1850

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Book

Title: Memoir of the Life and Times of... John Lamb

John Lamb was a General serving under Henry Knox. Memoirs were inscribed by author Isaac Leake to his son. Printed by Joel Munsell.

GLC06908

14 October 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of Stores, expended at the different Batteries, on the 13th and 14th Instant.

Lists quantities of stores used at the Grand Battery, Left Battery, and Redoubt under Colonel Lamb during the siege of Yorktown. Lamb commanded the Second Regiment of Continental Artillery.

GLC02437.01227

February 14, 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Burlington, likely in New Jersey. Writes that he was "informed by the Pay-Master that the Financier intended the officers should receive two months Pay, in certain Notes, payable on the 1st of August next." He and the other officers agreed that "our receiving Pay of any kind in which the Soldiers do not share, will have a tendency, to sour their minds, still more, - and, may involve consequences not only fatal to those who command them, but the Public." Is ready to travel to New York state and hopes to stop in Poughkeepsie and convince the legislature there to recruit new…

GLC02437.01354

20 December 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Lamb to Major General Knox. Is angry about complications with his leave of absence. Says he thought his friends would help him procure the proper documentation to prove his rank, but they disappointed him. Says he has since looked into the matter and believes in the justice of his "pretentions." Says that a recent report by the Board of General Officers was wrong in its interpretation of General Washington's general order allowing state commissioned officers into the Continental Army on the same date as their state commissions. Claims it is a "mistake." As he previously…

GLC02437.01753

14 August 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Lamb to Brigadier General Knox. Accuses Colonel John Crane of defrauding solders under his command of their pay. Says many of the Crane's officers have accused him of these crimes. Says Lieutenant Colonel Stevens has publicly accused him and informed Crane of the names of other officers. Refuses to do duty with Crane until he exonerates himself from the charge. Says Crane needs to "appear before the world" and deny the charges.

GLC02437.01132

28 September 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Lamb asserts that Trebell's Landing is the best place to disembark the ordnance for the siege of Yorktown and requests men for the task. Reports that the return of stores Knox requested is impossible because Colonel Stevens (possibly Ebenezer Stevens, who was Colonel in Lamb's regiment) did not make an account of the stores on the vessels. Informs Knox that Captain Duncan has arrived with howitzers and carriages.

GLC02437.01194

6 May 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Burlington, likely in New Jersey. Explains to Knox that per his instructions, they have performed some experiments comparing English and French howitzers. They have concluded that French howitzers will be useless unless they have specially-cast shells created for them, because the amount of powder they can hold is different from the amount English howitzers can hold. Has included some samples. Extends his compliments to Mrs. Knox and to Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.01411

4 June 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that per Knox's instructions, he brought all the howitzers and field pieces to Burlington, and finds them in very bad shape. He is having them inspected and repaired immediately. Wrote to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering to ask him to obtain horses and wagons for moving the ordnance, but Pickering replied that he had no money and they would have to hire horses and wagons when they need them. Lamb "anticipate[s] the difficulties, we shall meet with, in transporting the ordnance, and stores."

GLC02437.01438

19 June 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has, pursuant to Knox's instructions, sent Captain [William] Stevens to Secretary at War [Benjamin] Lincoln with a section of a howitzer shell and a request that Lincoln order Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch to produce the number of shells Knox requested. Lamb also asked General Lincoln to give Captain Stevens an order to the Financier for enough money to "defray his expences," but Lincoln said he did not need to go to the Financier until the shells were cast. Also relates that Captain Patten mentioned a machine in Springfield "for cutting Elevating-Screws" and asks Knox to order…

GLC02437.01457

4 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments that he only received Knox's most recent two letters the night before, which accounts for his late reply. Writes, "I have (previous to your directions) made appreciation to the Qr. Mr. Genl. [Quartermaster General] for the necessary number of Horses, and waggons, to move us on the shorter notice. In consequence of your Letter, of the 14th ultimo, I have ordered Mr. Frothingham, to move with the Conductors, as soon as possible." Sends compliments to Mrs. Knox and Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01476

