Boys in Blue: General Ulysses S. Grant

Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant fell on hard times. He eventually ended up near St. Louis, MO on a small piece of land owned by his wife Julia’s family and in 1856, built their home called Hardscrabble. Their stay at Hardscrabble was short lived and at the beginning of 1857 the couple moved in with Julia’s family in nearby White Haven.

The rest of 1857 was not kind to Grant financially. He had been trying his hand at farming, but had not been successful. He would end up writing his father seeking a loan of five hundred dollars, but it does not appear that the loan was ever given. By the end of 1857, Grant was desperate enough that he would pawn his gold watch for twenty two dollars.

The pawn ticket, shown above reads:

St.Louis, Dec 23rd 1857

I this day consign to J.S. Freligh, at my own risk from loss or damage, by thieves or fire, to sell on commission, price not limited, 1 Gold Hunting Detached Lever & Gold chain on which Freligh has advanced Twenty two Dollars. And I hereby fully authorize and empower said Freligh to sell at public or private sale the above mentioned property to pay said advance—if the same is not paid to said Freligh, or these conditions renewed by paying charges, on or before Jan 23/58

U.S. Grant





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