Letter from Anthony D. Allen

Letter from Anthony D. Allen

Slavery
Missionary
Culture
Hawaii

The source is a letter from former slave Anthony D. Allen to Dr. Dougal, the family of his former masters. Whilst dictated by Allen the letter is written by missionary Hiram Bingham. The letter details Allen’s experiences in becoming a free man, his travels and eventually his life as a Hawaii land owner. The letter shows that whilst African Americans would be discriminated against in the US, Hawaii was somewhere they could succeed. Allen adopted the Hawaiian way of life when he arrived in 1812 unlike other westerners. Sources like this are important in seeing Hawaii’s culture from outsider’s perspective and also how they interacted with the natives. It also helps to reflect the role of missionaries on the Hawaiian isles.

Anthony D Allen and Hiram Bingham, Honolulu

Bonhoms

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17109/lot/3007/

11 October 1822

Robert Saunders

Bonhoms
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17109/lot/3007/

English

Textual - handwritten letter

19th century Hawaii