Medium: Text
Amos A. Lawrence to James B. Abbott
Date: August 24, 1855
Amos A. Lawrence wrote from Boston to James B. Abbott in Hartford, Connecticut, to confirm his receipt of a shipment of rifles. Lawrence advised Abbott that at least half of…
Medium: Text
Amos A. Lawrence to James B. Abbott
Date: August 20, 1855
Amos A. Lawrence wrote from Boston to James Abbott in Hartford, Connecticut, referring to a recent shipment of carbine rifles he had sent, which was “far from being enough.” Lawrence…
Medium: Text
Muster Roll of the Sewannoe Company
Date: ca. 1855
This “Muster Roll” identified a group of men “mustered into the service” of the protection of the people of Kansas Territory. The roster included the name, age, and height of…
Medium: Text
Amos A. Lawrence to James B. Abbott
Date: August 11, 1855
Amos A. Lawrence wrote from Boston to James Abbott in Hartford, Conneticut, with shipping instructions for the 100 Sharps rifles he would procure. Lawrence requested that they be “packed in…
Medium: Text
L.C.P. Freer to James B. Abbott
Date: August 7, 1855
L.C.P. Freer of Chicago wrote a scathing commentary of the Kansas Territory free state movement and its supporters to James Abbott, who had solicited subscriptions from him to fund the…
Medium: Text
Charles Robinson to Eli Thayer
Date: July 26, 1855
Charles Robinson, free state leader and activist, wrote to introduce James Abbott to Eli Thayer, organizer of the New England Emigrant Aid Company. Robinson described Abbott as trustworthy and “true…
Medium: Text
Henry Saunders, certifying James Abbott as a militia member
Date: July 25, 1855
Henry Saunders, Captain of the Wakarusa Liberty Guards, a free state militia group, wrote this letter certifying James Abbott as 2nd Lieutenant of that unit. Saunders added that Abbott was…
Medium: Text
James Abbott a certified agent of the Kansas Herald of Freedom
Date: July 10, 1855
This certificate granted James Abbott, of Blanton, Kansas Territory, agency to sell subscriptions to the Kansas Herald of Freedom newspaper. The document was signed and sealed by George W. Brown,…
Medium: Text
L. E. Carwell to James Abbott
Date: September 22, 1854
L.E. Carwell wrote from Boston (on behalf of Thomas Webb, Secretary of the New England Emigrant Aid Society) to James Abbott regarding travel arrangements for the Abbott family. Abbott, with…
Medium: Text
1855 rescue of free stater Jacob Branson
Date: Between 1855 and 1860
James Abbott, a free state activist who participated in several Kansas Territory conflicts (including the rescues of John Doy and Jacob Branson), wrote this account of the 1855 rescue of…
Medium: Text
James B. Abbott, account of obtaining Sharp’s rifles for Free State militia
Date: Around 1856
James Abbott recalled his experiences as a free state activist who participated in several Kansas Territory conflicts. In this account, he related a brief history of the Kansas Territory’s political…
Medium: Text
Journey from Massachusetts to Kansas
Date: October 17, 1854 to April 22, 1858
Chestina Bowker Allen traveled to Kansas Territory from Roxbury, Massachusetts, with her husband, Asahel Gilbert Allen, and five children–William, Charles, Henrietta, John, and Abbie. Members of the third company sent…
Medium: Text
Kansas Legislature : An Act to Punish Offences Against Slave Property, 1855
Date: August 14, 1855
The Act to Punish Offences Against Slave Property was passed by the Legislative Assembly of Kansas Territory on August 14, 1855, to take effect on September 15, 1855. The Speaker…
Medium: Text
Franklin Loomis Crane Journal
Date: January 16, 1856 - March 29, 1857
This journal, compiled by Franklin Loomis Crane, chairman and member of the Topeka Association, described the activities of the Topeka Association during 1856 and 1857. Some entries consisted of the…
Medium: Text
Topeka, Kansas Territory, land deeds
Date: July 1, 1856 - May 3, 1860
This document identifies land deeds recorded in Topeka, presumably by Dr. Franklin Crane, a member of the Topeka Association. Each dated entry includes the name of the owner, the section…
Medium: Text
S.G. Jones to Franklin Loomis Crane
Date: December 18, 1858
This letter, written by S. G. Jones of Jones, Kidney, and Co., was addressed to Franklin Crane, a member of the Topeka Association. It is a statement of debt owed…
Medium: Text
Bounty Land Grant for Franklin Loomis Crane
Date: June 1, 1860
A bounty land grant was originally issued to Oliver Brown, a private during the War of 1812. This document declares that the tract of land described has been turned over…
Medium: Text
Jesse H. Crane to Franklin Loomis Crane
Date: July 14, 1856
Jesse H. Crane, writing from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, addressed this letter to his father Franklin Crane, a prominent citizen of Topeka. The letter begins with news about the family, and…
Medium: Text
Theodore Hyatt to William Frederick Milton Arny
Date: October 5, 1860
Theodore Hyatt of New York wrote to W. F. M. Arny concerning railroads and business in Atchison. Apparently, Theodore had been taking part in some speculation and investing and was…
Medium: Text
Isaac Tichenor Goodnow diary
Date: July 1855 - January 1856
Isaac Goodnow, a free state supporter and founder of Bluemont College in Manhattan, Kansas Territory, recorded news of political events and military skirmishes from July, 1855, through January, 1856. Goodnow’s…
Medium: Text
Theodore Hyatt to Thaddeus Hyatt
Date: September 4, 1860
This letter was written by Theodore Hyatt of New York to his brother, Thaddeus Hyatt, president of the National Kansas Committee. Theodore berated his brother for his business dealings in…
Medium: Text
Theodore Hyatt to Lucy Gaylord Pomeroy
Date: April 12, 1860
Theodore Hyatt of New York wrote this letter to Lucy Pomeroy, the wife of S. C. Pomeroy, concerning business affairs and life in Atchison, Kansas Territory. He expressed his hope…
Medium: Text
Theodore Hyatt to Thaddeus Hyatt
Date: March 27, 1860
This letter, written by Theodore Hyatt of New York, was sent to his brother, Thaddeus, president of the National Kansas Committee, to keep Thaddeus informed about business dealings in Atchison,…
Medium: Text
Theodore Hyatt to William Frederick Milton Arny
Date: March 21, 1860
Theodore Hyatt of New York wrote this letter to W. F. M. Arny, an agent of the National Kansas Committee and friend of his brother, Thaddeus Hyatt. The main focus…
Medium: Text
Theodore Hyatt to Samuel Clarke Pomeroy
Date: March 5, 1860
Theodore Hyatt wrote from New York to S. C. Pomeroy regarding land transactions and railroads. Theodore mentioned that his brother, Thaddeus Hyatt, was going to appear in Washington to make…