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.

Purvis, Robert (1810-1898) to Wendell P. Garrison

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08943 Author/Creator: Purvis, Robert (1810-1898) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph endorsement signed Date: 22 May 1885 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.3 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy

Writing to the son of William Lloyd Garrison, Purvis, an abolitionist and civil rights leader, answers several queries about the birth dates and places, deaths, and locations of important events among old guard abolitionists. He mentions James McCrummell, James Cassey, Joseph Sharpless, Mary Sharpless, and Frederick Hinton. Among the information he provides is his recollection that the "Declaration of Sentiments &c" was written at McCrummell's house. Also notes that he is glad to hear that Wendell has published the first volume of his father's biography.

Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898
Garrison, Wendell Phillips, 1840-1907

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