- James Madison letter to John Brown.
Orange, VA - 23 August 1785
I do not smile at the idea of transplanting myself into your wilderness. Such a change of my abode is not, indeed, probable, yet I have no local partialities which can keep me from any place which promises the greatest real advantages.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Hudson, NY - 18 January 1841
Since I parted with you at Hudson some thoughts have passed through my mind which my intense anxiety for your welfare prompts me to communicate by writing.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Richfield, OH - 24 July 1843
I well know how to appreciate the feelings of a young person among strangers, and at a distance from home...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Richfield, OH - 11 January 1844
I have lately entered into a copartnership with Simon Perkins, Jr., of Akron, with a view to carry on the sheep business extensively.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Cleveland, OH - 22 June 1844
Have had a good deal of loss amongst our sheep from grub in the head. Have raised 560 lambs, and have 2,700 pounds of wool...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 23 May 1845
We are all well but little Annie, who is afflicted with a singular eruption of the skin, and is withal quite unwell.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
unknown - 30 May 1845
We are at this time all well, but very busy preparing for shearing.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 27 January 1846
Our sales of sheep (mostly bucks) since August amount to about $640.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Richmond, OH - 24 March 1846
I am out among the wool-growers, with a view to the next summer's operations.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Springfield, MA - 12 March 1847
Have turned about four thousand dollars worth of wool into cash since I returned
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Springfield, MA - 12 April 1847
I enclose ten dollars; and I must say that when you continue to make INDEFINITE applications for money, without giving me the least idea of the amount you need...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 9 July 1847
We mean to have the business done up before we leave, so as to have no breaking up of the family here.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
London, ENG - 29 August 1849
Have called on the Messrs. Pickersgill, and find they have neither sold any wool nor offered any.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
London, ENG - 21 September 1849
...a lot of No. 2 wool was sold at the auction sale, at from twenty-six to twenty-nine cents per pound. This is a bad sale, and I have withdrawn all other wools from the market, or public sales.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Westport, NY - 9 November 1849
I reached home last week, and found all well, and the weather fine, which has been the case since you left
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Burgettstown, PA - 12 April 1850
When at New York, on my way here, I called at Messrs. Fowler & Wells's office, but you were absent. Mr. Perkins has made me a visit here...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 25 April 1850
I will just say, in few words, that such is the effect here of the California fever, that a man is becoming more precious than gold...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Whitehall, NY - 4 November 1850
...these different claims amount to some forty thousand dollars, and if lost will leave me nice and flat.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Springfield, MA - 4 December 1850
What burdens me most of all is the apprehension that Mr. Perkins expects of me in the way of bringing matters to a close what no living man can possibly bring about in a short time...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Vernon, NY - 24 March 1851
I hope to get through here so as to be on our way again to Ohio before the week closes, but want you and Jason both to hold on and take the best possible care of the flock
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Steubenville, OH - 15 May 1851
We have now no prospect of any trial until fall, except with Henry Warren...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Hudson, OH - 20 May 1851
I learn by brother Jeremiah, who has just returned, that you have engaged yourself to buy wool.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Cleveland, OH - 30 October 1851
...Warren's attorneys feel pretty well cornered up...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 1 December 1851
One serious difficulty has been with Frederick, who has been very wild again.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 20 July 1852
I wrote you a few days before the death of our infant son, saying we expected to lose him ; since then we have some of us been sick constantly.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 6 August 1852
One word in regard to the religious belief of yourself, and the ideas of several of my children. My affections are too deep-rooted to be alienated from them; but...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 21 September 1852
We drew three second premiums at the fair, but no first premium. Our bull by far the most extraordinary animal we have got no premium at all.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Vernon, NY - 8 December 1852
I have this moment got a line from Mr. Ely, saying our trial at Boston will not come on until the first week in January next.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 9 December 1852
Had I expected so hard and so expensive a trip, I should not have returned.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
North Elba, NY - 15 December 1852
Our trial at Boston is to come on by agreement on the 6th January. I shall write Mr. Perkins to send you money for expenses...
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Vergennes, VT - 22 December 1852
I have written Mr. Perkins to send you money for expenses, so that you may set out for Boston by the 21st January at furthest.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 26 August 1853
In your letter you appear rather disposed to sermonize ; and how will it operate on you ...if I should pattern after you a little, and also quote some from the Bible?
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 9 February 1854
I write by direction of Mr. Perkins to ask you to come out immediately to assist him, instead of Mr. Newton, in closing up my accounts.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 24 February 1854
I have agreed to go on to the Ward place for one year, as I found I could not dispose of my stuff in time to go to North Elba, without great sacrifice this spring.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Akron, OH - 3 April 1854
I had a most comfortable time settling last year's business, and dividing with Mr. Perkins, and have to say of his dealing with me that he has shown himself to be every inch a gentleman.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
unknown -
I am anxious to draw him out more fully, and would also like to keep him a little encouraged and avoid an open rupture for a few weeks
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Peterboro, NY - 20 February 1858
I am here with our good friends Gerrit Smith and wife, who, I am most happy to tell you, are ready to go in for a share in the whole trade.
- John Brown Sr letter to John Brown.
Chambersburg, PA - 0 August 1859
Dear friend...I forgot to say yesterday that your shipments of freight are received all in apparent safety ; but the bills are very high, and I begin to be apprehensive of getting into a tight spot
