1786

Manuscript document

Title: [Officers of the Society of Cincinnati, State of South Carolina]

Lists officers and their positions.

GLC04379.21

10 May 1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Note pertaining to the Society of Cincinnati]

Very briefly indicates that officers in the Continental Army instructed the society, while in cantonment on the Hudson River, 10 May 1783.

GLC04379.22

10 May 1783 - 19 June 1783

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron von, 1730-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Proposal for establishing the Society of Cincinnati and founding records]

Copy of a report on deliberations on "proposals for establishing a Society, upon principals therein mentioned, whose members shall be Officers of the American Army" during the cantonment of the army on the Hudson River. Includes a copy of the proposal revised by Henry Knox, Edward Hand, Jedediah Huntington, and Samuel Shaw. The revised proposal was issued on 13 May 1783, establishing the Society of Cincinnati and laying out its organization, principles, rules, and initial resolutions. Also contains a record of a meeting in which von Steuben noted the acceptance of membership in the newly…

GLC04379.23

1783

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

Sketch

Title: [Ink wash drawing of eagle medal for the Society of Cincinnati]

Ink wash drawing of the eagle medal L'Enfant proposed for the society. In his letter to Baron von Steuben at the founding convention, he described two medals and recommended the one drawn here (see GLC04379.23). The actual medal issued resembles this drawing, but has some differences. On the real medal, the wreath extends above the head, there is an inscription along the perimeter of the emblem on the eagle's breast, and the feet holding the branches are visible. L'Enfant was responsible for designing and having cast a medal for the society while serving as their emissary to France. A…

GLC04379.24

1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Pierre L'Enfant's expenses on behalf of the Society of Cincinnati]

Lists expenses related to L'Enfant's ten-week trip to France as an emissary of the Society of Cincinnati, during which time he arranged to have the society's diploma engraved and eagle insignia made. Some non-specific calculations appear on the verso.

GLC04379.25

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

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

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

July 15, 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions that he wrote to Henry Jackson about the British ships that sailed up the Hudson on 12 July 1776 and their engagement with artillery. Describes an attempt by General William Howe to have a letter delivered seeking a truce, which was rejected because it was addressed to Mr. Washington instead of General Washington. In a reference to the Declaration of Independence, the messenger claimed the letter was of a civil matter, not a military one. He expects the message to be brought again, which it was. Asks William to give the wife of Thomas Seward twenty dollars and to inform her that…

GLC02437.00378

24 July 1776

Burbeck, Henry, 1754-1848

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Lieutenant Henry Burbeck's account for May, 1776]

Account of officer pay and bounties. Burbeck was a lieutenant in Henry Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00393

June 12, 1782

Mathews, John, 1744-1802

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Richardson

Letter written to Richardson at High Hills of Santee, South Carolina. Notifies Richardson to deliver by the order of General Andrew Pickens 100 pounds of powder, 100 muskets and bayonets, 1000 cartouche boxes, one ream of cartridge paper, and one pound of thread out of the state stores. Note on page 2 signed by Fields Pardy certifies receipt of the goods on July 16, 1782. Mathews was governor of South Carolina from 1782-1783.

GLC01450.009.02

July 13, 1782

Pickens, Andrew, 1739-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Richardson

Letter written to Richardson at High Hills of Santee, South Carolina. Mentions that last April the governor of South Carolina, John Mathews, ordered Richardson to deliver to Colonel Hammond some arms and ammunition. States that he was informed only part of the order arrived. Indicates that he is sending Major Perdieu to retrieve the remainder. Asks Richardson to assist Perdieu in transporting the goods to Colonel Thompson since it is very inconvenient to send wagons and then have them join up with his march again. Lists what is due from the order, including powder, lead, flints, muskets, and…

GLC01450.009.03

August 4, 1782

Mathews, John, 1744-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Richardson

Letter written to Richardson at High Hills of Santee, South Carolina. Requests Richardson to deliver one case of sugar out of the public stores by order of Brigadier General Isaac Huger. Note at bottom of p. 1 signed by Huger asking the sugar to be sent to Captain Hamilton. Note on p. 2 signed by John Hamilton certifying receipt of the sugar on August 28, 1782. Mathews was the governor of South Carolina, 1782-1783. Letter written from Ashley River, South Carolina.

GLC01450.009.04

June 30, 1783

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Wadsworth begins by expressing thanks for his last letter and for the informative pamphlet on Congress. Mentions that the Continental debt is much lower than people had expected thanks to the "prudence and good economy of Congress." Comments that self interest is of utmost importance to most men and praises extensively the soldiers who fought in the Revolution for the common good. Remarks that Wadsworth's wife said he was taking a journey for his health and gives his wishes that he achieves it. States that his family is healthy, the season is good, and his salary is better than other years.

