January 24, 1865

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports that "[t]he Baptists have their meeting in full blast at present with good success." Says they have established a "mourner's bench" with rules for conversion similar to those of their church. Lists the names of people who were baptised including "an unstable Methodist." Mentions two friends who enlisted in the army for one year and received a government bounty of five hundred and fifty dollars each. Does not expect the war to last more than another year. Discusses the family finances in great detail.

GLC03523.10.155

03 March 1865

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to his brother Joseph. Asks him to write to a church member who has been raising the membership. Complains "...we will never have anything of a revival until we have a house fit to serve God in." Letter continues the following day. Remarks "I don't know whether our rich folks have raised enough money to clear the township from draft or not, they lacked one thousand dollars the last meeting they held." Discusses putting new fencing around the whole property in the spring.

GLC03523.10.165

14 March 1865

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to his brother informing him of the parties in the neighborhood. Gives detailed physical descriptions of three young ladies new to the neighborhood. Reports the possibility of a new road going in near their farm. Anticipates a property value increase of ten dollars per acre if the road goes in.

GLC03523.10.172

31 October 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: Joseph M. Maitland

Explains his delay in writing to him because of the comment in his last letter home that "you thought no one with a spank of loyalty in them could support General McClellan..." Responds "I think as much of my country as anyone." Reports the crops have been threshed resulting in 188 bushels of wheat and 147 bushels of oats. Says he won't sell the wheat yet because the price is one dollar fifty cents per bushel and he thinks it will go higher. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC03523.10.141

10 November 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes from the court martial offices in Memphis. Expresses great pleasure at receiving her letter. Says "It rejoices my heart to hear you declare that I have the uppermost seat in your affections, and I sincerely hope your love for me may never grow cold." Reports on a visit from dear friend John Petty. States his division has been ordered to march with [General William T.] Sherman. Mentions he will never regret having served three years in the Army, "but ever since my dear Father died, I have thought my duty was more at home than any place else."

GLC03523.10.143

18 November 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Informs him he has been husking corn. Says he is hurt John Petty did not stop by to see him while on his furlough. Mentions he intends to go to school for two or three years after the war is over and asks his opinion. Thanks him for the money for a new wagon. Remarks he received two pamphlets, "Copperhead Conspiracy" and "A Scathing Review of General McClellan's Military Career." Claims he read one and was unable to finish the other "but whether I profited any by them remains to be seen." Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC03523.10.145

5 May 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to "My Dear Brother" from home, likely Kingston, Ohio, informing him he gave his old blanket and overcoat to an enlisted man. Mentions the "Independent Companies" were called out and they made "a Respectable appearance about 700 on the day they left..." Reports he's been plowing all day and expects to get the corn in next week. Letter continues the following day. States the oat crop is coming in fine. Discusses the arrival of a new colt and comments "...its neck is rather too short for the size of its body..." Includes a three cent stamp on the envelope.

GLC03523.10.122

22 May 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to his brother informing him of their mother's poor health due to overwork and her concern for his safety. Reports on the successful corn crop. Comments that Bell is progressing well with her school work. Says no news of importance from General Ulysses S. Grant's army in the paper. Informs him he will attend a colt show next week. Letter continues the next morning. Mentions he will plant beans and watermelon today. Gives information on a new neighbor with "very high strung" daughters. Includes a partial three cent stamp on the envelope.

