The Gilder Lehrman Institute has some interesting documents from the infamous radical John Brown here is a description of an important historical document:
Appoints George L. Stearns, Samuel Cabot Jr. and William H. Russell as "trustees to hold all funds and other personal property now in my hands...in my behalf for the aid of the free state cause in Kansas." This is to take effect only if Brown becomes unable to administer these funds himself. Witnessed and signed by Thomas Russell. Russell was a judge, and while he supported Brown, he was not as prominent as some of Brown's other supporters, which is why his house was chosen as a hiding place. Written while Brown was hiding in Russell's house. Having heard that a United States Marshall was headed to New England to arrest him, Brown took refuge in Russell's house for a number of days. Anticipating his possible arrest, he appointed these trustees. During this stay he received $7,000 from George L. Stearns to continue the fight for a free Kansas. It was most likely this gift that encouraged him to write this document.Here's the document. Imagine that. The founder of Yale's Skull and Bones made a trustee to John Brown's property.