11 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that the present letter will be given to Knox by Mr. [Richard] Frothingham. Writes, "I yesterday received a Letter from Mr. [likely Samuel] Hodgdon, informing me the Shells at Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch's Works, are Cast. - and, that Genl [Benjamin] Lincoln requests, Capt. [William] Stevens may be sent, with a Party of Men to prove them - In consequence of this information, I have sent Capt. Stevens, to Philadelphia, to settle with Genl Lincoln, the mode of subsisting himself, and Party, while on this Service. We have no News here, except a report that the Enemy have evacuated…

GLC02437.01482

20 July 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that has noted Knox's previous letter, which indicates that artificers are working hard on wagons and tumbrils. However, "At the same time, I am sorry to inform you, that, they will fall far short of your expectations, in this particular owing to the great portion of time which has been taken up, in making the necessary repairs of the carriages, of those Pieces, that were brought from Philadelphia, to this place, many of which were in a wretched state." Writes that he is "chagrined" to find that a Lieutenant Fisk has resigned to avoid a Court Martial. Adds that the bearer of the…

GLC02437.01495

9 October 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Agreable to your request, I call'd on Mr. Billings to see what progress he had made in his work - I find that, he has prepared one of the Cannon, and has traced the device - as the border is to be Engraved, it requires much time to prepare the Cannon properly for the reception of the design. - He means to give such part of the gun, as will be exposed to view, when mounted, a very fine polish, which will add greatly to its appearance. He cannot yet determine when he will be able to compleat the work; But promises to undertake nothing else, till they are done. I flatter myself that…

GLC02437.01655

15 October 1783

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Request for Knox to register him in order that he may settle his accounts and draw subsistance.

GLC02437.02658

19 April 1791

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Lamb has sent Knox two barrels of apples, "best Newtown Pippins" and a bundle of English newspapers for Knox's culinary and reading pleasure.

GLC02437.04919

10 October 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of stores expended at the Grand Battery on the 9th and 10th Instant.

Lists quantities of ammunition used at the Continental Army's battery under Colonel John Lamb's command during the siege of Yorktown on 9 and 10 October 1781. Reported to Henry Knox. Labeled "9 & 10" on page two in a different hand.

GLC02437.01219

5 May 1785

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Payment for Lamb's attendance in the New York State Assembly]

Speaker John Hathorn's payment of 29 pounds 12 shillings for Lamb's attendance from 15 January to 23 March 1784. Includes Lamb's endorsed receipt of funds.

GLC02499.11

February 17, 1791

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes he has "put on board the Sloop Betsy, Benjamin Bayley Master, a paper parcel which, arrived in one of the London vessels; directed for you."

GLC02437.04858

26 April 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Printed document signed

Title: Monthly return of the 2nd regt of artillery commanded by Colonel John Lamb with the alterations since last return

Lists captains from companies in Lamb's regiment. Notes numbers of those present and fit for duty, indicates numbers of commissioned, staff, and non-commissioned officers, and cites total strength of each company. Verso notes absentees and persons on duty, command, and extra duty.

GLC02437.10500

26 August 1782

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Printed document signed

Title: [Monthly return of the 2nd New York Regiment of Artillery commaned by Colonel John Lamb]

Lists number of men by rank. Also absentees, on duty, on command, and on extra duty. Title from docket.

GLC02437.10509

17 October 1781

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Autograph document signed

Title: Return of Stores expended, in the different Batteries, the 17th October 1781.

Lists quantities of ordnance used at the Grand Battery, Left Battery, Left Redoubt, Right Redoubt, and in the trenches during the siege of Yorktown. Colonel Lamb commanded the Second Regiment of Continental Artillery.

GLC02437.01234

25 December 1785

Lamb, John, 1735-1800

Manuscript letter signed

Title: [Appraisal of arms imported for William Knox]

Document has two parts. Top part features an evaluation by a John Goeld[?], which reads, "Having viewed twenty four fire arms imported in a case address'd to William Knox Esqr. I hereby certify that upon an average I suppose them to be valued at Forty shillings sterling each and also a cross bow which I suppose to be worth about four shillings sterling." The bottom part features calculations and figures, and a certification that 44 shillings total were received for duty. This portion is signed by John Lamb in his capacity as Collector [of Customs for New York].

GLC02437.03228