17 March 1756

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript document signed

Title: Secret Instructions to Lieut. Col. Bradstreet

During the French and Indian War, Lord Stirling (William Alexander) orders Bradstreet to travel to Oswego with supplies, regroup there, then proceed to Fort Frontenac to "bring off, set fire to, or in any manner destroy whatever Vessels and Boats the French have there either built or building" and, if possible, use a surprise attack to capture and destroy the fort. If successful, he is to return with prisoners to Oswego then continue on the Albany to await further instructions. Bradstreet is to abort the attack if he loses the element of surprise of fears losing too many men. Signed…

GLC00371

31 October 1746

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Discusses an expedition into Canada and various officers who could lead such an expedition. Lower right hand corner of the 3rd page is missing.

GLC02437.08934

1 December 1744

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Document signed

Title: [The Province of Massachusetts Bay v. James Cattee, et al.].

Summons Lieutenant Governor of the Province of New Hampshire David Dunbar to appear "at the Court House in Boston upon Wednesday the Twelfth day of December instant at ten o'clock in the forenoon at a Court of Admiralty." James Cattee, Morgan Williams, John Regan, Daniel Harrington, Mathew Ryan, Roger Ryan, Thomas Rigby, Morris Kirby, and Peter Terry, "His Majesty's natural born subjects," are accused of committing diverse acts of hostility "upon the high seas under colour of a commission from the French king." Signed as Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts. One black and white…

GLC02468.21

June 1756 - July 1756

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript document

Title: [Report issued to Massachusetts Governor William Shirley on military activities during the French and Indian War]

Reports on military-related activities, mostly paying allowances, but also retaliating against Indians, detaching men to march against Fort George, and incidents relating to injuries and sickness.

GLC01450.246

November 23, 1745

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Note signed

Title: to William Pepperrell

Shirley writes to Pepperrell to discuss payment of workmen's wages in garrison. It is a signed note on an autograph signed letter.

GLC01450.338

31 October 1740

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Also signed by Jacob Willard [Secrty]. Appears to be an official document regarding raising troops in the colonies of Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The troops are to be employed in an expedition for the "Reduction of Canada" commanded by [Arthur] St. Clair. Further details and instructions about the expedition are provided.

GLC02437.10635

3 July 1738

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Agreement]

Agreement between William Shirley and Samuel Waldo concerning land. Includes a note from John Winslow and signatures from John Smith and John Box as witnesses.

GLC02437.08993

24 December 1755

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter

Title: Additional Instructions to Major Genl. William Johnson, relative to the Indians of the Six Nations under his Command.

Copy of a letter instructing General William Johnson to ask the Six Nations to help fight against the French and their Indian allies. He requests that they "be engaged by private applications, and the offer of Rewards to take up the Hatchet against the French & their Indians, who have fallen upon the Provinces of Virginia, Maryland and Pensylvania." Wants them to muster in Pennsylvania by way of the Susquehanna river to join the others and bring as many people as possible. Instructs that the Indians should know they will be well supplied and rewarded for taking prisoners. Would like…

GLC09054.01

19-20 December 1755

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter

Title: Abstracts from Gov. Shirley's Letters of Dec. 19th & 20th.

From December 19th: Discusses the minutes of the Council of War at Albany, New York on December 12th. Outlines a plan to attack Niagara and that "3000 Troops should, at the same time be marching to Fort Duquesne from Willis Creek to attack that Fort." Note lists those present at the Council of War and that no account has been received of the plan. From December 20th: Writes that William Johnson was given a new commission and mentions the letter "regarding engaging the Six Nations to the assistance of Pensylvania..." Discusses a possible treaty with the southern Indians to assist the…

GLC09054.02

3 July 1738

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Autograph document signed

Title: [Land indenture]

Transfers land from Samuel Waldo to William Shirley for services rendered and ten shillings. Witnessed and signed by John Smith and John Box. Attestation on verso by Joshua Winslow, justice of the peace.

GLC02437.08890

16 November 1738

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Mr. [Samuel] Waldo

Discusses a bill of exchange and other financial matters. Noted as a copy.

GLC02437.08892

7 May 1740

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Discusses an expedition and mentions a petition.

GLC02437.08899

21 May 1740

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript document

Title: to [Samuel Waldo]

Discusses the possibility of war, an expedition opposed by "our Captn Genl [who] has slept for 10 weeks" and business. The majority of the address has been clipped.

GLC02437.08900

27 June 1740

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses land and the hiring of a new agent.

GLC02437.08901

27 June 1740

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Copy of GLC02437.08901. Discusses land and the hiring of a new agent.

GLC02437.08903

31 October 1746

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Appears to be a duplicate of GLC 2437.08936. Discusses an expedition into Canada and various officers who could lead such an expedition. Lower right hand corner of the 3rd page is missing.

GLC02437.08935

28 October 1747

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Discusses orders for a discharge of the majority of the troops under Waldo's command. States that he should only keep a few hundred that will be necessary for the defense of the garrison at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia in Canada. Also mentions that he should have his junior officers collect all of the arms and accoutrements of the discharged soldiers and gives further instructions in regards to the discharged men.

GLC02437.08939

24 December 1747

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Pitt

Writes to William Pitt, the Paymaster General about an exchange while he is settling the payment of the troops for a Canadian expedition.

GLC02437.08940

28 June 1748

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Discusses the transfer of vouchers for the paymaster general and explains himself about some accusations Waldo has made against him concerning the payment of soldiers.

GLC02437.08943

7 July 1748

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Samuel Waldo

Discusses an issue with Samuel Waldo regarding his accounts and finances. Attempt to explain his position and the measures he took in regards to the handling of these financial matters. Noted as written at Castle William, a fortress located on Castle Island in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.08944

17 December 1747

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Request for 100 pounds sterling to pay troops]

Requests funds, to be given to Daniel Ayrault, to pay troops intended for an expedition against Canada during King George's War: "When the Parliament of Great Britain shall make Provision for Paying the Troops rais'd for the late intended Expedition against Canada. Be pleas'd to order Payment of this my third Exchange." Sent to William Pitt, who was "Paymaster General of His Majesty." A signed note on the verso by Ayrault orders that the money be paid to Elias Bland, for Ayrault's account. A signed note beneath that signed by Bland and witnessed by John Bland & Sons and dated 8…

GLC08923

1756/09/13

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Document signed

Title: Order re: impressment of carts for military supplies

French & Indian War order, signed by Governor of Province of Massachusetts Bay.

GLC01450.321

1754/02/04

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Document signed

Title: Appointment

Signed as Governor of Massachusetts

GLC01450.328

1745/11/19

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Document signed

Title: re: tending the sick. (naval) (cos. Wm Williams and Jason Monk)

GLC01450.341

1748/02/21

Shirley, William, 1694-1771

Document signed

Title: re: orders payment for transportation of troops.

Signed as governor of Massachusetts

GLC01450.343