Items for Sale - Miscellaneous - Section Two
17583

Item# 17583

Price: $450

Letter, page 1
Letter, page 2

CSA 13, 20¢ green, tied neat RICHMOND / VA cds on overpaid cover to Edward W. Brown, Powhatan Court House, Virginia, with most interesting 2-page LETTER signed Mary S. Harwood, headed Richmond, August 25, 1864, letter file fold splits neatly repaired with archival tape. Writer requests Brown’s legal advice solicited by her mother regarding the sale of one of her servants (euphemism for slave), Harriett, because of her (bad) conduct. She wants to give the sale proceeds to the writer and her sister and does not want to buy any more servants, given the current political climate. She is wondering about the legalities of such a transaction and if it is necessary to inform the court of the sale or if she can dispose of the money as she wishes, with the securities being exempt. She declares the “servants” (slaves) are such “troublesome creatures.” Also says, “We hear roar of cannon day & night, almost constantly. Last night about 2 O’clock we heard very rapid firing not withstanding it was dark & rainy, down toward Petersburg.” This was during the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, 1988 CSA certificate 01728 opining genuine overpayment of single letter rate, Ex P.W.W. Powell. SCV $1,250 just for a single rate use and no letter, back flap missing and small edge tears at top. $450.

Edward Smith Brown (1818-1908) came from good stock in every sense of the word, for his parents were more than ordinary people. While leading the quiet simple life of the country gentry of those days, they were of a strong mental caliber, educated, refined, and of high character. In early life Edward S. Brown led the life of a Virginia planter's son. aiding in the affairs of a large farm and family, and attending the best available country schools. He completed his education at the Randolph-Macon College, then ranking among the best institutions of the South. He was admitted to the bar in the early forties, and he practiced his profession in Cumberland and other counties in Virginia, continuing until near the close of his life, ranking among the leading members of his profession. Enjoying fine social connections, and being a man of steady and industrious habits, noted for his thoroughness and painstaking diligence in all his work, he acquired an extensive practice and the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. In 1845, he married Jane Margaret Winfree, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and took her to his home, "Sunny Side," an attractive country seat a few miles below Cumberland Court House. Here they resided for some years, he leading the life of a country lawyer in one of the most prosperous and largest slaveholding counties of the state, and in a community of the highest social advantages until after the close of the Civil War. In 1866, they moved to Lynchburg, where they remained the rest of their days.

CSA 13, Misc-2, LL.

To Top