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30 results for Kansas Territory:|
Authors: No authors specified.
Date: May 30, 1854
The Kansas territorial seal supposedly was engraved by Robert Lovett of Philadelphia from a design developed by Andrew H. Reeder, the first Territorial Governor of Kansas. Encircling the border of the two-inch brass die is the text, "SEAL OF THE TERRITORY OF KANSAS / ERECTED MAY 30, 1854." The face features a pioneer holding a rifle and hatchet opposite Ceres (the goddess of agriculture) who stands next to a sheaf of grain. At their feet lie a tree and the axe that felled it. Between these two figures is a shield with a plow in the top compartment and a hunter stalking a buffalo below. Above the shield is a banner reading, "POPULI VOCE NATA." This Latin motto has been translated to read "Born by the voice of the people" or "Born of the popular will." The motto speaks directly to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, creating the territory and establishing popular sovereignty whereby voting residents would decide if Kansas became a slave or free state.
Keywords: Agricultural implements; Agriculture; Kansas Nebraska Act; Kansas Territory; Objects; Popular sovereignty; Reeder, Andrew H. (Andrew Horatio), 1807-1864; Territorial government
Letter, Ruth [Brown Thompson] to Dear Mother [Mary Brown]
Authors: Brown Thompson, Ruth
Date: November 15, 1854
From the family's place in North Elba, New York, daughter Ruth wrote to say that "Father arrived here last night and is well with the exception of a cold." To quickly, she "rejoiced to hear that he has given up the idea of going to Kansas," and instead, Ruth now believed, would be moving to North Elba. Ruth wrote of the preparations she and husband Henry Thompson would make for Mary Brown's move and of other members of the family.
Keywords: Brown, John, 1800-1859; Brown, John, Jr.; Brown, Mary Ann Day, 1816-1884; Kansas Territory; North Elba, New York; Thompson, Ruth (Brown)
Report of the Committee of the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company
Authors: Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company
This report, issued by the founders of the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company, devotes itself in part to communicating the objectives and mission of the Company, which primarily was to protect persons emigrating West from scams and other "knavery". The report also includes a few journal-style entries by Charles Robinson regarding his experiences in Nebraska and Kansas in 1849. Following Robinson's accounts are various excerpted newspaper articles and letters endorsing the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company.
Keywords: Bullock, Alexander H.; Business enterprises; Clapp, Otis; Emigration and immigration; Hale, Edward Everett, 1822-1909; Kansas Territory; Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company; Nebraska Territory; Robinson, Charles, 1818-1894; Thayer, Eli, 1819-1899; Wade, Edward
Pamphlet, History and Map of Kansas and Nebraska
Authors: Sloan, Walter B.
The full title of this pamphlet is "History and Map of Kansas & Nebraska: describing Soil, Climate, Rivers, Prairies, Mounds, Forests, Minerals, Roads, Cities, Villages, Inhabitants, and such other subjects as Relates to that Region -- Politics Excepted." Information falling under these categories was compiled by the publisher, Walter B. Sloan. This example of the pamphlet is incomplete, lacking final pages.
Keywords: Agriculture; Cities and towns; Emigration and immigration; Kansas Territory; Landscape; Natural resources; Nebraska Territory; Roads; Settlement; Sloan, Walter B.; Timber; Weather
Narrative," A Twelve Months Practical Life in Kansas Territory, written by an actual settler"
Authors: Tovey, Robert Atkins
Date: ca. 1855
Robert Atkins Tovey wrote these pages so that "those who are going forth with their wives & children, their property, yea their all on earth should have the information covering the country to which they are making a Pilgrimage" from someone who has recently made the same journey. Broken up into chapters by subject, Tovey gave advice about the journey and settlement, provisions, land claims, soil, and weather, in addition to providing commentary about the current political situation and his disgust at the "Mob law" being imposed by the Missourians.
