jones paid Cohen $1,500 to enslave Lee.

GLC01445.03

December 31, 1862

Nolting, A.W., fl. 1862

Printed document signed

Title: [Printed bill of sale Joe, an enslaved man]

One printed bill of sale paid by William Winston Jones to A.W. and E.O. Nolting dated December 31, 1862. Jones paid the Noltings $1,400 to enslave a man named Joe.

GLC01445.05

8 June 1862

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [brother and sister]

He writes from a hospital, describing it as a "regular palice," where "evry thing is so clean." He had an ambrotype made but it turned out poorly, especially because he's been sick.

GLC03523.15.01

28 August 1863

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He has been sick and finally saw the doctor, who gave him some pills but did not excuse him from duty. Comments on the list of drafted men in the newspaper (Enrollment Act of July 1863).

GLC03523.15.02

4 September 1863

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [sister]

He asks her to write more often. Comments on her adopted son. "Every day makes one less for me to be in uncle Sams grand Army that is all the comfort I have."

GLC03523.15.03

6 February 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Tells them never to let Jed enlist, even if a high sum of money is offered. "Helth is worth more than money." Describes the effects of the war on him physically: "only 22 years from my looks you would say I was 40." Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.04

February 14, 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

He is afraid that Jed will enlist. Receives weekly letters from his friend James, but John does not write very often. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.05

26 March 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Reminisces about going down to Presket Point in heavy winds and how the boat sank. "Danger seems to be my lot for I am always in it." Expresses hope in Grant's leadership. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.06

20 May 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily Brown

He recounts the various notes and items he has sent recently, including a pipe for Jed. Their march slowly progresses, but "be of good cheer at home and we will try to do the best we can in the field." Includes a photo of Aggness's daughter (not included here). Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.07

5 June 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily Brown

Reports a slight wound on his left leg. They have been in fighting position for over 50 hours but are doing well under Grant. "Oh when I come home I shall have plenty to tell you that I cannot now." Sends a belt buckle from a dead Rebel for Jed. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.08

24 June 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Asks them to send stamps and a red pepper. It would be more expensive to send blankets than for his mother to buy them at home. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.10

27 June 1864

Brown, Harvey T., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Expresses confidence in Grant, then complains that Congress insults the poor man with low pay.

GLC03523.15.11

29 June 1864

Canty, James, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friend Brown

Apologizes for not visiting him while he was at home due to sickness. Although they have had hard times, Jesse visited. They all hope this summer would see the end of fighting. While Jesse has not reenlisted, he has; he wants to see the end of the war.

GLC03523.15.12

23 August 1864

Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

They are doing more marching, and he is avoiding action. Again he requests $50 if it's not too difficult. He waits for six months' pay and won't be paid again until he is discharged. Mailed from the 5th Maine Battery.

GLC03523.15.14