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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.

Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) to Alexander Shiras and Frances B. Shiras

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.38 Author/Creator: Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) Place Written: Nebraska Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 April 1875 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.5 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses the loss of Mary, her child, and takes solace in the idea that Mary will be with relatives in heaven. Mentions prayers and affirms her fidelity to God's will.

Quotes

"let me tell you again that my dearest baby was received by death…I do not want to tell you but I ought to tell you because you always feel for me whenever I had sorrow. oh! I shall miss my baby very much. it seemed so that I would not live any longer. just think. I lost two babys now. but when I think of the place where these are going seemed little comforted. My baby was meat by his sister now in heaven & those lost a long ago my father & mother. they all meat my baby with joy & wish I was there too. I am thinking a hymn it says
Let me go where saints are going
To the manssion of the blest
Let me go where my redeemer
Has prepared his people rest
today I would say. let me go. but I will wait patiently when God told me to go. then I remember this prayer But not my will. but thine be done what a precious prayer is this. Our Saviour said this prayer. there is another prayer. (Thy will be done.)
Baby died yesterday…funeral will be this afternoon" [signed] Your poor Nancy

Shiras, Frances B., b. 1814
Hemans, Nancy A., 1843-?
Shiras, Alexander, 1813-1894

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