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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.

Rogers, Daniel Denison (fl. 1780) to Martha Rogers

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01412.64.13 Author/Creator: Rogers, Daniel Denison (fl. 1780) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 March 1780 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

To his sister, whom he calls Patty, a common nickname at the time for Martha. Comments on her impending marriage, his own bachelorhood, and shirts she has sewn for him. Roger's wife, Abigail Bromfield, was the subject of a famous painting by John Singleton Copley. (check dates for both people)

Boston 24th March 1780 --

Dear Sister
I receiv'd the 2 Shirts with your agreeable Letter & Mr. Boardman I am extremely interested in your happiness and sincerely hope and believe that the change you are about to make in your Condition (a Change which Nothing but Death can annul) will tend to it, especially if it's to the Man whom I suppose: but prudence and a proper disposition of Mind will be necessary to complete and continue it --
The Shirts suit very well except the Collar which is a little too strait. I had rather not have the Ruffles hem stich'd: but prefer the narrow hem, like one you sent me, not the wide hem you propose-If you have not cut the Bosoms, you need not make them quite so long but let the Ruffle be a little fuller near the Collar I suppose you will call me old Bachellor when you read this, and I don't know but I deserve it; but I don't intend to be one if Years are to determine whether I am one or not, and if the period at which Bachellorship commences be 30 - I think I must and will be married before that Time if God preserves my Life and continues his Goodness to me, but it seems you are to be beforehand with me: I hope you will have leisure to write me more particularly on this Matte r---
Dear Patty, unless Mr. Boardman can carry the Whalebone I shall direct Billy, who has enough of it to send you what you want --- I have sent [&] Mr. Boardman 26 Ruffles which are mark'd the right width ---
you will excuse my manner of writing as I am more than usually hurry'd ---
from your Loving Brother
Danl. Denison Rogers
dissolve this in a small Vial of Water and it will be good Ink

[address leaf]

Miss Patty Rogers

Exeter

[docket]

March 24. 1780

Rogers, Martha, 1762-1840
Rogers, Daniel Denison, 1751-1825

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