Lot 306
Brown, John (1800-1859) Militant abolitionist who seized the federal complex at Harper's Ferry on October 16, 1859, hoping to instigate a major slave rebellion in the South. Troops under the command of Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee were sent from Washington to arrest Brown. They stormed the engine house, captured him and his small group of men, and turned them over to Virginia authorities to be tried for treason. He was quickly tried and sentenced to hang on December 2.
Autograph letter signed, 1½ pages, 12½ x 8 in., Ohio, Aug 24, 1854. To his children. With integral leaf addressed to Henry Thompson, North Elba, Essex Co, New York, with black Ohio postmark and matching "Paid 3". Extremely long letter during the period Brown and his partner Perkins nearly broke even, despite the mention of severe drought in this letter. He exaggerates his successes: "…We have been much more highly favored than most of our neighbors in that we were enabled to secure a most excellent hay crop whilst many others did not get theirs saved in time, & lost it notwithstanding the dry weather. Our oats are no better than those of our neighbors…We shall probably have some corn while others to a great extent will have none. Of garden vegetables we have more than twenty poor families have in many cases. Of fruit shall have a comfortable supply, if our less favoured neighbors do not take it from us. Our cattle, of which we have 33 head we are enabled to keep in excellent condition on the little feed that grows on the moist grounds, & by feeding the stalks (green) that have failed of corn; & we have of them a good many…" An unusually long letter
Brown is writing to his children who are living on land he purchased in upstate New York. After he was executed for his capture of the armory at Harper's Ferry, his wife took his body there for burial.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
Christie's New York, Oct. 8, 1996, lot 185.
|
| |
| Realized $3,720 |
