Lot 992

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Description:


(1788-1859) Mayor of Harper's Ferry killed by John Brown's men during his infamous raid to free the region's slaves. Rare partly-printed D.S, 1p. 8vo., Jefferson County, VA, May 3, 1847, a legal Court Summons to bring John Burke to court to answer for a debt of $2.50 owed by Burke to Hillary Allison. He signs 'F. Beckham' on the verso, adding: 'N B Allison claims four days attendance as a witness on the within Aug. 25th 1827.' He also adds his initials 'F.B.' on the verso, adding: 'Contd Aug. 7th, 1847'. Very good. Beckham was the most prominent man killed during John Brown's raid, being the town's mayor, a county magistrate (in which capacity he signs this document), and a station agent for the B & O Railroad. Despite being a slaveowner himself, Beckham was quite well-liked and considered by most to be a friend and benefactor of black men. He maintained a close friendship with his former slave Heyward Shepard, who also died during the raid.. After Shepard's death, some accounts state the mayor exposed himself to fire due to his clouded judgment. After Beckham's death, the infuriated town's people seized one of John Brown's imprisoned men, riddling his body with bullets. Yet Beckham's death also resulted in the only lasting freeing of slaves accomplished by the raid, as his will stipulated the freeing of five of his slaves.

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October 29, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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