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Format: 2024-03
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Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge to Joseph Coolidge, 24 Oct. 1858

I am just from church, a church originally planned by Grandpapa, where I heard a good sermon from an Episcopalian Clergyman, a young man, the Revd Mr. Butler. I have been talking freely with my brother Jefferson on the subject of the ‘yellow children’ and will give you the substance of our...

Extract from the Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, 24 Oct. 1859

October 24. We hear of the first act which was the forerunner of our Civil War. John Brown of Kansas notoriety attempted, with fifteen men and five negroes, to take forcible possession of the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry. They defended themselves for a day or two, but were killed or taken prisoners....

Extract from the Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, 6 Nov. 1860

November 6. Election day. Lincoln and Hamlin were chosen. Every Republican member of Congress from Massachusetts has been elected except Burlingame, who was defeated to my great joy by Mr. William Appleton. I had worked so hard that I was attacked by fever and violent cold, brought on by...

Virginia J. Randolph Trist to Cornelia J. Randolph, 22 Dec. [1860]

I recieved your letter last night and hope the directions for the pudding may reach you to-morrow mornging. I have just recovered from a sick head-ache but feel well except rather weak. I went to market to day. Miss Dyckmann’s leaves us to day; She says she can get her house in order more quickly...

Extract from the Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, 23 Dec. 1860

December 23. South Carolina seceded on Friday, the twentieth, from the United States. The day, I am afraid, will be long remembered. Mr. William Amory, who returned from Washington yesterday, says that the Republicans will make no concessions and he thinks, as I do, that if that is the case the...

Extract from the Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, 30 Dec. 1860

December 30. Major Anderson has evacuated Fort Moultrie and retired to Fort Sumter. The palmetto flag floats over the Charleston Custom House. In short, they are in open rebellion. The President’s (Buchanan) message took the ground that every State might secede, as there was no law to prevent it,...