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 Wanton Ellery

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02300.11 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 September 1805 Pagination: 2 p. 21 x 17 cm Order a Copy

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Is sending him Lindley Murray's abridged English grammar. Advises George to employ himself in useful activity by reading books. Reading provides comfort, instruction, and aids in "forming right judgment." George should reserve reading for leisure time, and focus especially on the Bible. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

Ellery, William, fl. 1802-1806

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