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.

Van Nuys, John H. to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07687.125 Author/Creator: Van Nuys, John H. Place Written: Franklin, Indiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 February 1862 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope ; 20.6 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy

The weekly prayer meeting, confirmed victory at Fort Donnelson, preparations for the making of sugar and molasses at home, and unfavorable prices for farmers. Also describes a chance meeting with Squire Hendries, who was awaiting a dispatch from Cumberland regarding the condition of his son Abner. Abner's death was later confirmed.

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