Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) to his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.19 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) Place Written: Olive Branch near Memphis, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 June 1865 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.7 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Date written in pencil at the top of recto as "June 10 1865?" Content of GLC00686.22 and GLC00686.24 suggest this date might be accurate. Signed twice by Frank, once in pen and once in pencil. Written aboard a ship on his way to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to assist his twin brother Gerrit, who was in trouble with the law. Mailed letter from Memphis. Says he has not stopped thinking about her and their son. Says "Our Crew of say 50 men are mostly negroes, and such a crowd you never saw." Mentions that the "Plantation Darkeys" are toting their plunder onboard. Describes ship, passengers, and weather. Mentions that "a great Buck Nigger with a hat 3 feet high" sang a song at the prow of the boat one night. Says he sang with laughable contortions of his face and body. Short note in pencil at end of letter says he made it to Memphis.
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