Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864

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Giddings was an abolitionist congressman from the Western Reserve of Ohio. He studied law in the office of Elisha Whittlesey at Canfield, Ohio, in 1821 was admitted to the bar. It is claimed that Giddings later had significant influence on Lincoln's thinking toward the abolition of slavery.

From the description of Account book of his law practice in the Court of Common Pleas, Ashtabula County, Ohio, 1827-1835. (Harvard Law School Library). WorldCat record id: 77657856

Ohio state representative, U.S. congressman, anti-slavery advocate, and consul general to the British North American provinces.

From the description of Giddings correspondence [microform], 1846-1868. (Ohio Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 38895285

From the description of Letter, 1848 Mar. 29. (Ohio Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 41755760

American legistator.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Jefferson, to [John H.] Eaton, 1829 Sept. 7. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269570622

American legislator.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Jefferson, to Hon. James Barber [sic], 1825 June 6. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269570640

Lawyer, abolitionist and Member of Congress from Ohio.

From the description of Correspondence, 1854-1860. (University of Notre Dame). WorldCat record id: 25309066

Joshua R. Giddings (1795-1864) was a militant anti-slavery politican who served as U.S. Representative from Ohio. His son-in-law and biographer George W. Julian served as U.S. Representative from Indiana.

From the description of Joshua Reed Giddings Papers, 1839-1899. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122387776

U.S. representative, of Ohio.

From the description of Speech, 1845 Jan. 22. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70960399

Joshua R. Giddings was a U.S. representative from Ohio, abolitionist, and consul general to Canada; his son-in-law and biographer, George Washington Julian, was a U.S. representative from Indiana.

From the description of Joshua R. Giddings and George Washington Julian papers, 1839-1899. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981160

American statesman and prominent opponent of slavery, Joshua Reed Giddings (1795-1864) was born in Pennsylvania to farmer Joshua Giddings and Elizabeth Pease. As a child, the family moved to Ohio’s Western Reserve, where Joshua Reed Giddings would live for the rest of his life. In 1821, with no formal education, Giddings was admitted to the Ohio bar. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1826-1827, and the United States House between 1838 and 1859; first running as a Whig, then a Free-soiler, followed by a stint in the Opposition party before ending his career as a Republican.

A prominent opponent of slavery, Giddings argued that slavery was a state institution and thus should be abolished in the District of Columbia and the Territories. Known for his violent language and support of slave uprisings as well as condemning the annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the 1850 Compromises, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Giddings was also active in the Underground Railroad throughout his life. After failing to be nominated in 1859, Giddings spent the reminder of his life in Canada as the U. S. consul general.

From the guide to the Giddings, Joshua Reed, Letter 2011-211., 1862, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

American statesman and prominent opponent of slavery, Joshua Reed Giddings (1795-1864) was born in Pennsylvania to farmer Joshua Giddings and Elizabeth Pease.

As a child, the family moved to Ohio's Western Reserve, where Joshua Reed Giddings would live for the rest of his life. In 1821, with no formal education, Giddings was admitted to the Ohio bar. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1826-1827, and the United States House between 1838 and 1859; first running as a Whig, then a Free-soiler, followed by a stint in the Opposition party before ending his career as a Republican.

A prominent opponent of slavery, Giddings argued that slavery was a state institution and thus should be abolished in the District of Columbia and the Territories.

Known for his violent language and support of slave uprisings as well as condemning the annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the 1850 Compromises, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Giddings was also active in the Underground Railroad throughout his life. After failing to be nominated in 1859, Giddings spent the reminder of his life in Canada as the U. S. consul general.

From the description of Giddings, Joshua Reed, Letter, 1862 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 778095571

