signed
by DANIEL H. CHAMBERLAIN
DANIEL H. CHAMBERLAIN (1835-1907). Chamberlain was the governor of South Carolina from 1874 to 1877, and the last Republican governor until the late 20th Century. He was a Northerner who had served in the Massachusetts contingent of the Union army, and was considered a Carpetbagger by his constituents. He was also an author, professor, and lawyer. ALS. 2pg. 5” x 8 ¼”. Jan 1, 1899. West Brookfield, Mass. An autograph letter signed “D.H. Chamberlain” addressed to his cousin “Frank H. Sprague, Esq.”. In part, the letter reads: “…I think your letter is the first and only knowledge at first hand which I have had for at least 40 years, of my cousin Alfred or his family. I am heartily glad to know the little your letter gives me of his history. I had known the…fact of his change of name, but neither of his life or death. Now that I have discovered you, or rather you have discovered me, will you not have the great kindness to tell me more of your father – his life, family, pursuits, character, age…I recall him as a young man, on one occasion when he visited us here…and my great interest in him as a relative and as an accomplished and gracious young man, makes me anxious to know more of him…I should like to know why he dropped or changed his inherited name…Your affectionate Cousin, D.H. Chamberlain”. The letter is in good condition; it has two mailing folds, one horizontal and one vertical. The second page is slightly obscured on the right margin by a remnant of lined paper as long as the full page and a ½ inch wide. This strip of paper does not interfere with the signature, but it does make it difficult to discern some of the word at the right margin. When the letter is held up to the light, however, the words become very discernable through the paper. (Inventory #: 4449)