Historical Autographs and Manuscripts
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HISTORICAL AUTOGRAPHS AND MANUSCRIPTS FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS DISCHARGE OF FRENCH & INDIAN WAR SOLDIER JOSEPH GORHAM OF GORHAM RANGERS ADS LOUISBURG, NOVA SCOTIA, 1763 * 1 * 2 LT. COL. JOSEPH GORHAM (1725-1790) Fought in the French Autograph Document Signed: “By John Tuliken Esqr Lieutenant Colo- & Indian Wars and gained fame with his brother John of the noted nel in His Majesties 45th Regiment of Foot of which Major Gorham Rangers. He was said to have distinguished himself at General John Boscawen is Colonel-- These are to Certify that Louisbourg and Quebec, and in 1782, was appointed as Governor The Bearer hereof Luke Murphey. Private Soldier in the Above of Newfoundland. He was captured by Indians at Canso, but was Said Regemt Hath Served faithfully and Honestly for the Term Of 7 Years and released by the French commander at Louisbourg. After John’s is hereby Discbarg’d at the Reduction Of The Regiment Agreeable To his Majes- death, Joseph took command of Gorham’s Rangers. Although John’s ties Order Having First Receiv’d a Full and True Account of All His Cloathing service to N.S. lasted only seven years, they were critical years in the Pay and arears of Pay as will Apear By his Receipt on The Back Hereof Given history of North America, and through them, Gorham’s Rangers Under My hand at Louisburg This 16th Day of September 1763, John “kept Nova Scotia English”. One page Autograph Document Signed, Tuliken” On reverse: “I Luke Murphey Private Soldier in his Maj- dated Marblehead April 14, 1761: “Whereas Malachy Salter, Esqr Stands esties Regiment of Foot But Now Legally Discharge do Ac- engaged to the Government of Nova Scotia in the sum of on Hundd pounds that knowledge to Have Received a Full and True account of All of Currency wch he gave his note for, in Lieu of a note for Sd sum given up to Bourn My Cloathing Pay and Arears of Pay as Wintess My hand this 16th Day of & Freeman wch they originally gave for so much in behalf Eziekiel Gilman Esq Septmber Present John Turner, Luke Murphy, Corp Major” 6” x 5”. Many bearing Date…I hereby promise to account & pay G. Bourn & Freeman Fifteen folds, heavy archival tape reinforcement to verso making manu- pounds of the currency aforsd whenever the Government….” Signed “Jos. script somewhat light, still Very Good and very rare. $500 - up Gorham.” 6 ½” x 5 ¼”, reinforced heavily on verso with archival paper, Very Good. $500 - up GENERAL SHIRLEY ORDERS A PRESS WARRANT * 3 Press warrants were measures used by those in command and requested when normal recruiting measures were not working. They impressed soldiers and sailors into military service. One page ALS from James Bradford, New York, Jan 4, 1755: “His Excellency General Shirley has order’d me to desire your Honour will be pleas’d to give this Express a press warrant, that he may not be delay’d. I am, Sir, Your Honour’s Most Obedt. Humble servant, James Bradford.” Addressed to Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq. who was signer of the Declaration, Governor of Rhode Island and Chief Justice, (1707-1785); He was a delegate from Rhode Island to the 1754 Albany Convention for the purpose of developing a plan uniting the colonies and arranging an alliance with the Indians, in view of the impending war with France. General Shirley was governor of Massachusetts and commanded British forces in the French and Indian War. In 1755 he led an unsuccessful expedition against Canada and was briefly commander in chief of all British forces in America. He was removed as governor in 1756 but cleared of charges of treason concerning the Canadian expedition. 7 ¼ x 9”. Though not confirmed, most likely this JAMES BRADFORD (1684-1762): Served in his local militia as an Ensign and later as a Lieutenant. Local historians refer to him as “LT. James Bradford” and he was regarded as a “most respected citizen”, probably in deference to his moderate wealth and political offices. In Fine Condition. $400 - up 1 CAPTAIN CHARLES CRUIKSHANK ON CHRISTMAS DAY FOR HIS MAJESTY * 5 CHARLES CRUIKSHANK Captain in the Indian wars; Loyalist DEVIL’S HOLE MASSACRE who left the country immediately after the Revolution. His son-in- * 4 law was John Ross, close friend of George Washington and was very Autograph Document Signed by Porter Master John Stedman. In the active in the American cause. One pp. ALS dated New York, Decem- early 1760’s the Niagara Portage was a vital transportation link for ber 25, 1752: “Thirty days sight please pay this my fourth for Exchange first supplies and troops being sent to forts throughout the