Autograph letter signed, to her sister, recounting attending a speech by fugitive slave William Andrew Jackson

Bridgeton Centre, [Maine], 1864. 4pp. 8vo. Usual folds. 4pp. 8vo. Writing to her sister, Martha begins with family news and her sewing work, with details on prices of various cloth and household goods, before turning to what was a memorable evening for her, hearing fugitive slave William Andrew Jackson give a lecture, writing: "Oh Priscie, we went to hear a lecture by one of Jeff Davis’s slaves. You ought to see his eyes shine & hear him talk. I wish every copperhead in the United States could hear him. They never would hiss again. The hall was crowded full and many could not get in at all. I was fortunate enough to get a front seat and hear every (truncated) word."

In 1861, Jackson was hired out as a household slave and coachman to Jefferson Davis. In May 1862, after learning that his owner had planned to sell him, he escaped behind Union lines, and provided meaningful intelligence on Confederate military deployments, supply problems, and Davis. He became a celebrity in the north, speaking in New England states and travelling to England in November 1862. (Inventory #: 369349)