Gerry, Elbridge, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts

Autograph letter signed ("E Gerry"), 7 1/2 pages (9 x 7 1/2 in.; 228 x 190 mm), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 May 1787, to his wife Ann Thompson Gerry in Cambridge, Massachusetts, typed transcription laid in; formerly folded, small hole in upper left margin of first page due to ink corrosion, traces of wax seal. Black half-morocco clamshell box, gilt-stamped title label on spine.

Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 26 April 1978, part of lot 101)

An extraordinary expression of affection and concern for his wife from the Massachusetts delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Gerry met Ann Thompson (1753–1849) while he was a delegate to the Continental Congress in New York. She came from an old family, and was educated in Dublin. He clearly misses her immensely as he reports his life as a boarder at the home of Doctor Jones who is called out at all hours of the night, making him fear the worst for his own family. He has his own homespun medical advice: "But my love, I must request you to guard against the Effects of the excessive rains We have had, by avoiding carefully the evening air, & indeed the early morning air, " recommending the frequent use of "porter with exercise when the weather is clear and moderate ..."

In response to her last letter: "I was exceedingly pleased with your Composition, it is good in itself & the morality excellent. My dearest Life, I never knew true happiness, till it was derived from the Source of your affection. I always was delighted with the Society of the improved part of the fair Sex, & there was a species of Happiness in the particular Friendship of many of them: but this was never compleat from the Want of a full & entire union of Views & Interest. This union is productive of the most unbounded confidence, when built on Esteem & affection, & makes us no more twain but one flesh."

Of particular interest is his comment on the difference in atmosphere in Philadelphia from that in New York: "Indeed my Love there is & always has been as much difference between the hospitality of this City & that of New York, as between the sociability of a quaker & of a military Society. The embers of the first are like Monks & Nuns cloistered in a monastery, & the other are like Citizens of the World who have neither attachments nor prejudices for professions or local Circumstances — whenever You arrive then, you must not expect the attentions of New York, & whether You receive many or none it will not be a matter of Consequence ..."