An archive of three letters related to the Grant family. The first letter was written between two of the Doctors involved in Ulysses S. Grant's end-of-life care and concerns payment for their service. The second two letters were written from and to Julia Grant and the descendants of Abraham Lincoln. The archive includes:

1. Autograph letter signed by George Elliott to Dr. John Hancock Douglas. New York, 4 November 1887. 2 pages, 8vo. With original envelope.

An important letter between two of Ulysses S. Grant's doctors who provided him end-of-life care. John Hancock Douglas (1824-1892) was Grant's lead physician during Grant's final nine months. Dr. George B. Elliott was the doctor who performed a biopsy and confirmed Grant's fatal diagnosis of throat cancer. Here, Elliott writes to Douglas regarding his compensation for the biopsy: "Regarding the question whether or not I have received any fee for my...examination in the care of the late Genl Grant, I can reply in the negative. No better than to quote from my letter to Mr. W.H. Purrington(?) dated June 6/84 as follows: 'I have never presented a bill to Dr. Douglas, nor to the family and furhtermore do not intend to do so.' Will you kindly omit any opinions which may hint at the contrary."

A noble act of compassion.

2. Autograph letter signed by L.M.C. Grant, on behalf of Julia Grant, to Mamie Lincoln Isham. Cranston's, West Point, New York, [June 1892]. 3 page, 8vo.

3. Autograph letter signed by Charles Isham, to L.M.C. Grant. [New York], 16 June 1892. 2 pages, 8vo. With original envelope.

A fascinating set of correspondence from the descendants of President Lincoln and General Grant. Included is a letter written by L.M.C. Grant on behalf of Julia Grant (1826-1902) to Mary Todd "Mamie" Lincoln Isham (1869-1938), daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln, granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln. Grant writes inquiring about their recently born son. She begins the letter: "Mrs. Grant wishes me to write her congratulations on the arrival of the little one and wishes to know its name, as she has a little souvenir to send." Mary's husband, historian Charles Isham (1853-1919) writes a letter in response: "I presume he will be called Lincoln.'"

Their son, born on 8 June 1892, was indeed named Lincoln Isham. The identity of "L.M.C. Grant" is unknown, not corresponding directly to the initials of the Grant's daughter Nellie, her daughters-in-law, or her granddaughters. Perhaps it is a distant niece or cousin. Regardless, the presumed relative was acting as a secretary of sorts while Julia Grant spent her summer at Cranston's - a fine resort along the Hudson in upstate New York.

A significant archive.

[Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War, Union, Confederate, Generals, Presidents, Presidential History, First Ladies, Julia Dent Grant, Manuscripts, Letters, Documents, Ephemera, Medical History]