Collection Search

[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of James Smith and Timothy Hixon].

GLC00685

to his father

Written at Camp Barry near Washington D.C. References his father's earlier letter. Says he has not written often because he knows the letters he writes to his wife are read by everyone. He is glad to hear that his father might visit Washington. He...

GLC00686.06

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by David to his mother. Says he has not written lately because he knows the letters to his wife were "Common property with you all." Adds that he has marching orders and wanted to write "for when next and in what shape I shall turn up the...

GLC00686.07

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Captain Edward Van Valkenburgh of the 107th New York regiment to his mother. He has not heard from her directly in some time, but has heard through his brother Robert that she is in good health. Says he has not written in a long time, but...

GLC00686.18

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Signed "Robt" by Congressman Robert Van Valkenburgh. Writes to his mother to tell her he has just returned to Washington after a trip to Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, and then to Elmira, Albany, and New York. Says his health is better than it has...

GLC00686.23

[Draft of the surrender agreement between Union General William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston]

Copy made, certified, and signed by Colonel Alexander Robert Chisolm, Confederate General Pierre T. Beauregard's aide-de-camp. Details the terms of the surrender of the Army of Tennessee.

GLC00689

[Navy Department invoice of stores]

Receipt for "a Tin basin & pitcher" signed by York and Kell.

GLC00684.14

to John McIntosh Kell

Lee grants Kell leave until the first of May, "when you will report in writing to this Office the condition of your health." Letter forwarded by Surgeon James Harrison. Letter written on stationery of the C.S. Navy's Office of Orders and Detail.

GLC00684.15

to John McIntosh Kell

Raphael Semmes writes that, while in Baltimore, he has inscribed a copy of his book and ordered the publishers to send it to Kell's "little son, my namesake." He fondly inquires after Kell's family. Raphael Semmes, commander of the famous raider CSS...

GLC00684.16

to John McIntosh Kell

Henry W. Grady writes on behalf of self and partner Evan P. Howell, both of the Atlanta Constitution, to endorse Kell for Georgia Secretary of Agriculture and to suggest "that you apply to Gen Gordon for the position of Adjutant General," which Grady...

GLC00684.17

to Carrie Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his daughter, Carrie, in reply to a letter from her. He talks about his gardens at length and mentions a drought that makes "travelling on the Rail Road unbearable." He reports the birth of a grandchild named Walton...

GLC00684.18

to John McIntosh Kell

Arthur Sinclair promises to send the papers of the deceased Captain Evan P. Jones to Kell. He mentions that he had been corresponding with Jones about the C.S.S. Alabama "when death called him away." He tells Kell that "you would be pleased, and no...

GLC00684.19

to John McIntosh Kell

Francis L. Galt writes to congratulate Kell on his daughter's marriage and to request help in finding his own son a job in business. He mentions "the Charleston Reunion last spring" and a circular he has received from one of the men who attended, who...

GLC00684.20

to Julia Blanche Kell

John Brown Gordon sends his sympathies to Julia Blanche Kell on the announcement of Kell's death. John Brown Gordon, a former Confederate lieutenant general, served post-war as a U.S. senator (1873-80, 1891-97) and governor of Georgia (1886-90).

GLC00684.21

[Letters and photographs of the Van Valkenburgh family of New York] [decimalized .01-.37]

Correspondence from the Van Valkenburgh family, who lived mostly in upstate New York. Of the five brothers in the family, three joined the Union cause and another joined the Confederates. One member of the family, Frank, became a lawyer in Wisconsin...

GLC00686

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...

GLC00686.01

to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written to Frank when he was 13 years old by his sister Loty who seems to be somewhere in the western part of the South. Frank is referred to as "Master" in the address. Frank is separated from his family (GLC00686.19 says he is at "the Academy") and...

GLC00686.02

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...

GLC00686.03

[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...

GLC00686.04

to Mollie Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit to his sister Mollie. Attempts to justify his decision, as a transplanted Northerner, to side with the South. Mixes support for his adopted home with love for the family he left in the North. He references her letter of from...

GLC00686.05

to his brother

Two handwritten copies of the same letter in the file. Says it has been a long time since he wrote, but not because he has not thought of his family in the North. He claims that "although we now belong to sections of our country which are engaged in...

