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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 George Wanton Ellery

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02300.25 Author/Creator: Ellery, William, 1727-1820 Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 July 1806 Pagination: 2 p. 21 x 17 cm Order a Copy

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Encloses a pair of socks, enlarged by Nancy. Hopes that George will use his remaining time at school well. Discusses the question as to whether or not Lombardy poplar and worms that infest it are poisonous. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

Ellery, William, fl. 1802-1806

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