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.

Noyes, John, 1740-1784 to Mary Noyes

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.056.07 Author/Creator: Noyes, John, 1740-1784 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: May 12, 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 27.5 cm, Width: 17 cm Order a Copy

Letter written from Horn's Hook fort at Hells Gate, East River, New York to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts. States they are seven miles from the city. Reports that there are many Tories in the city. He describes the evils of the city and remarks that there are whores everywhere trying to entice the soldiers. Some soldiers have been robbed. Reports that four or five men have been killed in the night. He describes in detail how he misses her and that he cannot wait to see her. "I hope that you & I shall see Each other & enjoy those Nuptuall Delights of Venis." He wants her to write and says that once a month a man takes letters to Newbury and will bring one back for a shilling. Next page or pages are missing. Noyes was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

Noyes, John, 1740-1784
Noyes, Mary, 1746-1825

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources