George M. Brown Papers, 1829-1880

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Summary

Creator:
Brown, George M., approximately 1809-approximately 1880
Abstract:
Chiefly incoming correspondence to George M. Brown, doctor and farmer in Richmond and Cumberland County, Virginia and for a short time in Ringgold, Georgia. Correspondence spans the period before, during and after the Civil War. The topics discussed include slavery, the price of slaves and other commodities, and John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry. Some correspondence is regarding medical issues including the treatment of tuberculosis. Topics in the post-war correspondence deals with potential properties for purchase in Florida, Texas, and Mexico.
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.11203

Background

Scope and content:

Chiefly incoming correspondence to George M. Brown, doctor and farmer in Cumberland County, Virginia. Correspondence spans the period before, during and after the Civil War. Also includes personal writings of Brown spanning the same time period.

The topics discussed include slavery, the price of slaves, price of commodities, and thoughts on events leading up to the war. Three letters seek his medical opinion regarding slaves that had been sold. One letter, dated June 19, 1858 requests a deposition regarding the health of a slave, Charles, sold by Robert Livingston. Two letters, dated June 29 and July 3, 1860 discuss a slave Eliza, who was sold in January 1859 to a cotton farmer in Mississippi, and her pregnancy, life and health prior to and after this sale. Another letter, from his brother L.C. Brown, dated October 31, 1863, discusses the falling price of slaves following the Emancipation Proclamation.

A series of letters from Joseph F. Lewis, who worked for the Confederate Post Office Department in Richmond, begin in October, 1863. Many letters contain requests for specific food items and other goods to be sent.

Some letters concerning Conway Brown from 1860-1878 contain information on the treatment of tuberculosis.

Some of the post-war letters deal with potential properties for purchase in Florida, Texas, and Mexico.

Many of Brown's own writings are in the form of letters to editors, many addressed to a newspaper, "The Whig." The letters convey a pro-slavery and anti-abolition stance. One letter, addressed to Genl. U.S. Grant and dated July 4, 1869, conveys the opinion "that the negro is constitutionally and innately averse to regular labor."

Biographical / historical:

George M. Brown, born approximately 1809 and died approximately 1880, was a physician and farmer in Cartersville, Cumberland County, Viriginia and previous to 1862 in Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition information:
The George M. Brown Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library in 1941.
Processing information:

Processed by Lauren Reno, May 2016. Accessions described in this collection guide: 1941-0208

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

George M. Brown Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.