2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
Absentee bidding for this session ends on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST.
The live portion of this session begins on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST
Erastus Wright (1779-1870) was a teacher, businessman, public official and farmer in a varied career spent mostly in central Illinois. He also was an early Springfield abolitionist and was one of Abraham Lincoln’s pallbearers. Autograph Document Signed, “E. Wright” dateline Springfield, June 6, 1833, written to the Hon. County Commissioner Court of Sagamon, 1pp. In large part, “The subscriber having entered into a bond in 1832 as security with others for the faithful performance of duties of Mr. John Moore ... this to request your Honorable body to release me from being held responsible in the said Bond ...” Erastus Wright was Springfield’s quintessential New Englander and abolitionist. He was “always fearless in advocating its abolitionist doctrines.” He signed Elijah Lovejoy’s 1837 call for an anti-slavery convention at Upper Alton, Illinois. He was also was one of five Sangamon County delegates to the 1839 Illinois Anti-Slavery Society annual meeting. Erastus lived at Wright’s Grove, near Jefferson and Walnut Streets, and his home was a station on the Springfield underground railroad.
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