Lincolniana Original Manuscript Collection

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Letter, Thornton Briggs to W. S. Eaton, October 9, 1892

Thornton Briggs

This handwritten letter, dated October 9, 1892, is written from Thornton Briggs to W. S. Eaton, in which Briggs accuses Eaton of being a "confirmed liar" or having memory failure. The letter goes on to explain why Briggs feels that way and provides details involving a deceased person, Mattie Clarke Eaton and an agreement involving payment that Mattie and Briggs came to prior to their death. Briggs insists that Eaton was aware of the agreement and names several other people who were aware of the agreement and situation. The letter further expresses some grievances Briggs has with Eaton's handling of Mattie's affairs after their death and other perceived grievances. Letter ends with the warning that "What is got over the Devil's back will go under his Belly" and that "what don't belong to you will be a curse to you!" A hand written note, written in pencil at the top of the first page states "Family feud with Eatons."
Letter, Robert Todd Lincoln to Edward M. Paxson, April 5, 1890

Robert Todd Lincoln

This handwritten letter, dated April 5, 1890, is written from Robert Todd Lincoln to Edward M. Paxson thanking Paxon for the kindness shown to him and his family after the loss of his son.
"An Autograph. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation," Thomas Stephens Collier, ca. 1889

This poem, titled "An Autograph. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation," and written by Thomas Stephens Collier, is handwritten on lined paper and speaks of the accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln.
Letter, James S. Gibbons to F. M. Steele, December 15, 1887

James S. Gibbons

This handwritten letter, dated December 15, 1887, is written from James S. Gibbons to F. M. Steele as an agreement with pleasure to send the copy of "Father Abraham" that Steele requested.
Advertisement, Walt Whitman on Abraham Lincoln, April 14, 1887

This card advertises a lecture on Abraham Lincoln titled "Walt Whitman on Abraham Lincoln," delivered on April 14, 1887. The lecture was to be held at the Madison Square Theatre in New York. The advertisement includes an illustration of Lincoln on the left.
Letter, John G. Nicolay to James P. Foster et al., February 5, 1887

John G. Nicolay

This handwritten letter, dated February 5, 1887, is written from John G. Nicolay to James P. Foster et al. expressing his thanks for the invitation to attend the first annual dinner of the Republican Club of New York City and sends his regrets.
Autographed Essay, Abraham "Jack" Lincoln, Essay on American Historical Literature, January 5, 1887

This handwritten essay titled "Essay on American Historical Literature" was written by President Lincoln's namesake grandson, Abraham "Jack" Lincoln on January 5, 1887. The short essay mentions William H. Prescott, John Lothrop Motley and Francis Parkman's contributions. The essay is foldered in a hard cover with title blocks identifying the essay and it's author.
Excerpt from Lincoln's Cooper Institute Speech, February 27, 1867

Schuyler Colfax

This handwritten note is an excerpt from Lincoln's Cooper Institute Speech given on February 27, 1867. The excerpt was written and signed by Schuyler Colfax on April 1, 1884. Colfax sent the excerpt to Mary C. Dry in San Luis Obispo, California. The yellow envelope is postmarked Jeffersonville, Indiana, April 28.
Letter, Robert Todd Lincoln to Mrs. Laughton, December 16, 1883

Robert Todd Lincoln

This handwritten letter, dated December 16, 1883, is written from Robert Todd Lincoln to Mrs. Laughton in response to Mrs. Laughton's letter. Lincoln informs her that he was unable to take William Barnes's case the previous spring and explains why. The letter is written in War Department letterhead.
Signature, James Speed

This signature of James Speed is clipped from a larger page and dated June 5, 1883. Speed was appointed by Abraham Lincoln to be the United States Attorney General.
Letter, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen to Henry B. Anthony, January 14, 1882

Frederick T. Frelinghuysen

This handwritten letter, dated January 14, 1882, is written from Frederick T. Frelinghuysen at the Department of State to Henry B. Anthony of the United States Senate in response to Anthony's request for a medal to be struck in honor of Abraham Lincoln and includes a description of the proposed medal.
Signature, Carl Schurz

This signature of C. Schurz (Carl) is clipped from a larger page and is dated March 12, 1878.
Letter, Henry Ward Beecher to Mr. Halliday, January 15, 1878

