Loosely "bound" volume titled "American Letters" consists of letters (1888-1890) of Theodore Grimke Drayton-Grimke from his siblings visiting in the United States and from some of his American cousins, with a few copies of his replies.
A one-page letter from Mrs. H.E. Day to her cousin Mr. J. Drayton Grimke-Drayton acknowledging the receipt of 600 dollars for the payment of a "collection of family curiosities and relics."
An unfinished letter by Theodore Drayton Grimke-Drayton to his wife written on a train to Los Angeles, California. Grimke-Drayton mentions speaking with a train porter and taking a photograph of a palm tree. The back of the letter includes a list stops on a train line between Flat Rock, North Carolina and New York City.
A newspaper clipping announcing an "Anniversary Meeting" of the Literary and Philosophical Society of South Carolina, to take place in Charleston on Chalmers Street at the "Depository." The clipping lists the elected officers of the Society.
Series of loose sheets written by John F. Grimke between August and December of 1779 regarding requisitioning, constructing, and using military and related supplies.
An annotation by Frost's granddaughter to Anna Rutledge Grimke Frost's anecdote concerning a witty exchange between South Carolina lawmakers, W. D. Martin and William Crafts.
A letter from Frederick Grimke to Anna R. Frost focusing on war news and politics, the usurping of power by the Federal government, postal relations between the Confederacy and the USA, and France and Great Britain's failure to formally recognize the Southern Confederacy.
A letter from Frederick Grimke to Anna R. Frost, giving a description of Walterboro, South Carolina circa 1815, and mentioning his meeting decades earlier with Richard Anderson, father of the commander of Robert Anderson of Ft. Sumter, who had served in the Revolutionary War in Charleston and had been imprisoned with Grimke's father, John F. Grimke.
A letter from Frederick Grimke to Anna R. Frost describing his trip to and arrival in Philadelphia. Grimke discusses a recent election and the ways in which local newspapers have reported on the political situation.
A letter from Frederick Grimke to Marianne Haskell mentioning General George B. McClellan's removal from military command, an overheard conversation by abolitionists, and Haskell's recent trip to Newark.
A letter from Frederick Grimke to Marianne Haskell referencing a letter to the editor of his published in "The Crisis" (an abolitionist magazine), a disease of the throat that he is suffering from, and alludes to the Civil War as decided on the side of the Confederacy.
A letter (1756) referencing the recruitment of Indians as troops, written by William Shirley (1694-1771), who served as the Governor of Massachusetts and a commander, after Braddock, of British troops in the French and Indian War.
Letter from John Milton (circa 1740-1817), prisoner of war in St. Augustine, Florida, writing to Brigadier General (Lachlan?) McIntosh, under a flag of truce, explaining his condition and desire for release.
A letter from Glen Drayton to his brother (Thomas Drayton?) asking him to protect and care for his children whom he has put under the care of a Mrs. Foster, with a mention of advice from General Pinckney.
A letter from Sarah Weld Hamilton to "Cousin Marianna" [Haskell] regarding her aunt Sarah Moore Grimke's death, mentioning the latter's religious beliefs, with references to family and her mother, Angelina Grimke Weld. Hamilton also encloses a lock of Sarah Moore Grimke's hair.
Two loose sheets written by John F. Grimke noting conditions of fortifications, need for ammunition at, and repair of various batteries in and around Charleston during the British siege of the city.
A short letter from J.H. Stevens, Coroner, to John F. Grimke about the death of one of his female slaves, [named Benit?], who had previously escaped and ultimately died "of want."
An unaddressed letter from Theodore Drayton-Grimke requesting that borrowed money be returned to him. Drayton-Grimke writes that he needs the sum at once to pay the post office, his fencing instructor, and to purchase a mathematics book.
Letter (1819) from Frederick Grimke to his brother Thomas Smith Grimke regarding their father's death, with an assessment of his character, and mentions of Sarah Grimke nursing him.
A bill of sale to Sarah Marie Drayton for the purchase of five slaves from the estate of Mrs. Ann D. Perry. James W. Gray, the commisioner of the Court of Equity facilitated the sale. The sale includes the guarantee to the purchaser of "the future issue of the Females"--meaning any future children will be the property of the purchaser. The back of the document includes several worn statements regarding the legality of the sale.
Legal document from the heirs of John Wilson's estate forbidding (their brother?) Thomas Wilson from paying out money to James Stanyarne from the same estate. The document is undersigned by John H. Wilson, William S. Wilson, and Sarah E. Wilson, and witnessed by William Jasper.
A letter (1776) from Archibald Bulloch (1730-1777), Governor of Georgia, to Lachlan McIntosh regarding seizing a ship. Part of Thomas S. Grimke's autograph collection
Rough notes (circa 1834) for a reply by Thomas S. Grimke to an article in the May/June 1834 issue of the Calumet about the merits (or not) of defensive war, the fair copy of which was lost and never published. The notes are on the reverse of a letter (1796) in French to Grimke's father, John F. Grimke, from his daughter's tutor.
A series of financial records spanning February through September 1777 describing expenses in two week periods, including payment for individual soldiers.
A printed circular regarding academic governance at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, signed by Philander Chase (1775-1852), founder and President of the College.
A letter from Thomas S. Grimke to Philadelphia bookseller Thomas Kite, asking his opinion of Mr. Price, an attorney, but also giving details on military preparations and a fear of violence over the nullification issue in Charleston.
A letter written by Colonel Owen Roberts in Purrysburg, South Carolina to John F. Grimke referring to a soldier who was recently arrested but not yet charged with an unspecified crime.
A letter written by Colonel Owen Roberts in Purrysburg, South Carolina to John F. Grimke in Georgia requesting the issue of "pay bills" for the companies under Grimke's command. Roberts notes that two companies have arrived with ammunition in tow.
List of slaves belonging to "The Wilsons" (Algernon and Thomas Wilson?) under mortgage to Thomas Drayton. The list includes sections devoted to the names of slaves who had died or been sold while under mortgage. Includes a note from Thomas Smith Grimke seeking more information.
Letter from William Gill, James Johnson, William Greu, and Isaac A. [Kerlark?], the committee of the Temperance Society of 'F' Company, 2nd Regiment of Artillery, stationed at Fort Moultrie, to Thomas S. Grimke, President of the South Carolina Temperance Society regarding becoming an auxiliary organization.
A partial letter from an unnamed writer to Thomas S. Grimke describing the writer's acquaintance with Grimke's father. The writer describes the patriotism of "persons educated at Westminster" and describes Grimke's father's service during the Revolutionary War as admirable.
Letter to Sarah Moore Grimke in Wilmington, North Carolina, from Charles Wharton responding to her request for information about her father with references to their friends in common. Wharton met John F. Grimke while he (Wharton) was in seminary school and Grimke was traveling Europe.
A letter (1771) from Major General Augustine Prevost (1723-1786) regarding seizing a man for an unspecified delinquency. Includes an untitled list of names on the back of the letter.
A business letter from Thomas Fitzsimmons (1741-1811): a Philadelphia merchant, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and member of the Continental and United States Congress.
A letter from Captain Raymond Demere (circa 1750-1791), a Revolutionary War soldier, to Joseph Tatnall, mentioning a ship to purchase and Bonaventure Plantation. Signature of Captain Raymond Demere.
A newspaper clipping referencing the funeral of Sarah Moore Grimke held in Hyde Park, Boston. William Lloyd Garrison and Lucy Stone made eulogies for Grimke.
A copy of Thomas S. Grimke's petition to the South Carolina Senate asking to be excused from the responsibility of bearing arms due to his religious beliefs.