Keywords: African Americans; American Indians (see also Native Americans); Daily life; Election fraud; Free state perspective; Kansas Territory; Landscape; Missourians; Native Americans; Reeder, Andrew H. (Andrew Horatio), 1807-1864; Settlement; Shannon, Wilson, 1802-1877; Slavery; Slaves; Tovey, Robert Atkins; Transportation; Travel; Weather
Pamphlet, History of Kanzas
Authors: Walker, George
The full title of George Walker's pamphlet is "History of Kanzas, also, Information Regarding Routes, Laws, etc, etc". Walker, an Agent and Master of Emigration for the New York Kanzas League, included what he saw as "all the information required by an emigrant to Kanzas; so far, at least, as relates to the situation of the Territory". He also included advice when traveling through slave states, suggesting that "the emigrant should avoid all unnecessary allusion to slavery."
Keywords: Economic development; Free state perspective; Kansas Territory; Landscape; Legal documents; Livestock; Natural resources; Roads; Slavery; Squatter sovereignty; Timber; Transportation; Travel; Travel literature; Walker, George
Town Share Certificate, Highland Town Company
Authors: Highland Town Company
Date: ca. 1856
This blank certificate for one share of stock in the Highland Town Company of Kansas Territory, was signed by John Bayless, President of the Company, and J.P. Johnson, Secretary. Bayless would become the first Superintendent of Schools in Doniphan County.
Keywords: Bayless, John; Highland Town Company; Johnson, John P.; Kansas Territory; Town companies; Town shares
Letter, John Bayless to My Dear Daughter [Mrs. C. J. Minion?]
Authors: Bayless, John
Date: January 14, 1856
John Bayless wrote from Kirkwood, Broome County, New York to his daughter, Mrs. C. J. Minion [?] , in Kansas Territory. Bayless encouraged her, assuring her that she would have no regrets about moving to the Territory, despite hardships she might find there. He affirmed that courage and perseverance would "overcome all obstacles", and hoped that she was being regular in her attendance to religious services at the Mission. Bayless also told her he planned to join her in the Territory the coming Spring.
Keywords: Bayless, John; Daily life; Domestics; Kansas Territory; Postal service; Religion
Certificate, Surveyor General to William H. Bayless
Authors: No authors specified.
Date: March 4, 1856
This certificate documented William Bayless' acquisition of pre-emption rights to land in Kansas Territory, which would then be distributed to incoming settlers.
Keywords: Bayless, William; Calhoun, John; Emigration and immigration; Kansas Territory; Land grants; Settlement; United States. Surveyor General
Letter draft, unsigned [Hiram Hill] to Charles Wright
Authors: Hill, Hiram
Date: June 18, 1856
Hiram Hill wrote from Williamsburg, Massachusetts, to Charles Wright in Kansas Territory. Hill expressed disbelief at the reports of violence and destruction that crossed his ears, but accepted them to be true based on his experiences in Missouri the previous winter. To Hill, it appeared that they would have to "take the field to Regain our Liberties that have been struck down". He also referred to actions of the National Republican Convention in Philadelphia (which named John Fremont as their presidential candidate) and dubbed the nomination "their only hope -- short of a Bloody Revolution".
Keywords: Barber, Thomas W.; Brown, Frederick; Dow, Charles W.; Hill, Hiram; Kansas Territory; Law and Order Party; Skirmishing; Violent deaths; Wright, Charles A.
Letter draft, unsigned [Hiram Hill] to S. N. Simpson
Authors: Hill, Hiram
Date: July 12, 1856
Hiram Hill wrote from Williamsburgh, Massachusetts, to Samuel Simpson in Kansas Territory, suggesting to him at length that he write more slowly and clearly as Hill was having trouble deciphering his news regarding West Lawrence. Hill told Simpson that the people of his area were aroused enough by the continuing accounts of border ruffian violence that they called a meeting and raised $300 for Kansas. He believed that the future of the situation rested with the upcoming presidential election, "free Kansas free speech & free press & Fremont", to keep Congress from passing a "Compromises" bill with slavery.
Keywords: Border ruffians; Free state supporters; Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890; Hill, Hiram; Kansas Territory; National politics; Simpson, Samuel Newell; Skirmishing
Letter draft, unsigned [Hiram Hill] to S. G. How
Authors: Hill, Hiram
Date: July 26, 1856
Hiram Hill wrote from Williamsburgh, Massachusetts, to S. G. How, of the "Kansas Committee for Receiving and Dispersing" funds. Hill inquired how and in what manner any money sent to Kansas would be applied: "I have some money in my hand and we can rais [sic] more if we can have any prospect of its getting to Kansas and doing any good".
