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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 October 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses happiness that his brother William is back in Boston and safe after a hazardous journey to Europe. Wants to know how his trip was and how Lucy Knox's family received him. Announces the birth of another boy, Henry Jackson. Relates an account of North Carolina militia attacking Tories and reports news of the Battle of King's Mountain, Tennessee, 7 October 1780.

GLC02437.00849

9 November 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Writes concerning William's safe arrival in Boston. Sends along the good wishes of their sister and Lucy. Discusses the movement of Cornwallis's army and other military affairs.

GLC02437.00851

9 November 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln.

Later copy. Discusses the exchange of prisoners and that it is still in progess and also mentions the petition of the New England officers for better wages and other benefits. Informs General Lincoln of Cornwallis' movements in the South, mainly through Georgia and South Carolina.

GLC02437.00852

12 November 1780

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Manuscript document

Title: to John Hancock

Signed for Knox by Shaw. Henry Knox's retained copy. Congratulates Hancock on becoming the Governor of Massachusetts and brings the suffering of the Massachusetts soldiers to Hancock's attention. The text is in the hand of Henry Knox, but the closing, signatures, and docketing are added in the hand of Samuel Shaw. The was originally drafted by Timothy Pickering as indicated by a note added later at the top, "[Drafted by Col. Pickering]." See also GLC02437.00854 which includes a note stating, "Instead of the foregoing - the one drafted by Col. Pickering was sent."

GLC02437.00853

circa 12 November 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: to John Hancock

Draft of GLC02437.00853. Congratulates Hancock on becoming the Governor of Massachusetts and brings the suffering of the Massachusetts soldiers to Hancock's attention. Noted that "Instead of the foregoing-the one drafted by Col. Pickering was sent." This unsent draft varies in content from GLC02437.00853 the context of which is attributed to Timothy Pickering.

GLC02437.00854

12 November 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: To The Honorable The Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled

Draft. States their support for the new Massachusetts Constitution. Offers suggestions and opinions on better governing practices, particularly in regards to military service. Suggests that "the number of men required from each State be proportioned on the respective Counties and Towns ... " and that "to complete your battalions, and properly supply them, would greatly inspirit the brave men in the field engaged for the war, and stimulate them to the highest exertions for the honor and itnerest of their Country." The lines added at the top of the document are in the hand of Timothy…

GLC02437.00855

12 November 1780

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph document

Title: A draft to the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts

Title from docket, which is in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Requests better treatment of men in the military service and for their families. Content comprises Pickering's redrafting of those that have been struck form GLC02437.00855.

GLC02437.00856

12 November 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Advises his brother William for supposed improper behavior on his arrival in Boston. Writes that Lucy is unhappy with the news about her family and mentions the dangerous conditions of the roads. Refers to an incident where mail was stolen and then later published in New York.

GLC02437.00857

13 November 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Congratulates William Knox on returning from Europe safely and allaying the fears of Henry and Lucy Knox. Relates the latest military affairs, such as the surrender of Charleston to the British. Mentions that Henry expects William to spend some time with their family at the army's winter quarters.

GLC02437.00858

19 November 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Welcomes his brother William home and makes plans to have him come for a visit. Also discusses the transportation of goods back home from overseas.

GLC02437.00859

26 August 1776 - 28 November 1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: Resolutions of Congress, making provision or allowance to wounded, supernumerary or other officers of the American Army, under various contingencies

Assorted resolutions providing for the livelihood of wounded soldiers, such as receiving a pension throughout his life upon losing a limb. Noted that this copy was written by Shaw.

GLC02437.00860

December 1, 1780

Autograph manuscript

Title: Bills of Lading of Sundries Shipped, for Account of the UStates addressed to the Commercial Committee shipped by John Schweighauser, on board the Ship Gov. Livingston - at anchor in the Loire the 6th March 1779.

Lists bills of lading for various supplies, mainly weaponry from 2 February to 1 December 1780.

GLC02437.00861

2 December 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses setting up military headquarters at New Windsor. Notes which state troops are where, difficult conditions (troops "panicked with hunger") and that the army is forced to rely upon nature to provide material for shelter, clothing and supplies. Also mentions personal money matters.

GLC02437.00862

December 31, 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Certificate given to Capt. Jer. Freeman

In Samuel Shaw's hand, and signed by him for Knox. Certificate verifying Jeremiah Freeman's service in the Continental Army as a Captain Lieutenant and that he has yet to receive "from any state whatever, the provision of pay, clothing, or allowance for depreciation of pay, granted by the respective states to officers of equal rank." Written at a Park of Artillery.

GLC02437.00863

18 December 1780

Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791

Printed document signed

Title: [Pay order]

Exchange rate noted as "18 Dollars at Five Livres Tournois Dollar," with an issue number of 2243. "At Thirty Days Sight of this Second Bill, First, Third and Fourth not paid, pay to Philp De Freest or Order, Eighteen Dollars, in Ninety Livres Tournois, for Interest due on Money borrowed by the United States. With note "Pay the Contents to Mr. William Knox on order. Philip De Freest" on the back. Countersigned by the Commissioner of the Loan-Office in New York, Abraham Yates, Jr.

GLC02437.00864

December 1780

Manuscript document

Title: No. 3: Ordnance of Stores received during the Year 1780

Lists ordnance stores [muskets, bayonets, gunpowder, ect.] by date and indicates the source. Dates start on 7 February and end on 13 December. Date added later in pencil.

GLC02437.00865

[24 October 1781]

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 1740-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Details on British standards (flags) captured at Yorktown]

The "Standards" cited were the 18 German and 6 British regimental flags captured at Yorktown. Date inferred from content.

GLC02437.00866

circa December 1780

Manuscript document

Title: No. 8: Articles Issued on the Year 1780

Lists military supplies and stores according to date and to whom the items were sent. Dates start on 7 January and end on 31 December.

GLC02437.00867

1780

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: "Estimate of stores necessary for the following pieces of ordnance, designed for the field, and contingences, for the campaign of 1780."

Estimates the ammunition needed for several weapons, citing what is on hand at six artillery storage parks. A note at the bottom of the page indicates that the stores at West Point, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania are not included in the estimates contained within this report. Also cites supplies needed, including drag ropes, gunners belts, white rope, twine, and lead aprons, among other items.

GLC02437.10015