circa spring 1851

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Stone

Stowe writes from "Woodside Cottage." Says she just received his letter and hopes to see him in Boston next week. Asks him "to make no public mention if you have not, of the Uncle Tom project till I have seen you. Don't mention it at any rate till then." Stowe began writing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in early 1851. The recipient may be Rev. Thomas Treadwell Stone (1801-1895), a Unitarian minister, writer, Transcendentalist, and abolitionist from Massachusetts. Letter written in spring of 1851.

GLC01584.01

March 20, 1852

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

On its first day of publication in 1852, Stowe sends a copy [not present] of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Slavery had been abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833, and Stowe holds Britain up as a model for Americans. Letter written mostly in the third person. Stowe had consulted Horace Mann several days before writing this letter, asking for his advice as to how best to contact Prince Albert and other noteworthy British individuals. Evidently, Mann's advice had proved useful: Despite the "republican simplicity" of this letter to the Royal Consort,…

GLC01585

December 29, 1855

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. S.C. Hall

Mentions the suffering of many families in England (likely a reference to the Crimean War) and hopes that it has not affected Mrs. Hall and her family. Stowe writes that she will probably be in England some time in the coming year, as there are many people she wants to visit. Reading over old letters has her reminiscing about a previous trip to England. Discusses a Miss Greenfield, a black singer. Envelope is adhered to first page of the letter. Mrs. S.C. Hall was a popular Irish-born novelist. Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (ca. 1824-1876), known as "The Black Swan," was a singer noted for her…

GLC01586

October 29, 1852

Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom, 1819-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Duchess of Sutherland

Written as Queen, signed as "V R" for Victoria Regina. Mentions that Lord Carlisle has written the preface to "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, "a book which is being increasingly read but I have not yet had time to read; did your brother know the Authoress in America?" Stowe has presented a copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to Prince Albert on publication day in March 1852 (see GLC01585). In the remainder of this letter, the Queen chides the Duchess for not writing, gives news of acquaintances and family (including her "Uncle Leopold," presumably King Leopold I of Belgium) and…

GLC01587

December 5, 1783

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Livingston Jay

Letter written by Jay, three months after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, to his wife Sarah, who he refers to as "Sally," while she was in Paris. Says last letter he received from her was from November 18. Says his trip to the spa town of Bath has improved his health greatly. Says he will spend another 8-10 days and see where that leaves him. Says he misses her and fears his daughter will forget who he is. Jay's formal, straight-laced personality comes through when he says "in a Letter by the post I must not indulge these Emotions as in confidential Conversations." Says he has received…

GLC01610

1782

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Broadside

Title: Epitaph [mock epitaph on George III, "Button-Maker"]

Satirical epitaph on King George III. Compares George III to various dictatorial rulers, including Caligua and Cesar, Printed by F. Bailey. Inscribed at top to "Mrs. Rebecca Treat at Yorktown -- From Sam: Leatney [?]."

GLC01531

13 April 1782

Attwood, Catherine, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mrs. Attwood (nee Ten eyck) writes to ask Knox for a permit to travel from New York to New Jersey for the improvement of her health, and also to visit her sister who is staying at "Raritan at Mrs. Van Wyck's."

GLC02437.01387

22 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Written by Major General Knox to General Washington. Says he arrived at camp to find that 22 American women and children, formerly prisoners who had travelled from Canada, were seeking assistance. They travelled down from Vermont to Albany, New York. From Albany, Lord Stirling sent them southward with the idea that they could reach Philadelphia. Says "These unhappy people, were inhabitants of the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Their husbands and fathers have been murdered by the Savages and themselves taken into captivity to Canada." Reports that after "horrors unutterable," they…

GLC02437.01624

3 March 1783

Gates, Horatio, 1727-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: Copies of letters sent by Colo. Antill

Title from docket. Marked as a copy. Possibly refers to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill. Contains two letters discussing whether "Colonel Antils [sic] family were to be included in the allowance of provision to Canadian Refugees." The first letter is written by Gates to an unknown female. In the letter, Gates indicates that the commissary is to obey the orders of Colonel [David] Humphreys. The second letter is from Humphreys to Gates, also written 3 March 1783. Humphreys imparts Washington's orders, that the commissary is to regularly deliver issues until further instructions from…

GLC02437.10102

January 14, 1783

Platt, Richard, 1755-1830

Autograph document signed

Title: [Army Rations issued to Elizabeth Cottril]

Orders to issue rations, "whiskey excepted," to Elizabeth Cottril, Richard Cottril's wife. Countersigned by Robert Forsythe and endorsed by Richard Cottril.

