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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.

Ford, Charles (fl. 1863-1865) to Sarah Ogden

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.031 Author/Creator: Ford, Charles (fl. 1863-1865) Place Written: Elmira, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 January 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 12.5 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Informs Ogden he has been sick for about a week with rheumatism. Reminisces fondly about the Christmas celebration at the Broad and Cherry Hospital. Says the weather has been severe and cold, the duty very hard at the headquarters for the volunteers, and that he is on duty every other day. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

Sarah Perot Ogden was a Quaker from Philadelphia who took part in variety of philanthropic works such as assisting the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Philadelphia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and President of the Philadelphia Home for Incurables. Both Ogden and her husband, Edward H. Ogden, were strong supporters of the Union cause. During the Civil War Ogden volunteered in a military hospital where she made daily visits. Her husband served as a Union soldier.

Ogden, Sarah Morris Perot, 1831-1912

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