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Abolitionist JOHN BROWN, Autograph Letter Signed

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Abolitionist "John Brown" Autographed Financial Letter

JOHN BROWN, Radical Abolitionist who was Captured following his Attack on the Harper's Ferry Arsenal in an attempt to begin an Armed Slave Revolt, Tried and Hung by the United States.
April 20, 1842, Autograph Letter Signed, "John Brown," in rich deep ink, from John Brown to Thomas Matthews, one page, with attached Integral Address Leaf, postmarked "New Albany" (OH), 8.5" x 7.75", the postal address cover page has some separations and a piece missing, not affecting the cover text or the letter, otherwise the letter itself is boldly written and Extremely Fine. A very interesting glimpse into John Brown's personal life. Written from New Albany (Ohio) to Thomas Matthews in Baltimore, the letter refers to Brown's continuing financial difficulties. In 1836 he moved his family to Franklin Mills, Ohio (now part of Kent), where he borrowed money to invest in land in the area, but lost heavily in the economic panic following the Panic of 1837. He tried a number of ventures to get out of debt, but on September 28, 1842, about five months after he wrote this letter, he was declared bankrupt by a federal court. The letter reads in full (punctuation added, but spelling errors are in the original):

"New Albany April 20, 1842. Esteamed Friend, I received a letter from Buelah stating that she is in want of money to pay her debts and George owes her and she can not get it from him. I wrote to her to let the(e) know the amount and if George wold pay her out of his money I am willing that he shold du it, for I believe he will never save a sufficiency to pay his board as long as he has any thing in our hands. She wants one hundred dollars. I informed her that if George did not owe her that much, I wold give an order on the(e) for the balance. I wrote to the(e) in answer to one that I received from the(e) of this. Times are dul here and people (are) braking daily. Produce low; money scarce and nothing that I can see to make them better. Therefore we must wait the Soul with patience. With respect, John Brown."

The last few lines of the letter refer to business being slow, people going bankrupt, the price paid for crops being low, and money to be loaned being scarce. All of this was an after effect of the Panic of 1837. Letters written and signed by John Brown are rarely offered for sale. On this impressive letter, the signature "John Brown" is quite outstanding in its eye appeal, being some 1.75" long with his wonderful flourish below.



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