Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Adams, Anne Brown (1843-1926) to Alexander M. Ross

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03007.41 Author/Creator: Adams, Anne Brown (1843-1926) Place Written: Petrolia, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 May 1895 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 13 cm. Order a Copy

Has heard that her brother, John Brown Jr., is dead, but is not sure if this is true. Worries the sad news might be bad for her sister Ruth's health. Tried to write an article for Cosmopolitan Magazine, but poor health prevented her. John Brown Jr. died ten days before this letter was written.

Anne Brown Adams was the daughter of John Brown.
Alexander M. Ross was a famous Canadian naturalist, also a prominent abolitionist and a strong supporter of John Brown.

[excerpt]
[4] P. S.
I was once threatened, seriously, with a suit for slander by a negro, of white descent, because I objected to some of his lawbreaking and sins, large and small.
Just think of the disgrace of John Brown's daughter, being sued for slander by a "nigger."
That is the only reward I ever received from that race, for my labors in their behalf...

Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926
Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897
Brown, John, 1800-1859
Brown, John Jr., 1821-1895

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