25 June 1804

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Printed document signed

Title: [Importation certificate for the port of Marblehead, Massachusetts]

Partially printed document signed as collector and countersigned by J. Prentiss as Collector. Numbered 14976. Certifies that Thomas Meek imported one cask of wine.

GLC00307.04

December 4, 1786

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Refers to Washington's resignation as head of the Order of the Cincinnati. Describes a settlement he left after receiving a request to take command of the Massachusetts state militia, which was needed to suppress Shays' Rebellion. In response to a question from Washington, Lincoln discusses Shays' Rebellion in detail: the anger it is arousing, its causes, his expectation of bloodshed, the role of debt, and the rebellions current advantages. He writes that "In Short the want of industry economy & common honesty Seem to be the causes of the present commotions." Includes a postscript note…

GLC01478

19 September 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "War Office." Writes, "I have Sent for the German Armourers and will forward - them to you with the necessary Tools - If I can obtain any considerable number I think we had better send to Mr. [possibly Richard] Cranch who is now employed at Springfield to superintend him - If in your opinion he is not a suitable person for this business - I wish you would mention it to me I can here have the choice of a good Man."

GLC02437.01619

3 August 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Marked as a copy; copied by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide. General Lincoln offers Washington his observations "on the situation of Charlestown, the strength of its works, the number of men necessary to garrison it, and the point or points by which it may be approached." Contains a partial docket. Knox's retained copy in Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.01112

3 August 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Map

Title: [Map of Charleston, South Carolina]

Manuscript map of Charleston, South Carolina showing the coastline, various rivers and geographic features, certain structures and county names. Date and creator inferred, based on the presumption that this map accompanies GLC02437.01112.

GLC02437.01113

January 24- January 25, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Marked "copy" on docket. Describes in some detail the confrontations between his troops and the insurgents in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays. Reports that General [William] Shepard, who is also leading troops, is in a precarious position which it seems likely Shays's troops will attack. Describes how Generals [John] Brooks and [John] Paterson [Lincoln spells it "Patterson"] should position their troops to help stave off the attack. Asks Governor Bowdoin to forward this letter to General Brooks "the moment It comes to hand - no Time I think should be lost."

GLC02437.03422

January 27, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Written from Brookfield, likely in Massachusetts. Marked "copy." Relates how he led his troops to the aid of General Shepard. "Writes, Gen'l Sheppard expects hourly an attack by the whole force of the Insurgents:- Shays marched with the party under his immediate command, about as is said: one thousand yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock to the front of the Magazine; General Sheppard sent an officer to him to warn him of his danger if he passed over a certain line, which was described; Shays laughed at the information & continued his march until he approached within a few yards of the line…

GLC02437.03425

January 28, 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Marked "copy." Written from "Head Quarters Springfield." Reports on Shay and his supporters' situation. Relates that he and a number of other regiments arrived in Springfield the day before. Writes, "On my arrival I found, that Shays had taken post at a little village, six miles north of this, with the whole force under his [inserted: immediate] command, and that Day had taken post at West Springfield, & that he had fixed a guard at the ferry-house on the west side of the river. By this disposition, all communication, with the north & west in the usual paths were cut off." For a…

GLC02437.03427

12 November 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert Morris

Three sectioned-document written in the hand of Samuel Shaw. Marked as a copy. First part written by Lincoln to Morris concerning the allowance of pay for Henry Knox. Apparently "it was intended [Knox] should draw one hundred and fifty six dollars per month, to refund the expences of his table, in addition to his subsistence money." Wishes Morris will be able to give the paymaster "a sum sufficient to discharge the balance between what General Knox has monthly received and what has been received by the former commanding officers at the fort of West Point..." Contains Lincoln's copied…

GLC02437.10185

22 June 1775

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Thomas

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln to Brigadier General Thomas. Says he is sending one load of tent poles and that he should "order them droped" where he wants. If all can't be used at Roxbury, asks they be sent to Cambridge. Written five days after the Battle of Bunker Hill and on the same day Congress prepared a list of Continental Brigadier Generals that overlooked Thomas. At the time, Thomas was an officer in the state militia. Washington hinted that Congress should fix the mistake, and when another officer declined his appointment, Thomas was selected. Thomas died of smallpox on 2…

GLC02498.07

January 31, 1757

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Letter signed

Title: to Capt. Thatcher

Lincoln writes to Thatcher ordering a meeting of commanding officers.

GLC01450.345

March 27, 1758

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Thatcher

Lincoln writes to Thatcher about a meeting of officers about a proposed expedition against Canada.

GLC01450.349

26 December 1798

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Printed document signed

Title: [Deed between Henry Knox, Benjamin Lincoln, Henry Jackson, and John Gore]

Partially printed. Land sale of three thousand acres to John Gore. Cosigned by Jackson and Lincoln, whose signatures are struck. Countersigned by witnesses Samuel Cooper, Justice of the Peace, and John Norton. Again signed by Cooper 19 December in Boston. Verso signed by Eli Forbes, confirming that the deed was registered in Hancock County 10 January 1799. Docket notes "Lincoln & Jackson to John Gore... mortgage cancelled."

