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.

Swisher, James S. to Lydia A. Bishoff

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.40.28 Author/Creator: Swisher, James S. Place Written: Rowlsburg, Preston County, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 October 1863 Pagination: 3 p. ; 21 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy

He had a difficult time at St. George and "traveled like the Devil" until arriving at Rowlsburg. He wants Bishoff to tell Dan to come down and visit if he comes home, and he asks how everyone is getting along at the mill. Swisher mentions some gossip he has heard from home (Johnny Whiller told him that "the old woman had left him"). He would like to know how John Deets and Ellen Heckert are getting along.

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