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1 to 17 of 17 Objects
From George H. Hall to Dear Lydia
Title
From George H. Hall to Dear Lydia
Description
This letter is from George H. Hall to his sister Lydia. Hall writes from St. Joseph, Missouri on November 17, 1859, and refers to John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. He calls Brown a coward, and argues that "his only acts in Kansas Territory . . . were the assassination of unarmed families and his great skill in running off negroes."
Object Type
Letter
Date
November 17, 1859
From George Collamore to G.L. Stearns
Title
From George Collamore to G.L. Stearns
Description
This letter was written on October 23, 1861 by George Collamore in Lawrence, Kansas to G.L. Stearns. Collamore writes that Kansas cannot expect a good harvest next year because so many men have volunteered for the service and left the state. He says that “large numbers of fugitives from Missouri…are daily arriving,” and many of them lack clothing for the winter. Collamore adds that “slavery is fast disappearing in Missouri,” and may be completely abolished within six months.
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 23, 1861
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Title
From Calvin Iserman to Brother William
Description
In this letter of October 3, 1858, Calvin Iserman writes from Independence, Missouri to his brother William. Calvin wants to leave Independence, where non-slaveholders are “counted just nobody at all," and “a poor man, and mechanic is looked upon as no better than a slave.” He declares that “any man East that upholds Slavery…should be made to live in a Slave State all of his life time.” Calvin plans to go to Kansas Territory and “take a look around.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 3, 1858
From J. Locke Hardeman to George R. Smith
Title
From J. Locke Hardeman to George R. Smith
Description
On June 10, 1855, J. Locke Hardeman writes from Saline County, Missouri to George R. Smith in Georgetown, Missouri. Hardeman asserts that he differs "very widely" from Smith in his opinion on the Kansas question. "If Kansas be settled by Abolitionists," Hardeman asks, "can Missouri remain a slave state? If Missouri goes by the board what will become of Kentucky[,] Maryland, Virginia?...I know that Abolition & Union can not stand together."
Object Type
Letter
Date
June 10, 1855
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
On February 11, 1864 John A. Bushnell writes from Calhoun, Missouri to Eugenia Bronaugh in Hickory Grove, Missouri. John writes that he has been suffering from a cold he caught on a recent trip to Sedalia, Missouri. He plans to visit Eugenia during the upcoming weekend. John states, "I have not succeeded yet in getting a house for my contrabands,” presumably referring to recently freed slaves.
Object Type
Letter
Date
February 11, 1864
From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
Title
From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
Description
This letter from Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon is dated January 1, 1863, the day that President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In his letter, Ayres expresses support for the proclamation, but mentions the possibility of it being revoked and questions whether or not slaves will indeed be set free. Ayres also reports that his two sons are in Gen. Grant’s division of the 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment and have had to fight nearly every day.
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 1, 1863
From Daniel Woodson to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore
Title
From Daniel Woodson to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore
Description
This letter, dated September 3, 1856, was written by Acting Kansas Gov. Daniel Woodson at Lecompton, Kansas to William Hutchinson and H. Miles Moore on behalf of the Kansas State Central Committee. Woodson refers to Gen. James Lane’s recent raid on Franklin, Kansas and several other areas of the Territory. He reminds Hutchinson and Moore about the proclamation issued August 25, 1856, declaring Kansas to be in a state of insurrection, and also cites the recent general order issued to Gen. Richardson and Gen. Coffey forbidding the burning of houses under any circumstances.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 3, 1856
From George Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Title
From George Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Description
This letter, dated January 14, 1861, is from George Miller in Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, to his parents. Miller writes that Lt. Col. Daniel R. Anthony and his Kansas troops invaded Pleasant Hill, stealing 55 slaves and $10,000 worth of property. He complains that the Missouri Secessionists are "fast beginning to give up the contest" and laments that "the country is being ruined."
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 14, 1861
From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
Title
From D.R. Anthony to Dear Father
Description
On December 22, 1861, D.R. Anthony writes a letter to his father, describing recent “skirmishes” with rebels. He says that he and his comrades killed Hurst, a Missouri Confederate colonel, and several of his soldiers. They also gave horses, mules, oxen, wagons, and carriages to 129 slaves and helped them escape to Kansas. Anthony informs his father that he took possession of a Secessionist flag in Harrisonville, Missouri, and adds that he hopes to take Col. Jennison’s position if Jennison is promoted to General.
