Brown, John Mason, 1837-1890. John Mason Brown letters to his family, 1861-1862. - View Resource (original) (raw)

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Brown, John Mason, 1837-1890. John Mason Brown letters to his family, 1861-1862.

Title

John Mason Brown letters to his family, 1861-1862.

Abstract

Eleven ALS written by John Mason Brown to his parents, Mason and Judith Bledsoe Brown, and his sister, Margaretta M. Brown, in Frankfort, Kentucky, while travelling from St. Louis, Missouri, to Washington Territory. Nine letters written during May-Aug, 1861, contain detailed description of his experiences in travelling on the Missouri River aboard the steamboats Spread Eagle and Chippeway, the explosion of the Chippeway, and subsequent travel over land. Also present is a letter to Mason Brown, written by H. V. Newcomb, a passenger on the Chippeway, at the request of John Mason Brown, giving his father news of the explosion. These and two letters written during a second trip, dated Jun, 1862, contain detailed description of natural features, impressions of American Indians, and contacts with Jesuit missionaries and Indians regarding mineral deposits in Washington Territory. The letters also briefly discuss news of Brown's brother Benjamin Gratz Brown and events of the Civil War. Nine of the letters are accompanied by envelopes; also present is an envelope addressed to the Reverend J. M. Lancaster, Frankfort, Kentucky, postmarked at Saint Louis, Jul 24, 1861.