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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.

Ellery, William, 1727-1820 to Nancy Ellery

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04780 Author/Creator: Ellery, William, 1727-1820 Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 November 1792 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 21 cm, Width: 16.5 cm Order a Copy

Comments on Nancy's recovery from a smallpox inoculation (variolation). Congratulates her and suggests that she will make a better wife after having smallpox because it must have filled her with patience and resolution, and made her immune. Reports that Nancy's friends in Newport were surprised to learn she had undergone variolation. Ellery has also been inoculated. Comments on his old age. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Nancy was his daughter.

Ellery, William, 1727-1820
Ellery, Nancy, fl. 1792

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