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Twelve years a slave: narrative of Solomon Northup, a citizen of New York, kidnapped in Washington City in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river, in Louisiana.

Published in Auburn by Derby and Miller; Buffalo, New York by Derby, Orton and Mulligan; and Cincinnati, Ohio by Henry W. Derby. Woodcut illustrations. Northup dedicates the book to Harriet Beecher Stowe.

GLC05840

to Catharine Littlefield Greene and Euphemia Morris Ogden

Two parts. First for Catharine Greene. Apologizes that something may prevent him from seeing her. Hopes she will "accept [his] sincere wishes for your happiness, and the happiness of your dear little family." Tells her that if she ever needs...

GLC02437.10215

to Mary C. Day

A graceful acknowledgement of Day's letter of thanks for receiving "All Quiet on the Potomac." He writes in part: "It is a gratification to an old crippled Reb to receive such as womanly letter as yours." He closes by wishing her a long and...

GLC06640.03

[Petition for the emancipation for Fanny and Patsy Woodson]

Official document reporting that since Cuffy Woodson was emancipated, he purchased his wife Fanny Woodson, "a mulatto woman," and her child Patsy from his former master Micajob Moorman. Cuffy "further represents to your worship that the sd. Fanny &...

GLC06592

Winfield Scott and wife in front of their home in Elizabeth, NJ

Handwritten on verso: "Residence of General Scott. Elizabeth NJ with [illegible]" Beneath Scott's "Winfield Scott Born in Virginia. Presidential nominee & soldiers June 13, 1786- May 29, 1866." At the bottom is handwritten the date "1866,10.20"...

GLC05137.231

to Mrs. C. L. McDaniel

She was glad to learn her article "The Power of Prayer," published in Reader's Digest, inspired McDaniel and the members of her church. The article is a condensation of her book "The Sure Victory." She mentions that Dr. Norman Vincent Peale...

GLC05508.067

to Henry Knox

Colonel Nicola writes from General [Horatio] Gates's Quarters. Recommends Sergeant Coombs, of the Invalid Regiment, for a leave of absence to see his wife in Weatherfield, Connecticut. Sends his respects to Lucy, Henry's wife.

GLC02437.09675

to Brother

She writes to her brother, likely Eben, regarding Thanksgiving. She includes a poem about having a "soldier brother." Possibly written from Marietta, Ohio.

GLC00066.008

[Ulysses S. Grant, Julia and Jesse Grant at City Point, Va.]

Original negative ca. April 1865, discovered in the 1890s by Meserve, 79 Leonard Street, NYC and published. This is a Meserve print. This was likely reprinted in the 1940s. Inscription on verso indicates the photo was taken when Lincoln visited, just...

GLC01260

[Bill of sale to Andrew Johnson for a slave girl named Dolly]

John W. Gragg sells Dolly to Andrew Johnson for $500. Gragg signs with his mark, an "x." Cosigned by William M. Lowry, a witness. Dolly is "aged about nineteen years." Docket was written and signed by Andrew Johnson.

GLC02041

to Isaac R. Douglass

One letter from John A. Washington to Isaac R. Douglass dated July 6, 1844. Pertains to arrangements to enslave a woman named Julia. Notes that William G. Cazenove told him Douglass would either pay $350 cash, or $400 in two installments, for Julia...

GLC00236

[Bill of sale for two enslaved people]

One bill of sale dated March 22, 1810 signed by William Payne and John Moncrieffe. The document details that two enslaved people named, Peggy and Hager were sold for $438.51 to Johnathan Lucas. Moncrieffe, the attorney for George P. Cosseral and his...

GLC00496.226

to Charles Wilkes

Incomplete letter from which author has been inferred (says "Mrs. Wilkes" in the body). Mrs. Wilkes discusses her meetings with President Lincoln, Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles, Secretary of State William Seward, Senator Isaac Arnold, and General...

GLC00496.265

to Mary F. Stoughton

Custer congratulates Stoughton on the appointment of her husband, Edwin W. Stoughton, to U.S. Minister to Russia (served from 1878-1879). She wishes her well on her trip and asks to be remembered to their Russian friends, particularly Admiral Poisson...

GLC00785

to William Wilkins

John Tyler acknowledges the receipt of Pennsylvania Congressman Wilkins' letter and thanks him "for the Kindness furnished Mrs. Tyler to New York." He desires Wilkins quick return to Washington, D.C. so that he can expedite the removal of the...

GLC00655.07

to John MacKay

Written to his friend "Jack," in a lighthearted and comfortable manner. Lee arrived in Fort Monroe as an engineer in 1831 to improve works and build Fort Calhoun. Many of Lee and MacKay's mutual friends were there and Lee updates MacKay on their...

GLC01070

[Legal document transfering land to the colony of Rhode Island]

Co-signed by Coman's wife Sarah. Also witnessed and signed by Philip Peekham and Jacob Goff. Coman sold about one acre of land to the colony of Rhode Island for 50 Spanish milled dollars. The deal was made with John Jenckes and John Waterman as...

GLC01450.410.01

to Benjamin M. Stoddert

Knox has received Stoddert's letter of March 6. Knox has not heard from his son, Henry Jackson, since February 4, but he is sending copies of letters that Knox and his wife have written to Captain Barron to Stoddert.

