Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Randall, Thomas (d. 1811) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04780 Author/Creator: Randall, Thomas (d. 1811) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 November 1790 Pagination: 2 p. ; 22.7 x 18.7 cm.

Summary of Content: Expresses his wish for Knox's safe arrival and settlement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Says his marriage to "Miss Sears" is all arranged for the latter part of December 1790 or the beginning of January 1791. Expects to receive furniture from his future mother-in-law which will save him the expense of having to purchase new furnishings. Wants his good friend and fellow merchant Samuel Shaw not to be concerned. Writes, "I therefore hope that this circumstance which I find so pleasing to myself will prove agreeable to Mr. Shaw, and to have on his arrival the pleasure of convincing him that the addition of a rib has not impaired in one that friendship and attachment that I have ever felt for him."

People: Randall, Thomas, d. 1811
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: Revolutionary War GeneralMarriageHome FurnishingsWomen of the Founding EraWomen's HistoryFinanceFriendship

Sub Era: The Early Republic

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.