Autograph letter to S.B. Richardson. N.p., 4 September 1861. 2 pages, folio, 7 1/2 x 12 1/8 in.

A remarkable letter written in response to a spiritualist or medium named S.B. Robinson, who claimed to have communicated with the author's dead brother. 

The letter, possibly a draft copy, begins with a description of the brother's death: "My brother Albion T. died on the eleventh of July of disease of the heart after a short illness caused by rheumatism. There was nothing unusual or remarkable in the circumstances attending his death. He passed away like a child sinking in slumber. He was a very powerful, healthy man until within a few months of his death and as he was not wasted by disease was the cause of the beautiful expression...He appears like a sculptured marble...possessing none of the repulsiveness associated with the thought of the grave."

The author then begins to attempt to verify the medium's claims: "My Father's name is Frederick my brothers Edgar, Eugene, and Milton. So far to corroborate the communication your circle received. My intention was to refuse the name until you had tested your supernatural agent further, but the gentleman you attended having obtained the name from father, there is no reason why I should refuse any longer. But I will carry out my design and request you to apply the test, to satisfy yourself as well as our Family that the information you have from the spirit and did not come from the Daily paper, that contains the announcement of the Death of my brother."

The author goes on at length to test the spiritualist by means of middle names and more: "Each of us except Father + Mother, have a middle name and Albion was so familiar with the initial that in mentioning our names in conversation he would most likely use the full name - the middle letters were omitted in the advertisement, on account of it not suiting some of us who are very particular in small things, in one paper mother's name was printed, omitted in the other, now judging from Albion expressed regard for his Mother so often, repeated were are sure that in names the members of the family he would never omit mothers name, or the names of my sisters one of whom any member of the family dead or living who dares to forget or pass over in silence may his pernicious soul not have a grain a day. If my brother disappears before you, he would have named all nor left the best + dearest unmentioned. Now if you can call "spirits from the vast deep" learned from your circle whatever its controlling power may be, the names of Mother, my sisters, and our full names. You may be the deceiver party, your mind played some motive or other. This may open your eyes and show you that natural causes perverted from their true course by trickery with design to deceive maybe made to appear supernatural and having mental blinded you [to] keep you groping on in the dark until the end." 

Spiritualism and interest in contacting the dead were at the height of popularity in the 1860s. This letter provides a fascinating look at the skepticism of a family member when confronted with the possibility of communication from their dead brother. 

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Spritiualism, Occult, Magic, Death]