Secret Six John Brown Supporter Higginson Recollects Spiritualist Phenomena for Sale

Secret Six John Brown Supporter Higginson Recollects Spiritualist Phenomena For Sale

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Secret Six John Brown Supporter Higginson Recollects Spiritualist Phenomena:
$275.00

THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON (December 12, 1823 – May 9, 1911) was an American Unitarian Minister, a member of the notable Secret Six who helped finance John Brown’s illegal raid on the U.S. Arsenal at Harpers Ferry for which Brown was ultimately hanged. Higginson was also a Civil War Colonel of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, the first federally authorized black regiment from 1862 to 1864. After the war, he fought for the rights of freed people, women and other disenfranchised peoples.

Offering two ALSs from Cambridge [MA], March 17 and Jan. 20th, 1892, 5 ¼ x 8. One letter states that he found it necessary to reduce the number of societies he belongs to. The March letter contains some interesting content and is written to Mr. Hodgson.

“I was living in Newburyport 1850-52 & only have seen this person at the time; but I have no recollection of it whatever. Much later in Worcester I saw some similar phenomena & described them in a statement since quoted by Rev. Joseph Cork in one of his books. But the medium was either Mrs. Hatch or Mr. Willis or both...”

Higginson was possibly referring to Cora Scott, a medium of the Spiritualist movement. Scott’s first husband was the professional mesmerist Benjamin Franklin Hatch. He was likely also referring to F.L.H. Willis, who was expelled from Harvard Divinity School for acting as a spiritual medium. Willis was an intimate of Bronson Alcott, an ardent proponent of spiritualism, a lecturer, preacher, homeopathic physician and writer.

Expected toning to both letters, which are attached to cardboard. Toning and a few chips to the March letter. The January letter has a large “R” written over it, possibly indicating that the letter has been read. Interesting to find this association with Higginson.

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