December 17, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that his regiment has moved from Staten Island to York Island and have been there a month. He is very comfortable. Regrets that Balfour (a soldier returning home who delivered his last letter) could not visit Alexander. Reports that three of the regiment captains' are prisoners, one at Halifax, and the others at home. He and one other captain remain with the regiment but the duties are easier than on Staten Island where they had many detachments. Fears he may miss getting this letter to the packet boat. Anticipates news from Gibraltar…

GLC01450.023.14

October 26, 1777

Cotton, Theophilus, fl. 1767-1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Spencer

Cotton reports to Major General Joseph Spencer that some boatmen refused to obey orders in a "mutinous manner." Cotton asks that Spencer try the men because the crime is of too high a nature for him to try them himself. The men's names are included in the letter. The verso of the letter contains instructions on how returns should be made.

GLC01412.63.02

October 25, 1775

Stanley, Edward H., fl. 1765-1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jelly and Stephen Watson

Recipients inferred from contents of the letter. Countersigned by William Goodwin, Mr. Norris, Henry Jelly, and Stephen Watson. Stanley orders an account of every ship and vessel that has arrived at the port in Dover, England, from North America. He further orders the accounts to include the port from which the vessel has come, names of the master and owner(s), and any intelligence gathered. Also requests that an account be given for every vessel that is equipped from Dover to any part of North America. Letter written at the London Customs House.

GLC01412.63.03

August 2, 1782

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Henry Jackson

The recipient is inferred from contents of the letter. Heath informs Col. Jackson that he has just received the New York newspaper with an enclosed letter of intelligence from him. States that he will send the letter and newspaper to the Commander in Chief.

GLC01412.63.04

15 June 1775

Goldthwaite, Thomas, 1717-1799

Printed document signed

Title: [Custom's document]

Partially printed document signed by Colonel Goldthwait, who was the commanding officer at Fort Pownall in Maine, and countersigned by his future son-in-law, Francis Archbald, Jr., the clerk at Fort Pownall. Certifies Nathan Pendleton of the sloop Seaflower, clearance to the custom's house of Penobscot Port. Specifies that the sloop was bound for New London, Connecticut, and that there were thirty thousand pine boards and fifteen thousand shingles on board.

GLC01412.63.05

August 19, 1775

Lake, Laban, 1750-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Patience Lake

Laban Lake reports that he is doing well and hopes that she is too. He gives an account of firing of cannons from the fort which escalated to fighting. Part of the address is lost, but the first name appears to be Patience, the name of Lake's wife.

GLC01412.63.06

20 July 1775

Waterbury, David, 1722-1801

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders of Colonel David Waterbury]

Orders Lieutenant Briggs to proceed to the towns of Rutfield, New Fairfield, Danbury, Reding, and Newton, Connecticut. States the Briggs should give orders to all officers, doctors, and soldiers belonging to the 5th regiment to return immediately as Waterbury has orders to march to Albany right away. Lists six officers absent from camp that Briggs should order to return.

GLC01450.131.01

July 17, 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts and writes about how much he misses her and how he thinks about her all the time. Relays that the British sent a truce flag but that the colonies have declared independency. He believes George Washington would be glad if the British attacked New York. States that he sent a letter with five dollars in it but she did not say whether or not she received it. He reports that every regiment is ready in case they get called to battle. He has sent 14 dollars in this letter and 18 dollars by the post. He discusses the grace of God and the power of…

GLC01450.056.08

8 November 1767-1785

Sylvester, Deborah, fl. 1760-1785

Diary

Title: [Deborah Sylvester's Journal]

Most entries are recorded in Scituate, Massachusetts. Records accounts and thoughts as well as biblical readings, sermons and family births and deaths. On 19 April 1775, states "the Regulars march out of Bouston and march to Lexington whare the massecre furst begun and Killd six men taking over peopel at [?] but thay mustered and rove thum back to Charleston thay killd...one black and sum befor thare wos 500 of the enemy wonded and Slain." On 20 April, she writes "all the towns mustered and march the 21 [?] Scituate companis march for Marshfield one turned back one kompanis the other march…

GLC01144.01

1770-1802

Header Record

Title: [Collection of two Bromfield family books] [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC01450.030

1770-1790 circa

Header Record

Title: [Collection of items related to Jonathan Clarke] [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01450.032

23 April 1777

Wilson, Lawrence, fl. 1777

Document

Title: [Forged permission for marriage from John Hancock]

Addressed to any clergyman of the city or liberties of Philadelphia. States "Lawrence Wilson has applied to me for license to be joined to Jane Bevan in matrimony. I therefore authorize you to do the same according to the usual form." Wilson, a Continental soldier wanting to marry, forged this document and John Hancock's signature.

