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.

Tappan, Lewis (1788-1873) to Mary Ann Jackson

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04239 Author/Creator: Tappan, Lewis (1788-1873) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 January 1851 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.4 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Inquiring if Jackson can try to interest her neighbors in the American Missionary Association and give them copies of the Association's publications. Writes, "Are there no other Christians in your place and neighborhood [whom] Mr R. and yourself can interest in the Association? Can you not effect this by getting them to read our publications?" Also thanks her for her donation, and sends a pamphlet (not present) on the Fugitive Slave Bill which passed in 1850. On illustrated stationery of the Association.

Lewis Tappan was a prominent abolitionist and businessman. He was seriously involved in numerous anti-slavery and religious causes, among them the American Anti-Slavery Society and the American Missionary Association, both of which he helped found. From 1839-41, Tappan was also a member of the committee which undertook to secure the freedom of the Amistad captives. In 1855 he accepted office in a new organization known as the Abolition Society and in 1870 he published "The Life of Arthur Tappan."

Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873
Jackson, Mary Ann, fl. 1851

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources