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.

John P. (fl. 1861) to William [McSherry]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.09 Author/Creator: John P. (fl. 1861) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 May 1861 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.1 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Writer and recipient unknown. Could possibly be written to William McSherry, who could be related to Eliza McSherry of Littlestown, Pennsylvania or Richard McSherry of Martinsburg, Virginia. Eliza has letters in this collection to her brother Henry (GLC03523.21.11 & .12). The writer received the recipient's previous letter. Is sorry to hear of the misfortune that had befallen his house. Says the new addition was so far completed that the tinners were at work on the roof and one of them started a fire through the carelessness of a soldering furnace. Says all his furniture, clothing, and provisions were destroyed. The old dwelling was destroyed and all that remains is "the little office in the yard and the Kitchen." Says his wife and children are safe and at Heath's. Mentions pay for March and April.

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