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.

Leah (fl. 1883-1884) to Very Dear Cousin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.195 Author/Creator: Leah (fl. 1883-1884) Place Written: Exton, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 December 1883 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.4 x 25.7 cm. Order a Copy

Letter addressed "Very Dear Cousin." Inquires about the state of their livestock. Discusses the difficulty of getting to church. Asks about the neighbors. Mentions she and Rachel had to turn down an appeal to donate funds for the purchase of a black dress for Aunt Phoebe to wear. Letter is signed "Leah."

Joseph Maitland enlisted on 8 August 1862 as a Private. He was mustered into "G" Co. OH 95th Infantry. He was mustered out 31 May 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee.

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