September 1770

Livingston, Robert Cambridge, 1742-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: family afflicted with small pox

Robert Cambridge writes that there is little chance that his brother Henry will recover from the pox, but notes with hope: "As many people, that have been afflicted with this malignant disorder, have overcome it, when they were on the verge of expiring; I have some hopes that the strength of his constitution may prove favorable to him." He also states that the illness "rages" through the city at the moment. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.03246

February 7, 1782

Houston, William C., fl. 1746-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Forwards an affidavit and other documents (not included), mentions his expectation that news of the American victory at Yorktown has reached London, and sends personal news related to a smallpox epidemic. One bust engraving of Robert R Livingston included.

GLC03147

November 14, 1939

Panama Canal Health Department

Document signed

Title: [Smallpox vaccination card]

One vaccination card for smallpox belonging to J.K. Tucsmak dated November 14, 1939.

GLC10064.01

1862-1863

Baker, T. Otis, 1844-1910

Header Record

Title: [Collection of T. Otis Baker, B company, 10th regiment, Mississippi, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .03]

Lieutenant T. Otis Baker served in Co. B, 10th Mississippi Infantry, C.S.A. The diary covers 9 October 1862 -2 August 1863. Diary is primarily written in pencil and has some touch-ups. In addition to the diary, this collection includes one photograph and one calling card. The diary contains entries for the period 24 June-14 July 1863, covering Rosecrans' Tullahoma campaign and its aftermath.

GLC03134

January 13, 1863

Buntly, G.W., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Buntly

Discusses fighting at Vicksburg and smallpox in his regiment.

GLC04190.03

1 November 1792

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy Ellery

Comments on Nancy's recovery from a smallpox inoculation (variolation). Congratulates her and suggests that she will make a better wife after having smallpox because it must have filled her with patience and resolution, and made her immune. Reports that Nancy's friends in Newport were surprised to learn she had undergone variolation. Ellery has also been inoculated. Comments on his old age. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Nancy was his daughter.

GLC04780

30 March 1784

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hull, commandant of West Point, reports he has ordered a general inoculation for smallpox among his soldiers due to a recent outbreak of the disease. Also relates that a "stragling woman" broke into and set fire to the block house, a post between West Point and New Windsor. Mortified, relates that the house was "entirely consumed." Granted Amasa Jackson, a soldier, a leave of absence although he requested a discharge. "On public service," is handwritten on address leaf.

GLC02437.02987

30 March 1777

Parker, Richard, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Weedon

Possibly written by Colonel Richard Parker. Congratulates Weedon, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on a recent promotion (possibly his promotion to Brigadier General in February 1777). Parker notes, "Mr. Purdie has given me a good deal of uneasiness by killing my son Major Parker but that is now relieved by a letter I have received from him since his death dated the 13th Feb..." Asks that Weedon inform him what he knows of Major Parker, including what condition his son was in when Weedon last saw him. Writes, "I have two other sons in the second Regimt. who the last time I heard from them…

GLC06498.01

14 June 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter

Title: to John Langdon & Meshech Weare

Written by Whipple, who would later signed the Declaration of Independence, as a New Hampshire Congressman to Langdon and Weare as prominent politicians in New Hampshire (Landgon resigned from his seat in Congress on 25 June 1776 to become agent for Continental prizes in New Hampshire). This document is actually two drafts of letters on different sides of one sheet of paper. The letters are unsigned. Langdon draft: Says this accompanies the 10,000 dollars for the naval service mentioned in a former letter. Says he has put it in a box with other money sent to Colonel Weare. Mentions that…

GLC06517

12 May 1752

Winslow, Isaac, 1709-1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses a case of smallpox that is spreading throughout Boston and getting people from Europe to settle lands in the colonies. Also writes concerning the preparations on the land for the incoming settlers. Includes a post script dated 14 May. Noted as written in Milton, state and/or country unknown.

GLC02437.10415

22 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that due to miscommunication with General Sir Henry Clinton, he is being detained in New Jersey. Had set out from Philadelphia toward Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a meeting of commissioners, but Clinton sent word to Philadelphia which arrived after he left. Clinton's letter postponed the meeting to 20 April, and when Knox finally received word, he wrote to Clinton to ask that due to "the exceeding inconveniences inflicted," he move the appointment up. Relates that they will now meet in Elizabeth on 28 April, but says this will detain them a week at least. Writes that he…

GLC02437.01372

3-8 June 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments Henry's absence, noting he has been gone for three months exactly. Relates that their daughter, Lucy, is well and beautiful despite "five pitts of the small pox in her face." Comments on Henry's loss, possibly of clothes, noting that she will attempt to procure more cambric (a cotton fabric) for him. Mentions the sale of Knox's horses. Relates that she wanted to sell them separately, but Knox's brother William did not wish to do so. Remarks, "...you had better make me your future agent- I'll assure you I am quite a woman of business." Begins writing again 4 June. Plans to send…

GLC02437.10452

February 10, 1863

Pearce, Edgar, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Edgar Pearce discusses his father going into business. He also mentions a smallpox epidemic.

