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.

Washington, Martha (1731-1801) to Hannah S. Boudinot

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03909 Author/Creator: Washington, Martha (1731-1801) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 January 1784 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 22.7 x 18.2 cm Order a Copy

Writes about the pleasure of returning to domestic life after the termination of the Revolutionary War. Congratulates Boudinot on returning to her own home after a seven year exile and on the improved health of her daughter, Susan Boudinot. States, "The difficulties, and distresses to which we have been exposed during the war must now be forgotten. We must endevor to let our ways be the ways of pleasantness, and all our paths Peace." Mentions that she would love to have the Boudinots visit Mount Vernon as she has not the strength to undergo another journey. Comments on the health and welfare of her family and gives love to Boudinot's family.

Hannah Boudinot was the wife of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress in 1783.

Washington, Martha, 1731-1802
Boudinot, Hannah Stockton, 1736-1808
Bradford, Susan Boudinot, 1764-?

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