August 13, 1779

Nowell, John, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morgan Lewis

Discusses a previous deficiency in the number of men commissioned to participate in the Penobscot Expedition. Instructs Captain Lewis to immediately muster men to serve in Providence, Rhode Island and the Penobscot Expedition. Mentions a penalty against Lewis (possibly for providing a lower proportion of men from Sanford, Maine, than required by the General Court: refer to GLC01450.603.13).

GLC01450.603.12

August 25, 1780

Bayard, John, 1751-1804

Letter

Title: to George Dawson

Authorizes George Dawson to raise a company of men in Halifax to serve under Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Bayard. Indicates that the troops are needed to serve the Crown during the American Revolution. Informs Dawson that after he successfully recruits the men, he will be appointed captain. Marked a copy. Docket notes that the original document dates to May 20, 1780.

GLC01450.610.02

March 17, 1777

Butts, Thomas, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his cousin

Butts is glad to be back in England, where thinking is not a crime worthy of tar and feathering. Butts left Gravesend, New York on the ship "Thomas" on 17 July 1776. Gives account of his attempted voyage to England. Says they had an uneventful journey until the 9th week, when they met a 70 ton sloop that easily caught up to them because of the bad sailing condition of the "Thomas." The sloop raised the Union Jack and said they were sailing from Virginia under the orders of Lord Dunmore to stop Americans from fishing on the banks. They wanted the Captain, a man named Bell, to take his boat and…

GLC01450.613

May 18, 1745

Winslow, William, fl. 1745

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

GLC01450.614.01

July 1745

Clark, Thomas, fl. 1745

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Winslow

GLC01450.614.02

March 3, 1777

Samuel Barrett & Co., (manufacturers), fl. 1777

Letter

Title: to unknown

Discusses the firm's acquirement of barrels of wines and spirits and the fluctuating price of such goods. Mentions Mr. Hopkins. Reports that in the south ward, these goods "would fetch double the Money as soon as the restraining Bill is repeald (which will be done immediately)." Discusses the importation of rice and flour, and the removal of these goods to the recipient's storehouses (which he calls magazines). In case of an enemy attack on Boston, intends to store goods in ports which may still be free, such as Sherburne, Sudbury, Worcester, or Springfield, Massachusetts. Awaits the…

GLC01450.617

July 22, 1780

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Pettit

Writes in earnest to the Colonel Pettit, the assistant quartermaster, about the status of money urgently needed to procure supplies for an upcoming campaign.

GLC01450.618

April 25, 1777

Harrison, John, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comfort Sands

Sends Sands documents for his inspection regarding money owed to him.

GLC01450.619

May 25, 1779

Wharton, James, 1732-1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Taylor

Sends copies of letters he wrote Taylor on 9 April 1779 and 17 May 1779, to which Taylor has not responded. Wharton urgently requested ammunition for frigates. Taylor worked with Hugh Hughes' ironworks in New Jersey.

GLC01450.620

October 15, 1776

Duset, Philemon, fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Allyn

Informs Allen that he is sick, and asks for that his coat be sent to him. Written at "Camp near Kingsbridge" in Bronx, New York.

GLC01450.621

January 5, 1787

Smallman, Thomas, fl. 1787

Letter

Title: to Augustin Prevost

Writes that he arrived last Tuesday from Canada after leaving Montreal on the 22 of November. Comments that he is too young to complain of fatigue. Would like to provide himself with a horse and is looking forward to seeing Mrs. Prevost and the family in good health. Addressed to Major Prevost. Dated from the Indian Queen, possibly a ship.

GLC01450.622.02

March 25, 1776

Cudworth, Melzar, fl. 1775-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Zephaniah Cudworth

Cudworth, impressed on board H. M. S. Asia, instructs his brother Zepheniah "what you do do quick for I hear we are a going to nan tasket ... " Addressed to Melzar's friend Joseph Otis in Boston. Includes some mathematical calculations near the address.

GLC01450.630.03

circa 1776

Cudworth, Zephaniah, 1752-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Cudworth

Cudworth reports to his father in Scituate, Massachusetts that he has been aboard the ship where his brother Melzar remains impressed. States that Melzar, who was impressed on H.M.S. Asia in March 1776, is on board the ship Russia. Informs James that Melzar fairs well. Relates his plans to hire a man to "go in his bierth theirs one appears to go in his Room for ten guines & if I Cant get no other I must give that ... " Assures his father not to be concerned.