GLC00066.079

1781

Header Record

Title: [Collection pertaining to the 10th Massachusetts Regiment [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC01450.016

May 1, 1778

Pecker, James, fl. 1768-1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his children

Pecker reports that he recently returned from the country, where he was confined for five weeks while sick, in addition to being sick for three weeks before that with small pox. He is now healthy again and sends love and good wishes to his family. Pecker was a surgeon serving in the 10th Massachusetts in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01412.48

June 30, 1777

Pecker, James, fl. 1768-1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his children

Pecker remarks that he is in good health and never had small pox. Mentions he has sent his son, Billy, to safety at Mount Independence and describes the approach of the enemy to Fort Ticonderoga, expecting a bloody battle the next day. The enemy army made up of "Britains Canadeans, & Tories" is described as strong and Perker is preparing to care for the wounded. He believes that "the case will be decided at this place for this year." Perker was a surgeon serving in the 10th Massachusetts in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The 1777 Battle of Ticonderoga occurred on 5-6…

GLC01412.49

March 12, 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: [Orders to submit a regimental return]

A working draft of a clerical copy of a circular letter from George Washington. These, or comparable, orders were given by George Washington on 12 March 1777 to various colonels of the Continental Army. (See Fitzpatrick and the GW Papers at the Library of Congress for numerous examples, which demonstrate slightly varied wording.) Instructs recipient to "march all the Recruits you have to Philadelphia, where they will be inoculated and receive farther Orders from the Commanding officers of that City ... Every Commanding officer should know where his inferior officers, and these where their…

GLC01205.04

March 25, 1774

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Letter written by Adams, who later signed the Declaration of Independence, as a member and clerk of the colonial assembly in Massachusetts to Gerry, also a future signer of the Declaration, as a member of the assembly. References a letter from Gerry that explained the violence in Marblehead, known as the Smallpox War or the Marblehead Riots, and asked for military intervention. Gerry was one of the leading citizens of the town who wanted to build a hospital to inoculate the populace against smallpox. Once it was built, the populace, fearful that inoculations spread the disease further,…

GLC01213

1776

Simmons, Peleg, fl. 1776

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Orderly book of Peleg Simmons]

Daily orders for troops at Middletown and Newport, Rhode Island. Reports on soldiers' and officers' duties, troop movements, court martials, provisions, uniforms, armaments, soldiers' appearance, and general announcements to the troops at camp. Includes orders on preparing arms and establishing regimental colors. Assigns captains for each day. On 17 April 1776, mentions Commander Henry Babcock's arrest and removal from office due to insanity. 20 July 1776 describes a celebration of the Declaration of Independence, noting parade and canon fire. Briefly mentions smallpox in an entry for…

GLC01450.003

26 March 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School, Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Is glad that Mr. Updike has furnished George with a scale and dividers; he has sent him money to purchase a geography book for him. Is glad to hear that "the inoculation for the small pox did not take on those who had been inoculated for the swine pox; not because I in the least doubted the latter being a perfect security against the former, but because it will inspire the Wickfordians with faith, and induce them to undergo vaccine inoculation." Corrects his spelling and grammar. Happy that…

GLC02300.20

April 21, 1777

Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Discusses various Tory conspiracies, such as counterfeiting currency (to cause inflation) and spreading smallpox. Describes the difficulties of recruiting sufficient men for the army. Notes that many men have marched to Ticonderoga. Postscript dated April 22, 1777 mentions the arrival of a French ship. Bartlett represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.

GLC00193

November 18, 1861

Leavenworth, F.P., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

A Confederate captain in an ordnance unit tells his father about Civil War activities in Arkansas and Missouri. He comments on the arrival of Union General David Hunter with 36,000 soldiers. He discusses the strength and position of Confederate General Ben McCulloch's men. He claims that "The burning of the bridge in Tenn. has virtually cut the Confederacy in two," and consequently the mail has been limited, and may be worse still if Union General William T. Sherman moves into South Carolina. He notes that they have not heard from their enemies in the Creek nation, indicating that…

GLC00653.07

January 1, 1859

Cunningham, John S., ?-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

John S. Cunningham reports on the capture of the American schooner "Angeline" by a British ship. Relates a conversation he had with William Kerr, a sailor on the "Angeline," regarding its capture. States that forces from the British steamer "Conflict" captured the "Angeline," despite the fact that she was flying the American flag and had American papers. The British forced the captain to surrender, took the ship and left its crew in Africa. Says the "Angeline" was not a slave ship and wonders why, if the ship was supposedly a slave trader, the British members of the crew were not sent to…

GLC00722.43

November 23, 1779

Paine, Samuel, 1754-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amasa Davis & Co.

Letter describes trading conditions in the South. Encloses account of sale of the cargo of the ship "Dove," which amounted to over 20,800 pounds (the account is not included here). Knows recipient will be disappointed with the small cargo being sent to Boston, but says the war has made shipping a precarious business. Complains of high prices after the failed attempt to take Savannah and the increased local demand after the harvest. Apologizes for not finding any light articles or valuable produce to ship and says prices will not drop until after Christmas. Recommends against shipping indigo…

GLC01450.158

13 August 1776

Townsend, David, 1753-1829

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Attestation of Doctor Dean's health]

Verifies "that Doctor Dean has been innoculated more than three weeks & is free from infection"

GLC01450.195.03