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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC06471 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1859 |
| Title | Dauphin Thomas to his brother and sister discussing preparations for the raid on Harpers Ferry |
| Date | 4 September 1859 |
| Author | Thompson, Dauphin A. (1838-1859) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Discusses preparations for the raid on Harper's Ferry. Never mentions a raid, or any specific plans, but states "we have not got ready to begin operations yet." Also does not reveal his location, saying he is writing from "parts unknown." Discusses a religious meeting of the anti-slavery “winebenarians” (Winbrennians). Worries that "we have to be very careful how we act in everything we have one colored man in our company who has been seen by a woman but she thinks he is a fugitive slave and that we are trying to help him onto his freedom," and thinks she will not report them. Also in preparation "I have been over into Virginia several times" and found plantations with many slaves. Of his family and those at North Elba says "I suppose the folks think we are a set of fools but they will find out that we know what we are about." The raid on Harpers Ferry would occur just over a month later. |
| Subjects | John Brown Abolition Slavery African American History Guerrilla Warfare Religion Fugitive Slave Act Runaway Slave Women's History Children and Family |
| People | Thompson, Dauphin Adolphus (1838-1859) Brown, John (1800-1859) |
| Theme | Slavery & Abolition; Children & Family; Women in American History; Religion |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Dauphin Thomson was a member of John Brown's band that raided Harper's Ferry. His brother Henry was Brown's son in law. He was killed during the raid. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |