LEADING ABOLITIONIST JONATHAN P. MILLER

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023

COL. JONATHAN P. MILLER (1797-1847) Reformer. Soldier in War of 1812. In 1824 he went to Greece as a volunteer, and after the siege and fall of Missolonghi in April, 1826, he returned to Vermont and lectured through New York and the New England states for the benefit of the Greek cause. Active in politics as a Jacksonian democrat, then as a reform-minded Whig, and finally as one of the leading abolitionists in New England, Miller represented Berlin in the state legislature 1830-1831. In 1833 he promoted an anti-slavery resolution, sheltered fugitive slaves at his house in Montpelier, and for the rest of his life gave his time and money to the abolitionist cause. Two page ALS with content regarding his War of 1812 service and as a Mason and his disregard for "the institution,": "Montpelier, Nov 2, 1833…I received your letter of Oct. 30th this moment and in answer say that the relation existing between General James Miller and myself is quite distant. Our Fathers however were from the same family. I left this country in the year 1824 and returned…1828. I entered the army as a private soldier in Sept 1814 & was discharged at Marblehead in 1817. I was a volunteer at Plattsburgh, under the present Lt. Gooduruch of this state…I am a Royal Arch Mason, having taken that degree several years since. My wish has been for several years that the institution might be given up, as I consider it uncalled in a republican government.(sic) I am shocked with horable [sic] surmises which rests on the minds of many honest people in regard to this institution and am willing to show them all that relates to it that they may fear & wonder no longer. This I think due to a sovereign people to whose mandate it becomes every good citizen to have with respectful difference, In haste I remain, your friend, Jonathon P. Miller." It is unclear whether the institution he is referring to is the Masons or the institution of slavery, but given that he had achieved the high rank of Royal Arch Mason and the context and tone, it seems likely he was referring to the latter. Integral stampless cover with Montpelier red postal stamp addressed to Samuel Elliot, Esq., Brattleborough, VT. Fine.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).