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bird, Francis William, 1809-1894. Papers, 1826-1924; bulk: 1847-1889 Houghton Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864. Joshua Reed Giddings Papers, 1839-1899. Michigan State University Libraries, Main Library
referencedIn Hesselbart, May, 1876-1962. May Hesselbart manuscript collection, [19--]. Ottawa County Historical Museum
referencedIn Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872. Horace Greeley collection, 1840-1872. New-York Historical Society Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letters, 1846-50. [microform]. University of California, Los Angeles
creatorOf Washburn, George G., 1821-1898. Correspondence, 1850-1896 / George G. Washburn. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Giddings correspondence [microform], 1846-1868. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Hale, John P. (John Parker), 1806-1873. Hale-Chandler papers, 1777-1873. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn U.S. History mss., 1612-1977 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter : n.p., to Salmon P. Chase, n.p., [ca. 1860?]. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter : to unknown person, 1853 Aug. 1. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, Letter, 1862 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Papers. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Account book of his law practice in the Court of Common Pleas, Ashtabula County, Ohio, 1827-1835. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Peeke, Hewson L. (Hewson Lindsley), 1861-1942. Book manuscript ca. 1930. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn George Brinton McClellan Papers, 1783-1898, (bulk 1850-1885) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter : [Washington, D.C.], to unknown person, n.p., 1859 Jan. 11. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Autograph manuscripts signed : Jefferson, Ohio, [ca. 1853]. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Blakeslee, Joel, 1787-1863. Papers, ca. 1820-1860. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
referencedIn Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885. Papers, 1795-1884 and undated Houghton Library
creatorOf Fitch, Orramel H., 1803-1882. Papers. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter, 1848 Mar. 29. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Herndon-Weik Collection of Lincolniana, circa 1824-1933 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Tappan, Eli T. (Eli Todd), 1824-1888. Family papers 1826-1904. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Pease, A. Painting [realia] : Joshua Reed Giddings. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902. Papers, 1835-1902 / [Albert Gallatin Riddle]. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
referencedIn Howells family papers, 1850-1954 (inclusive). Houghton Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864. Autograph letter signed : Jefferson, to Hon. James Barber [sic], 1825 June 6. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864. Autograph letter signed : Jefferson, to [John H.] Eaton, 1829 Sept. 7. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Gail and Stephen Rudin American presidential collection, 1860-2009. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Abbott, Amy G. Letter : ALS, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Richard Josiah Hinton, 1900 July 5. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Papers, 1851 Jan. 1. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864, and Julian, George Washington, 1817-1899. Papers, 1839-1899 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Giddings, Joshua Reed, Letter, 1862 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Atkins, Quintus Flaminius, 1782-1859. Papers, 1805-1854. Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center, Hayes Presidential Center
referencedIn Joseph R. Hawley Papers, 1638-1906, (bulk 1841-1906) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Harvard University. Autograph File, G. 1641-2009. Houghton Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, Letter, 1862 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Jones, Stiles P., 1862-1920. Stiles P. Jones and family papers, 1848-1918 Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Diary of three months during the second session of the twenty-fifth Congress of the United States by a member, 1838-1839. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Pease, Calvin, 1776-1839. Papers, 1798-1841. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Lucas, Robert, 1781-1853. Papers 1810-1837. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Campbell, Lewis D. (Lewis Davis), 1811-1882. Papers 1850-1877. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888. Additional correspondence, 1787-1886 Houghton Library
referencedIn Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885. Papers, 1795-1884 and undated Houghton Library
referencedIn May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph), 1797-1871. Samuel Joseph May diary, 1859. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Painting [realia] : Joshua Reed Giddings. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Briggs, James A., 1811-1889. Papers, 1842-1849. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Papers, 1854 Dec. 3. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Correspondence, 1854-1860. University of Notre Dame, Hesburgh Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter, 1856. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Clarke, Grace Julian, 1865-1938. Grace Julian Clarke papers, 1845-1938 (bulk 1901-1933). Indiana State Library - ISL
referencedIn Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. Papers 1829-1842. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Vance, Joseph, 1786-1852. Papers 1808-1838. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Schouler, William, 1814-1872. William Schouler papers, 1840-1872. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn A.S.M. & Co. General store daybook, 1835 Apr. 26-1837 Apr. 1. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Salmon P. Chase Papers Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
creatorOf Sutliff, Milton, 1838-1867. Letters, 1838-1867. Western Reserve Historical Society, Research Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Papers, 1845 Jan. 15. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter, 1854 November 26 : Jefferson, Ohio, to S.S. Macy. Washington State University, Holland and Terrell Libraries
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter, 1843 Mar. 21.b. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
creatorOf Coleman, Nathaniel. Papers 1804-1830. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Palfrey family papers, 1713-1915 Houghton Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Speech, 1845 Jan. 22. Lake County Historical Society
referencedIn Land agent's account book, 1820-1867. Connecticut Historical Society
