Written by
Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859
Received by
Brown, Mary Ann, American, 1817 - 1884
Date
January 30, 1858
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.1 x 20 cm)
Description
A letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass from Rochester, New York, on January 30, 1858, to Brown's wife and children. The letter is handwritten in black ink on the front and back sides of a single sheet of paper. The letter is first written by Brown, who does not sign his portion beyond "Your Affectionate Husband and Father." Brown writes of missing his wife and children very much, but of not being able to visit them. He also asks his daughter Ruth about her husband, Henry Thompson, becoming involved in Brown's "school," coded language for Brown's militant abolitionist dealings. He further speaks of recruiting his sons for his work and requests that the family write to him under the name "N. Hawkins: Care of Fred'k Douglas [sic] Esq'r Rochester N[.] Y." Douglass writes on the lower half of the verso page with his words oriented three different directions to fit the page. He speaks of his friendship with the Brown family and invites any of them to his home, where John Brown is staying, signing as "Fred. Douglass."
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Documents and Published Materials
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Movement
Abolitionist movement
Type
letters (correspondence)
Topic
Antislavery
Correspondence
Domestic life
Fatherhood
Government
Resistance
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2009.26.3
Restrictions & Rights
Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5330415d8-976e-4b13-b4dc-fd75d12411e3

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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