Original Listing Description

Original Civil War era letter dated August 5, 1864, written by John Lewis, a teacher for the Asylum for Colored Orphans in Helen, Arkansas. The Asylum for Colored Orphans in Helena was a significant institution during and after the Civil War, serving a vital role in caring for orphaned and displaced African American children. In the context of the Civil War, particularly around 1864, it became a place of refuge for many children who had lost their parents during the conflict, including those who were victims of slavery or the chaos surrounding the war. Please see the full transcription of the letter in the full listing. ORIG 1864 CIVIL WAR LETTER - ASYLUM FOR COLORED ORPHANS, HELENA, ARKANSAS - Rare ORIG 1864 CIVIL WAR LETTER - ASYLUM FOR COLORED ORPHANS, HELENA, ARKANSAS - Rare Click images to enlarge Description Original Civil War era letter, dated August 5, 1864 written by John Lewis, a teacher for the Asylum for Colored Orphans in Helena, Arkansas. The Asylum for Colored Orphans in Helena was a significant institution during and after the Civil War, serving a vital role in caring for orphaned and displaced African American children. In the context of the Civil War, particularly around 1864, it became a place of refuge for many children who had lost their parents during the conflict, including those who were victims of slavery or the chaos surrounding the war. Please see the full transcription of the letter, below. Page 1. "Asylum for Colored Orphans, Helena Ark 8th Mo. 5, 1864. Dear Cousin, Enoch Lewis; Why is it we are so distant. I mean in correspondence. I have received nothing from thee for so long nor have I written, but here it is and welcome. I suppose thou art cumbered with cares & perhaps more than usual since Johns return as hear he returned sick. I expect they had a hard time up there from what I hear. I always thought - (page 2 continues) I should prefer the Miss. Valley to the back country, but it may be some other cause why they were all sick. Calvin Clark & wife & former managers of this institution went home as others of the Richmond Commission (got) sick. Susan Homey's here now is the only one of the Richmond folks in the field. We have in our institution 54 orphan children, one cook & one wash woman. There are two white women and myself making 59 in family. 5 more than they had at all when there were 5 white managers and most of them smart. (page 3 continues) Tomorrow I believe is 2n M. I should like to be there, but cannot know, of course, how soon it will be is vague and uncertain not under a year at least, I think if ever. I wish thou could be with me and help me in my new project. I want to start a school. I think of teaching soldiers. There are hundreds of the Colored Soldiers wanting to attend school. If thou teaches this winter, I expect I can acquire as good a position as thou can find & enough better to pay thy extra expenses twice over and with five times the experience. See a new country - (page 4 continues) and help to raise this race. They are willing to help themselves, so it is pleasant to assist them. I hope thou will think about it, though I fear thou art confined at homes too much for that. I wish for the company. I had fully anticipated having Sis Hannah with me this winter but father says no. I feel disappointed. Wilt thou please write to me soon. Give my love to all inquires as to your own household & Uncle Elisa's with inquiring. Also to (?) and Rhoda. As ever, Thy Cousin, John" (Additional Cross writing on page 1) John, please don't be discouraged but follow the call of duty. I sympathize with thee having experienced the same or similar, John." The letter was found in its envelope, addressed to Enoch Lewis, Shakers Mills, Knox County, Ohio, and postmarked from Old Point Comfort Pa. Dec 17. The name on the back of the envelope reads; J. Lewis, Teacher of Freedom, Williamsburg, Va." Letter opens to measure: 8" x 10" (folds to measure: 2 3/4" x 5") Please note: Letter will be shipped folded inside its original envelope as found and shipped carefully packaged to prevent any bending or damage during shipment. Condition: letter is in excellent antique condition (clean with no stains or tears) the envelope has tearing along its left edge, some dirt and mild wrinkling, please see images HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Founding and Purpose: The Asylum for Colored Orphans was founded by Free African Americans and other sympathetic abolitionists in the early years of the Civil War, around 1863 - 1864. The primary purpose of the asylum was to provide shelter, education, and care for African American those whose parents had died in the war or had been sold into slavery. At the time, Helena was a significant Union garrison town, and the Union occupation of Arkansas led to a considerable African American population in the area, both free and escaped slaves. The asylum was one of the few institutions that cared for these children during the war and the tumultuous years that followed. The Role During the Civil War (1864) During the war, the asylum became especially important because many African American families were separated by the war, with children losing their parents in battle or due to the harsh realities of slavery. Union forces stationed in Helena, particularly those involved in protecting the town, assisted the asylum, though it was often a struggle to provide enough resources. The asylum operated within a difficult racial and social context. Despite the abolition of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and the Union’s victory at Helena, the deep-seated racial prejudices still presented numerous challenges. Post-War Legacy: After the war ended in 1865, the Asylum continued to serve as a critical institution for African American children in the region. It was part of the broader post-war efforts by both the U.S. government and various religious and charitable organizations to aid the newly freed African Americans, particularly in the South. The Asylum would have been a part of the efforts led by the Freedmen's Bureau, which established schools and orphanages to help care for and educate former slaves and their children. Many of these children who were taken in by the asylum grew up to become part of the larger African American community in Arkansas, contributing to the social fabric of the state during Reconstruction and beyond. While specific records from the asylum in Helena during the Civil War are limited, it stands as a symbol of the resilience of African American communities during the war and the efforts to care for those most affected by the violence and dislocation of the conflict. SHIPPING IS $2.50 USPS Ground Advantage to anywhere in the UNITED STATES Shipping to Canada is $2.95 USPS International Mail Worldwide shipping is $4.95 USPS International Mail International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. I WILL ALWAYS COMBINE SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS WON US domestic shipping includes a USPS tracking number to all 50 states All items shipped the following business day after receipt of payment PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO ANSWER QUICKLY PLEASE SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS THIS IS A NO RESERVE AUCTION THANKS FOR BIDDING! Get images thatmake Supersized seem small.Showcase your items with Auctiva sListing Templates!THE simple solution for eBay sellers.On Feb-13-25 at 07:12:46 PST, seller added the following information: Just a note to add additional information on this listing. I received a message from an Ebayer, noting the possibility that the cover is not original to the letter, as the postmark is not from Arkansas. The cover was addressed to the same named recipient of the letter; however, the cover is postmarked from Virginia. Please take note that the cover may not be the original envelope that the letter was sent in, although the letter was discovered inside the cover. I would have revised the body of the listing to reflect this possibility, but as there are bids, I am not allowed to alter the main description, but Ebay allows me to add the revised remarks here. **** Thanks very much!On Feb-13-25 at 07:18:19 PST, seller added the following information: Just a note to add additional information on this listing. I received a message from an Ebayer, noting the possibility that the cover is not original to the letter, as the postmark is not from Arkansas. The cover was addressed to the same named recipient of the letter; however, the cover is postmarked from Virginia. Please take note that the cover may not be the original envelope that the letter was sent in, although the letter was discovered inside the cover. I would have revised the body of the listing to reflect this possibility, but as there are bids, I am not allowed to alter the main description, but Ebay allows me to add the revised remarks here. **** Thanks very much! (Condition: Pre-Owned)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Civil War collectors and appraisers.