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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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30 September 1784

McLean, James, ?-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: Monthly return of the corps of invalids commanded by Captain James McLean

Lists men fit for duty, sick present, sick absent, on command, absent with leave, and absent without leave.

GLC02437.03052

9 October 1784

Mitchell, John, fl. 1755-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for traveling expences]

The State of Massachusetts pays Mitchell for expenses incurred on his trip to Boston. Mitchell traveled to Boston to give evidence regarding his previous survey of the St. Croix River. Henry Knox was recently appointed by the State of Massachusetts as a commissioner to examine whether people of Nova Scotia encroached on Massachusetts (present-day Maine) lands.

GLC02437.03056

8 November 1784

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Tracy

Thanks Tracy, the financier from Newburyport, Massachusetts, for his "attention & politeness" during William's recent episode of mental illness. Relates his plans for sailing to America. Instructs Tracy to contact Edward Byrne if he travels to Dublin, Ireland.

GLC02437.03069

2 December 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Egbert Benson

Knox introduces James Walker to Benson, a Continental Congressman. Of Walker, writes "He resided in Canada at the commencement of this War, and has suffered severely from his attachment to our cause- he hopes however to derive some consolation from the [justice] of Congress." Asks Benson to support Walker's case, which he will present before Congress.

GLC02437.03073

17 December 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Price

Knox writes to Price, Register of Deeds for Lincoln County (present-day Maine). Requests papers related to the Waldo Patent, expressing disappointment that his previous request went unanswered. Asks for certified duplicates of a deed between Samuel Waldo and the widow Sarah Waldo to Thomas Flucker (Knox's father-in-law) dated 17 August 1773.

GLC02437.03079

1783-1815

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Extract from James Webber & Co. letter]

In the hand of Samuel Shaw, who served as Henry Knox's aide during the Revolutionary War. Discusses collecting payment on a bill.

GLC02437.03090

February 5, 1785

Webber, James, fl. 1784-1797

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed as the merchant firm "Webber, Addington & Bucknell." Transmits papers which were omitted from GLC02437.03092.

GLC02437.03093

February 8, 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Jay

Discusses political and military affairs in Europe at length. Writes, "I strongly am of opinion no War will take place, at least for this year the assurance of things, however, is still Warlike enough to have made it proper for me to be arrived at the time I am..." Refers to the Marshal de Castries and discusses French trade. Mentions Longchamps, possibly the chevalier Charles Julian de Longchamps, who in 1784 assaulted François Barbé-Marbois in Philadelphia. Creator and recipient identified by GLC02437.03096, with which this letter was likely originally enclosed.

GLC02437.03095

February 25, 1785

Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Killingley, Green, & Son, a merchant firm, attempt to collect the balance of an account owed them by William Knox. Killingley notes that William is delinquent on the bill due to "the unfortunate gloom that hath pervaded [his] mind of late" (William suffered from mental illness). His delinquency has "destroyd our small profits..." Asks Knox to intercede on William's behalf. Writes, "...we conclude with sincere congratulations that your Country is emancipated from slavery, & shall always rejoice in its future prosperity..." Includes details of the account on page three. Duplicate…

GLC02437.03099

February 25, 1785

Killingley, Green, & Son, fl. 1785

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

GLC02437.03100

9 March 1785

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Duplicate of GLC02437.03105. Marked as "duplicate" in Knox's docket.

GLC02437.03106

29 March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Holden Parsons

Later copy of GLC02437.03120. Contains a note at the top of page one written by the transcriber of this letter at a later date: "The parts between parentheses are from the rough draught in my possession of Knox's letter to Parson's- The other parts I have had transcribed from Parsons copy of the original which he sent to me in Oct 1860."

GLC02437.03121

March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Excerpt of a petition in which Knox and others attempt to persuade the Massachusetts Legislature to sell uncultivated lands to officers and soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War]

Signed in the docket. Knox, Benjamin Lincoln, Henry Jackson, and others attempt to persuade the General Court of Massachusetts to divide land in the eastern part of the state (present-day Maine) for officers and soldiers who served in the Revolution. Knox argues that all other states have granted uncultivated lands as such. Writes, "...it would be a subject of great mortification and depression to your petitioners that the Legislature of this Commonwealth should decline to receive in payment for [?] Lands the very money which your petitioners received for their services from the United…

GLC02437.03124

19 August 1789

Waldo, Samuel, fl. 1723-1770

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to discuss a possible dispute over a piece of property he is interested in, and the related financial situation. Signed by either S. Waldo or I. Waldo. Letter has no recipient, but was likely written to Knox, since the author states "Mrs. W. presents her reards to you, Mrs. K, and family."

GLC02437.09227

23 October 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Waldo [fragment]

Discussing financial transactions regarding properties in Maine that Knox and Waldo are involved with.

GLC02437.09228

October 1790

Wetmore, William, 1749-1830

Manuscript document

Title: [Judgement regarding land in Waldo patent]

Judgement regarding the ownership of lands within the Waldo patent. Pertains to a disagreement between Sarah Waldo and William Wetmore who are disputting the ownership of lands within the patent. The judgement divides the land between them. Docket states that the judgement was made as an agreement between Henry Knox and William Wetmore.

GLC02437.09234

21 March 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Document signed

Title: [Notice of the auction of the estate of Thomas Flucker]

Copy of a printed adverstisement stating the Thomas Flucker's estate is to be auctioned off. TheSupreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has ordered that the estate be auctioned off, and Knox, as the estate's agent, is promoting this auction.

GLC02437.09235

December 1, 1791

Cooper, Samuel, 1798-1876

Document signed

Title: [Deed for sale of land in the Waldo Patent]

Deed of sale for part of the Waldo patent from Oliver Smith to Henry Jackson. A deed certifying the sale of around 65,000 acres of land purchased by Smith at auction from the estate of Thomas Flucker. Describes in detail the specifics of the land being sold and the history of the land's ownership. Also signed with the names of Hannah Spanell, Oliver Smith and Anee Smith. Cooper signs as the "Justice of the Peace."

GLC02437.09237

circa 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Document

Title: [Return of men in Captain Ebenezer Stevens's Company]

Lists the names of men in Stevens's company. Indicates sergeants, corporals, bombardiers, and gunners.

GLC02437.09541

29 September 1779

Webb, Nathaniel, 1737-1814

Document signed

Title: Return of Colonel John Durkee's Regiment in the action at Trentown Decem 26th 1776

Signed by Webb, adjutant. Lists numbers of officers and soldiers. Trentown refers to Trenton, New Jersey.

GLC02437.09542

8 January 1777

Map

Title: [Map of roads in the vicinity of Morristown, New Jersey]

Indicates roads, some natural features, landmarks ("court house," "Whites Tavern Genl Lees," bridge, landing, etc.), outlying towns, and distance between points on the map. Indicates the location of towns surrounding Morristown. Notes the position of a court house and the direction in which other cities are located. Date from docket. Docketed in Knox's hand as "plan of Roads Round about Morris Town." White's Tavern was the headquarters of General Charles Lee.

GLC02437.09543

25 March 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Document

Title: [Certification concerning Robert Walker]

Certifies that Walker served in the artillery since the beginning of 1777. Praises Walker's service. Written in the hand of Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.09548

31 March 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Document

Title: [Certification concerning Ephraim Dayton]

Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, certifies that Dayton, from Fairfield, New Jersey, has served in the artillery since 8 February 1777. On verso, paymaster J. Hubbell certifies that Dayton has been paid up to 1 March 1780. Lists clothing Dayton received 1777-1780.

GLC02437.09549