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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  3. John Brown Collection
A letter to Mary A. Brown from John Brown describing his recent activities in Ohio and New York, including an account of goods purchased, debts paid, and a sale of horses. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, John Brown to Mary A. Brown, July 3, 1850
Date Created
1850-07-03
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A letter to Mary A. Brown from John Brown describing his recent activities in Ohio and New York, including an account of goods purchased, debts paid, and a sale of horses. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Commerce
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to David Hudson from John Brown concerning bulls and other animals available for sale. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, John Brown to David Hudson, May 10, 1831
Date Created
1831-05-10
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A letter to David Hudson from John Brown concerning bulls and other animals available for sale. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Commerce
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 photocopy of a letter to Mrs. George L. Stearns from John Brown while he was in prison in Charlestown, Virginia. 1 page.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence [Photocopy], John Brown to Mrs. George L. Stearns, November 29, 1859
Date Created
1859-11-29
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A photocopy of a letter to Mrs. George L. Stearns from John Brown while he was in prison in Charlestown, Virginia. 1 page.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to Henry Thompson from John Brown concerning the purchase of oats and shingles, and settling various accounts with individuals. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, John Brown to Henry Thompson, May 15, 1851
Date Created
1851-05-15
Author
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Description
A letter to Henry Thompson from John Brown concerning the purchase of oats and shingles, and settling various accounts with individuals. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Commerce
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to Franklin B. Sanborn from Jason Brown, refusing a one hundred dollar check sent to him by William Lloyd Garrison. 1 page.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Jason Brown to Frank B. Sanborn, September 10, 1885
Date Created
1885-09-10
Author
Brown, Jason, 1823-1912
Description
A letter to Franklin B. Sanborn from Jason Brown, refusing a one hundred dollar check sent to him by William Lloyd Garrison. 1 page.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, requesting a visit because of a legislature hearing. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, January 28, 1857
Date Created
1857-01-28
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. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Political science
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, requesting a visit because of a legislature hearing. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, March 1, 1857
Date Created
1857-03-01
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, discussing the letter Brown wrote in a newspaper and the current situation in Kansas. [Possibly referring to "Bleeding Kansas" and Border ruffians sacking Lawrence, Kansas]. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, March 9, 1857
Date Created
1857-03-09
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, discussing the letter Brown wrote in a newspaper and the current situation in Kansas. [Possibly referring to "Bleeding Kansas" and Border ruffians sacking Lawrence, Kansas]. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about travel to Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, March 21, 1857
Date Created
1857-03-21
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about travel to Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Travel
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, talking about Brown speaking in Worcester, Massachusetts, and meeting and travel arrangements between Boston and New York. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, March 25, 1857
Date Created
1857-03-25
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, talking about Brown speaking in Worcester, Massachusetts, and meeting and travel arrangements between Boston and New York. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Travel
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, telling of the return of one thousand dollars and asking about family affairs. He talks about Kansas and it's position on slavery. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, May 20, 1857
Date Created
1857-05-20
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, telling of the return of one thousand dollars and asking about family affairs. He talks about Kansas and it's position on slavery. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Political science
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 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, about travel between Boston, Worcester, and Washington. 2 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, March 25, 1857
Date Created
1857-03-25
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, about travel between Boston, Worcester, and Washington. 2 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists, Travel
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding fundraising. 3 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, September 19, 1857
Date Created
1857-09-19
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding fundraising. 3 pages.
Subject
Abolitionists
Collection
John Brown Collection
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding fundraising. 4 pages.
John Brown Collection
Correspondence, Franklin B. Sanborn to John Brown, September 14, 1857
Date Created
1857-09-14
Author
Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
Description
A letter to John Brown from Franklin B. Sanborn, regarding fundraising. 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