referencedIn Pease, Jane H. Jane H. and William H. Pease papers, ca. 1970-1992. College of Charleston, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn New York State Library. Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit. Autographs of American authors and statesmen collection, ca.1770-1865. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Giddings, Joshua Reed, Letter, 1862 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Monroe, James, 1821-1898. Papers 1819-1898. Oberlin College Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864, and Julian, George Washington, 1817-1899. Papers, 1839-1899 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Letter : to unknown person, 1853 Aug. 1. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Abbott, Amy G. Letter : ALS, New York, N.Y., to Richard Josiah Hinton, 1900 July 5. Kansas State Historical Society
referencedIn Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884. Papers, 1555-1882 (bulk: 1833-1881) Houghton Library
referencedIn May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph), 1797-1871. Samuel J. May diary, 1860. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed), 1795-1864. Joshua Reed Giddings papers, 1861-1864 (inclusive) [microform]. Yale University Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abbott, Amy G. person
associatedWith Adams, Charles Francis, 1807-1886. person
associatedWith American Abolition Society. corporateBody
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associatedWith Atkins, Quintus Flaminius, 1782-1859. person
associatedWith Barbour, James, 1775-1842, person
associatedWith Barton, William Eleazar, 1861-1930, person
correspondedWith Bird, F. W. (Francis William), 1809-1894 person
associatedWith Blakeslee, Joel, 1787-1863. person
associatedWith Bragg, Edward S. person
associatedWith Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885 person
associatedWith Briggs, James A., 1811-1889. person
associatedWith Brinkerhoff, Jacob, 1810-1880. person
associatedWith Campbell, Lewis D. (Lewis Davis), 1811-1882. person
associatedWith Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873. person
associatedWith Clarke, Grace Julian, 1865-1938. person
associatedWith Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888 person
correspondedWith Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908 person
associatedWith Coleman, Nathaniel. person
associatedWith Democratic Party (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Eaton, John Henry, 1790-1856, person
associatedWith Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869 person
associatedWith Fitch, Orramel H., 1803-1882. person
associatedWith Free-Soil Party. corporateBody
associatedWith Free Soil Party (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Garrison, William Lloyd. person
correspondedWith Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879 person
correspondedWith Giddings family family
correspondedWith Giddings family family
associatedWith Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864 person
associatedWith Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872. person
associatedWith Hale, John P. (John Parker), 1806-1873. person
associatedWith Hawley, Joseph R. (Joseph Roswell), 1826-1905. person
correspondedWith Herndon, William Henry, 1818-1891 person
associatedWith Hesselbart, May, 1876-1962. person
correspondedWith Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910 person
correspondedWith Johnson, Oliver, 1809-1889 person
associatedWith Jones, Stiles P., 1862-1920. person
correspondedWith Julian family family
correspondedWith Julian family family
associatedWith Julian, George Washington, 1817-1899. person
associatedWith Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. person
associatedWith Livermore, A.A. person
associatedWith Lucas, Robert, 1781-1853. person
correspondedWith Macy, S. S. person
associatedWith May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph), 1797-1871. person
correspondedWith McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885. person
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correspondedWith Mill, John Stuart, 1806-1873 person
associatedWith Monroe, James, 1821-1898. person
associatedWith Morse, S.H. person
associatedWith New York State Library. Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit. corporateBody
associatedWith Ohio. Court of Common Pleas (Ashtabula County) corporateBody
correspondedWith Palfrey family. family
correspondedWith Palfrey, John Gorham, 1796-1881 person
associatedWith Pease, A. person
associatedWith Pease, Calvin, 1776-1839. person
associatedWith Peeke, Hewson L. (Hewson Lindsley), 1861-1942. person
associatedWith Perkins, Simon, 1771-1844. person
associatedWith Phillips, Wendell. person
correspondedWith Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884 person
associatedWith Pillsbury, Parker. person
correspondedWith Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912 person
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associatedWith Smith, Theodore C. person
correspondedWith Smith, V. W. person
correspondedWith Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, 1815-1902 person
associatedWith Stephen, Rudin person
correspondedWith Stone, Lucy, 1818-1893 person
associatedWith Sumner, Charles. person
correspondedWith Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 person
associatedWith Sutliff, Milton, 1838-1867. person
associatedWith Tappan, Eli T. (Eli Todd), 1824-1888. person
associatedWith United States. Congress. corporateBody
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associatedWith United States. Dept. of State. corporateBody
correspondedWith Van Buren, John, 1810-1866 person
associatedWith Vance, Joseph, 1786-1852. person
correspondedWith Villard, Henry, 1835-1900 person
correspondedWith Wade, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1800-1878 person
associatedWith Washburn, George G., 1821-1898. person
correspondedWith Weik, Jesse William, 1857-1930 person
associatedWith William E. Barton Collection of Lincolniana (University of Chicago) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
United States
United States
Canada
Indiana
United States
United States
United States
United States
Ohio
United States
United States
United States
United States
Texas
Ohio
Indiana
United States
Ohio
Montréal (Québec)
Ashtabula County (Ohio)
Indiana
Ohio
United States
Ohio
United States
Canada
Montréal (Québec)
Subject
Slavery
African Americans
Antislavery movements
Antislavery movements
Universities and colleges
Costs (Law)
Diplomatic and consular affairs, American
Diplomatic and consular affairs, American
Diplomatic and consular service, American
Divorce
Guardian and ward
Larceny
Legislators
Manual training
Manuscripts, American
Politics
Practice of law
Presidential candidates
Property
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
Slavery in the United States
State rights
Occupation
Abolitionists
Legislators
Politicians
Representatives, U.S. Congress
Representatives, U.S. Congress
Activity

Person

Birth 1795-10-06

Death 1864-05-27

Information

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Ark ID: w6t72g1p

SNAC ID: 17468559