Letter from John Brown to Mary E. Stearns, 1859 November 29
- Date:
- 1859
- Exhibit Description:
- Letter written by John Brown in his jail cell a few days before his execution. The original letter was given to Mary Ann Brown at the time of her visit to her husband December 1, 1859. After his execution, Mrs. Brown sent the letter to Mrs. Stearns in a Bible. The letter reads: "Charlestown, Jefferson Co., Va., 29th Nov. 1859. Mrs George L Stearns, Boston, Mass. My Dear friend, No letter I have received since my imprisonment here, has given me more satisfaction, or comfort: than yours of the 8th inst. I am quite cheerful: & was never more happy. Have only time [to] write you a word. May God forever reward you & all yours. My love to All who love their neighbours. I have asked to be spared from having any mock; or hypocritical prayers made over me, when I am publicly murdered: & that my only religious attendants be poor little, dirty, ragged, bare headed & barefooted, Slave Boys; & Girls; Led by some old greyheaded, Slave Mother. Farewell. Farewell. Your Friend, John Brown."
- Source:
- West Virginia State Archives
- Attribution:
- Brown, John
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives, John Brown/Boyd B. Stutler Collection
- Source URL:
- http://www.wvculture.org/HiStory/wvmemory/jbdetail.aspx?Type=Text&Id=104
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownlettersdocumentsMary E. StearnsWest Virginia