Guide to the Abolitionist Papers (1855-1872) , 1850-1886
(bulk 1861-1873)
Roger Williams University
Roger Williams University Library
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809
Tel: 401-254-3049
Fax: 401-254-0818
email: hbenedict@rwu.edu
Published in 2013
Collection Overview
| Title: | Abolitionist Papers (1855-1872) |
| Date range: | 1850-1886, (bulk 1861-1873) |
| Creator: | |
| Extent: | 18 item(s) |
| Abstract: | The Abolitionist Papers (1855-1872) highlight George T. Downing's political interests, and include letters from William Lloyd Garrison and Ambrose E. Burnside. |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | Roger Williams University |
| Collection number: | UA 2013.01 |
Scope & content
The bulk of the collection relates to George T. Downing’s interest in civil rights. There are several letters to him from prominent New England politicians, as well as letters to others fighting for racial equality. Among them is a letter of support from Ambrose E. Burnside. (While the letter does not identify a specific issue, given its date and creator, one can assume it concerns Downing’s efforts to desegregate schools.) Another letter of note comes from William Lloyd Garrison regarding the Haitian emigration scheme.Access Points
Subject Topics Subject TopicsArrangement
Biographical note
George T. Downing (1819-1903), son of restaurateur and abolitionist Thomas Downing. He was a civil rights leader and successful businessman himself. He was a member of the 1855 Colored National Convention and in 1857 he began and financed a successful nine-year campaign to integrate public schools in Newport, Providence, and Bristol. During the Civil War, he managed the members’ dining room in the House of Representatives. In 1865, he and others financed the purchase of land for Touro Park in Newport. He continued to fight for civil rights until his death in 1903.Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. |
| Use of the materials: | Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the University Library. Although Roger Williams University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them. |
| Preferred citation: | |
| Contact information: | Roger Williams University Roger Williams University Library One Old Ferry Road Bristol, RI 02809 Tel: 401-254-3049 Fax: 401-254-0818 email: hbenedict@rwu.edu |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | Gift from Daniel Tartaglia |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Benedict, Heidi. |
| Encoding: | Finding aid encoded by Jencks, Molly 2013 March 20 |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
Additional Information
Inventory
| Box 1, Folder 1 | William. H. Seward to Gentlemen
Auburn, N.Y. 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed William. H. Seward Gentlemen |
1850 October 7 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | William. L. Garrison to George T. Downing, John V. de DeGrasse, and Robert Morris
Boston, M.A. 4 pages Genre: autograph letter signed William. L. Garrison George T. Downing, John V. de DeGrasse, and Robert Morris |
1861 May 13 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | John A. Andrew to George T. Downing
Boston, M.A. 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed John A. Andrew George T. Downing |
1863 March 19 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Thurlow Weed to Edwin McMasters Stanton
Albany, N.Y. 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed Thurlow Weed Edwin McMasters Stanton |
1863 July 12 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Edwin D. Morgan to Edwin McMasters Stanton
54 56 Exchange Place, New York 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed Edwin D. Morgan Edwin McMasters Stanton |
1863 July 29 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Francis Harrison Pierpont to Edwin McMasters Stanton
Alexandria, V.A. 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed Francis Harrison Pierpont Edwin McMasters Stanton |
1864 March 14 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | [War Department Pass]
Washington, D.C. 1 page Genre: military pass Edward D. Townsend |
1864 March 15 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Thomas Wentworth Higginson to George T. Downing
Newport, R.I. 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Thomas Wentworth Higginson George T. Downing |
1869 May 17 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Edward Atkinson to George T. Downing
Boston, M.A. 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Edward Atkinson George T. Downing |
1870 May 25 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Charles Sumner to George T. Downing
Senate Chamber [Washington, D.C.] 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Charles Sumner George T. Downing |
1872 December 6 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Charles Sumner to George T. Downing
Boston, M.A. 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Charles Sumner George T. Downing |
1855 May 29 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Charles Sumner to George T. Downing
Washington [D.C.] 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Charles Sumner George T. Downing |
1866 December 23 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Charles Sumner to George T. Downing
Washington [D.C.] 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Charles Sumner George T. Downing |
1871 December 28 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Charles Sumner to George T. Downing
Senate Chamber [Washington, D.C.] 2 pages Genre: autograph letter signed Charles Sumner George T. Downing |
1872 April 8 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Daniel S. Lamont to George T. Downing
Executive Mansion, Washington [D.C.] 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed Daniel S. Lamont George T. Downing |
1889 February 22 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | George H. Norman to George S. Boutwell
1 page Genre: autograph letter signed George H. Norman George S. Boutwell |
undated |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Ambrose Everett Burnside to George T. Downing
Senate Chamber, Washington [D.C.] 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed Ambrose Everett Burnside George T. Downing |
[186-?] |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Cassius Marcellus Clay to George T. Downing
Madison County, [K.Y.] 1 page Genre: autograph letter signed Cassius Marcellus Clay George T. Downing |
1886 September 6 |