GLC00686.08

to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written by Frank's father, J. Van Valkenburgh, to Frank. He says he sent 6 barrels of apples by train to Milwaukee for him and other family members. He declares that he picked 16 barrels by hand from his orchard. He also sent several barrels of...

GLC00686.09

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit, a transplanted Northerner fighting for the South, to his mother Mary. Begins by asking "Can the years that have passed since I saw you last - can the position that I have taken in this Civil War, have alienated me entirely from...

GLC00686.10

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit to his mother Mary. References her letter from May 22, 1864. He is very happy about his mother's letter and says he has thought about her often. He says there is a big difference between them and that he is "a Southerner in word in...

GLC00686.11

to his brother

Written by Gerrit as a Confederate prisoner of war. References his brother's letter from December 23, 1864. He is glad because the letter was "the first word of tiding I have had from you in answer to my letter & I began to fear that your displeasure...

GLC00686.12

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother as a prisoner of war in Ohio. He says it has been a long time since he heard from her and that he has wanted to write to her earlier, but was travelling around so much he was unable to tell her where to reply until now. He...

GLC00686.13

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his mother. He references his mother's letter from January 11, 1865, and says the other letters mentioned in the January 11th letter never reached him. He declares that "It is a source of sorrow to me...

GLC00686.14

to Kate Van Naven

Gerrit S. Van Valkenburgh writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his sister, Kate, in Wisconsin. He seeks some sort of reconciliation with his family. He begins by asking "Can you take me by the hand, and greet me as a Brother? or will that world...

GLC00686.15

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit S. Van Valkenburgh refers to his mother's letter from January 28, 1865. He says he is sorry that the letters he writes to her are not arriving. He updates her on family information. He reports that he has contracted Erysipelas and that his...

GLC00686.16

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

On stationery headed: "Waldo, Ody & Van, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law." Letter written by Frank to his mother Mary. Frank says he has not neglected her, but has been busy moving, house cleaning, attending fairs and courts, as well as dealing with...

GLC00686.17

to his wife

Date written in pencil at the top of recto as "June 10 1865?" Content of GLC00686.22 and GLC00686.24 suggest this date might be accurate. Signed twice by Frank, once in pen and once in pencil. Written aboard a ship on his way to Pine Bluff, Arkansas...

GLC00686.19

to his wife

Written part in pen, part in pencil. Reports on conditions in the South after the Civil War. Frank was travelling to Arkansas to help his twin brother Gerrit who was in trouble with the law. Says he knows he wrote recently, but since he is stuck in...

GLC00686.20

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Unsigned letter. Letter is apparently missing the ending and incomplete. Letter written on Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his mother. Says he just arrived back from assisting his twin brother Gerrit. It was a two-day stay...

GLC00686.21

to J. Van Valkenburgh

On Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his father in Michigan. Says he received his father's letter from June 28, 1865 with the $50 for Libbie. Says they fed 850 returned soldiers last night and are consequently tired. Sends...

GLC00686.22

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...

GLC00686.24

to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother Mary, declaring that he wrote two or three weeks ago, but he knows many of his letters do not make it, so he is writing again. He reports that he has recovered from his bout of Erysipelas and that he weighs more now than...

GLC00686.25

to unknown

Typed transcript excerpting original letter (not included). Undated transcript. It is not clear if this has anything to do with the Van Valkenburgh family. Note at top says this is a typed copy of the last letter written by Willard to his/her mother...

GLC00686.26

to Faith Van Valkenburgh

Unsigned, with a short postscript hand-written on page 3. Several corrections made in pen throughout. Written on letter head of Van Valkenburgh's own law firm. Letter written by Frank to his daughter, Faith, in Buffalo, New York. A funny letter with...

GLC00686.27

to Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh

Written on stationary of the law office of Frank B. Van Valkenburgh. Provides some family history for his brother Captain Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh. Gives a run down of Edward's Civil War service: enrolled September 18, 1861. Made a 1st...

GLC00686.28

to Dr. W. H. Merritt

Written on stationary of the law office of Frank B. Van Valkenburgh. Written to Dr. Merritt, the Chairman of the Norwalk, Ohio Centennial Committee. He is flattered that he would receive an invitation to be present at the "Norwalk Home Coming Week...

GLC00686.29

to Frank Van Valkenburgh

Illegible signature at end of letter. Pencil note at the bottom of the letter says it is Garrit [likely Gerrit] S. Van Valkenburgh, but it is too obscure to be certain. Pokes fun at his brother for such a bad letter to him. Says it is cold and that...