Henry Ward

This handwritten letter, dated January 15, 1878, is written from Henry Ward Beecher to Mr. Halliday in reply to a letter from Halliday wherein Halliday accused Beecher of forgetfulness. In this letter, Beecher defends himself and states that he has forgiven Halliday for the accusation. The letter goes on to speak of someone they had discussed "taking on".
"Abraham Lincoln," Richard H. Stoddard, December 25, 1877

This handwritten poem titled "Abraham Lincoln" was written by Richard H. Stoddard on Christmas 1877. The poem is about Abraham Lincoln and his accomplishments.
Photograph and Lock of Hair, Charles Sumner, August 25, 1876

The photograph of Charles Sumner, the leader of the anti-slavery forces in Massachusetts and a leader of the Radical Republicans in the U.S. Senate during the American Civil War, depicts Sumner in a dark suite and tie with a white shirt. A lock of Sumner's hair is attached to a card date, August 25, 1876, collected by his niece, India Hastings.
Letter, Henry Wilson to Thomas Murphy, August 18, 1876

Henry Wilson

This handwritten letter, dated August 18, 1876, is written from Henry Wilson to Thomas Murphy recommending a Mr. Phillips for employment based on Wilson's personal knowledge of the man.
Document, Joseph Foster to Stuart & Lincoln, December 5, 1837

Joseph Foster

This handwritten document, dated December 5, 1857 and sent by Joseph Foster, informs Stuart and Lincoln, Esq. of a forthcoming deposition of John Calhoun, Seth Cutter and others to be used as evidence in a trial in which Foster is the complainant. Stuart and Lincoln's response, dated December 6, 1857 is at the bottom of the document.
Autograph, Alexander Stephens

This autograph card, dated May 27, 1875, documents Alexander H. Stephens' autograph. Stephens was an American politician who served as the vice president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865, and later as the 50th governor of Georgia from 1882 until his death in 1883.
Letter, Francie W. Arnold to Mary Hewan Schovlcraft[?], June 24, 1874

Francie W. Arnald

This handwritten letter, dated June 24, 1874, is written from Francie W. Arnald to Mary H. Schovlcraft as a response to the letter Schovlcraft had written to Arnald on May 8th. The letter expresses sympathy for the misfortune that Schovlcraft had experienced. The letter goes on to mention an editorial and that she will ask the Tribune of Chicago to unpublish it. The letter concludes by speaking of the year she spent in Europe and sends her regards. An illustration of what appears to be a family crest is at the top center of the first page depicting an eagle above an ornate "A" and "N" .
Letter, Jay Cooke to [Earl Barney?], April 2, 1879

Jay Cooke

This handwritten letter, dated April 2, 1879, is written from Jay Cook, a banker at a government loan agency, to a client. The letter discusses a payment that an unknown client has agreed to. The letter is written on Jay Cooke and Co. Bankers stationary.
Estate Appraisal Agreement for the James L. Lamb Estate, February 3, 1874

This estate appraisal agreement, dated February 3, 1874, states that C. M. Smith, C. C. Brown, and N. W. Mathews are jointly authorized to appraise the goods, chattels and personal estate of James L. Lamb in Sangamon County, Illinois. The men listed have taken an oath to retain, annexed to an appraisement bill of said goods etc. of the personal estate in dollars and cents and provide a columns opposite to each article with the appraisal value. The agreement was witnessed and signed by John J. Hardee, the Sangamon County, Illinois Court clerk in Springfield, Illinois.
A & W Sprague Manufacturing Company Receipt, November 17, 1873

This is a receipt for six hundred and fifty one dollars and 20 cents for the purchase of 176 pounds of number 40 filling yarn at thirty-seven cents purchased at A and W Sprague Manufacturing Company by Zuincbang Company on November 17, 1873.
A & W Sprague Manufacturing Company Receipt, October 29, 1873

This is a receipt for three hundred seventy dollars for the purchase of 1000 pounds of number 40 Cop yarn at thirty-seven cents purchased at A and W Sprague Manufacturing Company by the Zuinebang Company, Danielsonville, Connecticut on October 29, 1873.
Letter, Frederick Stone to Jennie Ferguson, March 14, 1870

Frederick Stone

This handwritten letter, dated March 14, 1870, is written from Frederick Stone to Jennie Ferguson discussing what he has been doing and how he is feeling. He also informs her that they can go look at houses when she comes to visit.
"President Lincoln," Martin F. Tupper, ca. mid-1800s

This handwritten poem titled, "President Lincoln" is written by Martin F. Tupper and extols the virtue of Abraham Lincoln.