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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.

Penel, Eunice (fl. 1862) to Sarah Ogden

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.123 Author/Creator: Penel, Eunice (fl. 1862) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 June 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ;26 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Writes in answer to Ogden's letter informing her of her son, Edwin B. Penel's, illness. Says she has lost her husband, and she feels as if her heart will break, knowing that her son is very ill. Says she wishes he could come home, and would like his corpse sent home if he dies. She plans on writing Edwin a letter and begs Ogden to read it to him if he is incapable.

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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