14 June 1776

Coman, Richard, fl. 1776

Document signed

Title: [Legal document transfering land to the colony of Rhode Island]

Co-signed by Coman's wife Sarah. Also witnessed and signed by Philip Peekham and Jacob Goff. Coman sold about one acre of land to the colony of Rhode Island for 50 Spanish milled dollars. The deal was made with John Jenckes and John Waterman as trustees of the colony appointed to build a powder mill on the property. Document details precise boundaries of the land. Paper seals are next to Richard and Sarah's names.

GLC01450.410.01

13 November 1777

Foster, Theodore, 1752-1828

Autograph document signed

Title: [Rhode Island Council of War resolution of Rhode Island to pay Caleb Harris]

Signed by Foster as town clerk. Harris, the manager and director of a gun powder mill, is authorized to draw 120 pounds on the treasury. Harris signed on verso, noting he "Recd the Contents."

GLC01450.410.02

21 August 1777

Rhode Island Assembly

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Rhode Island resolution ordering the purchase of land near a gun powder mill]

Signed twice by J. Lyndon (clerk of the lower house), R.J. Holme (deputy secretary of the Upper House), and certified a true copy Henry Ward. Authorizes Jacob Goffe to purchase land near the mill and build a house, all at the state's expense. The resolution by the Lower House was agreed to by the Upper House the next day, with the caveat that Caleb Harris "be added to superintend the Business." A signed note by Harris on the verso indicates he received the contents from Joseph Clarke, the state treasurer.

GLC01450.410.03

21 June 1778

Bryan, George, 1731-1791

Printed document signed

Title: Commission of William Young as Capt Lieut. to defend western frontier

Partially printed document signed by Bryan as Vice-President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council and countersigned by Timothy Matlack as secretary. Indicates that he is being appointed to "a Company of Woodsmen to be raised for the defence of the frontiers." Any mention of frontier woodsmen is highly unusual. Has a paper seal.

GLC01450.411

30 November 1776

Tryon, William, 1729-1788

Document signed

Title: [Oath of loyalty to the King of England]

Partially printed document signed by New York's Royal Governor William Tryon. Certifies Daniel Rogers as having subscribed to the proclamation offering a pardon to any rebels who came forward and took an oath of allegiance to the king. The declaration itself was dated 30 November 1776, and this oath was probably signed after that date.

GLC01450.412.01

1748/08/02

Document signed

Title: Receipt for billeting soldiers for Canadian expedition

GLC01450.412.02

31 May 1781

Morgan, Ephraim, fl. 1776-1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for 1410 pounds of flour]

Morgan, the Quartermaster for the Connecticut line during the American Revolution, notes his receipt of the flour "for the use of the Connt Division."

GLC01450.412.03

9 November 1784

Mitchell, Thomas, fl. 1781

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for corn and rye for Nathan Barber, a wagoner]

Mitchell, an assistant deputy quarter master, asks Jacob Benson for five bushels of corn and three of rye for the New Hampshire line. Nathan Barber, the wagoner, signed as "Waginer" noting his receipt of the items from Benson on the verso.

GLC01450.412.04

5 September 1777

Helme, R.J., fl. 1768-1778

Autograph document signed

Title: [Order to pay Timothy Coffin 103 pounds, 11 shillings]

Witnessed and signed by Helm as clerk. Ordered by the Rhode Island Council of War so that Coffin could pay the portage bill of the Sloop Diamond for a voyage to South Carolina. A note signed by Coffin on the verso attests to his receipt. Surname possibility spelt Helm.

GLC01450.412.05

March 8, 1762

Thurston, Samuel, fl. 1762

Autograph letter signed

Title: to uncle

Letter regarding Spanish hostilities against American ships. Reused by recipient, containing three retained drafts of Edward Thurston (uncle) written on the inner pages to other people, Newport, 1762.

GLC01450.412.06

January 28, 1777

Bradson, John, fl. 1777

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esek Hopkins

Bradford discusses a matter involving Mr. Southouse. States "I think tho he had been a Revenue officer (wch I find he is not) I shou'd thought my self Justifiable to have given him what he Claimd being no more than his furniture as its Characteristic for Americans to be generous; Which from the new Connection I have had the pleasure to have with you." Requests Hopkins, Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy 1775-1778, to intervene on behalf of Southouse. Mentions Captain Hoysted Hacker. In a postscript, states "I find your officers have been misinform'd regarding the money said to on…

GLC01450.412.07

September 13, 1779

Meng, Christopher, fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Fisher

Meng asks Fisher, who is referred to as a Storekeeper (but who was also an assistant deputy quartermaster and military supply agent) for a marquee for Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin, who "by the late high Winds has had his old one torn to pieces."