GLC02437.07382

to William Knox

Directs his brother to pay Captain William Perkins thirty dollars. A note on the same page, signed by Perkins, instructs that the payment be made to Naby Perkins.

GLC02437.00427

to his sister

Hopes his sister and brother are not "old liners," i.e. that they support his anti-slavery efforts in the "Kansas War." Mentions "Miss Brown" (likely a daughter of John Brown) in reference to his wish that more "yankey" girls would come to Kansas so...

GLC07231.05

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe is staying in a hotel because he got an overnight pass into town. He responds to Sylvia's letters and thanks her for the sketch of their living room as it really made him feel like he was home.

GLC09414.0713

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe describes the recent move. He also draws a picture of the pyramid like tents they are sleeping in.

GLC09414.0723

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe is now in Livingston, MT. This card shows a group of Grizzly bears.

GLC09414.0734

to Sylvia Weiner

Sylvia has recently left, and Moe imagines that she is in Montana. While she was there he got into the routine of meeting her for dinner after work. He imagines that he will still be doing that tonight.

GLC09414.0742

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe wistfully refers to Sylvia's recent visit. He tells her he received his T-4 ship today and wished it could have happened while she was in town.

GLC09414.0743

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe got a letter from Morris Brannerman. He feels sorry for Joe Ellis was detailed to clean the mess hall and is glad that as a T-4, he does not get such details anymore.

GLC09414.0760

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe is writing a short letter before anything else happens. Last night he wondered what Sylvia was thinking as the hours wore on, discussed it with friends and decided she was aware of his thoughts. Was written near Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC09414.0791

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe visualizes an autumn evening at home with Sylvia. He says he and Marty watch each other write letters to see who writes more.

GLC09414.0799

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe writes that he cannot seem to complete the day without talking to Sylvia. He mentions that he has been feeling in the "doldrums" lately.

GLC09414.0811

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe writes that he can tell from Sylvia's previous letter that she is very upset. He understands how hard it is because they've had twelve years together and worries about her. He mentions that he received fourteen letters from her.

GLC09414.0814

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe writes a very poetic missive about Sylvia's kiss and smile transporting him to another time and place.

GLC09414.0819

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe remarks on Sylvia listening to a London broadcast and will try to catch the same program. He is glad she hit it off with Annie Leidner. He also corrects her identification of their steamer rugs as Stewarts, they are actually Buchanon.

GLC09414.0821

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe thought Sylvia's description of the storm's aftermath were just terrific. He remarks that getting home from her mother's in the dark must have been scary.

GLC09414.1218

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe indulges in more memories of the trips they've taken together. He also writes that he loves Sylvia more now than when they were first married.

GLC09414.1249

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe writes that he and Bill B. now share quarters. He is now in a very pretty area. He agrees that soldiers look for a breath of home in all things, and reminds Sylvia to write to Benoit.

GLC09414.0829

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe writes they will most likely move again, it seems like they are just getting settled in one place and then they must move again. He knows that this move will delay the receipt of mail.

GLC09414.0870

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe responds to one of Sylvia's letters, saying it must have been lovely on the boardwalk and has received her kisses she wafted across the sea. He lets her know she is never out of his thoughts for more than a few moments.

GLC09414.0886

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe is glad to know Sylvia thinks of him as often as he thinks of her. He doesn't know if he'll be able to run across Esther Ruskin's brother, but he will try.

GLC09414.0890

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe asks for more film and asks Sylvia to be patient if he sends pictures because they must first go to the censor.

GLC09414.0935

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe reports that the company made a little move. There are better accommodations here, better than any they've had so far. He says he has loved Sylvia's recent letters as they really made him feel better.

GLC09414.1471

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe is still waiting to find out if they will move from Camp Boston. He describes a typical day, and says there is not much work lately he is just getting lazy. He apologizes and says that he has nothing to write about because nothing much happens...

GLC09414.1494

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe says he doesn't understand the process of getting men home, and writes the process is not very efficient and consists of a lot of paperwork. They will leave Marseilles on Oct. 20th and then go to the Calas staging area. There they will get on a...

GLC09414.1516

to Sylvia and Moe

Lillian writes that everyone is anxious to know about Moe.

GLC09414.1537

to Moe Weiner

Mad asks Moe to write or wire immediately because she has not heard from Sylvia in a week, and needs to know when her train is coming in.

GLC09414.1556

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe read that the discharge age was dropped to 40. He describes the passage to England. He also writes that Sylvia seems to be doing pretty well for herself despite frequent expenditures.

GLC09414.1414

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe describes the long journey back to France. He writes that many fellows got married during the furlough.

GLC09414.1430

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe continues his story of everything that has happened until he went on furlough. He particularly mentions hearing the steady rumble of artillery while bivouacked.

GLC09414.1433

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe just received word that he will be going to Glasgow, Scotland to take some courses.

GLC09414.1453

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe thanks Sylvia for the picture of Mad and Ben and Daniel. He also reacts to the news of Ben selling his car, and asks Sylvia to have Alvin take some pictures of her to send to him.

GLC09414.1458

to Sylvia Weiner

Moe indulges in memories, and writes that he loves Sylvia and as time goes on he loves her more.

GLC09414.1295