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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.

Leah, fl. 1883-1884 to My Dear Cousin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.196 Author/Creator: Leah, fl. 1883-1884 Place Written: Exton, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: February 17, 1884 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.2 cm, Width: 25.2 cm Order a Copy

Letter addressed "My Dear Cousin." Complains about the infrequency of her letters. Expresses sorrow for her poor health and scolds her not "...to undertake to get up dinners at your time of life...let the younger ones get up the dinners...you have done your share at that..." Comments on aging and the loss of their husbands. Reflects on the end of life and hopes it will be peaceful. Based on the context of the letter, it appears to have been sent to Ann Maitland. Letter is signed Leah.

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