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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.

Burt to Virginia Williams

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09587.396 Author/Creator: Burt Place Written: Fairmount Heights, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 October 1943 Pagination: 5 p. ; 21.2 x 14.3 cm. Order a Copy

Letter from a man named Burt for Virginia Williams. He writes that when Eunice told him he was as shocked as she was. He does not specify what he was shocked about. It is not difficult for him to imagine how she is feeling. He experienced something similar the "last of July." He writes that is feels harder when it is unexpected. It is most likely that he is talking about the death of her brother, LeRoi Williams. He says he wanted to look into the future to see what happens next. People are much better off after "taking that important step." He writes that she will begin to selfishy grieve about how the loss affects her and her family. He suggests that she should not think that way. He also says that it will be hard to not go over every memory she has of the past and that it is natural to think that way. He is glad she has Booker to comfort her. He says when he was greiving he was not comforted by others as much as he comforted others. It is hard for him to express himself in the letter but that she knows that. He hopes he is accomplishing his objective of "conveying to [her] my deepest sympathy and to let you know that I am with you-even in sorrow" and that Jack joins in with it. He signs off "your friend." The top left corner of every page has a stamp that says to buy U.S. savings bonds and stamps. Reverse on last page penciled in says "the Kents-: Mrs. Geneiva Kent Valentine, Miss Vivian Kent, Miss Durilla Kent, $6.00."

Kent, Virginia Williams, 1918-1987
Kent, Booker, fl. 1943-1975

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