GLC02437.01832

11 November 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Thanks him and Mrs. Biddle for their kindness to Mrs. Knox and their young daughter while in Philadelphia. Comments that Biddle's knowledge of his orders during the siege will excuse his inability to write frequently. Stresses his interest in ensuring that American battalions are filled with troops. Describes the recent illness and death of Mr. Custis, George Washington's stepson, while he was at camp with Washington as an aide. Mentions that General and Mrs. Washington were present for his "last gasp." He is waiting for General and Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Custis to arrive, but "Mrs. Knox…

GLC02437.01287

2 October 1781

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Assures Knox that he will not publish his correspondence and asks him to write often about the operation in Virginia. Reports that the British "suffered much more severely in the Action off Cape Henry than you seem to have expected," referring to the Second Battle of the Virginia Capes. Mentions the actions of several naval vessels. Reports that British troops have landed on Staten Island and impressed many wagons. There are rumors of the British coming to burn Philadelphia and the militia is preparing. The remainder of the Pennsylvania line is in Philadelphia and plans to march 600 men…

GLC02437.01205

10 June 1783

Blair, Samuel, 1741-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Offers his congratulations on ending the war, while expressing his regret on not being able to congratulate him personally. "I pray the Supreme Rewarder of the good & the truly brave may bless you with the copious fruits of that peace you have by so many energies contributed to procure." Also mentions a niece whose husband is no good, "worse than widowed."

GLC02437.02157

6 July 1783 circa

Hillyer, David, fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return for army rations issued]

Signed by David Hillyer, a quartermaster. Countersigned by Major Samuel Shaw as Henry Knox's aide-de-camp. Provision return sent to James Forsyth, the commissary at West Point, for non-commissioned officers and privates belonging to Captain McGowan's company of the Invalid Regiment that were being detained for a board of inspection from 1-6 July. The return also includes rations for three women and six children. A total of 176 rations were issued over the six days. Docket signed by Hillyer stating that contractors delivered the rations.

GLC02437.02242

16 July 1783 circa

Blake, Edward, fl. 1753-1800

Manuscript signed

Title: [Provision return for army rations issued]

Signed by Edward Blake, a quartermaster with the artillery, and countersigned by Fort Major of West Point John Doughty. Provision return for rations issued to two men, one woman, and two children for ten days from 7-16 July. A total of 40 rations were issued over the ten days. Note on bottom of recto is signed by Thomas Nelson stating that contractors delivered the rations.

GLC02437.02246

9 July 1783

Wright, J., fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return]

Countersigned by Samuel Shaw, aide-de-camp to General Henry Knox.Provision return for four men employed in the ordnance department. Four men and two women were issued one and a half rations a day for four days. Docket note regarding rations signed by William Burrows.

GLC02437.02254

14 July 1783

Hillyer, David, fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return]

Signed by David Hillyer as quarter master and countersigned by John Doughty as Fort Major. Provisions return for twenty men of the Invalid Regiment, three women, and six children. States that the twenty men were detained on account of the Board of Inspections. A total of 104 rations were issued.

GLC02437.02269

14 July 1783

Doughty, John, 1754-1826

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Order to supply rations to John Mundin]

Order of 27 rations to Sergeant John Mundin of the Invalid Regiment discharged and on his way to Albany, New York. The order for 27 rations also includes Mundin's wife and five children.

GLC02437.02271

16 July 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Army rations issued to Thomas Nelson and his family]

Asks the commissary, James Forsyth, to issue rations for Thomas Nelson, his wife, and 2 children from 16-31 of July. Says that Nelson is a furloughed man from the Massachusetts artillery who was detained by the sickness of his wife. Nelson signed the docket stating that 64 rations were delivered to him.

GLC02437.02300

25 July 1783

Wright, fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return for army rations issued]

Provision return for three men from Lieutenant Wright's company of artificers in the ordinance department as well as two women from 25-28 July. The five people were issued 26 rations over the four days. Signed by Lieutenant Wright and countersigned Major Samuel Shaw as General Knox's aide-de-camp. Docket is signed by a William Burrows stating that contractors delivered the rations.

GLC02437.02327

10 June 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Checkley

Relates that a sum is due to Checkley's family from the estate of Thomas Flucker, his late father-in-law. Hopes to be in Boston within one month's time so he can resolve the "embarrassments and entanglements" related to the estate.

GLC02437.03891

23 November 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

Written in the thrid person and signed in text. Informs Bowdoin that he will depart for New York on 24 November, and offers to transmit letters to Lady Temple. Notes that the "Marquis de Santa Cruz, and Duque de Almodovar are the [Grandees] of Spain who would be highly flattered by being admitted to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences."

GLC02437.04033

25 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas Theodore Bliss

Secretarially written and signed. Addressee listed as "Captain Bliss," may be Captain Thomas Theodore Bliss. Writes to make arrangements to send Bliss's daughter Betsey back to him. Betsey has apparently been staying with Knox and his family, possibly working as a servant. Adds, "I cannot refrain from mentioning to you that Betsey has been uneasy for a time lately with her situation - We have every [cause] to believe this disposition was created and kept up by an infamous Irish Girl who was in the House whose indentures we had bought but this grievance is at an end as the said Girl has…

GLC02437.03278

25 June 1787

Canary, Dennis, fl. 1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William to write on his behalf to his brother, Henry Knox, for help with a land dispute. The tract of land in question is currently his but his ownership is being questioned by a widow, Mrs. Sarah Robinson, who argues her husband had some claim on the land. Would like Knox's advice on how to proceed. Stamped "Salem."

GLC02437.03591

19 November 1787

Anstey, John, fl. 1787-1788

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses "Mrs. Flucker's Claim upon the British Government," and informs Knox that he most likely has all of the necessary documents to support the claim, but states that he is willing to help when he returns to New York City. Docketed by Knox, "John Anstey Esq Commissioner from the british government for enquiring into the propriety of the claims made by the Loyalists on that government for compensation."

GLC02437.03706