Keywords: Free state supporters; Hill, Hiram; Kansas Territory; Money; National politics
Pamphlet, "A Ride Through Kanzas"
Authors: Higginson, Thomas Wentworth
These "letters", function as diary entries and were published collectively under the above title, written by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, an ardent Northern abolitionist and agent for the Massachusetts Kansas Aid Committee. Higginson describes his travels through Kansas in the aftermath of the Battle of Hickory Point and includes accounts of the experience of free state prisoners held in Lecompton, as well as those of various citizens of the territory, free state and proslavery alike. He concludes his entries with an assessment of the future in Kanzas, stating that "the more thorough an Abolitionist any man is, the more correct are his prophecies as to American affairs".
Keywords: American Anti-Slavery Society; Antislavery perspective; Border ruffians; Geary, John White, 1819-1873; Hickory Point, Battle of; Higginson, Thomas Wentworth, 1823-1911; Kansas Territory; Landscape; Law and Order Party; Nebraska City, Nebraska Territory; Prisoners; Travel
Letter, Wm M Davis to Dear Friend [Cyrus K. Holliday]
Authors: Davis, William Morris
Date: September 13, 1856
William Morris Davis, a Quaker and abolitionist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, wrote to Cyrus K. Holliday, who was speaking in PA. In response to a report Holliday sent of their work on behalf of Republican presidential candidate John C. Fremont, Davis sent $500.00 reimbursement to Holliday and William Y. Roberts, also of Topeka, Kansas Territory. Davis mentioned Jefferson Davis, secretary of war in President Franklin Pierce's administration and a Missouri slave owner. (March 4th, 1857 was the day James Buchanan took presidential office.)
Keywords: Davis, William Morris; Elections; Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900; Kansas Territory; Philadelpia, Pennsylvania; Pierce administration
Letter, Mary Holliday to My Dear Husband [Cyrus K. Holliday]
Authors: Holliday, Mary
Date: October 23, 1856
Mary Holliday of Meadville, Pennsylvania, wrote to her husband, Cyrus K. Holliday, likely at Philadelphia. She had returned from a trip to Wooster, Ohio. She reported improved Kansas Territory conditions from one of William D. Paul's letters. Mary was eager to leave for K. T., especially since many Meadville children, including Lillie, were ill, and requested that Cyrus buy household articles. Mary reported that McFarland of Democrat James Buchanan's campaign had bribed voters. Could women vote, John C. Fremont would be elected, she declared. She enclosed a letter to free state governor William Y. Roberts and instructed him to visit Charley Ottinger.
Keywords: Buchanan, James, 1791-1868; Diseases; Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890; Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900; Holliday, Mary; Household equipment; Kansas Territory; Meadville, Pennsylvania; Paul, William D.; Roberts, William Young; Weather; Women Suffrage
Map, Kansas and Nebraska
Authors: No authors specified.
This 1856 map included not only Kansas, Nebraska, and Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma), but also Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Illinois, and marked the counties in those states and territories as they existed at that time.
Keywords: Arkansas; Illinois; Indian lands; Iowa; Kansas Territory; Maps; Minnesota; Missouri; Nebraska Territory; Wisconsin
Contract, Charles Blair and John Brown for fabrication of spears
Authors: Blair, Charles ; Brown, John , 1800-1859
Date: March 30, 1857
Executed on March 30, 1857, with this agreement Blair promised to produce and deliver "One Thousand Spears; with handles fitted of equal quality to one doz already made and sent to Springfield, Mass." Specifications are briefly described, and then the contract reads: "In consideration whereof, John Brown late of Kansas" agreed to make a partial payment of $500 within ten days and another $450 as a final payment thirty days later.
Keywords: Blair, Charles; Brown, John, 1800-1859; Collinsville, Connecticut; Free state cause; Jayhawkers; Kansas Territory; Weapons (see also Guns)
Letter, John Brown to Dear Wife [Mary Brown] & Children every one
Authors: Brown, John , 1800-1859
Date: July 17, 1857
In a very brief letter to his "wife & children," John Brown wrote from Iowa, en route to Kansas, that travel was slow because of the freight they were hauling and that little news of interest was coming from Kansas." He closed: "I would give anything to know that I should be permitted to see you all again in this life. But Gods will be done. To his infinite grace I commend you all."
