American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents

6 7/16 x 1 13/16 in., 2 holes punched to center, light chipping to edges, light discoloration. Partly-printed check from Cabot Bank, written out for $2,768.22 "For John Brown." Signed lower right.

[With:] Undated 2-page letter signed "Marion[?]" to "My dear Herbert," referencing the bank note, in part: "I am enclosing some notes with John Brown's signature which should have some monetary value aside from their interest. The Cabot bank was at Cabotville, near Chicopee or Springfield. One note is signed by John Brown's son. There is also a photostatic copy of another of his notes. These might be interesting to show to your club." 

Both John Brown (1800-1859) and his son lived in Springfield, Massachusetts. John Brown Jr. settled there with his wife after they married in 1847. John Brown Sr. moved to Springfield in 1846 and remained until 1849. Those four years of residency for the senior Brown are largely viewed as transformative in his journey to eventual martyrdom. Cabotville, now an historic district, was part of Springfield until 1848, when it became part of the newly incorporated town of Chicopee.