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 #: GLC02300.15 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 December 1805 Pagination: 2 p. 21 x 17 cm Order a Copy

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Discusses George's school and his studies. Corrects his spelling and grammar. Calls sickness and death "unavoidable evils." Advises that a religious life will prepare one for death, and urges George to be pious. Pitt Carr says that George's shoes will be ready this week. 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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