Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

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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.

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19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [Manumission of Jacob Murray]

One document emancipating Jacob Murray in accordance with the will of Doctor George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse as court clerk.

GLC03434.75

6 August 1808

Cabell, William Henry, 1772-1853

Document signed

Title: [Appointing Churchill Blakely as Escheator for Middlesex County]

Partially printed document appointing Churchill Blakey as Escheator for Middlesex County, Virginia. The escheator oversees the reversion of property to the state, often due to the absence of an heir.

GLC03434.76

5 August 1809

Ware, Samuel, fl. 1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Promissory note from Samuel Ware to the estate of George Garrett]

Ware promises to sell off his property to repay a debt to George Garrett's estate, of which Benjamin Faulkner is a trustee. Ware will sell off ten slaves, who are named, a horse, cattle, and other goods, to be sold to "the highest bidder" to pay debts owed Garrett's estate. Also signed by John Thurston, David A. Wilson and Elizabeth Thurston as witnesses. Attested to by court clerk, Thomas Muse, on docket, dated 20 February 1810. Docket also signed by Ware, Muse, Wilson and John and Elizabeth Thurston.

GLC03434.77

23 September 1811

Lee, Charles, fl. 1811

Autograph document signed

Title: [Indenture for land from Charles Lee to George Garret]

Charles Lee selling land to George Garrett to repay a debt to Dabney A. Miller. Lee owes Miller forty-seven pounds, and is selling off a tract of land through this indenture in order to pay off the debt. Also signed by Thomas Street, John Chowning, and Richard M. Segar. Indenture is attested to and signed on docket by George Healy, dated 24 March 1812.

GLC03434.78

23 August 1811

Hunton, Thomas G., fl. 1811

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Indenture for land from Thomas Hunton to John Mason]

Thomas Hunton and his wife Susan Hunton selling land to John Mason. Also signed by William Gibson, Elias Edmonds, and William Gibson Jr. Attached to the document is a partially printed form from the Commonwealth of Virginia accomplished by hand requesting that Gibson, Edmonds and William Kirks visit Susan Hunton, and make sure that she has agreed to this sale herself, "freely and voluntarily," without persuasion or threats from her husband. Only if both Susan and Thomas freely agree to this sale of land can it be valid. The note is signed by Thomas Muse. Gibson and Edmonds sign the…

GLC03434.79

17 March 1812

Lee, Ann, fl. 1812

Manuscript document signed

Title: [An indenture for land from Ann Lee to Charles Lee]

Ann Lee giving land to her son Charles Lee "in consideration of the natural love and affection which she the said Ann has & bears to the said Charles Lee." Also signed by Philip Montague Jr. and Abraham Montague as witnesses. Docket signed twice by George Healy, attesting to the indenture. Document torn down the middle.

GLC03434.80

1 April 1812

Jones, William S., fl. 1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: [An indenture for land from William S. Jones to James Healey]

William S. Jones and his wife Nancy selling land to James Healey, with a number of dockets and attached notes. Docket on verso of first page signed by James Hunter and James Ferguson as Justices of the Peace. Third page attesting to the credentials of the justices of the peace who signed the first pages, signed by Worden Pope as county clerk. Note at bottom signed by Alexander Scott Bullett as justice of the peace attests to Pope's statement. Docket on verso of Pope's note signed by George Healey attesting to the land sale. Two notes are attached, the first a printed document signed by…

GLC03434.81

26 September 1814

Elgar, Samuel, fl. 1814

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Indenture for land from Samuel Elgar to William Palmer]

Land sold by Samuel Elgar to William Palmer. Also signed by James H. Ray, James Healy, and John Fawcett. Signed and attested by George Healy as clerk.

GLC03434.83

2 January 1827

Winn, John, 1789-?

Autograph document signed

Title: [Terms for hiring slaves from the estate of Thomas Winn]

Lists the terms under which slaves will be hired out from Thomas Winn's estate. Requires that hired slaves receive medical care and limits their working conditions. The document lists each slave for hire and the requirements for each slave. Special mention is made for Phebe, who is "unhealthy and labouring under a disease called the asthma." Phebe "is not to be exposed to wet or cold weather...should she die before the end of the year, a proportionable part of the sum for which she is supported &c will only be paid." Signed twice by Winn.

GLC03434.84

10 September 1804

Lee, Thomas, fl. 1804

Autograph document signed

Title: [A land purchase between William Hill and Thomas Lee]

An article of agreement for a land purchase between William Hill and Thomas Lee for land in Middlesex County, Virginia. Docket dated 24 January 1814, attesting to the document and signed by George Healy as clerk.

GLC03434.85

circa December 1884

Autograph manuscript

Title: Work contract for the "pedestal for the Garfield monument at Washington, D.C."

Specified in the contract are the categories: "General [work mission]"; "Excavations"; "Foundations"; "Cut Granite Work"; "Inscription"; and "Bronze Stationary". The work was to be completed by 1885/09/15.

GLC06343.235

June 22, 1886

United States. Congress. House

Document

Title: "JOINT RESOLUTION Setting apart public reservations for statues to Columbus, La Fayette, and James A. Garfield."

The House's Joint Resolution, "setting aside public reservations for statues to Columbus, La Fayette, and James A. Garfield." At the end of the document, Ward has written in pencil: "Note - This Bill was left on the House Calendar when Congress was adjourned and will be acted upon next session"

GLC06343.245

1892

Ward, J.Q.A., fl. 1860-1906

Document signed

Title: To: Olive Warner. Re: receipt for Ward's expenses and travel, written on a US War Department reimbursement form.

A receipt for Ward's expenses and travel, written on a U.S. War Department reimbursement form.

GLC06343.307

circa 1830-1910