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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.

Stephens, Fannie J. (fl. 857-1876) to Alexander Stephens

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07019 Author/Creator: Stephens, Fannie J. (fl. 857-1876) Place Written: Atlanta, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 October 1876 Pagination: 3 p. : 20.4 x 12.8 cm Order a Copy

"I much rather be at home waiting on your company than be here at this hateful school." Written by Fannie, an ex-slave of Stevens while attending the Normal School at Atlanta University, in Georgia.

[draft]
Atlanta University
Oct. 16 1876.
Dear Mons. Alex
Your [thrice] welcomed letter was rec'd and you can't imagine how glad I was to hear from you. I am real sorry it is so long before you get my letters. I will try and mail time enough for them to go off the same day. I know you all miss when you have company, if know other time. I much rather be at home waiting on your company than be here at this hateful school. They are so strict and I not being [useto] it, it makes me feel so bad. Oh! how I long to see Christmas. Then I can [2] come home. It seems as if I have lived ten years since I've seen any of you. I have tried to be interesting in my studies so the tie would not seem so long, but nothing I do wont satisfie my mind. If ever I get home I will never leave again Quinny is some better pleased now than at first since he knows more of the boys. Remember me to all at home. I was in sure to meet you at the Hotel. Nora sends her love to you and says she would like so much to see you. Always write long letters. Miss Alex as there is nothing on earth that makes me more happy than [3] your letters. We are having very pretty weather now. But I expect it will be pretty cold after we have rain. I will close as it is nearly time for the bell to ring.
Write soon.
Yours Sincearly
[Frannie]

Stephens, Fannie J., 1854-1920
Stephens, Quinny, fl. 1876
Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883

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