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.

Mitchell, Nahum (1769-1853) to Aaron Hobart

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06313.04.018 Author/Creator: Mitchell, Nahum (1769-1853) Place Written: Bridgewater, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 October 1810 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 25.5 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Mentions a meeting with Hobart's father. Discusses the trial held for the discontinuance of the new road and the case of Jenkins vs. Gurney. Mentions the death of Dr. Dunbar and Major Barells. Also, reminds Hobart that the election is near and their candidate is Mr. Baylies, but adds that "There is a small prospect of choosing him." Comments that England's order of council might rescind the embargo, if France carries out a plan to alter their policies.

Nahum Mitchell wrote a "History of the early settlement of Bridgewater."
Aaron Hobart, lawyer, jurist, state senator, and congressman, was born on June 26, 1787 in Abington, Massachusetts. Hobart pursued classical studies and graduated from Brown University in 1805. Thereafter, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1809, commencing practice in Abington. 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, taking his seat on December 18, 1820. 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 judge of probate, 1843-58. He is the author of Historical Sketches of Abington Mass. (1839). He died in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts on September 19, 1858 and was buried in Central Cemetery.

Mitchell, Nahum, 1769-1853
Hobart, Aaron, 1787-1858
Thomas, Judge
Gurney, T., fl. 1810
Sedgwick, fl. 1810
Jenkins, fl. 1810
Barrells (major), fl. 1810
Dunbar (doctor), fl. 1810
Baylies, William, 1776-1865
White (captain), fl. 1810

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