Upper Great Second and third not payed of’ Same Date and tenor for the Sum of one hundred Lakes in order to suppress the raids against British garrisons by and Sixty four pounds Sterline to Delancey Robinson & Company or order value Indians directed by Seneca Indian Chief Pontiac. This document of them and place the same to the accott of my Subsistance and Companys from was penned shortly after the brutal massacre in September of 1763 the twenty fourth of December Current to the twenty fifth of February next to come where Stedman was one of only three surviors: “Niagara, April 5th with or without further advice from Sir To John Caleraf’t Esqr Channell Row 1764, This is to certify that the bearer John Sedman had four London Your most humble Servt. Chas Cruikshank Capt of one of his majestys horses employ’d five days in his Majesty’s Service from hence to New York Judgt Compys” On reverse: “Pay to Joseph `Mied or Order Value Rec’d Fort Schlosser for which he is to be paid at the usual Rate…Will Browning, of Lewis Johnston for the rye of the West Jersey Society, Delancey Robinson & L.C.” On verso: “New York, March 20, 1766, Received from Colonel John Co.” John Calcraft (1716-1772) was a politician, regimental agent and Bradstreet D.M.Q General the sum of Ten pounds in full for the within certificate, deputy commissary general who made a fortune as an army contrac- Jno Stedman” tor. During these mid 18th century years agitation grew tension The Battle of Devil’s Hole Road, also known as the Devil’s Hole between France and England over competing land and trading claims. Massacre, was fought on September 14, 1763 between a detachment Minor skirmishes were breaking out that would eventually lead to of the British 18th Regiment of Foot and a local Seneca tribe during the full out French & Indian Wars. 7½” x 6”. In beautiful condition. Pontiac’s Rebellion. $500 - up The battle began as the result of an ambush of a passing wagon train, from Fort Schlosser on route to Fort Niagara, while passing through Devil’s Hole. An area known for its difficult terrain, one point of the trail in particular was a heavily wooded area and a deep ravine on either side, ideal for an ambush, as a force between 300-500 Seneca CAPTAIN JAMES PATTERSON Indians attacked the supply train. The defenders led by Porter Mas- * 6 ter John Stedman, caught completely off guard, were defenseless as Autograph Letter Signed, one page, dated June 18th 1757 with great animals broke off in a stampede or were driven into the ravine with war content: “Honoured Sir, I rec wt great thankfullness the last favour I mean their drivers. Fighting in close quarters made musket fire almost the Discharges of Charles Stewart; the-Shamokin Regiment is filling useless and after the battle, only three (including Stedman) of the fast Capl Hambrige w some others of the Gentlemen officers sent twenty five members had managed to escape to Fort Schlosser for - here last night about 60 men good like wch with the other help. A rescue party from Fort Gray at nearby Lewis Town (located recruits & recruiters will make a party 100 strong and A great north of Devil’s Hole) responded after hearing the Indian war cries. many recruiters yet out that I am in hopes of that regiment being The Seneca Indians waited for the arrival of British reinforcements strong in a very short time & then I expect the favour of your Honour as and sprung a similar ambush upon them as well. Not a single person I Delight to be doing something in behalf of your Honour & your Battallion that survived the Indian attack. you by writing a piece of complisance to Major Burd I may be discharged from Fort By the time troops arrived from Fort Schlosser, they found only the and w your Orders Permitted to try to find Some of these Our Enemies thats often dead. Victims had been scalped. By some accounts there were as Been five of which is said to be seen in Paxton day before yesterday; my Usage at many as 100 dead, many thrown into the gorge by the Indians Fort Augusta has been very good; I Suppose you have heard of the following the ambush. Fearing a similar attack, the British quickly Defeat of Leuit Halliday of the Second Battallion w my Greates withdrew to Fort Schlosser. respect to your Honour &: Spouse I beg leave to Subscribe myself your Honour Very Hum, James P.” Addressed to John Harrises, to whom the letter Colonel John Bradstreet (c.1711-74) was assigned to the Great Lakes is docketed. The remainder of Patterson name has been repaired region in the Pontiac Rebellion, where his efforts to conclude and silked, accompanying it is a letter from the original autograph treaties with the resident tribes came to nothing.