GLC00686.30

Robins and Robbins

Poem on two typed pages. The type is green instead of black. Size in the extent is for the larger sheet. The smaller sheet is 13.8 x 21.6 cm. Two stanzas on the smaller sheet and two longer stanzas on the the bigger sheet. Pencil note says the poem...

GLC00686.31

to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written by Mary to her brother Frank. Reports that their parents are well. It appears that Frank is an editor a newspaper from the content of this letter. She asks him to send a copy to several friends. Updates him on family and friends. Says the...

GLC00686.32

[Framed daguerreotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man. Date from seller, who found date behind frame. In brown case with elaborate scroll-work with gilt edges and red interior. On the paper lining of the recessed case bed are two pencil inscriptions, one...

GLC00686.33

[Framed tintype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate tintype in green oval velvet case, gilt around frame, portrait of clean-shaven man in suit, inscribed on inside cover "F. B. Van Valkenburgh."

GLC00686.34

[Framed daguerreotype portrait of Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh]

1/6th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man in suit. Square leather covered wooden frame with border, star and scrollwork design on back. Photo surrounded by gilt oval.

GLC00686.35

[Framed ambrotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/6th plate ambrotype of bearded man with mustache in suit, wearing cap. Square leather-covered, possibly wooden frame, picture surrounded by gilt oval, back of frame has intricate scrollwork and oval design, while photo has 3-dimensional effect...

GLC00686.36

[Plaster bust of Robert Bruce Van Valkenburgh]

Lifesize gilded plaster bust of Robert with a few areas of gilt loss.

GLC00686.37

Papers of George May Powell [decimalized]

The George May Powell collection contains personal and family correspondence. Also included are business papers relating to his Thirteenth Amendment anti-slavery photograph, his inventions, and his publications; a diary, letters, and essays...

GLC00687

to Joseph E. Johnston

Joseph Wheeler writes that he arrived at camp and found half of his command had left during the night because they believed the entire army was to be surrendered. His men informed him they heard this from high ranking officers as well as from Union...

GLC00688

[Bond of Neill McKay]

Involves a tract of land in Schley County, Georgia. Binds McKay unto Seldon Fletcher for $500. Signed as a witness by Washington Tharp.

GLC00658.07

to Henry W. Halleck

George Brinton McClellan informs Halleck of reports that Richmond has been reinforced by troops from the south, and discusses plans for defending Washington. Letter written during the height of the Peninsula Campaign, when Union forces were closest...

GLC00664.01

to Moses Fowler Odell

Francis Elias Spinner, United States Treasurer, responds to a telegraph and a letter from Odell, a former United States Representative from New York. He laments the suicide of Preston King, stating: "While his heart was overflowing with human...

GLC00669

to Edgar Cowan

Geary writes to Cowan, a United States Senator from Pennsylvania, in attempt to obtain a recommendation for his promotion to Major General. He cites his qualifications and the achievements of his brigades. He declares "I have received four honorable...

GLC00673

[A proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln concerning the effects of insurrection on maritime commerce]

Secretarially signed for William Seward, Secretary of State; signed in type by Lincoln. Pertains to the ports of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Lincoln states that insurrection in these states has...

GLC00674

Inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Title continues, "President of the United States / delivered at the Capitol, Washington, D.C., March 4, 1933." Signed at the end by Roosevelt. First inaugural address. Printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. in...

GLC00675

[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Smith T. Conlee].

GLC00681

to George Clinton

George Washington asks the New York Governor "whether any ways & means can be devised to procure Money for the payment of the Troops of the New York Line." He describes it as an urgent "matter of...interesting importance." The letter written during...

GLC00683

[Appointment of John Kell to midshipman in the Navy of the United States]

Partially printed commission effective from 9 September 1841. Co-signed by L.B. Hardin and Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy. Seal missing.

GLC00684.01

[Appointment of John Kell to Lieutenant of the United States Navy]

Commission effective from 15 September 1855. Co-signed by James Cochrane Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, and L.B. Hardin. Features two detailed patriotic scenes and a paper seal.

GLC00684.03

[Map of Button Gwinnett's estate]

Hand sketched map of Gwinnett's estate in Georgia of 1450 acres showing the bordering properties. Mentions neighboring properties of James Spalding and Mary Maxwell. Circa date from typed label originally accompanying the document upon acquisition.

