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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.

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh [incomplete]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.21 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler (1835-1924) Place Written: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 July 1865 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.7 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Unsigned. Letter is apparently missing the ending. Written on Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his mother. Says he just arrived back from assisting his twin brother Gerrit. It was a two-day stay with 20 days of travelling. Says he was assured by the commanding officer of the district in Arkansas where his brother was being held that the "charge was entirely false & unfounded - He has taken the Oath of Allegiance & is gain a Citizen &c - He has done what he could for the South under the full conviction that they were right." Reports that everyone mistakes him for his twin brother Gerrit. Tells her that Gerrit is an inch taller and 4 inches slimmer than he is and that he looked care worn but strong. Says Gerrit has good prospects to go into business. Reports that the family there consists of Uncle William, Aunt Emily, Frank, Horan, Carrie, Emily, and a what seems to be an adopted boy. Says they all send love back North.

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit, fl. 1850-1905

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