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Lot #148
Woodrow Wilson

Governor Wilson commits a patient to the "New Jersey State Institution for Feeble Minded Women"

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Estimate: $400+
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Description

Governor Wilson commits a patient to the "New Jersey State Institution for Feeble Minded Women"

DS, one page, 9 x 11.5, January 20, 1912. As governor of New Jersey, Wilson sends a woman to the "New Jersey State Institution for Feeble Minded Women." In part: "You will please admit Anna L. Arnold…the age of 41 years into your Institution for instruction and support at the expense of the State of New Jersey for the term of one year…at the yearly sum of one hundred twenty five Dollars for clothing and you are hereby authorized to draw from the Treasury of this State semi-annually for a ratable portion of said allowance for such time as said Anna L. Arnold shall receive instruction and support…You will please make a semi-annual report giving the time of admission, progress of learning, state of health, and such remarks as the situation of said pupil may suggest." In fine condition, with scattered light dampstaining. Governor Wilson enacted the legislation that made such involuntary committal possible in 1911, and a three-man board was empowered to determine if 'feebleminded, epileptics and other defectives' should be sterilized. A shocking document from a much different era of psychological thought.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: August
  • Dates: #533 - Ended August 08, 2018





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