GLC00658.02

[Authorization of payment for Walker Richardson]

Orders payment be made from the treasury to Richardson of Franklin County, Georgia 73 pounds for his attendance as a member of the assembly. Verso appears to be a page from an account book.

GLC00658.03

[Deed record for Mrs. Ann Gibbons]

Recorded deed from Mrs. Ann Gibbons to Henry and Margaret Gibbons. Crew signed that the doucment was recorded in the books of the Camden County, Georgia Clerk's office, Superior Court.

GLC00658.04

[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...

GLC00658.05

[Land indenture]

Countersigned by Thomas Thornton and Joseph Little. Copy of an indenture between Gibson of Randolph County and Little of Sumter County, Georgia. Certifies that Little paid $20 to Gibson for a tract of land in Cherokee County. Note on verso signed...

GLC00658.06

[Certification of attendance]

Certifies that John Pope has attended the meeting of the New Jersey Committee of Safety in New Brunswick as a member. Authorizes payment of three pounds, 18 shillings for 13 days. Note on verso signed by Pope certifies he received payment....

GLC00659

to Mrs. Genl. Morris

Written as head of the Ladies Association of Trenton. Dagworthy asks Morris to subscribe to their campaign to raise funds in support of Continental soldiers. Her postscript notes some early contributors and gives the amounts of their contributions...

GLC00660

[Indenture agreeing to transfer title to land]

Witnessed by Barent Jansen and Simon Boerum. Certified by Justice of the Peace John Lefferts. De be Abois, "of Brookland and in Kings County on Nassaw Island in the Province of New-york," a yeoman, and his wife, Marritie, agree to sell land to...

GLC00661

to Arnold Elzey

Retained copy of a letter to Elzey on which a pencil signature of Wise has been added by a secretary. General Wise (Confederate) describes a recent Union raid near White House, Virginia. He informs Major General Elzey, commander of the Department of...

GLC00662

to Wynne, Hill and Glazebrook

The letter is regarding surveying the approaches to Richmond to establish lines of defense

GLC00663

General orders, no. 44

General Beauregard's order rallying Confederate soldiers, in response to Benjamin F. Butler's infamous General Order number 28, signed by Smith as Assistant Adjutant General. Butler's order number 28, stating that New Orleans women showing contempt...

GLC00666

to Colonel Robert Crooke Wood

Sherman writes to Assistant Surgeon General Wood (Sherman incorrectly addresses the letter to "C.R." Wood). Sherman writes about his armies' medical preparedness, commenting that they are well supplied with surgeons, medicines, medical supplies, and...

GLC00667

to Alfred H. Terry

William T. Sherman writes to Major General Terry about military and Indian matters on the Great Plains. He discusses the establishment of military posts in Montana, the distribution of military forces, the regulation of travel across the plains, and...

GLC00668

Endorsement (by Lee and Beauregard) of telegram from Gov. Zebulon B. Vance

Telegram from Raleigh, N.C. written in a clerical hand on stationery of the Southern Telegraph Company. Endorsed on verso by Beauregard and Lee. Vance was North Carolina governor.

GLC00670

to William J. Fowler

General Longstreet discusses the reconstruction policies of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson with Fowler, a judge in Boston, Massachusetts. He states "The independent action of President Johnson, was the error that lead the grave...

GLC00671

[Declaration in the case of John Kerr and Augustus Kerr v. Thomas Constant and Josiah Francis].

John and Augustus Kerr sued Constant and Francis for $522.55 they were owed. Lincoln, working as a lawyer with John T. Stuart, won judgment for $440.14 on November 26, 1839.

GLC00672

Two pamphlets [decimalized]

GLC00676

Lincoln campaign songster.

Title page states songster is for the use of clubs and contains all the most popular songs. Miniature book with woodcut of Lincoln on paper cover and printer's advertisements on back cover. Intended for the 1864 presidential election. Uncut...

GLC00676.01

Republican campaign songster, for 1860.

Edited by Burleigh and published by H. Dayton. Original blue printed front wrapper (only), stab-stitched as issued. Intended for the 1860 Presidential election. Burleigh was a prominent New York journalist and social reformer.

GLC00676.02

The Opelousas Courier. [Vol. 11, no. 3 (April 30, 1863)]

On front, humorous soldiers' letters and descriptions. printed: "William Curran, Co. "D," Forty First Regt Mass Vols". On back, blue, brown, gray striped wallpaper pattern, number 289.

