Browse Items (581 total)

This fragment of a larger sheet, probably the second of a three-page letter, is written by John Wilkes Booth to an unknown person thought by some to be Field, of the Boston Theatre. This portion is the unsigned page plus the P.S. on the reverse side…

President Lincoln signs an authorization to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to a pardon for George Hamilton.

President Abraham Lincoln signs an order granting diplomatic power for Anson Burlingame to "conclude a modification of the 14th article of the treaty" between the U.S. and China.

President Abraham Lincoln requests Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to appoint Robert J. Stevens, a son-in-law of Col. Edward D. Baker, as additional paymaster. Lincoln obliges the friendship of a family member of Baker's. Action on the request is…

Mary Lincoln writes to an unknown correspondent requesting the services of Charles Forbes for the day. Charles Forbes was Lincoln's personal attendant from 1861 until Lincoln's assassination. He was present at Ford's Theatre when the President was…

Mary consoles her friend from Kentucky on her bereavement which reminds her of her own loss (Willie). She writes: "earth can afford no balm for such bereavements My precious Willie, was another of the pure ones, too good for earth " She regrets that…

John Wilkes Booth writes a flirtatious note to a young woman, enclosing his picture and noting that he is leaving for Boston soon.

Abraham Lincoln writes on a small oblong card a note to J.E. Allen: "Shoe Tad's horse for him. A. Lincoln." The note is part of a display enclosed in an elaborate red morocco folding case, with oval photo by A. Berger of Lincoln and Tad with the…

Lincoln's note reads "please put something now in Tad's room." Beneath his request, in a bold hand, Mary Lincoln writes, "Please give Tad a board & some plank, Mrs. Lincoln." On thereverse side are autograph endorsements signed by J.P. Usher…

Mary thanks Fanny Barrow, a successful author of children's fiction, for a book 'Night Caps' sent to "my darling boys" and adds that "since then, sorrow & bereavement have sorely tried us & we, with the whole land, have been called upon to…

John Wilkes Booth sells his 25 shares in the Boston Water Power Company to J.N. Fiske. The Boston Water Power Company stock certificate was granted to Booth on March 6, 1863 and signed by the president of the firm. Booth signs and dates his transfer…

A report of grades from Harvard College for the senior class of 1863-64 inlcudes the grade of Robert Todd Lincoln during his senior year. This particular report belonged to [James] Elliott. Of a senior class of 90 pupils, Robert ranked #32 in his…

In his first letter to Isabel Sumner, John Wilkes Booth writes: "Dear Miss Isabel, How shall I write you; as lover, friend, or brother." He urges her to write him at once and signs it simply "John." Booth writes from 28 E. 19th St., New York City.

John Wilkes Booth gives Isabel Sumner four photographs of himself in a variety of poses. In one photo Booth is seated, holding a cane. On the reverse side of this photo Booth writes: "Yours with affection J. Wilkes Booth." A second offers a left side…

John Wilkes Booth's second letter to Isabel Sumner reads: "Dearest Isabel Have you forgotten me so soon, I hope not. I have been here over a week now, and may be here a week longer I then go to New York again. This is a great country,…

The members of the committee issue an invitation to Harvard College's Class Day to be held in Stoughton Hall immediately following the exercises in the church. Robert Todd Lincoln is listed as a member of the committee for this event.

A ticket to Harvard College's Class Day admits a gentleman and ladies to the dances in the hall. This ticket printed in purple with decorative border and its envlope is addressed to Mr. Elliot. Robert Todd Lincoln is listed with five other men on the…

John Wilkes Booth's third letter to Isabel Sumner reads: "Dearest Friend I have just returned from the mountains of Penna, God bless you, I was sure you had forgotten me. I love you, and I feel that in the fountains of my heart, a seal is set …

John Wilkes Booth's fourth letter Isabel Sumner reads: "My dear Friend, Have I in any way offended you, if so it has been unwittingly I will come at once to Boston . I am your friend Forever John".

In John Wilkes Booth's letter to Isabel Sumner, he writes: "Dearest Isabel I am so sorry I have just recd your note and not two hours ago had a gash cut in my arm about two inches long Bless you John".

On a narrow oblong card, Abraham Lincoln writes: "Hon. Sec. of War, please see Eliot and Mr. Baker. A. Lincoln." Lincoln probably refers to Representative Thomas D. Eliot of Massachusetts who introduced a bill to establish a Bureau of Emancipation.

In his fifth or sixth letter to Isabel Sumner, John Wilkes Booth writes: "Aug 26th Dearest Friend Isabel I recd your sweet flowers yesterday And you know how delighted I must have been the doctor came at last; but did not cut my arm. He has put…

Reverdy Johnson sends his autograph to an admirer.

W.B. Sprague,a Presbyterian minister from Albany, New York, writes to Dr. Phineas D. Gurley, Lincoln's pastor, requesting assistance for a fellow clergyman, Rev. Dyer, who wishes to see President Lincoln regarding a soldier who was connected with…

President Lincoln sends the following note with Mr. Ruby: "Will Mr. Risley please see & hear the bearer, Mr. Ruby." Risley is an agent of the Treasury Department, charged with purchasing goods (cotton) from the Confederate States at Norfolk.