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 22, 1861
From John Stillman Brown to John L. Rupur
Title
From John Stillman Brown to John L. Rupur
Description
On September 1, 1863, John Stillman Brown writes a letter to John L. Rupur about Quantrill's August 21 Raid on Lawrence. He lists the names of friends who were killed in the raid, and describes watching the bushwhackers from a hill west of Lawrence "as they went to their work of death, burning and plunder." He also mentions seeing "the brave" Gen. James Henry Lane.
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 1, 1863
From Josiah Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Title
From Josiah Miller to Dear Father and Mother
Description
This letter, dated January 25, 1856, is from Josiah Miller in Lawrence, Kansas to his parents living in a Southern state. Miller tells his parents about a recent election for Kansas state officers that ended in a skirmish between Free State men and proslavery men, including some from Missouri. He predicts that "this slavery question" will result in civil war, and urges his parents to move to a free state.
Object Type
Letter
Date
January 25, 1856
From Unknown to John Ament
Title
From Unknown to John Ament
Description
This letter, dated September 29, 1855, was sent by an unknown writer to John Ament. The writer proposes to buy John’s interest in the land and slaves on his father’s estate for $500 or 550 acres of land warrants. To defend his offer, he describes the estate land as “poor…and worn out,” and worth no more than $500. He adds that several of the estate’s slaves are too old or sick to be “worth much.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
September 29, 1855
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Title
From John A. Bushnell to Eugenia Bronaugh
Description
John A. Bushnell writes a letter from St. Louis to Eugenia Bronaugh of Hickory Grove, Missouri. In the letter, dated December 14, 1863, Bushnell says that he would like to return to Henry County, but is concerned about his safety. He also tells her that he feels it is his duty to take care of his recently freed slaves, and says that he wants to rent a house for them and help them to “see what freedom is.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 14, 1863
From Frederick Starr to Dear Father, Mother, and Boys Great and Small
Title
From Frederick Starr to Dear Father, Mother, and Boys Great and Small
Description
On October 18, 1854, Frederick Starr writes from Weston, Missouri to “Father, Mother, and boys great and small.” Starr reports that the newly-formed Self Defensive Association of Platte County, Missouri has begun to "rid the country of all pests,” including “Emigrant Aid Societies, Abolitionists and free soilers.” Starr calls the Association a “mob society,” and says they have already arrested two men, ordered all free blacks to leave the area, and established a night patrol to secure slaves and “catch the Abolitionists.” Starr adds that he refused to sign the Association’s resolutions when invited to do so.
Object Type
Letter
Date
October 18, 1854
From Daniel R. Anthony to Dear Sister
Title
From Daniel R. Anthony to Dear Sister
Description
Daniel R. Anthony writes a letter from Camp “Johnson” in Morristown, Missouri to his sister on December 26, 1861. He tells her that he is in command of the camp and 1500 troops while Col. Jennison is away in Mound City, Missouri. Anthony says that he and three other commanders have occupied a Secessionist soldier’s house and established it as their headquarters. He reports that he expects to stay there for about two months, and then move south.
Object Type
Letter
Date
December 26, 1861
From John S. Jones to George R. Smith
Title
From John S. Jones to George R. Smith
Description
On June 30, 1854, John S. Jones writes from the National Hotel in Washington, DC to Gen. George R. Smith. Jones wishes Smith well in the legislative elections, but admits that he hopes "a good Democrat will beat you by a small majority." He declares that Old Bullion "has thrown him self in the arms of Free Soilers and Abolitionists," and adds that he hopes Price is not elected.
Object Type
Letter
Date
June 30, 1854
From William N. Taylor to Sir
Title
From William N. Taylor to Sir
Description
This letter of July 3, 1860 is from William N. Taylor, sheriff of Raymond Hinds County, Mississippi; the recipient is presumably a slaveowner. In the letter, Sheriff Taylor indicates he is holding a male slave in his jail who “says that he belongs to you and that he Ranaway from you in Missouri.” Taylor writes, “If he be your property you will please…take him away after paying charges, etc.”
Object Type
Letter
Date
July 3, 1860