Keywords: Brown, John, 1800-1859; Brown, Mary Ann Day, 1816-1884; Iowa; Kansas Territory; Religion; Transportation; Travel
Letter, A. A. Lawrence to My Dear Sir [Gov. Charles Robinson]
Authors: Lawrence, Amos Adams
Date: August 14, 1857
A. A. Lawrence, from Boston, wrote to Charles Robinson, giving his impressions of recent political and business events. Lawrence gave his support for the upcoming Missouri election, which he believed would break up the pro-slavery party. He praised Robinson's handling of Lawrence's trust funds and properties, stating "Old Brown ought to report to you. It is bad policy to have a ranger like him with money and arms at his disposal, and only accountable to people here."
Keywords: Brown, John, 1800-1859; Finance; Kansas Territory; Land acquisition; Lawrence, Amos Adams, 1814-1886; Parrott, Marcus J., 1828-1879; Robinson, Charles, 1818-1894; Walker, Robert J. (Robert John), 1801-1869
Letter, Chas. Blair to Capt.[?] [John] Brown
Authors: Blair, Charles
Date: August 27, 1857
Charles Blair once again wrote to John Brown regarding the spears, the production of which was on hold. Blair couldn't afford to proceed on his own account (even though he didn't expect much of a profit) and thought the situation in Kansas might have taken "such a turn" that the weapons might no longer be needed there.
Keywords: Blair, Charles; Brown, John, 1800-1859; Brown, Oliver; Collinsville, Connecticut; Free state cause; Kansas Territory; Weapons (see also Guns)
Letter, S.T. Learnard to Dear Son [Oscar E. Learnard]
Authors: Learnard, S. T.
Date: September 22, 1857
S.T. Learnard wrote from Bakersfield, Vermont, to his son, Oscar Learnard of Kansas Territory, in this transcribed version of his letter. Learnard told Oscar of his desire to move the rest of the family to Kansas Territory, if only at least to see his "much praised and extolled land." He also commented on the recent slowing of the economy, and gave Oscar business advice. Throughout S.T. Learnard's letter, his strong opposition to slavery in Kansas is made clear.
Keywords: Antislavery perspective; Brown, George W. (George Washington), 1820-1915; Crops; Economic conditions; Herald of Freedom; Kansas Territory; Learnard, Oscar E., 1832-1911; Learnard, S. T.; National politics; Vermont
Resolution, Democratic Party
Authors: No authors specified.
This resolution seems to be responding to the history of accusations of election fraud on the part of the proslavery voters, claiming that the recent Democratic election loss was due to the "importation of Abolitionists, many of who perjured themselves by falsely swearing that they were legal voters". Also resolved was that Governor Walker's collaboration with the Abolitionists and free soilers be rebuked, and that men from the Southern states have equal property rights with those of the North. The Democrats also documented their support for the Lecompton Constitution.
Keywords: Abolitionists; Democratic Party (U.S.); Free soil; Kansas Territory; Proslavery activities; Proslavery support; Walker, Robert J. (Robert John), 1801-1869
Map, Territory of Kanzas and Indian Territory
Authors: Rogers, H.D.
Map shows Kansas and Nebraska Territories, and Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). Proposed Pacific Railroad routes are marked in purple. Existing counties are indicated.
Keywords: Indian lands; Johnston, A. Keith; Kansas Territory; Maps; Pacific railroads; Rogers, H.D.
Map, "Guide to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, & Kansas
Authors: Smith, John Calvin
This 1857 "Guide" maps the township lines of the United States surveys, as well as the location of cities, towns, villages, post hamlets, canals, rail and stage roads of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas. The map also includes a list of 1850 census statistics.
Keywords: Census; Cities and towns; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas Territory; Maps; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Nebraska Territory; Ohio; Postal service; Railroads; Smith, John Calvin; Stagecoaches; Wisconsin
Letter, Richard Realf to Dear Uncle [John Brown?]
