Description:

John Brown ALS from Springfield, MA; Time Spent in This Abolitionist Hotbed Radicalized His Beliefs

A 1p autograph letter signed by fiery abolitionist John Brown (1800-1859), as "John Brown" at lower right. Written in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 27, 1846 on a single sheet of lined pale blue paper, the reverse of which is an integral address leaf also engrossed by Brown. Expected wear including transmittal folds, mostly smoothed. Mounted.A small section of paper loss at bottom has been repaired, and affects only a few words. Light toning. Isolated ghosting from philatelic markings, postmark, and red wax seal found verso; one of these just touches the "Joh" of the signature. Minor adhesive mounting traces verso. Else clear and legible. 7.625" x 9.75."

Transcribed in full, with original spelling but punctuation errors or omissions silently corrected:

"Springfield Mass 27th June 1846

Gen Samuel Patterson

Dear Sir

The verry acceptable letter of yourself + brother James of the 20 + 22 is just received. All we seem to have occasion to regret is; that when we might be selling fine wool as well as we sold our own clip last season, we have not a pound in hand. There are now a number of manufacturers anxiously waiting the arival of some of our wool. Coarse wool must I think go a little lower than last season, but I think I can cure Washington Co of any skepticism about the measure of sending here; as soon as I get a little good wool on to sell. There is plenty on the way, + I trust we shall soone have something to opperate with verry soon. Manufacturers generally are delighted with the prospect of a chance to compete in the market fairly for the fine lots of wool. Please let this go the rounds as brisk as may be. You may all depend on the most prompt advice of any thing pertaining to wool matter; + by the way do let us know how all the wind blow[s ar]ound you.

in [loss] aste

Respectfully your friend

John Brown."

Brown relocated with business partner Simon Perkins to Springfield in central Massachusetts in 1846. The pair hoped to represent marginalized sheep farmers who were often elbowed out of the trade by well-established New England monopolies. Brown and Perkins courted sheep farmers in the Midwest; primarily in Ohio, but as this letter also demonstrates, in western Pennsylvania. Brown and partner's wool commission operation folded in late 1849.

Yet Brown's exposure to liberal-minded Springfield proved transformative. During the four years that Brown lived in Springfield, between 1846-1850, the city and its inhabitants deeply shaped his anti-slavery beliefs. Brown was a parishioner at the Sanford Street Free Church, established in 1844 by prominent African-American abolitionists. The Free Church was actively involved in the abolitionist movement, acting as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and hosting anti-slavery lectures by the likes of Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. Douglas met with Brown during his stay in Springfield in 1847. Also while in Springfield, Brown founded a militant abolitionist group called the League of Gileadites. Members thwarted the terms of the newly passed Fugitive Slave Act by protecting fugitive slaves. Less than ten years later, on October 16, 1859, Brown led vigilantes in a raid of the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry...

Brown's correspondent was General Thomas Patterson (1800-1858). He and brother James Patterson (1798-1861) hailed from Cross Creek in Washington County in southwestern Pennsylvania. Their father, Thomas Patterson, had established flour and saw mills on Cross Creek, lending the name "Patterson's Mills" to the area. Samuel Patterson raised sheep for wool sale. His collection of correspondence ranging from the 1830s-1860s can be found in the Samuel Patterson Collection, Manuscripts Division, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan. In addition to corresponding with Brown in Springfield, items in the UMICH collection show that Patterson also communicated with business associates in Lowell and Sheffield, Massachusetts.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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