GLC01450.630.04

circa 1776

Cudworth, Zephaniah, 1752-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Melzar Cudworth

Informs his brother, Melzar, impressed aboard H.M.S. Asia "I have got a man to go in your Room If you go to Nantasket Road I Shall Come in a Sail boat to bring the man ... " Mentions Mr. Otis (possibly Joseph Otis), a friend of Melzar's. A small hole obscures some text.

GLC01450.630.05

April 26, 1806

Kiteridge, Peter, 1750-?

Letter signed

Title: to Gentlemen

One document written by Peter Kiteridge dated April 26, 1806. Details that he was born to African parents in Boston. Kiteridge at the time of this document is a freeman, and requests financial assistance from the Medfield's selectmen. Provides information between the time that he was enslaved, to serving in the military and later as a sailor Requests assistance from Medfield's Selectmen in supporting his wife and four children, claiming that none of the children are old enough to aid him in supporting the family and due to disease cannot work. States that though he is not a Medfield resident…

GLC01450.702

September 19, 1814

Strong, Caleb, 1745-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Brooks

The recipient was probably Micah Brooks. Explains that the government will not be able to grant the request of the Selectmen of Belfast to send troops to expel the British from Fort Castine on the Penobscot Bay, which they recently came to occupy. He does not think it wise to keep troops in Belfast, Maine, where the former defenders of Castine will go if no reinforcements are forthcoming.

GLC01450.703

June 21, 1813

Hodgon, Silvanus, fl. 1813-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Hodgdon

Informs his uncle that he has been aboard the frigate Macedonian for two months, which he reports is blockaded in by seven British ships. Asks him to send a letter to his mother and to give his love to friends and family. Also notes that his captain, Capt. Jones, is preparing for a meeting with a British captain.

GLC01450.705.01

March 7, 1814

Hodgon, Silvanus, fl. 1813-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Hodgdon

Informs his uncle that he is in good health and asks that his love be given to family and friends. Notes that his time (serving aboard the frigate Macedonian) is about half up and he has been at sea since the previous April. Asks to be written to.

GLC01450.705.02

January 16, 1815

Hodgon, Silvanus, fl. 1813-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathan Hodgdon

Informs his uncle that he is in good health and asks that his love be given to family and friends. Indicates that they are building ships "and expect to take the Lake next summer," referring to Lake George. Asks to be written to and that the mail be sent to a ship called the Mohawk. On the inside page appears a draft of a letter from a woman named Dorcas Clark to her mother, which indicates that she is well and gives love to relatives. Also requests that her mother come down "as soon as the ground is settled." On the other inside page and on the address leaf there is some…

GLC01450.705.03

December 12, 1843

N. Starr, & Son, fl. 1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Talcott

N. Starr & Son, weapons repair or manufacturing firm write to Lieutenant Colonel George Talcott of the Ordnance Department regarding a rifle repair or supply contract. This letter discusses the reasons why they have been unable to fulfill their contract, including the Ordnance Department's order for an older rifle model. Written in response to orders received by an inspector at the N. Starr Company from Captain Thornton (possibly Naval Officer James Thornton).

GLC01450.707

April 27, 1792

Orr, Hugh, 1717-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amasa Davis

Written by Orr as an inventor and owner of a foundry to Davis as Quartermaster General of Boston. Says he is in possession of a cannon bore which belongs to the state and wants to return it. Claims it would be proper to give it to Davis. It weighs half a ton. Tries to downplay the cost of carting the bore, saying it is a fair price for the season.

GLC01450.708

October 26, 1812

Coffin, David, 1788-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Boyd

During the War of 1812, reports difficulties selling lead and black powder because the market in Boston is glutted and prices are low. Suggests selling at auction. Boyd was a merchant in Portland, Maine.

GLC01450.719.03

February 28, 1813

Arnold, Dorcas, fl. 1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Sarles

Discusses how the British successfully attacked and took control of their village (Ogdensburg, New York) on 22 February 1813 during the War of 1812. Comments on how her husband was captured and paroled and remarks on the growing strength of Canada. Ichabod, whose name also appears at the bottom of the letter, possibly was her husband.

GLC01450.719.04

July 11, 1816

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. Crawford

Army Major General Scott requests that Secretary of War William Crawford promote soldier John Wynkoop to position of lieutenant.

GLC01450.719.05

March 14, 1814

Treadwell, John White, 1785-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Oakes

Orders Captain Oakes of the first regiment of Massachusetts militia to assemble the legal voters in his company and have them elect an ensign to replace the recently discharged Jm Peek. The United States was then engaged in The War of 1812.

GLC01450.720.05