Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 75,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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1585-1763

Hitchcok, John

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston Junior re: offer to lease a farm

Hitchcok offers to lease a farm that Robert Livingston recently purchased.

GLC03107.01830

1585-1763

Magistrates of Albany

Manuscript document

Title: Proposal to Coll. Thomas Dongan re: regulation of trade with Indians

The Magistrates explain that due to the barren soil of Albany, the inhabitants of the county have no other way to make a living other than through trade with Indians, which has been quite poor as of late. They therefore request that Coll. Dongan regulate trade with Indians so that it may only be conducted in Albany, which will in the end increase the royal governments revenues.

GLC03107.01956

1585-1763

Vinebald, C.

Document signed

Title: Authorization to use or vend a plough

The document contains 4 signed slips stating that the bearer of it is authorized to use or vend a plough.

GLC03107.04959

22 May 1634

Winthrop, John (1588-1649)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Rich

One letter from John Winthrop to Nathaniel Rich dated May 22, 1834. Describes the agricultural developments, establishing a local government and church system. Mentions that most local indigenous people had died from smallpox which he felt allowed them to take over their land more easily.

GLC01105

6 March 1656

Stuyvesant, Peter (1592-1672)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Commission of Captain Frederick de Coninck and Captain Lieutenant Brian Nuton for operations in Westchester] [in Dutch]

Cosigned by Nicasius de Sille, First Counsellor of New Netherland Jan La Montagne, and Secretary of New Netherland Cornelis Van Tienhoven. Details a secret mission to the English town of Westchester to seize criminals, banish the other inhabitants, and burn the town, except for such dwellings that can be used to house troops and those who will care for livestock. Beginning of document is missing. Second page is a draft of page one and is struck. Written from New Amsterdam.

GLC03699

29 July 1673

Winthrop, John (1606-1676)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Berry

Winthrop, the royal governor of Connecticut, responds to a letter from Captain John Berry, the royal governor of New Jersey, to correct "misinformations." Denies that he has encouraged emigration from Connecticut to New Jersey and reiterates his support for "good public designe of planting" and "the prosperous increase of [illegible] plantations" in Connecticut. Mentioned in the letter are "Capt. Nicolls", Sir George Carteret, and others.

GLC05550

1678/04/19

Greenshalgh, Wentworth (fl. 1678)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: questioning whether Livingston received seeds

Greenshalgh asks to be informed if Livingston received his previous letter, in which he enclosed two packets of seeds. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.00023

1679/10/31

Oneida Sachem

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the proposition of William Kendall

In their answer, the Oneida Sachems admit that they destroyed the property of white settlers and took women and children captive. They explain that they were unjustly provoked, however, when white settlers shot some Oneidas for eating their corn, a privilege that Coll. Coursey granted them in a convenant made two years prior. The Sachems ask for a return to peace, and request that they be treated as friends in the future. Document signed by Robert Livingston Secr. as a true copy that he translated.

GLC03107.01895

1679/11/01

Onondaga Sachems

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the proposition of William Kendall

In their response, the Onondagas claim that the attacks upon white settlers were made without their order, and thank the white men for their forgiveness and understanding. They note, however, that in the future the white men should allow the Onondagas to take corn and provisions as they pass through white settlements on their way to battle.

GLC03107.01901

circa 1684-1685

Price, Robert

Manuscript document signed

Title: [An inventory and appraisment of the estate of Humphry Jones]

Inventory of the estate of Humphry Jones, with appraisal values listed for all goods. Lists slaves, cattle, and household goods, each with a value listed in pounds. Appraised by Robert Price, Brancy Weeks, Jonathan Haslewood and Richard Parrott with Abraham Weeks as executor. Also signed by Haslewood, and by Thacker as court clerk. Dating based on Humphry Jone's death date, 16 October 1684, probate records and document signers.

GLC03434.52

1687/12/27

Teunise, Gerrit

Manuscript document signed

Title: Bond with Robert Livingston

The document states Teunise's financial bond to Robert Livingston, and then goes on to explain the conditions of this obligation. Teunise explains that he has been given a commission by Gov. Dongan to be the Ranger for Albany, and in this capacity he promises Robert Livingston half of all the horses and mares taken up through this commission. If Teunise succeeds in fulfilling this part of the agreement, then the former bond will be declared void.

GLC03107.02014

1690/05/02

Mitchell, Johan (fl. 1690)

Autograph document signed

Title: "Apprizement of Thomas Cravens Creatures"

Appraisement of various animals, including horses, bulls, bucks, lambs, rams, and hogs.

