Medium: Text
John Brown to Mary Brown and family
Date: September 4, 1855
In Scott Co., Iowa (“about 4 miles West of the Mississippi”), on his way to Kansas Territory, John Brown wrote the family to say all was well despite some delays…
Medium: Text
Jason L. Brown to John Brown, Mary Brown, and family
Date: June 23, 1855
From Osawatomie, Kansas Territory (or from the Browns’ settlement which was located in southeastern Franklin Co.), son Jason wrote the family regarding there current circumstances. Overall, he was “well pleased…
Medium: Text
Salmon Brown to John Brown
Date: June 22, 1855
From Osawatomie, son Salmon Brown wrote to John Brown who had stopped in Rockford, Illinois, on his journey to Kansas Territory, where he was expected “before fall.” Along with references…
Medium: Text
Ruth Brown Thompson to Mary Brown
Date: November 15, 1854
From the family’s place in North Elba, New York, daughter Ruth wrote to say that “Father arrived here last night and is well with the exception of a cold.” To…
Medium: Text
Oliver Brown to parents
Date: May 16 [1857?]
From Colinsville, Hartford Co., Connecticut (most likely, May 16, 1857), Oliver Brown wrote to his family regarding his current employer, “Mr. [Charles] Blair,” who had agreed to pay Oliver $200,…
Medium: Text
Wendell Phillips to Mary Brown
Date: February 25. Year not identified.
It would appear that abolitionist Wendell Phillips wrote this letter to the widow of John Brown shortly after Brown’s December 1859 execution to convey to her some financial support–specifically, a…
Medium: Text
Leavenworth City Directory, and Business Mirror for 1859-60
Date: 1859
In addition to advertisements, and information about various civic institutions in Leavenworth, this city directory also contained an historical sketch of the city attributed to H. Miles Moore, one of…
Medium: Text
Billings & Bryant to John Brown, bill of sale for horse wagon
Date: Between 1855 and 1859
The state of Iowa frequently served as a relatively safe haven for abolitionist John Brown and his followers during the late 1850s, and Iowa City was on the famous Lane…
Medium: Text
Ellen Douglas Denison Goodnow to Isaac Tichenor Goodnow
Date: August 16, 1859
Ellen Goodnow wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to her husband, Isaac, who was traveling on the East coast. Ellen updated him on the progress of Bluemont College’s construction, and suggested…
Medium: Text
William H Goode to Joseph Denison
Date: July 18, 1859
William Goode wrote to Joseph Denison from a camp at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Goode described “forbidding” circumstances at the start of their journey West, having met a…
Medium: Text
C. E. Blood to Isaac Tichenor Goodnow
Date: June 20, 1859
C. E. Blood wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to Isaac Goodnow, imparting that the steamboat Gus Linn had arrived in Manhattan and a Mr. Devivilvi [Devivaldi] brought along his printing…
Medium: Text
George S. Park to Isaac Tichenor Goodnow
Date: June 7, 1859
George Park wrote from Parkville, Missouri, to Isaac Goodnow in New York City. Park confessed to Goodnow that he would not be able to pay into their investments this season,…
Medium: Text
Joseph Denison to Isaac Tichenor Goodnow
Date: June 8, 1859
Joseph Denison wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to Isaac Goodnow, who was traveling in New England. Denison reported recent college construction expenditures to Goodnow, illustrating his attempts to “financier as…
Medium: Text
Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, letter of endorsement
Date: June 15, 1859
N. P. Banks wrote a general letter of endorsement supporting the construction of Bluemont Central College, currently in progress. This recommendation would better Isaac Goodnow’s credibility and reputation as he…
Medium: Text
Isaac Tichenor Goodnow to William Claflin
Date: June 16, 1859
Isaac T. Goodnow, traveling in New England, wrote to William Claflin. Goodnow told Claflin that he and Joseph Denison wished to honor him by naming their first building at Bluemont…
Medium: Text
Historical Sketch, Confession of Faith and Covenant, and Standing Rules
Date: April 1, 1858
This printed pamphlet contained all of the items listed in the title for the First Church of Christ in Wabaunsee, Wabaunsee County, Kansas Territory. The church was also known as…
Medium: Text
Kansas and Nebraska Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Minutes of the Third Session
Date: April 15-19, 1858
The annual conference was held in Topeka, Kansas Territory from April 15 through 19, 1858. The minutes included the names of those attending as well as the business conducted. It…
Medium: Text
Freemasons, By-Laws of Tecumseh Lodge No. 15
Date: 1859
The various types of freemasons groups are part of a secret international society. This lodge was located in Tecumseh, Douglas County, Kansas Territory.
Medium: Text
Independent Order of Good Templars of Kansas, Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules
Date: 1858
This lodge was located in the city of Tecumseh, Douglas County, Kansas Territory. Male and female members were allowed. The primary purpose of the organization was to oppose the manufacture,…
Medium: Text
Isaac Tichenor Goodnow to Joseph Denison
Date: May 16, 1859
Isaac Goodnow wrote from his travels in New England to Joseph Denison. Goodnow was concerned that the finances of the College were being handled carelessly, as he had received word…
Medium: Text
Henry L. Denison to Joseph Denison
Date: May 11, 1859
Henry Denison wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to his uncle, Joseph Denison, who was traveling away from home. Henry reported that the cornerstone of Bluemont College had been laid the…
Medium: Text
John Brown to Mary Brown and children
Date: September 7, 1856
Just over a week after the Battle of Osawatomie, John Brown wrote his family from Lawrence about the death of “our dear Frederick” and the ensuing engagement, in which Brown…
Medium: Text
Isaac Tichenor Goodnow to Joseph Denison
Date: May 7, 1859
Isaac Goodnow wrote en route to New England from Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, to Joseph Denison in Manhattan. Goodnow told Denison to expect a shipment of 36 tons of lumber and…
Medium: Text
Isaac T. Goodnow to Rev. C. E. Blood
Date: May 5, 1859
Isaac Goodnow, writing from Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, on his way to New England, related his experiences with a Mr. Vivaldi, a newspaper editor in Wyandotte, to C. E. Blood in…
Medium: Text
Isaac Tichenor Goodnow and Clark W. Lewis, contract for construction of building at Bluemont Central College
Date: April 27, 1859
This document outlines an agreement between Isaac Goodnow, Agent for Bluemont Central College in Manhattan, Kansas Territory, and Clark Lewis of Pottawattomie County. Lewis was to construct a second College…