April 19, 1775

Merrill, Isaac, 1708-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Currier

Written by Merrill, a Colonel of militia, sending an account of the American militia's opposition to British troops at Lexington and Concord to Captain Currier. He mentions that Gage marched last evening out of Boston "Destroying our men and interest." Tells Currier to muster and mobilize as many of his officers and soldiers as possible. Tells him to spread the word and have other militia companies join them. Says he should appoint an officer to take charge in case he has to leave. Merrill still saw himself as a British citizen when he signed the date of the letter "in the Fifteenth Year of…

GLC00303

circa 1841

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph document signed

Title: [Petition and summons for Harrison C. Goodell adversus David A. Powell]

Goodell sued Powell for the remainder of a bill for a steam engine Powell bought for use in a sawmill. Lincoln represents Powell, who claims that the boiler required repairs and other hardware was missing, which cost more than the $75 dollar balance on the bill. Lincoln signed as a representative of the firm of Lincoln & Logan.

GLC00304

25 October 1782

Middleton, Arthur, 1742-1787

Autograph document signed

Title: to Ralph Izard

Promissory note certifying that he will pay to Mr. John Reedle, a tailor, 37 pounds, 10 shillings in Pennsylvania currency on the first of March 1783. Signed on reverse by John C. Reedle certifying he received the money on 3 March 1783. Signed accepted by Ralph Izard.

GLC00305

September 16, 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

James Monroe discusses his diplomatic mission to France during the winter of 1796-1797. He requests a copy of the proceedings of the Hartford Convention, which took place during the winter of 1814-1815.

GLC00306

1774-1804

Header Record

Title: Collection record [decimalized]

GLC00307

September 27, 1777

Mifflin, Thomas, 1744-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Thomas Mifflin informs Hancock that he has appointed "Francis Huger of Charleston South Carolina Deputy Quarter Master General for that State." He asks for a commission for Huger.

GLC00307.01

October 29, 1789

Lee, Henry, 1756-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Townsend Howe

This is actually three letters on one sheet of paper. Lee, a Revolutionary War General from Virginia, was writing about an advertisement for land, which he appears to have an interest in, placed by Robert Howe. The other two letters are each a page. One is dated November 3, 1789 and the other December 9, 1789. Lee says he cannot make it to Howe's land sale, but that he will promote it in his area. He wants to know the standard price Howe expects from prospective buyers. He hopes he will respond by the next post because he knows a gentleman who might buy the land, but needs the value. Howe's…

GLC00307.03

25 June 1804

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Printed document signed

Title: [Importation certificate for the port of Marblehead, Massachusetts]

Partially printed document signed as collector and countersigned by J. Prentiss as Collector. Numbered 14976. Certifies that Thomas Meek imported one cask of wine.

GLC00307.04

May 15, 1786

Glover, John, 1732-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M. M. Hays

Glover, noted leader of the 14th Continental Regiment during the Revolutionary War, discusses a shipment of oil with Hays, a lawyer. He mentions Mr. Stilman, Mr. Secur, and the price of oil.

GLC00307.05

circa 1770

De Haas, John Philip, fl. 1735-1786

Document signed

Title: [Receipt of John Philip De Haas]

Receipt for one doubloon.

GLC00307.06

15 August 1807

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Document signed

Title: [Check for 139 dollars]

Check written by Putnam, a Revolutionary War general and founder of a colony in Ohio. He began the colony in Adelphia, Ohio, which later became Marietta, Ohio. He moved to the Ohio country in 1788 as the Superintendent of the Ohio Company. This 139 dollar check was written by Putnam as President of the Bank of Marietta. It says to pay "Messrs. Skinner & Buckingham or order one hundred thirty nine dollars, value received of them, and place the same to account of." Marked to George Simpson, the cashier of the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia. Note on verso says "pay the within…

GLC00307.07

April 8, 1775

Livingston, William, 1723-1790

Autograph document signed

Title: [Signed receipt from William Livingston to Elias Dayton]

Receipt written by Livingston, the future Governor of New Jersey. Countersigned by Dayton as a merchant in New Jersey and future general in Revolutionary War. Dayton was to join the Committee of Safety in New Jersey in December 1774 and Livingston was on the local committee of correspondence. Dayton was paying taxes to Livingston of over 4 pounds from 23 September 1774 to November 1774. Dayton's signed note says he received the above of William Livingston on 8 April 1775. Place written inferred from the location of Livingston's home in New Jersey. Accompanied by a second, partial receipt…

GLC00307.08

1782-1822

Various

Header Record

Title: Letters and documents of naval commanders in Revolution & 1812 [Decimalized .01-.10]

GLC00308

March 5, 1806

Preble, Edward, 1761-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Smith

Edward Preble offers Smith condolence for death of his wife. Smith was then secretary of the Navy. Treble had been a naval commander in the Tripolitan War and, at the time this letter was written, an adviser to Smith.