GLC01450.034.01

April 24, 1777

Goevansson, Andrew, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Goevansson states that he received a forged letter which he believed was from Hancock last night authorizing him to join in matrimony Lawrence Wilson and Jane Bevan. He states he performed the act believing the note to be genuine. Asks what he should do when pressed to marry soldiers in the Continental service who do not have enough time to get a legal license. Asks if he can be empowered within limitations to perform marriages without a license from the government. Informs that this letter will be delivered by Mr. [Allcock] who has an application to be married and is in the same position.…

GLC01450.034.02

August 9, 1775

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts that he is healthy, he misses her, and wants to come home soon. Mentions a fire at Penny Ferry [Massachusetts] last Sunday evening and states a small company of men guarded it. Expects to trench at Captain Green's Hill in a few days. He sends love to the children. Noyes served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Lower right corner of page with signature is missing. Letter is incomplete.

GLC01450.056.01

August 10, 1775

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

Writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts that he is well and hopes she is too. He thinks something is going to happen soon because some prominent families are leaving town for England (possibly Loyalists). Discusses a rifleman that was taken to jail and sent out a letter but he got out of prison. Wants to come home soon and sends love to the family. Noyes served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.056.02

September 13, 1775

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

Mary Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts that he wants to come home but he is not allowed because there is a general parade this week. He expects to see her soon though. Believes something favorable is brewing by accounts from Boston and from the south. He has heard that there are no more troops coming from London. A servant of British General William Howe told them there are 7000 men in Boston or bound for Boston and that "Howe has got spirit enough to go out against us but not men enough." This letter is in very poor condition. Noyes served in the Continental army during the…

GLC01450.056.03

October 21, 1775

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts that he misses her and wants to see her. He hopes she will come visit him before the winter and states he will come meet her if she tells him when she is coming. States he has no other news. Asks her to tell Joseph Toppan's wife that a boat has not passed yet but he will send on her letter at the first opportunity. First page of the letter is missing. Letter is incomplete. Noyes was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.056.04

December 30, 1775

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts that he is well and hopes she is too. He has not been paid yet. States the troops were going to take Bunker's Hill but the ice was not strong enough to bear them. Noyes was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.056.05

February 24, 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts that he misses her and wants to see her. Tells a story about a lieutenant in the regiment who courted a young lady using the name of their captain so that his wife would not hear about his affair, but the captain found out about the lieutenant's lies and he was tried and sent home. He expects to leave for Boston within 10 days. Noyes was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.056.06

May 12, 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Noyes

Letter written from Horn's Hook fort at Hells Gate, East River, New York to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts. States they are seven miles from the city. Reports that there are many Tories in the city. He describes the evils of the city and remarks that there are whores everywhere trying to entice the soldiers. Some soldiers have been robbed. Reports that four or five men have been killed in the night. He describes in detail how he misses her and that he cannot wait to see her. "I hope that you & I shall see Each other & enjoy those Nuptuall Delights of Venis." He wants her to write…

GLC01450.056.07

circa November- December 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts. He discusses battles or skirmishes in New York but it is not clear which ones because the letter is incomplete and not dated. He reports on how many wounded or killed on each side. States that deserters from the British army are coming to them every week. Relays that the British have landed near Throg's Neck and have advanced over the river at Dobb's Ferry. They moved again on November 12 and are expected to go to Kings Bridge where there might be a bloody battle since the Americans have a strong fort there with five months of…

GLC01450.056.09

circa 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts. He discusses soldiers taken prisoners who will probably be put to death. States he has sent five dollars, and sends his love to his family. First page or pages are missing and the bottom right corner is cut out so there is no date or signature. Both are inferred from context and from other letters in the collection. Noyes was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.056.10

circa September-December 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter

Title: to Mary Noyes

John Noyes writes to his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts. States that 130 British vessels have landed at Staten Island and they have not more than 10,000 troops. Reports that the British are going up to Albany. Mentions the execution and jailing of some Tories. He remarks that six of their men were killed by their own cannon fire. Informs that there are 30 to 40 thousand men in the American army. First page and last page or pages are missing so there is no date or signature. Both are inferred from context and from other letters in the collection. Noyes was a soldier in the Continental army…

GLC01450.056.11

1770-1778 circa

Header Record

Title: [Collection of three items related to Richard Frothingham] [Decimalized .01-.03]

GLC01450.065

29 August 1776

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph document signed

Title: [Pay order for Uriah Hanks]

Cosigned by T. Seymour. Requesting from Treasurer John Lawrence payment of 18 pounds 13 shillings for a gun lock Hanks manufactured. Costs should be charged to the state of Connecticut. Note on reverse signed by Uriah Hanks certifies that he received the money. Hanks was a prominent gun maker from Connecticut.

GLC01450.074.01