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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.

Hobart, Benjamin (1781-1877) to Aaron Hobart

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06313.04.004 Author/Creator: Hobart, Benjamin (1781-1877) Place Written: Providence, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 November 1805 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.5 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Shares Aaron's sentiments about the death of Capt. Shaw and his brother. Questions "the tenure of life" and claims that "to live and die is all we have to do- but to die prepared ought to be our chief concern." Mentions that "things go on in their old course-" Mr. Sheldon and Mr. Pitman are still dueling, his friends are alright, and he is reading Blackstone and Coke upon Littleton. Send his regards to Salome and advises that if it will make her happy she can come and visit Providence. Mentions that although "it is not believed," it has been reported in Providence that "Spain has declared war against America." States, "Mr Sheldon & Mr Pitman carry on their warfare about duelling with great animosity. Mr Cleveland has engaged to keep school 4 months at Dedham....It is reported here this evening that Spain has declared War against America - It is not believed..."

Benjamin Hobart was Aaron's uncle.
Aaron Hobart, lawyer, jurist, state senator, and congressman, was born in Abington, Massachusetts and graduated from Brown University in 1805. He was admitted to the bar in 1809 and commenced practice in Abington, Massachusetts. In 1824, he moved to East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1814; a state senator in 1819; and in 1820 was elected a representative in the 16th congress to fill a vacancy. He was re-elected to the 17th, 18th, & 19th congresses, serving from 1820-1827. He was a member of the governor's council, 1827-31, and a probate judge from 1843-58.

Hobart, Benjamin, 1781-1877
Hobart, Aaron, 1787-1858
Barnes (judge), fl. 1805
Shaw, Robert G., fl. 1805
Sheldon, fl. 1805-1822
Fitman, fl. 1805
Reed, J., fl. 1805
Salome, fl. 1805

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