GLC00308.01

March 22, 1820

Jones, William, 1760-1831

Letter signed

Title: to Walter Dun

Jones, former Secretary of the Navy and Treasury, requests that Walter Dun, Union County Ohio land surveyor, consider hiring Israel L. Clarke. Clarke, son of Philadelphia Naval Officer Samuel Clarke, attempts to gain employment as a deputy land surveyor in Northwest Pennsylvania. States that Clarke has a classical education and studied land surveying under Mr. Richards of Reading, Pennsylvania.

GLC00308.02

January 16, 1782

Simpson, Thomas, fl. 1778-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Brown

Captain Simpson transmits his account (not included), settled with the Navy Board, to Brown, Secretary of the Marine. He requests that Brown obtain his payment (possibly from the United States Congress) during his upcoming visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He requests that Brown advise a lawyer, Clapp, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, whether or not the sum will be paid.

GLC00308.03

May 21, 1822

Barron, James, 1769-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry M. Morfit

James Barron discusses the difficulties of securing a loan, which he was inquiring about in Philadelphia on Morfit's behalf. Barron was a commodore in U.S. Navy.

GLC00308.04

August 14, 1799

Stoddert, Benjamin, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Stoddert, Secretary of the Navy, discusses possibly his will with an unidentified recipient. States "Gordon is so great a Liar, that I conclude merely because he says otherwise, that the [will?] is in good condition." Docket on verso states "Ben Stoddert Philadelphia 14 August 1799." Also docketed below text.

GLC00308.06

17 September 1794

Dale, Richard, 1756-1826

Document signed

Title: [Reciepts related to bonds]

Account entry 816, possibly clipped from a larger account book. Commodore Dale discusses the balance of his bond by the brig Pomona. Mentions a purchase of sugar 22 November 1793 aboard the ship Columbia. Verso contains partial receipt 820 for bonds by the brig Sally dated 25 May 1793, and refers to a coffee purchase completed 11 June 1793 on the brig Nymph. Both receipts state that Sharp Delany, customs collector in Philadelphia, oversaw the transactions cited.

GLC00308.07

14 May 1800

Decatur, Stephen, 1752-1808

Document signed

Title: [Bank note issued to James Stewart for thirty six dollars]

Drawn against the Bank of the United States. With puncture cancellation. Signed "Stephen Decatur Jnr."

GLC00308.08

December 27, 1787

Williams, Otho Holland, 1749-1794

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for cargo of the sloop Hannah]

Signed by Williams as Naval Officer of Baltimore. Signed by Samuel Oakford, master of the sloop. Lists all cargo on the Hannah, including olives, raisins, wine, apples, tea, and beer, among other items. Lists the names of persons to whom the items are consigned. States that the cargo was assumed in Philadelphia, and that Oakford has not broken bulk since arriving in Baltimore. Partially printed. Docketed 27 December 1787.

GLC00308.09

June 29, 1839

Chauncey, Isaac, 1772-1840

Letter signed

Title: to Charles Stewart

Serving as President of the Board of Navy Commissioners, Chauncey informs Commander Stewart of the Philadelphia Navy Yard that an Act of Congress appropriated $300,000 from a Gradual Improvement fund for the expense of building and equipping sea steamers. Instructs Stewart to head each requisition from this account with the subject "sea steamers," making it obvious that money will be expended for that purpose. He hopes that the Navy will be able to precisely account for "the indebtedness of sea steamers to gradual improvement."

GLC00308.10

March 2, 1797

Webster, Noah, 1758-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Childs

Webster, book writer and editor of the New York Federalist newspaper "The Commercial Advertiser," writes to Childs, a New York publisher and friend, in London. He asks Childs to place an order for type with Caslon's foundry, perhaps for his newspaper. He requests Childs to get unsold copies of his books from a noted London bookseller, Charles Dilly. Webster is possibly referring to his works "Dissertations on the English Language," "Political Essays on the Nature and Operation of Money, Public Finances and Other Subjects," or a series of pamphlets on free trade and finance, all of which sold…

GLC00312

1862

Confederate States of America. War Dept.

Book

Title: Official reports of battles

Published by order of the Confederate Congress by the Enquirer Book and Job Press. Consists of documents, letters, battle reports, and statistics from Confederate officers (as well as some captured Union documents and letters) during the battles of 1862, including Shiloh and the defeats at Forts Henry and Donelson. Index at pages 567-571.

GLC00313

1774

Almon, John, 1737-1805

Book

Title: Charters of the British Colonies

Howes C310. Reprints the charters of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Georgia. (Useful for Constitutions collection.) Collation: pi2 A-S4 ($2 signed).

GLC00314