GLC02437.10331

10 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." Informs Knox that Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch has begun casting shells for them, and that Captain [William] Stevens "must immediately go there to prove the shells." Tells Knox to provide Stevens with instructions for how many shells to order cast for the French howitzers. Suggests that if, after a conference with "the General" [perhaps General George Washington], they feel they might not need the French shells right away, they should wait to make them in case they are able to recast the French howitzers and make them "of the English caliber." Also asks what…

GLC02437.01481

8 October 1781

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives recommendations for arranging the artillery for the siege of Yorktown. Discusses the establishment of the first parallel for the investment and fears a delay in operations. Speculates that one in four shots from the Continental Army will hit the British works. Explains how operations in the field can differ from academic assessments because of the great variety in ordnance quality. Argues that the Continental Army should not expect anything from the current batteries except cover while they build the second parallel, and urges Knox to establish them with that purpose in mind.…

GLC02437.01213

7 April 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to inform Knox of Knox's appointment to Major General, and describes the details of his appointment.

GLC02437.01382

29 June 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Since my return my dear Sir I have found great difficulty in renewing our obligation at the bank I have at last by ye [the?] aid of our mutual friend Mr. Osgood obtained a farther credit (by giving a new obligation & paying the interest) of thirty days. I am under the painful necessity therefore of giving you the information & of soliciting your attention to the matter. Had I the money you would not have heard from me on the subject unless to inform you that the debt was discharged - I am particularly embarrassed at this time as prior to your receiving the money I drew for…

GLC02437.01469

15 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Letter seems to be about personal finances. References a letter he sent "some days since" on money due to the bank. Says he has found an unexpected difficulty to renew the note. Reports that "I found that all discount business was over & at last by the influence of my friends obtained a discount for six weeks from the first of July, tho at first they encouraged me to hope but for four weeks, when the day arrived that one note could not be received for an other but that the money must be first lodged." Reports he then sent Captain…

GLC02437.01487

24 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Writes that he has sold a bill for Knox and that the matter is settled because it has been deposited. With Lincoln's free frank.

GLC02437.01500

26 July 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Has enclosed a resolve (possibly GLC02437.01501) regarding the Department of Commissary of Military Stores, and "shall be much obliged by your opinion what will be necessary in the department of field commissary of military stores, and what are the alterations you wish." Comments that he finds there is a Deputy Commissary of Military Stores retained at West Point, and is not sure why. Believes that there are very few stores there that do not belong to the Garrison, and contends that the Office of Artillery at the post should care for them. Requests Knox's…

GLC02437.01504

6 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the "War Office." In response to Knox's letter of 31 July (see GLC02437.01510), advises Knox to settle the matter of which shells and shots each metalworker in their employ, Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch and a Mr. Whiting, should cast. Writes, "All the cartridge boxes made have been sent on the last contract has not been paid, we cannot obtain another without money I do not know when Mr. Morris can supply it, I will not forget to urge him." Finally, agrees with Knox that they should use armourers for repairing and rebuilding arms, but he "cannot engage people to work without some…

GLC02437.01517

7 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Informs Knox that since writing his public letter, he has waited on Mr. [Robert] Morris to acquire the sums necessary to buy cartridge boxes but he has "not obtained it or even an encouragement that [he] may soon expect it." Hopes to be able to supply the artillery soon. Writes, "Consider how painful it is my friend to apply and be denied." Mentions that his duty is to make adjustments and put them before Mr. Morris so that he may procure the necessary articles. Asks Knox "not to blame me because you do not observe that supply which I have not in my power to procure."…

GLC02437.01519

10 August 1782

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private." Written by Lincoln as Secretary of War to Major General Knox. Says Congress has appointed a committee to create a catalog of books they need for themselves and various departments. Wants to know what he thinks will be the fall out of the present prospects for peace will be? Says he is worried about peace terms being offered by the British and warns Knox to be on his guard. Is concerned about the impact on and reaction of people.

GLC02437.01522

January 18, 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that a storm prevented him from going to West Point but he intends to visit there before returning to Philadelphia. Although Lincoln is uncertain whether he will be able to travel by water the following morning, he requests to see General Knox at 9 the next morning.

GLC02437.02301

22 July 1783

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Marked "private." References Knox's private letter that was recently sent by the post. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Believes Congress will not leave Princeton soon. Before he left for Virginia, Lincoln says he put Knox's business before Congress. Says no compensation has yet been voted on. Hopes to know more in a few days. Asks to be updated on the business of the Society of the Cincinnati. Reports he will attend meetings at other state gatherings if necessary. Place written is spelled "Prince Town."

GLC02437.02315