circa 1776-1783

Manuscript document

Title: [Miscellaneous bills]

List of items and their costs in pounds. Items include dinners (with separate costs listed for children and servants), spirits, horses and hay and also children. Docket, in the hand of Henry Knox's aide Samuel Shaw, "Ringwood Paid."

GLC02437.08273

December 26, 1777-January 22, 1778

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document signed

Title: [Journal]

Diary covers a variety of subjects, listed by date, including a report of General William Smallwood's capture of a British brig in Wilmington Delaware, local observations (including Moravian customs), the amount of snowfall, merchant shops, dining with Clinton, etc. Includes travels through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Prior to setting out on this journey, William had been staying with his brother Henry Knox at the Valley Forge encampment. Year inferred from content.

GLC02437.08279

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with Sir Henry Clinton in code. "Sir Henry Clinton" is written in pen at the top of one side, along with the word "Top" as a direction of how to place the cypher. There are 4 cut outs. When placed over a coded letter of the same size the cut outs provide a window for the message. There are pencil lines extending from the cut outs as well, which appear to be measurement lines for the actual cut outs.

GLC04764.02

12 April 1777

Richardson, William, 1743-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Enclosing report to General Washington regarding the state of the regiment. Richardson has small pox and has inoculated the entire regiment. Complains of lack of officers, hardship and illness. It is a "wonder that they don't die at a much faster pace." He also expresses some discontent regarding commissions, "as I have not had influence enough to make a single officer... and strangers are put in that have never seen service."

GLC06508.01

3 April 1777

Humphry, Jonathan, ?-1778

Document signed

Title: to Jonathan Humphry

Appoints the recipient as Adjutant of the eighteenth Connecticut militia regiment. The Jonathan Humphry who died in 1778 is the author of this letter. At the time he was the colonel of the eighteenth Connecticut militia regiment. He was also a lawyer. The Jonathan Humphry who died in 1812 was the recipient of this letter. He would later become colonel of the regiment himself.

GLC01450.010.01

11 June 1781

Rose, William, fl. 1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Request for a recommendation to a "subaltine's appointment in the Maryland line." Informs Smallwood that he has served faithfully for two years, is well regarded by fellow officers, and hopes the General will recommend him for this promotion.

GLC06508.02

30 February 1782

Barnes, Richard, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Discusses desertion and black recruits. Is unable to submit a list for men drafted for three years service because so many have left for Annapolis "without my knowledge." Due to these desertions the three year draft has been suspended. Names the only three men drafted "that did not march and were not discharged." These were "William Wakely, Negroe Jess, Joseph Procter (Mulatter)." Docket on verso reads "From Colo. Barnes July 30, 1782."

GLC06508.03

13 March 1782

Morris, Jonathan, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Captain Morris complains to General Smallwood about being at home, not in the field, for such a long period of time. States "Tis the greatest misfortune that can befall an Officer to be long out of Camp, his pay can in the manner we are paid off, may support us while in the Field, but when we are at home we are drawn, in a Manner, involuntarily into expenses." States that he can not satisfy his debtors. Requests a small loan with which he expects to repay unspecified Officers.

GLC06508.04

31 May 1782

Roxburgh, Alexander, fl. 1782-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Written near Bacon's Bridge, possibly near Dorchester, South Carolina. Major Roxburgh informs General Smallwood that his company remains near Bacon's Bridge in an inactive state. Reports that the British "continue in the same situation as when I last wrote you with this difference that a detachment of about eleven hundred embarked three weeks ago for Jamaica." Relates that the British frequently send out what he calls parties of horse, and this action distresses local inhabitants. Mentions Captain Armstrong. Reports that General Wayne (possibly Anthony Wayne) detached Colonel White and…

GLC06508.05

29 June 1782

Dorsey, Vachel, fl. 1782

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Hopes to hear from Smallwood concerning an appointment he hopes to recieve. Has already waited for some time, at some expense, for an answer, and asks Smallwood to reply as quickly as possible.

GLC06508.06

14 July 1782

Roxburgh, Alexander, fl. 1782-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Written at Camp Ashley Hill. Major Roxburgh updates General Smallwood on Anthony Wayne's success in evacuating in evacuating Savannah, Georgia of British troops: "The enemy have evacuated Savannah and are so distressed for shipping that the garrison are object to go from Island to Island before they can reach Charles Town. They were so reduced by desertion that 'tis thought not more than four hundred Regular troops will reach town, the Torys have all joined General Waine and have become american soldiers for the war by way of atonement for their joining the enemy." Predicts that though…

GLC06508.07

26 September 1782

Winnot, W., fl. 1782

Letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Gives General Smallwood an "account of the present situation of the two armies in this [southern] quarter with their principal maneuvers since the capture of L'd Cornwallace." Provides a detailed description of activities by generals Nathanael Greene, Anthony Wayne, Alexander Leslie, and others. Comments on the raising of troops. Indicates he received news of a British mission against French troops in Boston. A note on the address leaf explains the "Import of sending this to Annapolis." Written from Camp Ashley Hill, in Charleston County, South Carolina.

