Cool Things - John Brown Melodeon
Abolitionist John Brown gave this melodeon to his daughter, Ruth Brown Thompson, as a wedding present.
The melodeon has a rosewood case; keys are ivory and ebony keys. The front board opens to allow access to the keys. Stamped on one of the parts are patent dates ranging from 1846 through 1857. It was manufactured by Carhart & Needham Organs and Melodeons, New York.
The melodeon also was played at John Brown's funeral on Dec. 8, 1859. This followed his hanging for treason after his attempted takeover of the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry.
For information on John Brown's activities in Kansas, see the history of the John Brown Museum State Historic Site. Brown occasionally stayed at the cabin, which was home to his half-sister, Florella Adair.
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