GLC03523.10.123

22 June 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "My Dear Brother." Expresses relief that he survived "that terrible battle..." (probably the battle of Brice's Cross Roads fought on 10 June 1864 near Tupelo, Mississippi). Comments, "I think that it was rather a pity that Gen Sturgess was not put out of the way. I see he is relieved from Command but that will not bring back the men that he has lost." Says the weather has been dry and hot for five weeks and the crops desperately need rain. Discusses possibly selling the colt if he can get one hundred twenty-five dollars for it. Reports the National Guard from their county…

GLC03523.10.126

17 July 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "My Dear Bro." Says he has been working very hard on the harvest for the last nine days. Anticipates four tons of hay from two acres and twenty bushels of wheat per acre. Remarks that school is opening next week and if he finishes the harvesting he will try his "hand at getting a certificate..." Reports a friend was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (27 June 1864) led by Union general William T. Sherman, whose wife just had a child a few days ago. Expresses sadness for "the widows and orphans this war is making." Letter continues the following day. Includes a three…

GLC03523.10.131

17 October 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "My Dear Bro." Says he is sending him a box with ten dollars, a hat, a pair of cuff gloves, a necktie, three pairs of socks and two shirts. Reports he is done seeding except for the potato patch. Mentions he will use a steam thresher. Discusses the upcoming presidential election and writes "...you and I had better mutually agree to disagree..." Proclaims his loyal support "for the loyal patriot George B. McClellan." Envelope includes a three cent stamp and writing on the back.

GLC03523.10.138

9 April 1865-10 April 1865

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to his brother from home. Says he has been working hard plowing the fields the past ten days and is very tired. Reports church services have been cancelled due to heavy rain. Mentions mother has a bad cold and asks Joe to write her and tell her to slow down on her activities. Writes he thinks "...the Southern Confederacy is about to crumble to atoms..." Discusses the purchase of a new horse. Letter continues the following day.

GLC03523.10.178

12 April 1866

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Maitland

Grier writes to Bell from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. Reports he is doing well in his business studies and received high scores on his examinations. Says he goes to Sunday School, Preaching and Class Meeting every Sunday. Inquires about mother.

GLC03523.10.188

1861-1865

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Joseph M. Maitland]

Informs of mother's injury to her hand while opening a jar. Says mother wants him to come home. Reports the Baptist church now has a singing school and most of the neighborhood has joined. Tells him he will start school next week. Mentions he sold the hogs for a good price.

GLC03523.10.253

20 October 1855

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Maitland

Informs his brother that his nine year old daughter recently died, and many friends as well. Discusses the high price of corn. Also speaks of political matters, writing "I can feel as much for suffering humanity as any abolitionist at least, but I think we should be just before we are mercifull and ought not to degrade twenty five milion white men for the purpose of elevating three million blacks, God the creator has for some wise purpose placed unmistakeable marks of distinction between the two races, and we have not right to try to alter what he has done, again Bretheren who hold slaves (…

GLC03523.10.014

20 December 1856

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Manuscript document

Title: Naturalization Laws

Small note titled "Naturalization Laws," which discusses the laws of Congress, noting there changes over time. Remarks, "there was a secret society called the Illuminists in the latter part of the last Century all those who have had the history of France can learn there the blood that was shed..." Mentions details about French Revolution as well. Note has mathematical calculations.

GLC03523.10.016

19 December 1859

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James M. Maitland

Informs his brother that he has purchased a farm 300 acres from Blair County. States, "Now in regards to Politics: I am an administration Democrat Squatter...Sovernty I care nothing about...any political doctrine that will not suit East west north & South is not the National or Union doctrine...I believe the territory of the United States to be common..." Continues on to discuss the question of slavery and state rights, writing "I believe James Buchanan done just what any honest man would have done who regarded his oath to carry out the laws of the constitution Douglass, Garney, Hickman…

GLC03523.10.023

14 December 1862

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Tells his brother that he is home, sitting by the fire with their father, reading the Bible. Informs him that he has recently attended a Baptist Church. Asks that he come home for Christmas "if he can."

GLC03523.10.054

25 August 1863

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to his brother informing him that "Normal School" has closed and that they had a Camp Meeting recently, which not many people attended. The last page of letter is written 26 August by James M. Maitland to his son, giving him updates on the activities of the Democratic and Republican parties. Also writes, "The news from Charlestown is the most flattering kind in regard to our final success, I trust and Pray that it will fall without the shedding of much blood." Likely written from Kingston, Ohio.

GLC03523.10.096