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.

Shepard, William (1737-1817) to Joseph Williams

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03432.079 Author/Creator: Shepard, William (1737-1817) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 January 1799 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 32.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Shepard, a Massachusetts congressman, responds to a letter from Williams, a lawyer in Springfield, Massachusetts, to defend the integrity of Captain John Bryant (against an unspecified accusation or question regarding his character). Writes Bryant has always been "a true Friend and an Honest Faithfull servant to his Country..." Assures Williams that Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon is also satified with Bryant's performance as Deputy Commissary of Military Stores in Springfield, Massachusetts and that Bryant's accounts will be settled. Free frank signed by William Shepard and stamped "Free" on address leaf.

Captain John Bryant was the Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at the Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Shepard, William, 1737-1817
Williams, Joseph, fl. 1790-1800
Bryant, John, 1742-1816

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