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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Year

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1869/05/19

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Document signed

Title: Affix the seal to the proclomation concerning the eight hours law

Affix the seal to the proclomation creating eight hour work day.

GLC07998

1877/06/24

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Irwin McDowell

Plans to visit montana, hostile situation with Indians at Fort Lapwai, Idaho.

GLC08004

1872/12/05

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Reports on the weather in Petersburg (cold with snow) and then goes on to comment on Aaron's studies. He compliments him on his interest in history and philosophy but cautions him not to neglect to also "...study grammar, dictionary & ciphering." Richard also mentions their aquaintance William R. Galt, a photograph received of their cousin Fanny [Timberlake], his confining schedule, and the building of an ice making factory.

GLC01896.094

1873/08/14

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Discusses the health of Mrs. Gibbons and others, Mary's upcoming wedding, and other small happenings. Requests that Aaron "...say a lesson or read something every day."

GLC01896.095

1874/01/14

Jeffery, Aaron, fl. 1855-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his uncle Richard

News about his life at school and the formation of an athletic club. Each member of the group put in 50 cents to purchase a trapeze [from which he fell and muddied his clothing] and "rops with iron rings at the end of them" which you would swing from. Aaron also mentions a "...thing that I never saw before called a whirligig and an acting bar."

GLC01896.096

1875/08/05

Archer, Robert, fl. 1842-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Discussion of Aaron's poor penmanship, the growing of tomatoes, cleaning of Aaron's mother's house [white washing], Richard's [Jeffery] potential as a preacher.

GLC01896.097

1876/08/03

Archer, Robert, fl. 1842-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Letter from Aaron's grandfather praising young Aaron's style and the fact that "not a word was misspelt." Also, mentions visiting guests, pleasant weather, and that he doesn't "...know what got into [Aaron's] hens. they stopped laying as soons as you left home. I suppose they are grieving at your absence." Ends with a humorous anecdote about Aaron's dog , Leo, getting himself into "mischief" at the butchers.

GLC01896.098

1866/12/26

Archer, Robert, fl. 1842-1875

Document

Title: "The night after Christmas"

Printed copy of Archer's parody of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem. In Archer's "The Night After Christmas," children all over the town had eaten sweets to such an extent that it made them all sick. Instead of hearing the clattering of hooves on the roof, the family is awoken by the moans and groans of the children: "O' Me! I'm so sick: I shall die of this pain; I'll never touch Santa Claus' candy again!"

GLC01896.117

1866/12/20

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friend Paddon

Requesting information about the process of pressing and refining the surplus coal at the Tredegar Iron Works into a saleable product for steamers through compression into blocks that burn longer and produce more steam than unrefined bituminous coal. Archer also gives Paddon information on mutual acquaintances within associated with the Virginia Volunteer Navy. Letter also contains the interesting contention that the spirit of rivalry between North and South has grown sharper since the end of the war and that far from "harmonizing," relations between the two sections are "as mixing oil with…

GLC01896.084

1866/09/30

Alfocord, E.B., fl. 1860-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Confidential discussion of legal efforts to have custody of "poor dear Richards [Jeffery] little orphan children," and despite the great amount of trouble they have caused her since their mother's death [Ann Jeffery], she is going to "October court" where "there fate will be decided." Offers to give Aaron money [$50] to aid in sending her great niece, Annie, to school. Also, hopes that "...the children have recovered from the whooping cough..."

GLC01896.087

1867/03/18

Galt, W.R., fl. 1860-1867

Autograph note

Title: [Poem]

"Lines written in the Autograph Album of a friend, by W.R. Galt," a four stanza poem about the value of friendship.

GLC01896.088

1867/09/15

Farragut, Virginia L., fl. 1860-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: To [Dr. R.W. Jeffery]

Discussion of Jeffrey's "lots" in Seattle, including which individuals to forward enquiries to and the possibility of being "redeemed" for the selling of lots done to pay taxes. Mentions requesting information of Lan Mill, and advises Jeffery to inform Yesler "...Admiral Farragut advises you to ask information of him as is the fact..." adding "I expect you will laugh at my perserverance but you must remember I have lived long enough amongst the Yankees to learn some of their ways. Note: pages 5-6 have the following dimensions 15 x 14 cm.

GLC01896.091

1873/07/26-1874/12/29

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Document signed

Title: [Checks from the Union Bank of Richmond]

All checks are made out to and signed by "E.R. Archer" and differ in amounts. Each check also has either a green or orange cancelled 3 cent stamp on it. The date and amount of each cancelled check is as follows: a. 26 July 1873. One Hundred and Fifty Dollars to E.R. Archer. Cancelled Green Three Cent tax stamp. b. 19 February 1874. Fifty Dollars to E.R. Archer. Cancelled Green Three Cent tax stamp. c. 6 April 1874. Fifty Dollars to E.R. Archer. Cancelled Green Three Cent tax stamp. d. 26 June 1874. Thirty Dollars to E.R. Archer. Cancelled Green Three Cent tax stamp. e. 30 June 1874.…

GLC01896.093

14 [July] 1869

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He has managed to pay an additional $290.25 on their debt, which should be paid off next year. Written on "Gibson & Austin, Attorneys at Law" letterhead from Randall Lee Gibson's law office.

GLC04501.039

February 27, 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Makes reference to the resignation and their father's disapproval again. Says she left Baltimore yesterday and has been ill since January and is taking cod liver oil. Mentions that the price of corn is 60 cents/bushel. Says the old town (probably Martinsburg) looks as usual and that "the railroad is its life." Claims that "Prices are high here, marketing and everything so the country people ought to have some money. Pa has rented the home next door for 250 dollars. the brick house ... for 375 and the small house ... for 75 dollars." Most of the letter…

GLC03523.21.51

February 9, 1870

Johnson, Oliver, 1809-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Addressed from "Ind. Office." Writes of an accidental stoppage of an exchange that the editorial office did not know about or allow. States he ordered it restored.

GLC07483.28

1868/04/14

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to copy of Act for protecting witnesses [judicial]

Permission to affix the seal to the official copy of an act providing protection for "persons making disclosures as parties or testifying as witnesses."

GLC04920.01

1872/11/19

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Letter signed

Title: to A. J. Kellar re: condemning "military secession combination"

Condemning "the military secession combination which I trust is forever broken" and its "tyrannical and wicked rule."

GLC04919

1867/06/17

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George A. Custer

Sends orders to Custer for military activities against the Sioux and Cheyenne in "the valley of the Platte." Directs him to "quietly disarm" friendly Indians of horses that appear stolen and send them to Fort McPherson or Fort Segwick. Indicates that if Indians avoid him or try to escape, Custer should kill the adult males and send the women and children to the forts. Links the Indians to "acts of murder and highway Robbery" and asserts that "we cannot afford to wait the slow action of the Tribes." Orders Custer to reject any conferences with the Indians, to "Tell them that you have come…

GLC05068