GLC01450.020.20

16 June 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Appointment of Josiah Flagg to take charge of military stores in Rhode Island]

Signed by Shaw for Henry Ward and Theodore Foster. Marked as a copy (copied in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp). Contains the copied signatures of Henry Ward, Rhode Island Secretary of State, and Theodore Foster, Providence Town Clerk. Ward confirms that Flagg is to replace Mr. Perkins, because Perkins was ordered to George Washington's headquarters. Contains resolves of the State of Rhode Island "and Providence Plantation" issued 26 June 1781 instructing Perkins to leave certain stores for use by the militia. Foster had signed as witness to the resolves.

GLC02437.00981

19 December 1822

Peirce, Peter H., 1788-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Hoping to win Hobart's support for a pension for Leonard Briggs, since Hobart was on the Committee of Revolutionary Pensions. Briggs can no longer works, served in the army, and was taken prisoner, and Peirce believes he is deserving of a pension.

GLC06313.04.205

28 December 1822

Howe, John, 1783-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Believes his "object...will be obtained" and discusses a possible nomination. Discusses his father's revolutionary war service. In his postscript requests that Hobart puts his name foward for nomination by the President to the Senate.

GLC06313.04.212

25 November 1777

Blodget, William, 1754-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Blodget, General Nathanael Greene's aide-de-camp, writes to General George Weedon. Greene informs Weedon that General John Glover's brigade will soon be within a few miles of Greene's troops. Greene has ordered that all troops should be in motion by eight in the morning. Mentions the Marquis (possibly the Marquis de Lafayette). Addressed to Weedon at Moorstown (possibly Moorestown, New Jersey). On address leaf, includes a note indicating that this letter should be allowed to pass to Moorstown, by order of General Greene.

GLC06498.02

5 December 1782

Swan, J., fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

To General Weedon at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Major Swan discusses affairs at Charleston, South Carolina: "We have all been in the utmost state of suspense with respect to Charles Town. I believe it will not any longer admit of a doubt and a few days will give us the long wished for possession of that place." Discussing General Nathanael Greene, notes that he has great merit, but "the majority of the army here are not so fond of him as they were Eighteen months ago..." Updates Weedon on military affairs among his troops. Notes that he will remain in the area for the winter. Recently…

GLC06498.03

7 January 1783

Burnett, J., fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Recipient inferred from content. Encloses a letter, which he formerly intended to deliver, to congratulate Weedon following the British evacuation of Charleston. Major Edwards will deliver the letter. Notes that General Anthony Wayne took Charleston, and that "The enemy carried off most of the negroes in their possession but left the place in as good order as could be expected." Relates that the British have sailed for the West Indies, New York, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Notes the location of American troops. Asks Weedon to ignore information he may hear regarding a mercantile exchange…

GLC06498.04

22 June 1782

Frothingham, Richard, 1748-1819

Manuscript document

Title: Return of Arms & Accoutrements at West Point

List of arms and accoutrements including scabbards and muskets with and without bayonets.

GLC02437.01464

24 June 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Quartermaster at Morristown, New Jersey

Written by Major Shaw of Major General Henry Knox's staff to the Quartermaster at Morristown, New Jersey. Reports that on the march north from Burlington, New Jersey to New Windsor, New York, one of Knox's wagon horses "foundered" in such a way to make it impossible for her to continue. Says she was a grey mare and that she was left with a John Salter of Pompton, New Jersey, less than a mile from the Yellow House Tavern. Wants the quartermaster to pay the expense of recovering the mare so she can be put to public use.

GLC02437.01466

30 June 1782

Craig, Isaac, 1742-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of the detachment for the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery & a detachment of artillery artificers, commanded by Major Isaac Craig

Written from Fort Pitt, present day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chart of numbers of soldiers in a detachment from the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery, sorted by rank as well as health and fitness for duty. See GLC02437.01470 for accompanying letter.

GLC02437.01471

1 July 1782

Lillie, John, 1755-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ruddock

Writes, "General Knox desires me to inform you, that a Conductor, or Some person in your department who was lately at the Magazine near Head Quarters broke open the lock, & left the door tied with a string. He wishes you to have it secured without a moments delay, as the Stores are much exposed and bring the person with you to his quarters on Wednesday Morning at ten oclock."

GLC02437.01472