There are few identifiers in this letter but I’m confident it was written by Martha G. Russell (1838-Aft1880) who was married to Celon R. Swett (1837-1907), the son of Alfred and Eunice (Strout) Swett of Maine. Martha was the daughter of Amzi Russell (1810-1879) and Eliza Morse George (1814-1905) of Albany, Carroll county, New Hampshire. Martha wrote the letter to her younger sister, Ruth Priscilla (“Priscie”) Russell (1850-1930).

In the letter to her sister Priscie, Martha writes of attending a lecture by one of Jeff Davis’s slaves. The slave was undoubtedly William Andrew Jackson who was a slave in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked as a messenger in the courts and also drove a coach. In 1861, Jackson’s master—G. W. Jones—hired him out to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America, to be his coachman.

“In May of 1862, Jackson found out that Jones was planning on selling him South. Despite the fact that he had a wife and 3 children, Jackson decided to escape to Union lines like many enslaved people before him at that point in the war. When he arrived behind Union lines, he caught the attention of Union commanders due to his relationship to Jefferson Davis. Jackson shared a great deal of information about the low morale of Southerners, even the Davis family itself.

After escaping to Union lines, Jackson became a celebrity in abolitionist circles, offering public lectures. In a speech he delivered in Boston he described escape from slavery, his early life and how he learned to read. The abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator reported that Jackson spoke in the Boston lecture about how enslaved people were able to obtain information about the War’s developments. Jackson also reassured his audience that slavery had prepared Black people to care for themselves and he opposed the idea of colonization for newly freed slaves. Jackson himself claimed that he tried to join a regiment of Black soldiers raised by Governor Edward Sprague in the summer of 1862, but was unable to fight since the United States was not yet enlisting African Americans. Jackson’s talks influenced the debate in the North about the policy of the Federal government toward enslaved Black people.

Jackson also traveled to England to lecture about his experiences. While he was in England, he was a guest of noted abolitionist George Thompson. The Liberator reported that Jackson audaciously wrote Jefferson Davis a letter from London that he could not be with the Confederate President for the upcoming Christmas holiday. Because Jackson was a hired slave, Davis forfeited a sizable deposit to G.W. Jones. William A. Jackson remained in the United Kingdom until 1863. He was disappointed when he learned of the considerable English support for the Confederacy and returned to the United States where he continued giving lectures.

Not much information is available about Jackson’s life after the Civil War. A Vermont newspaper reported that he had enrolled at Pierce Academy, a New England preparatory school to prepare for college, but there is no other evidence of that. After that report Jackson disappears from the public record.” [BlackPast Blog]

Transcription

Bridgeton Centre [Maine]
February 21 [1864]

Ever Dear Priscie,

This is Sunday and we are sitting here all alone wishing we could hear from you at home. Have hear nothing since Uncle Thomas was here. Hope Mary is better & the rest are well. But Priscie, why don’t you write to me sometime. I think you can get time if you try hard.

Perhaps you would like to know how we are getting along keeping house. We enjoy ourselves much better than we did while hiring our board & it is cheaper. Celon has not been very well for a few days since he had his last sick time. Suppose he will have another before he feels right. He has worked most of the time. I have been sowing some and have made some cone work. Have got two dozen stockings to finish now. Wish they were done for I shall not have any more.

I went up the hill with Mrs. Cole yesterday to get broad cloth for her a saque. Got some very pretty for one dollar, sixty-two cents per yard. Would like one if I could afford it but must wait. Got some bleached sheeting for 22 cents per yard for some pillowcases & Celon’s shirt, some calico for apron for 16 cents per yard. We can certainly get things cheaper here than at Conway but we are obliged to have more.

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 word.

Went to the Lyceum last evening. I can go every Saturday now and not pay any more. Enjoy it very much for I learn something if use to me every time I go. Wish you and the girls could go too.

We have not been to meeting today because we did not like the Universalists. I bought a prize package the other day & I will send you a piece of the envelope with a list of the contents all right, only I did not get but one pen. The jewelry is a National Union League pin, rather small and pretty. Do not care so much for that as for the rest. Think I got the worth of the money.

Bose is very well contented but he is not done looking for Uncle Thomas. When he hears us say anything about any of you, he goes anywhere he likes & does not think of going back alone. Does not bark at people & is called a good dog. Sits at the window a long time every evening to see the factory. They run the factory all night now. I guess you will want me to stop writing soon but I shan’t & if you don’t write to me soon, I will write ten times as much next time & it shall be every word culch. Now remember what I say & write to your sister, — Martha

Tell brother to write. Celon thinks he shall not go up to town meeting—it will cost so much.