MG-33. SIMON CAMERON COLLECTION, 1816, 1835-1875.
Simon Cameron, Abraham Lincoln’s first Secretary of War, was noted as a nineteenth-century Pennsylvania political boss. He also built a network of railroads in Pennsylvania and united them into the Northern Central Railroad. Cameron died in 1889, and this collection contains a printed facsimile of his last will and testament. Dated October 2, 1886, the will states ". . . Thirteenth, I give to my colored servant John Campbell one thousand dollars, provided he remains with me until the time of my death."