Brown, John (1800-1859) to Willis A. Hodges
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06615 Author/Creator: Brown, John (1800-1859) Place Written: Springfield, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 January 1849 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 24.6 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses arrangements at North Elba, and upcoming plans for this African American farming settlement. Says money is being raised to help the "infant colony," urges residents not to lay out plots yet, but instead cut wood. Also discusses the conduct of the residents, saying "Do not let any one forget the vast importance of sustaining the very best character for honesty, truth, industry, and faithfulness. I hope every one will be determined to not merely conduct as well as the whites; but to set them an example in all things."
Brown planned on moving up to North Elba in the spring, and helping the black farming community being built there. Gerrit Smith had given away thousands of acres to free Northern blacks who wished to move to the Adirondacks and become independant farmers and land holders. Brown planned on moving into this community, called Timbucktoo, and assisting in its building. Though his family moved to North Elba, Brown's bussiness plans complicated his situation, and he was never able to devote as much time to this project as he had hoped. Letter addressed to Hodges at Merrillville, a town near North Elba. Signed twice by Brown, once with initials.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.