- Created by
- J. Wright Co., American
- Subject of
- Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859
- Meriam, Francis Jackson, American, 1837 - 1865
- Date
- late 19th century - early 20th century
- Medium
- tin and tin alloy
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (closed): 7/8 × 4 1/2 × 2 3/4 in. (2.2 × 11.5 × 7 cm)
- H x W x D (open): 11/16 × 4 1/2 × 5 5/16 in. (1.7 × 11.5 × 13.5 cm)
- Description
- A tobacco tin for J. Wright Co. "Pride of Virginia"-brand tobacco. This tin has been used to store a .52 Sharp's cartridge planned for use as part of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry (NMAAHC 2023.84.1). The tin is painted in light blue, dark red or brown, and white with branding and a windmill or wagon wheel motif. Top left of the lid reads [J. WRIGHT CO.], top right reads [CONTINENTAL TOB. CO. / SUCCESSOR.], and bottom center reads [CUT PLUG]. A white scroll at center ostensibly reads [PRIDE OF / VIRGINIA] but is partially covered with a sticker, offwhite with red border, with handwritten label [Political].
- The edge of the tin where the lid is attached via hinge to the rest of container has consumer notice that reads [FACTORY No 51, 2ND DISTRICT OF VA / NOTICE - The Manufacturers of this Tobacco / have complied with all the requirements of law. / Every person is cautioned under penalties of / law not to use this package for tobacco again. / PRIDE of / VIRGINIA / CUT PLUG]. There is no writing on the bottom.
- Place depicted
- Virginia, United States, North and Central America
- Washington County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Accessories and Personal Effects
- Type
- tins
- Topic
- American South
- Antislavery
- Resistance
- Slavery
- U.S. History, 1815-1861
- Violence
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2023.84.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




