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Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. (1925 - 2010), Spartanburg native, businessman, and philanthropist, collected the manuscripts shown here. These manuscripts are a portion of Mr. Littlejohn's personal collection, which also includes archival collections, ephemera, textiles, and objects. The collection has been housed in the Wofford College library since 2007, and and in 2011 the library accepted the generous donation of the whole of Mr. Littlejohn's collection.

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Import certificate for one cask of Bordeaux wine received at Marblehead, Mass., signed by Benjamin Lincoln, 1806.

Benjamin Lincoln Jr. and District of Massachusetts, Port of Marblehead

Benjamin Lincoln certifies the importation of one cask of wine at Marblehead, Mass., 1806.
Grant for 1099 acre tract of land known as "Athens" in Pennsylvania, 1806, to Alexander Baring, Henry Baring, Robert Gilmore, Thomas Mayne Willine and Charles Willing Hare for the sum of $22.09. Official state form, parchment, signed by James Trimble and Thomas M. Kean, governnor.

James Trimble and Thomas M. Kean

Document granting 1099 acres of land to the trustees of William Bingham's estate: Alexander Baring, Henry Baring, Robert Gilmore, Thomas Mayne Willing, and Charles Willing Hare. Dimensions of the tract are noted in detail, as are the machinations by which this tract is granted to the grantees. On parchment, 1806. Includes seal under paper accompanied by signature of governor Thomas M. Kean. Dimensions of tract resemble modern day dimensions of Athens Borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
Letter from Pierce Butler to a Mr. Simpson, an employee of the Bank of the United States, regarding financial matters. 1801.

Pierce Butler

Butler asks Simpson if the Bank of United States will take in his "Bills in London at the current price" in the winter and spring of 1802. Item annotated with reply.
Charles W. Goldsborough, acting Secretary of the Navy, orders David Porter, commander of New Orleans station, to convene a court martial for the trial of Robert Fell. 1809.

Charles Washington Goldsborough

A court martial for the trial of Robert Fell is ordered by the Secretary of the Navy, for the charges stated in a letter (not present) by Mr J Herbert in November of 1808.
Letter from James Wilkinson to J(?) Knight

James Wilkinson

Letter by James Wilkinson to James Knight, describing a bill and asking him to call at Headquarters.
James Wilkinson general order

James Wilkinson

General order requesting lists of all enlisted men by James Wilkinson by the following Monday. New Orleans, 01 June 1809.
Letter from William Thornton, superintendent of the US Patent Office, to W. Josiah Bennett regarding patent, November 1, 1809.

William Thornton

William Thornton, superintendent of the United States Patent Office, notifies W. Josiah Bennett that his model and papers have been received. Thornton further explains the process by which Bennett may receive a patent. November 1, 1809.
Ship's certificate issued to the Brig "Mary Torrans" of Philadelphia. Parchment, signed by James Madison and Robert Smith. 1809.

James Madison and Robert Smith

U.S. certificate for the brig "Mary Torrans" noting the ship's weight as 176 tons, that it carries no guns, and has a crew of 10. James Madison signs as President of the U.S. and Smith as Secretary of State of Pennsylvania. 1809.
Commission of Sylvanus Bacheldor to be Ensign for a company in the Fourth Regiment of Infantry in the Second Brigade and Sixth Division of the Militia of Massachusetts, signed by Elbridge Gerry. Boston, 1810.

Elbridge Gerry and Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Elbridge Gerry, as governor and "commander in chief" of Massachusetts, commissions Sylvanus Bacheldor as "ensign of a company" in the fourth regiment of infantry in the second brigade and sixth division of the militia of Massachusetts. Benjamin Homans signs as secretary of the commonwealth.
Elbridge Gerry writes to Mrs. Morton and communicates regrets and that a message has been conveyed. Cambridge, Mass., 1811.

Elbridge Gerry

Gerry signed the Declaration of Independence, was a delegate to the Continental Convention, was governor of Massachusetts, and Vice President of the U.S.
Letter from James Wilkinson to Simeon Knight authorizing payment of volunteers. January 5, 1813, New Orleans.

James Wilkinson

Major General James Wilkinson authorizes Simeon Knight to pay volunteers what they are due. New Orleans, 05 January 1813.
Appointment of Samuel Briscoe to be coroner, signed by Isaac Shelby. Kentucky, 1814.