GLC03107.00168

1690/05/24

Livingston, Robert (1654-1728)

Autograph document signed

Title: An account of the livestock brought from Tashkanik for fear of Indians

An account of twenty-two cows, sixteen bulls, and forty sheep brought from Tashkanik to Hartford by tenants fearing Indians. Livingston lists the tenants to whom the livestock are divided, and how the animals are branded. P.2 contains a note addressed to Mr. Cyprian Nicolls in which Livingston discusses providing for the animals through the winter and grants Nicolls the use of his "Negro" until the spring.

GLC03107.00169

1690/05/24

Livingston, Robert (1654-1728)

Autograph document signed

Title: An account of the livestock brought from Tashkanik for fear of Indians

Copy of item GLC03107.01.00169. Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.00170

24 January 1691

Williamson, Augustine (fl. 1691)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Promissory note for five thousand pounds from Augustine Williamson to William Johnson]

Augustine Williamson promissory note owing "five thousand pounds of good sound Merchantable sweet sented Tobacco and Caffe" to William Johnson. Docket states that Johnson now owes four thousand pounds to John Somoes. Signed by John Vivion, John Williamson, William Vallicot, and by Augustine Williamson with his mark. Also signed by Edwin Thacker as Middlesex County Court Recorder, and affixed with a seal. The docket, dated 23 October 1695 and 2 December 1696, is signed by James Williamson, Edwin Thacker, and Robert Williamson with his mark.

GLC03434.69

1691/06/15

Livingston, Robert

Autograph document signed

Title: Report on pastures at Albany

Discussion of the actions of the city of Albany with regards to the clearing of lowlands and swamps.

GLC03107.00192

1692/05/10

Allyn, John (fl. 1690-1692)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: Mrs. Schuyler's slave, Livingston's cattle

Allyn writes to explain that he is unable to ascertain the location of Mrs. Schuyler's slave, and to account for the losses of some of Livingston's livestock. Docketed on address leaf. NS by Allyn on address leaf.

GLC03107.00211

1692/08/12

Schuyler, Pieter (1657-1724)

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by Pr. Schuyler Mayor of the City of Albany to the . . .

. . . chiefs, Captains, & Leaders of a Company of 350 Indians of the 5 Nations now bounde upon an Expedition to Canida all Encamped at Shinnechtady." In the proposition, Schuyler writes that the "French praying Indians" will always be their enemies, and he asks the 5 Nations to destroy their camps, and also to do what damage they can to the French. Schuyler scolds the 5 Nations as well for taking cattle and corn from New England settlers, and warns them to cease that behavior immediately.

GLC03107.02035

1698/09/06

Campbell, Duncan (fl. 1694-1701)

Manuscript document

Title: Account of Robert Livingston

Livingstons transactions with Campbell, taking place 3 July 1697 and 25 January 1698, include the sale of Oxenbriggs and Clover seed. P.1 contains a note from 16 May 1699, and the date on the docket is 6 September 1698.

GLC03107.00375

1700/08/27

Lanch, John (fl. 1700)

Manuscript

Title: Petition of John Lanch to Richard Earl of Bellomont

John Lanch petitioned Bellomont to request that he be paid for some hogs and a cow that Indians slaughtered.

GLC03107.04844

1711/03/27

Clarke, George (fl. 1711-1740)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: supplies for Mr. Cast

Clarke begins by promising to send Livingston money very soon, and tells him of the gardening tools and seed that he has sent to Mr. Cast. He also asks that Livingston speak to a Mr. [Mayle] about being more generous in his assistance to Mr. Cast in the future, as they are in need of a great deal of help. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.00862

1713/04/23

Livingston, Gilbert

Sketch

Title: Drawing of a survey of a pasture on the Manor of Livingston

GLC03107.04407

1713/05/28

Livingston, Gilbert

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida Livingston re: unable to purchase seed

Gilbert informs his mother that he was not able to purchase seed as she requested, but has sent some "scherly reutts" instead. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.02244

1713/06/13

Livingston, Philip

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: note of thanks

Philip sends his thanks for the receipt of a sheep, and promises to get his debts in order as soon as possible. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.00965

1714/09/23

Hunter, Robert (1664-1734)

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the 5 Nations

Governor Hunter speaks on behalf of the Queen of England, and invites the 5 Nations to renew their covenant chain of peace with the English. He informs the Indians that the English have made peace with the French, and expects that the 5 Nations will follow this example. According to the articles of this peace, however, it is forbidden for the Indians to allow any French men or priests to live among them.

GLC03107.02116

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