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.

Warren, Mercy Otis (1728-1814) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03085 Author/Creator: Warren, Mercy Otis (1728-1814) Place Written: Milton, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 January 1785 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 23.7 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Warren, who was a neighbor of Knox when he lived in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Apologizes for not returning several books she borrowed from Knox (the "Life of Sobieski" and Adam Ferguson's "Roman Republic"). Expresses sentiments of friendship, noting that her family misses having the Knox's as their neighbors. Signed in text by Warren.

Warren was a noted writer, historian, and political thinker. At the time this letter was written, she and her husband lived in Milton, in the former home of Thomas Hutchinson.

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources