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.

Allyn, Nelson (fl. 1831) to Joseph Allyn

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.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05655 Author/Creator: Allyn, Nelson (fl. 1831) Place Written: Gatesville, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 September 1831 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 24.5 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

Nelson writes to his brother Joseph in Connecticut, roughly one month after Nat Turner's Rebellion. Discusses family and mutual acquaintances, noting he is in good health. Writes, "the insurrection of the blacks have made greate disturbance here every man is armd with a gun by his bed nights and in the field at work a great many of the blacks have been shot there heads taken of stuck on poles at the forkes of rodes some been hung, some awaiting there trial in several countys, 6 in this county... there is no danger of their rising again here." Discusses his journey to North Carolina and instructs Joseph to direct mail to Gates Courthouse.

Allyn, Nelson, fl. 1831
Allyn, Joseph, fl. 1831
Turner, Nat, 1800-1831

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources