Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 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.

Back to Collection Search

Unknown to mother

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Log in
to see this thumbnail image

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00226 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter Date: 8 October 1859 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.5 x 19.5 cm.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00226 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter Date: 8 October 1859 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.5 x 19.5 cm.

Summary of Content: An unidentified slave discusses visiting his friends at the Widow Bailys' in Faquier [Fauquier County], Virginia. He hopes that his master will buy him a wife, noting "There is a young lady here that I am very much taken with and I think that my Master will buy her and take her out with us." Instructs his mother to direct further correspondence to Portland, Alabama, and writes, "We have bought all our servants."

People:

Historical Era: National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860

Subjects: Black AuthorAfrican American HistoryChildren and FamilyMarriageEnslaved peopleSlaveryWomen's HistoryLetter from Enslaved Person

Sub Era: Slavery & Anti-slavery

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.