[Page 1] Fortiner opens the letter by expressing how much he misses Emma, to whom he is writing. He then states that he wishes he did not have to fight an abolitionist's war.[Page 2] Fortiner states his love for Emma and laments over his misfortune and the death of friends. [Page 3] Fortiner closes his letter by professing his love for Emma again and suggesting topics to discuss and hoping that his letter will reach her this time.
A promissory note for the hiring of an enslaved person named Chelsea from Mrs. Margarett Whilaken [?] for a total of 120 dollars for the duration of a year.
A minstrel stick puppet. Minstrel shows were a type of entertainment popular from the 1840s to as late as the 1960s that featured performers in blackface. Figure has movable parts connected by pins. The stick that is used to operate the puppet is broken off.
Iron mortar and pestle from Lincolnville, South Carolina. According to Mrs. Gold, a local store owner grew the peanuts, shucked them, and made peanut butter with this mortar and pestle to sell in his store.