[Americana] [Philadelphia] Archive of Letters from Elizabeth Wilcocks Ingersoll to Bessie Mason Coles, ca. 1862-63

Philadelphia, ca. July 1862-March 1863. Archive of approximately 40 complete or partial autograph letters by Elizabeth Wilcocks Ingersoll, to her close friend Bessie Mason Coles, during the midst of the American Civil War. Size and number of pages vary, many crossed letters with text in both directions, some with original addressed envelopes. Condition varies, all creased from old folds with closed tears along same. Lot also includes four letters addressed to Ethel Amory, daughter of Elizabeth Ingersoll; with two by Betsy C. Coles of 2010 De Lancey Place, Philadelphia, transmitting the group of correspondence.

An extensive archive of letters between two members of elite Philadelphia families, penned during the midst of the American Civil War. The author, Elizabeth Wilcocks Ingersoll (1840-1905) was the granddaughter of United States Constitution signer Jared Ingersoll. The recipient, Bessie Mason Coles (1844-1920), was a descendant of Continental Congressman George Mason. She was the wife of prominent Philadelphia lawyer Edward Coles, Jr., whose father and namesake was the Governor of Illinois, and a close friend to Presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.

Throughout Ingersoll and Coles's friendly correspondence is contemporary commentary on local and national politics, Civil War developments, and updates on their respective families. Others mentioned are well-known Philadelphia families, such as Biddle, Cadwalader, Wharton, Van Buren, Willing, Waln, and more.

One dramatic letter, dated August 28, 1862, describes, "...Papa [Charles Ingersoll] attended a Democratic meeting held in the Square last Saturday night-and being fearless unlike most of his party at present, was not afraid openly to avow his sentiments and disapprobation of the Administration...on Monday morning at about 10 o'clock, two men marched into papa's office and bid him consider himself arrested for traitorous language!.." A newspaper article on the same day in the Philadelphia Public Ledger describes these events, stating that Charles Ingersoll was arrested by order of the War Department suspending his writ of habeas corpus.

In another letter dated, September 4, 1862, Ingersoll writes to her friend that "...The 'enemy' is now the term, and not 'rebels'- Everything at present though is undecided- should we repulse their attacks on Washington the seesaw will again be up in favor of the North. They (The Southerners) are very much in the position we were in some months ago..." In a later letter, dated September 11, 1862, she will lament "...You are fortunate to be out of this afflicted country- really Bessie you don't know how dreadfully despised I sometime feel when I think of how everything is going to ruin and all for this despicable war- Homes destroyed and broken up forever by the deaths of those killed in battle..."

An interesting look into war-time events of Union dominated Philadelphia.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

darrenwinston@freemansauction.com 267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Americana] [Philadelphia] Archive of Letters from Elizabeth Wilcocks Ingersoll to Bessie Mason Coles, ca. 1862-63

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Americana] [Philadelphia] Archive of Letters from Elizabeth Wilcocks Ingersoll to Bessie Mason Coles, ca. 1862-63

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