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Discusses a trip by train from Virginia to Pittsburgh and his impressions of the city; Mentions different rates of admission for whites and blacks; a theater he attended charged "colored people 50 cents and white 25 cents." He is stopping at Striclands hotel, a public house "kept by a coloured man."

Concerning his exhaustive lecturing throughout several Illinois counties against slavery before the election; "I spoke about nine weeks, in the North West corner of this big Prairie State, speaking every day, often twice and, sometime three times, seldom sleeping two nights in the same town..."

Bill of Sale for a slave named Jacob, between 27 and 30 years old, for $900.

Address to"My Dear Wife," but regarding her last letter where she wrote that she was married or getting married to another man. Instructs her to"send for Master William to read this letter for your Satisfaction." He is very unhappy and wants her to write to him immediately; if she does not answer him he is unsure if he will come home for Christmas.

Abolitionist writing to his sister; he mentions his plans to "enter the field again for the oppressed, and plead the coming fall and winter for liberty."

Document detailing the sale and succession of the property of a Damacine Simon, a deceased free black woman. Family members were brought together to decide such matters as the tutoring of her children, that slaves be sold on a credit, and that "the tract of land on which the deceased resided . . . should be returned in kind..."

Letter to his sister; discusses the weather and agriculture, and plans to meet her in Des Plaines, Illinois. He mentions a visit from a man who took his place as editor of the"Iowa Freeman," the only antislavery paper in the Northwest.

Thanks her for her anti-slavery efforts, mentions his attempts to raise money for Dawn Institute. He drew up an application to the "Trustees of the Murray Fund for $100 to aid in the education of the colored people in Dawn..." though he wishes he could have given more as his money came short. "My hands are full of useful labors among the Refugee Slaves in this place" and faces uncertain means of support. He has traveled to Utica, New York City, and Boston to raise money for refugee slaves in Canada.

Letter from a lawyer hired to help George Williams, a previously enslaved Black man, get out of jail. The men that Jefferson is writing to have been in contact with James Lee, the mayor of Maysville. Lee refuses to share what the letter he received said, and has “confidentially advised two of his friends, Mr. Phister and Clarke, and probably Mr. Hickerman, to undertake the case in order to deprive me of the benefit of the same.” States that Williams only desires to have Jefferson attending to his case. Requesting directly that the men he’s writing to share the information they had provided to Lee. “Mr. Lee is not my friend, in my opinion, and will not do anything for my benefit. But he nor any other person have any right to attend to this case but myself.”

True copy of December 8, 1849, appraisement of Thomas Hutchinson's estate, including property at Hutchinson's Island Plantation and Cheyhaw, with blue embossed paper seal of Ordinary's Office. Lists names and values of 249 enslaved people alongside housewares and jewelry, livestock, farm goods, and miscellaneous property. Total valuation appraised at $11,298.05. Appraised values of enslaved people ranging from $0 for "Old Rose," "Old Harry," and "Old Susy," to $800 for "Kip (Carpenter)."