The collection consists of a handwritten announcement regarding an enslaved person that ran away from the Cuckooville neighborhood of Louisa County, Virginia. Dated August 3, 1840, this letter describes in detail -- including physical characteristics and temperament -- the escaped 18-year-old named Sam. The author of this document, Joseph Coats Jr., presumably Sam's enslaver, offers a ten dollar reward for his capture.

The W. B. Gilmer Papers document the Defenders of State Sovereignty and Individual Liberties from 1954-1962. The organization was formed to prevent integration in Virginia's public schools. The collection includes broadsides, circulars, letters, certificate of incorporation, newsletters and memos, and newspaper clippings.

Please note: This collection contains racist ideology and language that may be upsetting to researchers.