Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

McSherry, Eliza (b. 1829) to Henry F. McSherry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.12 Author/Creator: McSherry, Eliza (b. 1829) Place Written: Littlestown, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: 8 December 1861 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 20.1 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy

Letter is faded from water damage. Written by Eliza to her brother Henry. Is sorry he has to "go away without even getting a sight of a home face." Wants him to come up to Littlestown to visit while his vessel is being prepared. Tells him to "not give in to low spirits. Ask Almighty God's direction and all will be for the best." In discussing the political leanings of Littlestown, she says "you would find some of the objections here, that you think you would met in B[altimore], tho' not in so great a degree." Says he can write whatever he wants "even the minutest details of our boat[,] every thing, even if I do not know anything about them." Sends short update on family friends. Envelope is addressed to Henry at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Postmarked on 10 December from Littlestown, Pennsyvlania.

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