GLC01450.412.08

March 4, 1779

Thompson, Ebenezer, 1737-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George King

"Agreeable to your request" he is sending King papers relating to the cases of "Champney vs Boyd & Dennis vs. Boyd." Hopes the papers are returned, and tells King to bill Champney.

GLC01450.412.09

6 September 1777

Spear, Gersham, fl. 1777

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for 200 barrel hoops]

Needed for the making of powder barrels during the American Revolution, priced at six shillings per hundred hoops. With a signed (with a mark) note indicating Thomas Frace received the hoops from the commissary, Samuel Hodgdon.

GLC01450.412.10

August 22, 1778

Marschalk, Joseph, fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lewis

Marschalk saw Frederick Fine, a block maker, and says Fine would appreciate a letter from Lewis.

GLC01450.412.11

1756/03/03

Anson, George, fl. 1755-1756

Document signed

Title: British impressment order to Capt Powlett, signed as Lord High Admiral

Countersigned by John Cleveland.

GLC01450.412.13

December 26, 1782

Moore, David, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Cox

Travel to Baltimore disrupted by "the enemy." His boat was forced to return to Petersburg because the British controlled "the bay." Is informed that a ship bound for France carrying her nephew was lost, and hopes she has heard from him. Has directed Captain Skinner, a travelling companion, to stay at her house as a favor.

GLC01450.412.14

October 25, 1781

Stone, Michael Jenifer, 1747-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Stone writes a long letter to his brother that includes an announcement that "Cornwallis was taken." Discusses his brother's business in Philadelphia and advises him of the benefits of continuing to cultivate a friendship with a man named Mr. Morrill. Discusses commerce and American affairs: "at present the flourishing State of American affairs gives me warm hopes that Speculation must be succeeded by a Sober and regular Spirit of Commerce." Indicates that the public prints have announced his membership in the Maryland state house of delegates. Also admits his likelihood of joining Congress,…

GLC01450.412.15

13 November 1782

Drake, William, fl. 1782

Manuscript signed

Title: [Private signals for British vessels to identify one another at sea by day and night]

Provides very specific instructions for identification procedures. Written on board the H.M.S. Perseus. Written to Captain George Darby, commander of the sloop Pylades. Based on the command of Admiral Leonard Horner.

GLC01450.412.16

April 19, 1782

Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Comte de, 1722-1788

Letter signed

Title: to Robert Montague [in French]

Grasse thanks the captain of the Flora for his kind actions on behalf of Mr. de Reali and Mr. de Carouge. Also thanks him for provisions. Letter written on board his ship Ville de Paris after being captured by the British. After being captured on April 12, 1782 at the Battle of the Saintes the ship was towed to Jamaica and then England. Montague was the captain of the British frigate Flora which was stationed in Jamaica.

GLC01450.428

August 26, 1779

Cabarus, Leon, fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Barthelemy Terrasson [in French]

Letter written by Cabarus to Terrasson as French Deputy Consul in Baltimore. Docket states Terrasson responded on August 30, 1779. Letter needs translation.

GLC01450.429

1 March 1782

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Broadside

Title: [Printed resolution of recruitment schedule]

1,500 men are needed for the "Massachusetts Line." Lists quota required from each town. Also resolves that a tax will be imposed if these quotas are not met. A few handwritten calculations in the margins. [Pages 1-4 are present, but the document is incomplete, as indicated by the catch phrase at the bottom of fourth page. The Massachusetts Historical Society catalog indicates that their copy of this broadsheet is 5 pages long.]

GLC01450.430

September 16, 1779

Penn, J.P., fl. 1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Needs translation.

GLC01450.431

December 29, 1774

Potter, Simeon, 1720-1806

Letter signed

Title: to Christopher Whipple

Cosigned by John Read and John Jenckes, who own the ship Liberty with Potter. Whipple, Captain of the Liberty, signs at the bottom of the page, promising to obey the orders contained within the letter and attesting that the text is a true copy of his orders. The Liberty's owners instruct Whipple to sail for the Island of Dominico (present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), to sell his cargo there, to purchase "Two Hundred & ninety Half Barrels of Good Pistol Powder," and to sail elsewhere in the Caribbean if he can not buy powder at a reasonable price in Dominico. Inform Whipple of…

GLC01450.432

January 30, 1715

Tailer, William, fl. 1715

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Peter Adams, gent., as ensign in the militia company whereof Edmund Quincey is captain]

Countersigned by Woodward. Date is possibly in old style. Partially printed document. Signed as Lieutenant Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

GLC01450.433