Browse Items (581 total)

Mary Lincoln sends an invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Elliot to a gathering on Wednesday evening, February 5, at 9 o'clock. the narrow oblong invitation is mounted on a black card. The occasion is a White House ball, given by the First Lady, for which…

A letter by Mary Devlin Booth to Emma Cushman shares news of Edwin's doings, their residence, her pregnancy, and other family matters.

Edwin Booth writes to James Lorimer Graham regarding his new desirable location in Hyde Park.

A letter by Edwin Booth to James Lorimer Graham speaks of his toothache and announces "I am a father."

Edwin Booth writes a lengthy letter to painter Thomas Hicks on the birth of Edwin's daughter and Hicks's painting of Booth as Iago.

Edwin Booth explains to James Lorimer Graham that his letter is delayed due to his illness and weakened condition due to a swollen jaw and toothache.

The son of Edward D. Baker writes to President Lincoln requesting his transfer from the 4th U.S. Cavalry regiment to a regiment of volunteers being raised in Oregon. On the reverse side of the letter is Lincoln's note dated November 13, 1861,…

Colonel J.B. Turchin seeks the advice of General W.T. Sherman regarding a negro charged with murder who the local citizens of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, wish to remove from jail and, presumably, lynch.

Mary Lincoln invites B.B. French to a Thursday evening dinner at the White House that includes General Anderson, Mr. Holt, C.R. Smith, Henry Clay's son, Gov. Sprague, Mr. Shaw of Kentucky, Mr. Speed of Kentucky, B.B. French, Mary Lincoln, and the…

Abraham Lincoln writes B.B. French regarding Thomas Stackpole & Louis Bargdorf, watchmen at the White House.

Edwin Booth pens a cheerful letter to James Lorimer Graham wishing Mrs. Graham a speedy recovery.

Mary Devlin Booth writes a ten page letter to actress Emma Cushman reporting on Edwin's opening as Shylock; discussing his reviews in great detail; giving her opinion of the English; mentioning the child she is expecting; and sharing news of the…

A report of grades from Harvard College for the academic year 1860-1861 lists the marks for the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes with class rank penned beside each student name. Freshman Robert T. Lincoln is ranked #43 in his class of 56 with…

Hannibal Hamlin informs B.B. French in a private letter that he has received and signed paperwork authorizing the increase of the police force. The letter is marked "Private."

Caleb Smith notifies B.B. French of his appointment by the President as Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds in the City of Washington.

Ninian Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, deed sixty acres in Logan County to Constant R. Oglesby for $600. Elizabeth Edwards is the sister of Mary Lincoln. Sangamon County Clerk Noah W. Matheny witnesses the signatures of Edwards and his wife.

G.T. Wood and James A. Dawson understand that Congress will soon pass the house bill to reorganize the district court of Kentucky. They recommend to President Abraham Lincoln the name of Asher W. Graham of Bowling Green, Kentucky, as judge of the…

Future president Benjamin Harrison of Indianapolis,Indiana,writes to Albert G. Porter requesting a commission for his brother, Carter B. Harrison (later mayor of Chicago). Abraham Lincoln's endorsement of Harrison appears on the reverse side of this…

President Abraham Lincoln requests U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair the nomination of John Armstrong for postmaster at Springfield, Illinois. As an attorney, Lincoln once defended both Armstrong and his son Duff in the 1850's. Armstrong…

Abraham Lincoln writes a note regarding Theodore C. Dorsey's candidacy at West Point. Lincoln refers the request of Isabella Dorsey to appoint her sixteen year old brother as a cadet at West Point "when he shall be old enough."

Aide-de-camp Drake DeKay signs a pass through union lines for B.B. French incorporating an oath to the Union signed by French on the reverse side of the pass.

Joseph Proctor writes to his brother John, about the state of Americans in England on the eve of the Civil War. Proctor is pro-Union. He informs his brother that the English government proposes a "strict new treaty" and will likely find "some…

This hand-written copy of President Lincoln's proclamation ordering the blockade of harbors in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas opened the Civil War. On the reverse side of this manuscript is found the note…

Abraham Lincoln asks Hiram Barney to see him so that he may "...make up the New York card better...." once they talk. Hiram Barney is a prominent New York attorney Lincoln would appoint as collector of the port of New York in April 1861 only to be…

An engraved parchment document signed "Abraham Lincoln," and countersigned by Secretary of War Simon Cameron appoints John J. Sweet to the rank of second lieutenant in the second regiment of cavalry.