Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789 to Thomas Mumford

Written by Parsons as a Major General in the Continental Army to Thomas Mumford, a merchant from Groton, Connecticut. Mumford was also the brother-in-law of Parsons's staff officer Silas Deane. Tells Mumford that he asked Mr. Lawrence (possibly John Lawrence, Treasurer of Connecticut) to go to the British lines to inquire about his captured son. Because of Lawrence's efforts, Joseph Chew, a loyalist from New London, Connecticut, will bring Parsons's son on a ship he is taking from New York to New London, where he will be exchanged for a British prisoner. Asks Mumford if he can give an appointment to his son in one of his ships. Tells Mumford that Lawrence tried to go to Long Island to see his mother and friends, but was politely denied passage by the British. Believes the British are planning a naval attack, perhaps at New London. Asks Mumford to pass this information on to Colonel William Ledyard. Also suggests that the ship that Chew arrives on should be detained a few days in case the New London naval attack materializes. Postscript is partially missing. It states that Colonel John Mead of the 9th Regiment of the Connecticut militia was made a paroled prisoner in his own house by Colonel James Delancey. Letter is incomplete.