Written by
Unidentified Woman or Women
Received by
Unidentified
Subject of
President Lincoln, Abraham, American, 1809 - 1865
Date
April 17, 1865
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (unfolded): 8 × 9 3/4 in. (20.3 × 24.8 cm)
Description
A letter written on April 17, 1865, from Washington, D.C., signed by "Sarah" and addressed to "My dear friend." Sarah thanks her friend and the friend's "Society" for sending clothing and asks for future donations of sheeting or cloth to make sheets and pillows. These items are being sold to newly emancipated people in and around the city. Sarah speaks condescendingly of African American people, noting "No race ever came up faster in the march of civilization." She notes that the plain donated clothing is more appreciated than fancy goods, and hopes that new bedding supplies will encourage greater cleanliness. Sarah also speaks about the recent assassination of Abraham Lincoln, her thoughts on how it will impact the post-war politics, and the response of mourning among the African American population. The letter is written in black ink on four (4) pages of a single bi-folded sheet of ruled paper.
Place made
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
letters (correspondence)
Topic
Correspondence
Emancipation
Local and regional
Race relations
Social life and customs
Social reform
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2016.166.40
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cfed0c82-edda-4989-a753-48ca1b08e4b7

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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