GLC00677

Natchitoches union daily. [April 4, 1864]

Advertises Lincoln-Johnson election ticket, proclaims fervent unionist sentiment, local and international news. Light brown (wood grain) wallpaper (on back).

GLC00678

[Warrant for the arrest of the traitor John Campbell]

Cosigned by Gouverneur Morris and Philip Livingston. Authorizing the arrest of the Campbell for "treasonable conspiracies" and the seizure of his papers.

GLC00679

Two abolitionist letters and one newspaper [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC00680

to Samuel Johnson

Stearns, an abolitionist, asks if Reverend Johnson would like him to join him on a trip to Niagara.

GLC00680.01

to Joseph Knight

William Lloyd Garrison informs Knight that he has "no autograph of the revered Wilberforce to send" but will instead send "one of George Thompson, whose long continued and wonderfully efficient labors in the cause of freedom and humanity you so...

GLC00680.02

Liberator. [Vol. 35, no. 25 (June 23, 1865)]

GLC00680.03

[Case of Dalton verses McClure]

Details a case in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, between Andrew Dalton and Robert McClure about a promissory note for payment. Dated "October term."

GLC00682

Collection of John McIntosh Kell [Decimalized .01-.21]

Kell was a member of the United States Navy from 1843 until 19 January, 1861, the day of Georgia's secession from the United States. He served in the Confederate Navy for the duration of the Civil War, commanded the C.S.S. Savannah, and was made a...

GLC00684

to Mary Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his sister while suspended from duty and awaiting Court Martial aboard the Albany. He describes surrounding islands of Santo Domingo and Navarro with stories of landscape and native islanders. He arrives at Aux Cayes...

GLC00684.02

to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife while commandant at Warrington Navy Yard. He discusses a month long leave of absence to visit his family. He mentions that he is a member of a court investigating the grounding of the Fulton, and that his cousin...

GLC00684.04

to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife with postscript that "the Secession Ordinance will probably pass tomorrow."

GLC00684.05

to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh writes to his wife about a package he has sent her. He responds to news of his sons' ill health and suggests a healthier diet for them. He mentions a ship named the Everglade which is to be purchased the next day, "when I will take...

GLC00684.06

to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes that "I hope to refer the Savannah ready for service day after tomorrow." He makes reference to Yankee slang on the third page. In closing, Kell mentions that he had meant to send a copy of Lincoln's inaugural address and...

GLC00684.07

to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Hell writes that on his arrival at Cumberland Island he was greeted by "a goodly number of ladies & gentlemen, guests & household of Mr. Nightengale" eager "to view the Georgia Steamer of War." He reports that he will be sailing to...

GLC00684.08

to Julia Blanche Kell

John McIntosh Kell writes to his wife about the ill health of their son. He mentions that "Commodore Tattnall is here & I am to report to him tomorrow: Morris' Steamer the Huntress has arrived."

GLC00684.09

to Evelyn Kell

Julia Blanche Kell writes to Kell's sister, Evy. She mentions Kell's mother and his sister Mary. She discusses a stylish new bonnet she has recently sent to Evelyn, which "is quite moderate. I think my summer bonnet is higher," and offers to send...

GLC00684.10

[Appointment of John Kell to commander of the Provisional Navy of the Confederate States]

Kell promoted for service "as first Lieutenant and Executive Officer on the C.S. Steam Sloops Sumter and Alabama, under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes." Commission effective from 4 October 1863. Signed by Mallory as Secretary of Navy.

GLC00684.11

to John McIntosh Kell

Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." He encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, &...

GLC00684.12

[Confederate States Navy Department orders to proceed to Richmond]

Partially printed document signed by Captain Sydney Smith Lee. Docket added 1 December 1864 reads: "Be pleased to assume command of the C.S. Iron-Clad 'Richmond'." Co-signed by John Mitchell aboard the Virginia. Sidney Smith Lee, older brother of...

GLC00684.13

[Note allowing John Swisher to take the oath of 8 December 1863]

Lincoln autograph endorsement signed on a letter from Edward McPherson to President Lincoln requesting clemency for a man, dated 10 January 1865. Lincoln's endorsement reads, "Let this man, John Swisher take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged...

GLC00693.03