Authors: Realf, Richard , 1834-1878
Date: May 31, 1858
The Englishman, Richard Realf, another of Brown's trusted followers, wrote to his "uncle" (John Brown?) from Cleveland, Ohio, regarding the threat of arrest that faced him and some of his associates (George Gill, John Kagi, et al), as well as the expenses they were incuring. He also was troubled by the news that certain people knew of certain of their activities, including "a certain Mr. Reynolds (colored) who attended our convention" and "has disclosed its objects to the members of a secret society (colored) called "The American Mysteries" or some other confounded humbug."
Keywords: Bleeding Kansas; Border disputes and warfare - Free state perspective; Brown, John, 1800-1859; Cleveland, Ohio; Cook, John E.; Free state cause; Kagi, John Henry; Kansas Territory; Realf, Richard , 1834-1878; Shakers
Book, Gunn's Map and Handbook of Kansas and the Gold Mines
Authors: Gunn, O.B. (Otis Berthoude, 1828-1901)
This book by O.B. Gunn, a civil engineer in Wyandotte, provides basic information about Kansas Territory and the living conditions there. The first half outlines statistics about the population, climate, crops, telegraph access, etc. for the use of potential settlers. The second half describes routes to gold mines in Western Kansas Territory and advises the best travel seasons and provisions necessary to make the journey. Includes more than 20 pages of business and trade advertisements, including Gunn's own advertisement on p. 57.
Keywords: Crops; Daily life; Gold mines and mining; Gunn, O.B. (Otis Berthoude, 1828-1901); Kansas Territory; Kansas Territory. Legislature; Land claims; Mining; Native Americans; Pikes Peak gold rush; Railroads; Settlement; Telegraph; Weather; Wyandotte County, Kansas Territory; Wyandotte, Kansas Territory
Report of the Territorial Superintendent of Common Schools, Kansas, 1859
Authors: Greer, Samuel W
This report, compared with that from the preceding year, demonstrates the rapid evolution of the public school system in Kansas Territory. Samuel Greer, Territorial Superintendent, included information regarding his own efforts, teacher's institutions and qualifications, private and Indian schools, female seminaries, colleges and universities, school libraries, and recommended curricula and textbooks, among other topics. Greer's report also published the individual reports from each County Superintendent.
Keywords: American Indians (see also Native Americans); Books; Education; Greer, Samuel Wiley; Kansas Territory; Libraries; Schools; Superintendent of Public Instruction; Teachers; Universities and colleges; Women
Contract, Investment partnership of B.F. Dalton and Edward E. Ropes
Authors: Dalton, Benjamin F. ; Ropes, Edward E.
Date: April 5, 1860
Benjamin F. Dalton and Edward E. Ropes each agreed to divide interest in their assets (land, provisions, and equipment) in half in order to go into the gold mining business in western Nebraska and Kansas Territories. This contract outlines the details of the agreement, which was signed and witnesses by George Collamore and Charles Ingersoll.
Keywords: Business enterprises; Collamore, George W.; Dalton, Benjamin F.; Gold mines and mining; Ingersoll, Charles; Kansas Territory; Land claims; Legal documents; Merchandise; Nebraska Territory; Ropes, Edward E.
Narrative, Autobiography of Robert S. Gilbert
Authors: Gilbert, Robert L.
Robert Gilbert, an Englishman who had immigrated to the United States and settled in Douglas County in 1855, recounted some events of his early life. This autobiography includes notes on his birthplace, education, profession, and journey to America, "the land of the free." After arriving in Douglas County, Gilbert would defend Lawrence with other free state men in the Wakarusa War.
Keywords: Daily life; Douglas County, Kansas Territory; Education; Emigration and immigration; England; Gilbert, Robert L.; Immigrants; Kansas Territory; New York; Transportation; Travel
Map, Gebiet von Kansas ["Territory of Kansas"]
Authors: Meilen, Geogr.
Date: c. 1860s?
Undated map of eastern Kansas and western Missouri. These regions are home to the many battles and skirmishes between free state and proslavery supporters.
Keywords: Kansas Territory; Maps; Settlement; Town sites; Travel