Isaac Shelby

Isaac Shelby, governor of Kentucky, appoints Samuel Briscoe as coroner of Bullitt County after the resignation of Rodolphus Buky on January 21, 1814. Signed by Martin D. Hardin, secretary, and Isaac Shelby, governor.
Appointment for Jacob Miller as ensign in Virginia's militia. Signed by James Barbour, governor, 1814.

James Barbour and Samuel Jones

Miller is commissioned as "Ensign of Company of Riflemen in the second Battalion of the thirteenth... Regiment seventh Brigade and third... Division of the said Militia" of Virginia. Barbour signs as governor of Virginia.
Aaron Burr Letter to G.W. Lathrop, esq., 1814.

Aaron Burr

Writing from Albany, in this letter Burr summarizes developments in legal cases and notes the "total rejection of my bill in the Senate." 1814.
Major General George Izard in Plattsburg, NY informs Judge Moore that he must apply for a passport with the Dept. of State, June 11, 1814.

George Izard

Major General George Izard in Plattsburg, NY, informs Judge P. Moore that he would authorize his visit to Canada if it were in his power, but the Department of State is responsible for the issuance of passports. June 11, 1814.
Receipt signed by Enoch M. Boone and John Bartlett. Louisville, July 26, 1814.

Enoch Milton Boone and John Bartlett

Receipt for a twenty dollar payment from Thomas Gouge to William Boone. Signed by Enoch M. Boone (signing "Boon") and countersigned by John Bartlett.
Letter from Henry Lee to William Goddard, from Turks and Caicos Island, 1816.

Henry Lee

Lee wrote this letter from the West Indies, where he was seeking to regain his health. In the letter Lee asks Goddard to help with the education of his friend McIntosh's son. Lee also mentions his intent to "return home in a few months."
Caesar Rodney letter to his son John Rodney, dated 1817, Wilmington, Delaware.

Caesar Augustus Rodney

Cesar A. Rodney was a lawyer, politician, and diplomat from Delaware. His uncle, also Cesar Rodney, signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1817 he was sent on a special mission to South America by President Monroe to determine the propriety of recognizing the independence of the Spanish-American republics. This letter to his son (a midshipman on the Sloop Ontario) relates to this mission.
Roger Taney Promissory Note, signed by Matthew Flume, October 4, 1818.

Roger Brooke Taney, Matthew Flume, and Singleton Duval

In this item Matthew Flume promises to pay Roger B. Taney $100 as soon as a land deed is obtained transferring 41 and 3/4 acres from Henry Peakly to Flume. Witnessed by Singleton Duval and signed by Matthew Flume. Dated October 4, 1818.
Revolutionary War claim for Abijah Hubbard signed by John C. Calhoun, March 18, 1818.

John C. Calhoun

As Secretary of War in this Revolutionary War claim, Calhoun inscribes Abijah Hubbard, late of sergeant of the Revolution, on the Pension List of the New York Agency at the rate of eight dollars per month, dated March 18, 1818.
Caesar Rodney letter to his son John Rodney, dated 1818, Wilmington, Delaware.

Caesar Augustus Rodney

Cesar A. Rodney was a lawyer, politician, and diplomat from Delaware. His uncle, also Cesar Rodney, signed the Declaration of Independence. In this letter he appears to write to his son, advising "I do not wish you to resign at this particular moment tho’ I shall not object to it ultimately if you desire it."
Enclosure for a check drawn on Bank of the United States by Treasurer of the United States, Thomas T. Tucker, to Francis Nichols.

Thomas Tudor Tucker

Thomas T. Tucker, treasurer of the United States, encloses a check drawn on the Bank of the United States for $152.00, issued by the Secretary of the Navy, to Francis Nichols. July 19, 1820.
David Porter promise to pay John Rodgers $700 sixty days after March 6, 1821.

David Porter

Porter and Rodgers were American naval officers noted for, among other things, their service in the War of 1812. In this note, David Porter promises to pay John Rodgers $700, sixty days after March 6, 1821.
Charles Thomson check

Charles Thomson

A check made out to Sarah Hagey for forty dollars. 18 September 1821.
Letter from Joel R. Poinsett to Captain Finch concerning an opinion on a proposition, dated January 27, 1822.

Joel Roberts Poinsett

Joel R. Poinsett, the US Minister to Mexico, writes to Captain Finch confirming his opinion to oppose a proposition made by Mr. McWhiteman about small vessels of war, dated January 27, 1822.