This collection consists of correspondence and papers of John Brown, an American abolitionist. The collection contains letters from Brown's fellow abolitionist, Franklin Benjamin Sanborn concerning the Free-Soil contest in Kansas, the National Kansas Committee, and various state committees. The letters concern finances and the amassing of arms for Brown's insurgencies on Kansas soil. Two letters concerning Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, from local resident D. E. Henderson, give a detailed account of the foray. A military order, signed by Robert E. Lee, details a guard to escort Brown and his fellow prisoners to the Charleston jail. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Jul 27, 2022

John Brown Collection

This collection consists of correspondence and papers of John Brown, an American abolitionist. The collection contains letters from Brown's fellow abolitionist, Franklin Benjamin Sanborn concerning the Free-Soil contest in Kansas, the National Kansas Committee, and various state committees. The letters concern finances and the amassing of arms for Brown's insurgencies on Kansas soil. Two letters concerning Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, from local resident D. E. Henderson, give a detailed account of the foray. A military order, signed by Robert E. Lee, details a guard to escort Brown and his fellow prisoners to the Charleston jail.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
102 Objects displayed
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A brief biographical sketch of Richard Parker.
John Brown Collection
Biographical Sketch of Richard Parker, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
A brief biographical sketch of Richard Parker.
Subject
Political science
Collection
John Brown Collection
A check for 100 dollars signed by John Brown.
John Brown Collection
Check Signed by John Brown, February 24, 1852
Date Created
1852-02-24
Description
A check for 100 dollars signed by John Brown.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A contract written by Brown deeding half of the land purchased by Brown to Thompson. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Contract Between John Brown and Seth Thompson, June 23, 1836
Date Created
1836-06-23
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A contract written by Brown deeding half of the land purchased by Brown to Thompson. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Commerce
Collection
John Brown Collection
A copy of a memorandum note appended to the bottom of a declaration boycotting Post Sutler Dewitt. 1 page.
John Brown Collection
Copy of Memorandum Note, circa 1920
Date Created
1915/1925
Description
A copy of a memorandum note appended to the bottom of a declaration boycotting Post Sutler Dewitt. 1 page.
Subject
Political science
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to Seth Thompson from Abiel Brown regarding the death of Thompson's mother. 4 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Abiel Brown to Seth Thompson, September 27, 1814
Date Created
1814-09-27
Author
Brown, Abiel
Description
A letter to Seth Thompson from Abiel Brown regarding the death of Thompson's mother. 4 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to Seth Thompson from Abiel Brown regarding the death of family members. 4 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Abiel Brown to Seth Thompson, September 28, 1816
Date Created
1816-09-28
Author
Brown, Abiel
Description
A letter to Seth Thompson from Abiel Brown regarding the death of family members. 4 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to Seth Thompson from John Brown regarding the sale of land and including a map drawn by Brown. 5 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence and Map, John Brown to Seth Thompson, January 4, 1836
Date Created
1836-01-04
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A letter to Seth Thompson from John Brown regarding the sale of land and including a map drawn by Brown. 5 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Commerce
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to C. W. Tayleure to John Brown, Jr. concerning the death of Brown's brother, Watson. 5 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, C. W. Tayleure to John Brown, Jr., June 18, 1879
Date Created
1879-06-18
Author
Tayleure, C. W.
Description
A letter to C. W. Tayleure to John Brown, Jr. concerning the death of Brown's brother, Watson. 5 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter from D. E. Henderson to Mr. Strother recounting the events of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. 9 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, D. E. Henderson to Mr. Strother, October 19, 1859
Date Created
1859-10-19
Author
Henderson, D. E.
Description
A letter from D. E. Henderson to Mr. Strother recounting the events of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. 9 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter from D. E. Henderson to Mr. Strother recounting the events of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, D. E. Henderson to Mr. Strother, October 22, 1859
Date Created
1859-10-22
Author
Henderson, D. E.
Description
A letter from D. E. Henderson to Mr. Strother recounting the events of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A facsimile of a letter to Reverend Luther Humphrey from John Brown in the Charlestown jail in Virginia talking about his possible punishment and Christian faith. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence [Facsimile], John Brown to Rev. Luther Humphrey, November, 19, 1859
Date Created
1859-11-19
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A facsimile of a letter to Reverend Luther Humphrey from John Brown in the Charlestown jail in Virginia talking about his possible punishment and Christian faith. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Capital punishment
Collection
John Brown Collection
A postcard to C. W. Ernst from Franklin B. Sanborn regarding a reference. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to C. W. Ernst, April 17, 1894
Date Created
1894-04-17
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A postcard to C. W. Ernst from Franklin B. Sanborn regarding a reference. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to C. W. Ernst from Franklin B. Sanborn regarding a letter Sanborn received. 1 page.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to C. W. Ernst, January 18, 1889
Date Created
1889-01-18
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to C. W. Ernst from Franklin B. Sanborn regarding a letter Sanborn received. 1 page.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about Brown averting arrest and travel to Kansas. Sanborn also discusses his admiration and respect for Brown and his activities, mentioning caring and defending his family. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, April 26, 1857
Date Created
1857-04-26
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about Brown averting arrest and travel to Kansas. Sanborn also discusses his admiration and respect for Brown and his activities, mentioning caring and defending his family. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Crime
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about visiting with Brown's family and payment of one thousand dollars to Mr. Smith. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, August 14, 1857
Date Created
1857-08-14
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about visiting with Brown's family and payment of one thousand dollars to Mr. Smith. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding the Lecompton Constitution. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, August 25, 1858
Date Created
1858-08-25
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding the Lecompton Constitution. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Political science
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding fundraising and the state of affairs in Kansas. 4 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, August 28, 1857
Date Created
1857-08-28
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding fundraising and the state of affairs in Kansas. 4 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding the state of affairs in Kansas. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, December 17, 1857
Date Created
1857-12-17
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding the state of affairs in Kansas. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, requesting a visit because of a legislature hearing. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, February 11, 1857
Date Created
1857-02-11
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, requesting a visit because of a legislature hearing. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Political science
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding Hugh Forbes and his anger with Brown, and Sanborn. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, January 12, 1858
Date Created
1858-01-12
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding Hugh Forbes and his anger with Brown, and Sanborn. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection