Autograph Letter Signed ("Perkins & Brown")

Springfield, Massachusetts: 1851.

Price: $8,500.00

Unbound. One page third-person Autograph Letter Signed ("Perkins & Brown") and dated 1 May 1851 from Springfield, Massachusetts to William Beall. Measuring 7½" x 6¾". Letter entirely in the hand of John Brown and Signed with the name of his business "Perkins & Brown." Old folds from mailing, two tiny ink spots and a few spots of foxing, else about fine.

Fifteen years before his ill-fated raid on Harpers Ferry, John Brown operated an Ohio tannery and also dealt in cattle, horses, and sheep. His business travels throughout Ohio put him in contact with fervent abolitionists and increased his desire to spearhead the movement. In 1844 he formed a partnership with Simon Perkins, and two years later they moved the business to Springfield, Massachusetts, a progressive community deeply involved in the abolition and antislavery campaigns. The business failed, leading Brown into his fateful life of abolitionism in Massachusetts, Kansas, and Virginia.

This letter was written just as Perkins & Brown were wrapping up their business:

"In consequence of our discontinuing business here, your letter to us of the 21st March last has been a long time laying unanswered. When our Mr. Brown was in your country he did intend to call on you but forgetting where you was located when he was near you until he passed some miles, he being in a great hurry left your account with James Patterson, Esqr. to present Patterson & Miles for us & to receive a small balance in our favour; as that appeared to be true state of accounts between us. If we understand the matter right, you had over drawn your account (by expecting a better sale than was in our power to make) some Thirty Dollars, & a little over. We did suppose until we got your letter that your account had been handed you, & the balance paid Mr. Patterson. We suppose he must have forgotten it."

Although not of earthshaking content, this letter was written entirely in Brown's hand in the important transitional period when Brown had decided to dedicate himself to the abolition of slavery by any means necessary.


Item #423261

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Item #423261 Autograph Letter Signed ("Perkins & Brown"). John BROWN.