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.

Swan, Christiana (fl. 1799-1804) to Lucy Flucker Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.07491 Author/Creator: Swan, Christiana (fl. 1799-1804) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 November 1800 Pagination: 4 p. : address ; 22.4 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy

Writes a poetic letter reflecting on her current mood. On 1 December 1800 she writes her spirits are once again in tact. Also discusses clothing and notes the current style as being indecent. States, "in short I think the ladies have become (many of them) almost as indecent as Miss Bingham..." Goes on to discuss the latest clothing and hairstyles being worn. Also discusses the cold weather and an encounter she had with one of Lucy Knox's old friends. Speaks of Lucy Knox's upcoming visit and the future balls she will be attending. Place written from is not listed. Based on the content, the letter is possibly written from Boston, Massachusetts. Letter was written between the dates of 1 November 1800 and 2 December 1800. Lucy Flucker Knox is the daughter of Henry and Lucy Knox.

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1776-1854
Swan, Christiana, fl. 1799-1804

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