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30 December 1862
Cohen, Solomon, fl. 1862
[Printed bill of sale for Washington, an enslaved man]
One printed bill of sale paid by William Jones to Solomon Cohen. Jones paid Cohen $1,505 to enslave a man named Washington.
GLC01445.04
1893 circa
Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926
to Alexander M. Ross [Fragment]
Does not want her father made into a wax sculpture by men in Chicago who are staging an exhibition about John Brown's raid. Only the last two pages remain. Place and recipient inferred from content.
GLC03007.52
10 June 1864
Brown, Jesse, 1844-1933
to Nen
Sends a piece of a Confederate skull from the Battle of Chancellorsville, as well as a piece of Washington's mother's monument from Fredericksburg. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.
GLC03523.15.09
16 August 1864
to Emily Brown
Instructs her to direct her letters to him through Washington as they are never in one place for more than three or four days. Asks for $50 because he won't receive any more pay until he is discharged.
GLC03523.15.13
7 February 1778
Martinica, Dominica, fl. 1777-1778
[Legal document of privateer from Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida claiming enslaved people]
One document countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood of the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida dated February 7, 1778. Signed with an "X" as the mark of Lieutenant Dominica Martinico. Document states that Martinico, the commander of the...
GLC01411.01
28 May 1778
Campbell, Donald, fl. 1776-1778
[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...
GLC01411.02
25 June 1776
Wood Joseph, fl. 1776
[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...
GLC01411.03
2 January 1778
Sviney, Noel, fl. 1776
[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"...
GLC01411.04
18 January 1777
Catherwood, Robert, fl. 1764-1783
[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...
GLC01411.05
14 November 1777
[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...
GLC01411.06
15 December 1777
Wallace, Richard, fl. 1777
[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...
GLC01411.07
10 August 1778
Somervill, Francis, fl. 1778
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...
GLC01411.08
3 March 1779
Johnson, William, fl. 1779
[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...
GLC01411.09
circa 1779
Yonge, Henry, 1712-?
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...
GLC01411.10
6 June 1841
Carter, Henry L., fl. 1841
[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
27 December 1862
Jones, William W., fl. 1862-1863
[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...
GLC01445.02
29 December 1862
[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
31 December 1862
Nolting, A.W., fl. 1862
[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
12 May 1895
to Alexander M. Ross
Has heard that her brother, John Brown Jr., is dead, but is not sure if this is true. Worries the sad news might be bad for her sister Ruth's health. Tried to write an article for Cosmopolitan Magazine, but poor health prevented her. John Brown Jr...
GLC03007.41
2 December 1896
Writes to say she hopes his health is improving.
GLC03007.42
16 January 1897
Encloses a letter from Franklin Sanborn, to see if he knows anything about "the Dr. McLain mentioned therein."
GLC03007.43
28 April 1897
Discusses her family's well being, and wonders about their place in God's larger plan.
GLC03007.44
3 November 1896
Thompson, Ruth Brown, 1829-1904
Discusses declining health of herself and Ross. Wonders if they will meet in the next life, and if they will recognize each other. Tells him to ignore those who slander him, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and say all manner of evil...
GLC03007.45
31 January 1897
Praises Ross, thanks him for his friendship, and wishes they could see each other. Talks of beautiful California weather and geography. Worries that her husband, Henry Thompson, may not have long to live.
GLC03007.46
6 April 1897
Wishes to know the cause of his grief, which he mentioned in a previous letter. Hopes he will visit California, and that they can finally meet. Wishes to introduce him to her grandson, who also has a strong love of nature. Discusses other family...
GLC03007.47
12 May 1899
She and all of her family hope that Ross will come to visit them. Praises him for his tireless work for others. Says she never met Lucretia Mott, nor Harriet Tubman, but admires them both and says of Tubman "what an old soldier she has been....
GLC03007.48
1877-1900
Discusses events at Kennedy Farm while preparing to raid Harpers Ferry. Anne Brown was there to help cook and clean. Author and recipient inferred from content. Only the last four pages remain.
GLC03007.49
1894 circa
to Alexander M. Ross [Incomplete]
Defending her father, John Brown, against what appear to be statements that he took money and used it for personal needs. Concludes that Mary Stearns' "mind must be disordered" with age due to statements that she made. The statements seem to imply...
GLC03007.50
Wonders why so much evil exists in the world and about the nature of good and bad and the inequality of rich and poor. Recipient inferred from content. Only the last two pages remain.
GLC03007.51
"The struggle for a married woman's rights will be a longer and a harder fought battle than any other that the world has ever known." Preaches rights for married women, and catalogs the abuses of husbands. Also supports temperance. Wonders why God...
GLC03007.53
1950-1970
[Names and addresses of John Brown collector and two others]
Lists the names and addresses of Dr. C. W. Olsen, Boyd Stutler, and Mrs. M. Winchester. Boyd Stutler, 1889-1970, was a famous collector of John Brown documents, the other two are unknown.
GLC03007.54
8 June 1862
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
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
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
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...
GLC03523.15.04
14 February 1864
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
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
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...
GLC03523.15.07
5 June 1864
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....
GLC03523.15.08
24 June 1864
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
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
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...
GLC03523.15.12
23 August 1864
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
31 August 1864
Apologizes for his parents not having received his recent letters, but again requests $50, preferably not in state money because it is not good there. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.
GLC03523.15.15
13 September 1864
Has received the money. Although $20 was in state money and is not worth anything there, it worked out because he owed a friend $20 who sent it home to Rhode Island, where it had full value. Is anxious to start a tug boat business after the war....
GLC03523.15.16
17 September 1864
Thanks them for the final $10 they sent. Though it was state money, he manages to use it by trading it to another soldier who sent it home. Written from the 5th Maine Battery.
GLC03523.15.17
27 September 1864
Received a slight wound in his side and is now in the hospital. His leg wound is recovering well, and he hopes to be in good shape when he is discharged. He suffered considerably in transport to the hospital, riding 32 miles in a six-mule wagon.
GLC03523.15.18
23 October 1864
to Maria Brown
Finds no excitement in the upcoming election, though they may send soldiers home to vote. Hopes to see her before long.
GLC03523.15.19
2 April 1861
Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865
to mon ami
Comments on a recently received photograph and his friend's new maturity from a schoolboy to a businessman, with philosophical underpinnings. Reports their company drilling schedule, with particular attention to the word "skirmish" and its...
GLC03523.23.01
28 April 1862
to Stockton Bates
He writes while squatting on the ground with his portfolio on his knees. Describes the soldier's life with the bulk of time spent in marching: "marching is what breaks the men down so much; they hate it worse than they do fighting." He prefers...
GLC03523.23.02
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