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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.

Hale, Aurelia, 1798-? to Sarah W. Hale

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08934.021 Author/Creator: Hale, Aurelia, 1798-? Place Written: Washington, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 June 1826 Pagination: 4 p. : address : Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 25.4 cm Order a Copy

This letter was sent to her sister shortly after their mother's passing. She spends a good deal of time talking about the concept of death in general, saying: "We shall soon, my dear sister, reach the ocean of eternity. A few more days of sorrow and trouble may roll away before we go down to our graves; but that time will come, and is approaching with rapid strides." She also talks about their mother's death and expresses regret that she was unable to help care for her physically or monetarily, though she comments that her expenses are much greater in Georgia than they would be in Hartford. She does, however, indicate that she is quite willing to contribute to a "handsome" gravestone. She indicates some concern about their brother Horatio, who she has not heard from in awhile.

Hale, Aurelia, 1798-?
Hale, Sarah, 1801-?

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