Our Collection

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.

Clifton, Allen J., fl. 1865 to his mother

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05802.01 Author/Creator: Clifton, Allen J., fl. 1865 Place Written: Oil City, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 October 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 25 cm Order a Copy

Explains that he thinks she is not getting some of his letters and vice versa because he moves around a lot. States that he will not advise relatives to come out to the oil region because he is not sure he would be able to get them jobs, as they go very fast. If they come of their own accord, he will try to help them but he does not want to be blamed if they cannot find work. Describes how the men get along in the oil region. Mentions a man named Adam Eckert from home who is running a tobacco store here. Gives love to all at home. Advises her to address his letters to him at Petroleum Center, Pennsylvania.

Clifton, Allen J., fl. 1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources