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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.

Higgins, Patrick to Fannie Schoonmaker

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02164.02 Author/Creator: Higgins, Patrick Place Written: Woodland, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 July 1860 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.4 x 25 cm. Order a Copy

Glad to see her picture in a letter that he received last Thursday. Has not heard from her in a long time. "Began to think you had forgotten me" because she had not responded to his last letter. Would "give anything" to see her. Remembers that they had earlier gone without speaking for weeks, but pledges that this will not happen again. Is working very hard in Woodland and says it is the "liveliest" place. Has yearned to see her since Fallsburgh. Tells her to give him all the details of her life. Reminds her that he loves her and "shall always do so." Hopes the letter is "pleasant" to her. Often thinks of the kiss they shared; asks her if she does the same.

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862
Reese, David, fl. 1859-1862
Johnson, Charles, fl. 1859-1862
Schoonmaker, Fannie, fl. 1859-1862

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