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.

McSherry, Richard M. (b. 1792) to Henry F. McSherry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.02 Author/Creator: McSherry, Richard M. (b. 1792) Place Written: Martinsburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 November 1860 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20 x 12.3 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Richard to his son Henry as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy. References receiving Henry's letter the day before. Says he is in negotiations with John Janney(?) to purchase his farm "as you were so anxious I should buy land." Claims "The affairs in the South look very threatening - But when action comes they will find more difficulties in the way than they expect." Thinks they will reconsider and not break from the Union. Is worried he has too many temptations to spend his money where he is and will not send it home. Letter is fragile and has a partial tear along a fold.

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