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Stevens, Aaron D. (1831-1860) to Anne Brown Adams [Fragment]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03007.03 Author/Creator: Stevens, Aaron D. (1831-1860) Place Written: Charlestown, Virginia Type: Letter Date: 17 January 1860 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.5 x 12 cm. Order a Copy

Likely copied in Anne Brown Adams' hand. Written to one of John Brown's sons as well, addressed simply to "My Dear Brother." Portion of the letter written to the son states Stevens is awaiting execution, ready to die, and looking forward to the next life. He writes, "Some of us must suffer that the rest may learn." Says he did not see John Brown write anything before his death, but was not with him at the very end. Part written to Anne has the same content as GLC03007.01, except that the end of the letter has been lost. Written from Charlestown Jail.

Aaron D. Stevens was one of the Harpers Ferry raiders. He was sentenced to hang on the scaffold March 16, 1860.
Anne Brown Adams was John Brown's daughter.

Charlestown Jail Va: Jan: 17th/60

My Dear Brother,
Your kind simpathizing letter of Jan: 8th I received to day.
Although I never saw you, I am well acquainted with you, as I am with all who love the poor and oppressed. It appears that I am to be the last of my companions to meet the mercy of Virginia. thank God for giving me a soul that does not fear death. It is true. I should like to live a few years yet. but if I must go now, all right. I think it will all turn out for the best in the end, some of us must suffer that the rest may learn. [2] I simpathize with you most deeply in your loss of Dear friends, but they are only lost to you in body, and ere many years you will have the pleasure of meeting them in a brighter world than this, and O! what a meeting it will be, to meet with those who have died for the good of all. Do not give up to sorrow in this trying hour, but look on the bright side, and remember that God is just and still reigns. Tell Annie I am very thankfull for those scraps of papers. I cannot get any northern papers here, unless it be the New York Herald. You can say to your Mother that there was nothing written by your Father while I was with him, if there was anything, it [3] must have been written in the last twenty four hours of his life. I think there was nothing kept back. Give my love to all.
Yours for God, and the good
of all, through out all time.
A. D. Stevens

Charlestown Jail Va: Jan: 5th/60.

My Dear Sister Annie,
Your kind letter came to hand to day, and I will try and write a few lines in return. I am glad to see that you are so cheerfull, it is always best not to give up to sorrow and sadness. I am quite cheerful & happy, never felt better in my life. It made me feel rather sad, [4] to part with my companions, but I think they are in a better land, and that is a great comfort to me.
I was in the same room with your Father, he was very cheerful all the way through, & appeared as happy on the morning of his execution as I ever saw him. Watson was shot about a half minute before me, this was Monday about eleven O clock, & he lived untill Wednesday morning. I had a very hard time of l it, for about four or five weeks, but [inserted: I] am as well now as ever, except my face is paralized on one side, which prevents me from laughing on that side, and my jaw bone

Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926
Stevens, Aaron Dwight, 1831-1860
Hazlett, Albert, 1837-1860

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