GLC06508.08

February 11, 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Invites Knox to join him for "Dinner to day at 2 o Clock." The year is not given, but has to be 1776 as Knox was a Colonel then.

GLC02437.00531

6 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for her and his sadness at being forced to part again. Mentions his travel plans as well. After months apart the couple was finally able to see each other when Washington sent Knox to Boston to recruit men and examine artillery production. But Knox could only stay a few days before he had to rush on to the next stop on his trip.

GLC02437.00544

10 March 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter

Title: to Henry Knox

"His Excellency," George Washington, compliments Colonel Knox, asks him to come to headquarters immediately, and invites him to dinner at 2 o'clock that night. The letter must be from 1776, since this is the only year in which Knox is a Colonel in March. He would also be in camp with Washington at Boston at the time.

GLC02437.00546

16 March 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Crane has been authorized to give twenty pounds as a bounty to those he enlists in the regimental artillery. But Boston is offering a town bounty of fifty pounds for anyone who joins the local army, and this is making recruiting very difficult. Suggests the only way to fill the artillery will be with men from other units, but has his doubts about this as well. Wishes that George Washington would issue an order putting the artillery on equal footing for recruitment. Feels that the other officers, who gave up a lot while fighting, deserve better than their current situation.…

GLC02437.00550

20 March 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions his plan to "enter the Service" once he raises a certain sum, which he is confident he will have soon. He has bought two hundred pounds worth of quills, paper, and similar articles from Newburry, and thinks they will be easy to turn a profit on since they are scarce in Boston. William and Lucy Knox had reopened the bookshop that Henry had operated before the war, and tried to sell these items there. States that he ran into Joshua Wentworth of Portsmouth, who informed him of the arrival of a French vessel carrying a large cargo of arms for the Continental Army. French officers…

GLC02437.00555

23 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Says that since William's happiness is important to him, he will not prevent his brother from joining the army once William has completed certain essential family business. Arranges for William to pick up his baggage from various spots in New England. Asks William to purchase clothing for him, and advises him to learn to ride before joining the army. Believes "if we had our army or a large part of it on the Spot we should be able to give Great Britain so deep a wound that the very remembrance of it would make her bleed...more for fifty years hence - every thing however is right & all…

GLC02437.00556

February 12, 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Hoff

Orders Hoff to deliver to Colonel Stewart an order for "ten tons Grape Shot mostly the larger with some small." Sent to Hoff at Hibernia Furnace, New Jersey. Docket states that the document is a copy.

GLC02437.00532

February 13, 1777

Treat, Samuel, fl. 1775-1777

Autograph note signed

Title: to Ezekiel Cheever

Asks Cheever to deliver "twenty five yards of that White Duffle you have in your possession & two or three coats" to Lieutenant James Hall. Docket, signed by Hall, states that he received thirty yards of "Duffle," five coats, and "one Laced Hatt"

GLC02437.00533

February 16, 1777

Sutton, Thomas, fl. 1776-1777

Manuscript document

Title: [Receipt for coats and a hat]

States that three Regimental Coats intended for enlisted artillery soldiers and one lace hat had arrived from ordnance. Promises to be accountable to General Knox for these goods. The name at the bottom of the document is illegible.

GLC02437.00535

February 26, 1777

Hill, Stephen, fl. 1777

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipts for coats and duffle]

States that Murphy received a coat and two and a half yards white duffle for ordnance, and that Hill received a coat and four yards white duffle. Each has signed their name next to the goods they received. Murphy's name is spelled Murffey, and he signs with his X above where his name has been written.

GLC02437.00537

February 25, 1777

Sutton, Thomas, fl. 1776-1777

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Request for coat]

Requests one coat for Sergeant Petty. Written to "the Conductor of Artillery at Fishkills." Written at Fort Constitution. Endorsed on verso by Abiel Pettie.

GLC02437.00538

February 26, 1777

Noyes, Dudley, fl. 1775-1779

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for a coat and duffle]

States that Noyes received one "Regimental coat" and two and a half yards of white duffle.

GLC02437.00539

1 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Livingston

Orders Captain Livingston to obtain 5000 tents for next spring for General Thomas Mifflin. Orders him to "get the cloth for tents and get them made into tents each to hold six men." Also orders him to draw any necessary funds from General Mifflin.

GLC02437.00540