Guide to the Eyewitness account of the Snow Riot, August 1835
Eyewitness account of the Snow Riot C0291
Published by George Mason University Libraries
Contact Information:
Fenwick Library (2FL)
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
USA
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-8911
Email: speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: http://sca.gmu.edu
Descriptive Summary |
|
| Repository | George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center. |
| Creator | George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center. |
| Title | Eyewitness account of the Snow Riot |
| Date | August 1835 |
| Physical Characteristics | 0.1 linear feet (one letter) |
| Abstract | 1835 letter describing the Snow Riot in Washington, D.C. |
| Collection Number | C0291 |
| Language | English |
Historical note
According to a 2005 Washington Post article by Jefferson Morley, the Snow Riot of August 1835 began with a young African American enslaved man named Arthur Bowen drunkenly carrying an axe into his mistress's bedroom. The incident inflamed white sentiments, particularly among Irish laborers who already resented competition from African Americans for manual jobs. The laborers formed a mob, attempted to lynch Bowen, and attacked African American businesses and institutions, including a restaurant owned by Beverly Snow, by whose name the riot became known (Morely, 'The Snow Riot').
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Scope and Content
Letter, probably from Mary Elizabeth Fendall (according to dealer information accompanying the letter), to a woman named Else. The letter describes the 1835 Snow Riot, a racially motivated riot in Washington, D.C. in which young white men attacked and destroyed property belonging to Beverly Snow and other African Americans in the city.
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Arrangement
Letter is boxed by itself.
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Restrictions
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Eyewitness account of the Snow Riot must be obtained from Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.
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Index Terms
Subjects:
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Administrative Information
Alternative Form Available
Digitized version of this item can be found here: Eyewitness Account of the Snow Riot.
Preferred Citation
Eyewitness account of the Snow Riot, C0291, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.
Acquisition Information
Purchased by Special Collections Research Center circa 2005.
Processing Information
Processing completed by Elizabeth Beckman in June 2016. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in June 2016. Finding Aid updated by Amanda Brent in January 2019.
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Bibliography
Morely, Jefferson, 'The Snow Riot.' Washington Post, February 6, 2005.