Lock of John Brown's hair. The tags read "Hair of John Brown of Ossawatomie, given to me by Mrs. Stearns, 1869 -L. Alexander," "John Brown's hair, cut off of his funeral by his daughter, given by her to Mrs. G.L. Stearns, by Mrs. Stearns to me, L.G.A."
Attribution Statement:
Courtesy of the Medford Historical Society & Museum
The hilt of the sword used by Colonel Edward Needles Hallowell of Medford and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The label reads, "This is a German-made infantry officer's sword." On the hilt is the following inscription: "Major E. N. Hallowell 54th. Regiment Mass Infantry."
A crib quilt with a star pattern and antislavery sentiments, used by the Hallowells of West Medford. The label reads,"Child's crib quilt made by ladies sympathetic to the slaves as a means of earning money to further the Cause. This quilt was purchased at a Fair and used on the crib of Charlotte Hallowell." The quilt has a number of antislavery sayings, such as "Plead for the Slave" and a poem: "I would not have a slave to till any ground / To carry me, to fan me while I sleep, / And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth / That sinews bought & sold have ever earn'd. / Oh! let us weep with those who weep, / Beneath oppresion's crushing hand: / And in our thoughts their anguish keep / Who till in tears our guilty land."
Attribution Statement:
Courtesy of the Medford Historical Society & Museum
Pike said to be one of the 954 pikes purchased by John Brown (with funds provided by George L. Stearns) for the attack at Harper's Ferry. The label associated with the object reads "Col. Stearns Estate, John Brown's pike." Whether the pike is truly one of the 954 is unknown; its previous whereabouts were not recorded.
Attribution Statement:
Courtesy of the Medford Historical Society & Museum
Pocketwatch belonging to Lydia Maria Child. The inscription reads, "From a few of the Ladies of Salem and Lynn, Massachusetts, to their friend Mrs. Child the true and noble, the irreproachable who made the first Appeal in behalf of the American Slave. Aug. 8, 1835."
Attribution Statement:
Courtesy of the Medford Historical Society & Museum
Highboy (chest of drawers) acquired by Tufts College from the Stearns Estate around 1919, now (2017) located in the third floor lobby of Ballou Hall. Family tradition maintained that the this piece of furniture was made by Benjamin Frothingham, Jr., of Charlestown. In 1971, this highboy was located in the Wessell Library. In 1950, this highboy was located in the Gott Memorial Room in Eaton Library. This photograph was taken in August 2017.
Grandfather clock belonging to the Stearns Estate. It was bequeathed to Tufts University by Mary E. Stearns and has long been a decorative feature of the President's Office in Ballou Hall. This photograph was taken in August 2017.
Snippet of the executor's inventory (dated July 14, 1913) of the will of Mary E. Stearns, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The typewritten document gives a list of items donated to Tufts College and their assessed value ($100.00).