Revolutionary War
various places, ca. 1776
1776 Group Lot Including a Soldier's Letter, Receipt for Salt Peter, and a Request to Leave the Colonies
Archive

Fabulous group lot of Revolutionary War items from 1776. A total of six items from various places including a soldier's letter, receipt for salt peter, request to leave the Colonies, and much more. Overall content good, except as noted.

Includes:
Revolutionary War soldier's letter. 1p, 10.5" x 9.625"; Charlestown, Massachusetts; August 3, 1776. Samuel Tay writes a letter to his wife to let her know that he and his company are well. He includes news of General Guy Carleton: "i would let you [know] that the genarel Calton has Retreted with all his forses to Canada and i hope to Concer [conquer] all my Enamyes and Return to my Family." Carleton had been leading British and Canadian forces in pursuit of retreating American troops who had failed in their invasion of Canada earlier in the year. Addressed on the verso. Heavy wear along folds with minor separations and spots of loss. Tay enlisted on April 19, 1775 and marched in response to the Lexington Alarm. Per "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War," his company was ordered to march on July 26, 1776, and it is during that period of service that this letter is written.

1776 Connecticut Selectmen receipt for salt peter. 1p, 7.25" x 4.25", Lebanon; December 27, 1776. A document certifying that a "Quantity of salt peter… is well and carefully inspected" for the use of "this colony." Salt peter had several important uses, the most critical being the manufacturing of gunpowder. Filing docket and endorsement on verso. Light dampstaining.

Walter Livingston ALS to an unnamed recipient. 1p, 6.5" x 8"; Albany, Mew York; May 9, 1776. Livingston sends news of General Philip Schuyler's plans to hire "a gentleman in the Qr. Masters branch." He adds that Schuyler is with him in Albany, and asks for "ten Waggons to send to Lake George with light loads of powder." Signed, "Walter Livingston." At this time, Livingston was serving as the Commissary of Stores and Provisions for the Department of New York. Schuyler was primarily dealing with the aftermath of the failed American invasion of Canada and trying to reorganize the Northern Department. Filing docket on verso. Scattered foxing, and loss along left margin affecting a few words.

Letter requesting permission of the Committee of Safety to leave Virginia in 1776. 1p, 7.375" x 9.25"; Dumfries, [Virginia]; January 1776. A letter from John Riddell to an unnamed recipient explaining that he wishes to leave the colony to go to Scotland due to poor health. He explains: "I do not dare to leave the Colony without the liberty from the [?] the Convention or committee of safety: I therefore beg the favor of you to get me a certificate of leave. My political opinion I dare say you will know I look upon the glorious opposition made by the Colonys to be just…"

"New-England Chronicle: or the Essex Gazette." Vol. VIII. Numb. 393. February 1-8, 1776. 4pp, 9.75" x 15.25", Cambridge: Printed by Samuel and Ebenezer Hall. With Congressional notice of the failed invasion of Quebec and the death of General Richard Montgomery. Also of note is a letter signed "X" addressed to the "Army of the United Colonies" congratulating them "on the dignity of the cause in which you are acting." Also of note are multiple notices of desertion by soldiers in the Continental Army, and a resolution by Congress to deal with Loyalists in the Colonies. With foxing and toning; paper remains sound.

Samuel Curson ALS to merchant Comfort Sands of New York. 1p with integral address leaf, 7.25 x 9.5"; S Eustatia [Sint Eustatius]; March 22, 1776. Content regarding funds owed and adding: "There is now an opening should C--- incline to speculate further this way. Provisions begin to rise from a demand for some of the neighbouring Islands." Comfort Sands was a wealthy New York merchant who was member of the state's Provincial Congress and Auditor-General at the time. Moderate wear along integral fold, and minor toning.

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  • Dimensions: 15.25" x 9.75" (largest)
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