Tarbell, Jonathan, (fl. 1877-1879) to Blanche Kelso Bruce
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09400.085 Author/Creator: Tarbell, Jonathan, (fl. 1877-1879) Place Written: Washington D.C. Type: Autograph document signed Date: 6 July 1878 Pagination: 2 p. ; 19.8 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
Tarbell is writing Senator Bruce on behalf of a Miss Wright who he has taken an interest in helping. Miss Wright works for Mr Cormick and has been promised an appointment in the treasury department. Cormick however has only put her on the temporary rolls, with a promise to be put on permanent rolls when he is about to resign. She borrowed money to get home since her family could not send her any, and now is penniless and needs help. Tarbell is asking the Senator to please help Miss Wright however possible. This letter is related to: GLC09400.086, GLC09400.087, GLC09400.088, GLC09400.089, GLC09400.090, GLC09400.091.
Blanche Kelso Bruce was born into slavery near Farmville, Prince Edward County, Va. on March 1 1841. He was tutored by his master's son, but left his master at the beginning of the civil war and taught school in Hannibal Mo. After the civil war Bruce became a planter in Mississippi, and a member of the Mississippi Levee Board, and Sheriff and Tax Collector for Bolivar County from 1872-1875. Bruce was then elected as a Republican to the United States Senate, where he served from March 4 1875 - March 3 1881. Bruce was the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate. In 1881 Bruce was appointed by President James Garfield as the Register of the Treasury. Bruce then went on to serve as the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Colombia from 1891-1893, returning to the office of Register of the Treasury from 1897 until his death on March 17, 1898.
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