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.

Ellery, William (1727-1820) to George G. Channing

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00108.05 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 December 1812 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 21 x 17 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his grandson that he is happy Channing has gained a business partner and inquires as to who drew up the legal documents executing the partnership. Believes theological differences in the world will persist, and that everyone would get along if they treated each other morally. Comments that a religious war would be much worse than the War of 1812. Dicusses a preacher and his success with parishoners. Comments on parts of the Channing family moving from Newport, Rhode Island, to Boston. Sends his love to all the members of the family.

Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Continental Congress from Rhode Island from 1776 until 1785. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820. Channing was a publisher in Boston and a clergyman later in life.

Ellery, William, 1727-1820
Channing, George Gibbs, 1789-1881

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