An original Autograph Letter Signed by Alexander Campbell (1788–1866), the pioneering American religious reformer and founder of the Restoration Movement that gave rise to the Disciples of Christ, Christian Churches, and Churches of Christ.
Written at De Ruyter, Madison County, New York, on July 31, 1856, the letter is addressed to Thomas R. Pittman of New York City. Campbell explains that he was unable to meet Pittman before leaving New York and requests payment of the balance of a subscription pledged to the De Ruyter Institute, noting that additional funds are needed to continue the institution's work. He asks that twenty dollars be sent by mail if possible and expresses his hope that the school will be fully operating the following winter. The letter closes with his bold signature, "Alexander Campbell." It retains its original integral address leaf and De Ruyter postal marking.
Educational institutions were a cornerstone of Campbell's ministry, and this letter provides a firsthand glimpse into his personal efforts to secure financial support for the movement's schools during the 1850s. It combines religious history, educational history, and manuscript Americana in a single appealing document.
Condition: Good to very good, with original mailing folds, postal markings, light age toning, and a small opening tear affecting a few words but not the signature or overall historical significance.
An excellent opportunity to acquire a substantive letter from one of the most influential figures in nineteenth-century American religious history, ideal for collectors of religious manuscripts, Restoration Movement history, educational institutions, and significant American autographs.
