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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.

Summers, Etta, fl. 1888 to Albert Gillett

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.05.25 Author/Creator: Summers, Etta, fl. 1888 Place Written: Scottsburgh, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 June 1888 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy

Writes "is it true you can call me dear Etta & say from your inmost heart that you love me without ever beholding my face." Expresses that she would never marry him if his children were opposed to it. She continues on by stating though that children do leave their parents and that "if we can be a comfort to one another & cheer each other along lifes pathway it would be pleasant. I hope I shall yet have that priceless blessing, a husbands faithfull love." Reports that another man would like to marry her, but that she doesn't think she could love him. Expresses her desire to meet him and gives him directions to her home. Signs off the letter with, "yours in hope."

Summers, Etta, fl. 1888
Gillett, Albert, fl. 1888-1895

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