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The James M. Ransom Manuscript Collection

ON THE MECHANICS OF A LARGE-SCALE PRISONER EXCHANGE

1. (). Elliot, Andrew (1728-1797; Loyalist, superintendent general of British-held ). Letter signed, New York, 8 March 1779. To Elisha Boudinot, on the mechanics of a large-scale prisoner exchange and mentioning the Jersey prison ship. 2 pages, folio, with integral blank docketed by Boudinot. A few neat early repairs, mounting stub at left edge with fold beginning to separate, else very good. $1200

A fine letter from the Loyalist superintendent general of British-held New York (and later lieutenant governor and acting governor of New York until the British evacuation) to the American commissary general of prisoners, on plans for a large-scale exchange of prisoners. Elliot explains the mechanics and the hierarchy of effecting an exchange, and requests a list of numbers and names and offers a similar list in return. Elliot then refers to the "numbers and situation of Jersey Prisoners" held on the notorious Jersey prison ship in New York harbor. Of those prisoners he continues, "... you will find whenever a return is made that you have been misinformed...." John Pintard is mentioned several times, and Elliot says it is impossible for Col. Potter to return on parole. A cordial letter between gentlemen holding similar positions on opposing sides.

THE BRITISH ORDER GRAPE SHOT IN NEW YORK, 1778

2. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Letter from H. Bruen, British deputy quartermaster general, to Brig. Gen. James Pattison, commander of the royal artillery, New York, 3 September 1778. One page, folio. Few tiny edge chips, else very good. $450

"Please to order Sixty rounds of Grape & Round shot Compleat, with Gunpowder, for Twenty two nine pounders for the use of a Detachmt. of Troops ordered to Quebec, on board the Ship Nancy, agreeable to Lieut. General Earl Cornwallis's order...."

WILLIAM MALCOLM'S CONTINENTAL REGIMENT

3. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Malcolm, William ( in the ). Autograph letter signed, Haverstraw [N.Y.]. 24 February 1779. To an unidentified recipient, on the fate of Malcolm's command. One page, folio. One fold separating, else very good. $475

"... tomorrow I set out for Head Qtrs. The Regiment is short lived ... I must dealt out ceremony. You know for what reason.... I cannot think of taking any Command untill the fate of the Regiment is decided, and its very probable I shall do no more.... The assembly have refused to grant our request...." Malcolm's regiment would soon be merged with Oliver Spencer Additional Continental Regiment.

PASS TO TRAVEL FROM KAKIAT TO NEW YORK, 1780

4. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Manuscript pass issued to Daniel Geroe (Gerow) to travel from Kakiat "with a two horse team and waggon to move some women and children towards New York." Cakiatt [i.e., Kakiat], 2 May 1780. One page, quarto. Signed by John Coe and Gilbert Coops as commissioners of sequestration. About fine. $600

"The commanding officers of the different guards are requested to let the bearer Daniel Geroe ... pass to such place as Peter Herring Esqr. of Herringtown or in his absence some officer in the vicinity of Closter shall direct...." A fine Bergen County Revolutionary War pass.

GERSHOM MOTT RECEIPT FOR ARMY HORSES, 1778

5. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Mott, Gershom (Continental army captain). Receipt for horses delivered by Isaac Guion for the use of the army, Fishkill, 28 May 1778. Signed by Mott as captain in the continental artillery. Small quarto. Very good. $325

"Received of Lieut. Isaac Guion Seventeen Continental horses for the use of the Artil'y."

LIST OF OFFICERS AND MEN IN CAMP AT TOTOWA, 1780

6. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Pendleton, Daniel. Document signed, "A List of the Officers & Men in Captn. Pendleton's Company of Artificers ... present on the Ground, the Clerk excepted." Camp Totowa, 26 October 1780. One page, 12 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. Signed by Pendleton as captain of Baldwin's Artillery Artificer Regiment. Inlaid. In fine condition. $850

Acknowledging receipt from Quartermaster General Timothy Pickering of pay for 22 listed officers and men. Pendleton, as captain, received 1800 contenental dollars, Lieutenant Enos Grannis received 1200 continental dollars, and the sergeants and privates each received 500 continental dollars. At the bottom is a note: "Elisha Wilmot did not march, but Jonathan Wilkinson in his stead." On the verso is a second receipt, Camp at Totowa, 27 October 1780, acknowledging receiving pay for Benjn. Roe and Elisha Hewitt. OARS FOR THE AMERICAN ARMY AT FISHKILL, 1781

7. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Receipt for a very large quantity of oars delivered by William Smith, oarmaker, Fishkill Landing, 5 August 1781. One page, octavo. Fine. $300

"Received Fish Kill Landing August 5th 1781 of Mr. William Smith, Oar maker ten hundred & thirty nine Oars measuring Sixteen Thousand & ninety one feet, for public use." Beneath this is a breakdown of the lengths and quantities. Presumably for use on the Hudson.

RECEIPT FOR IRON AT NEW WINDSOR, 1783

8. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Schuth, Isaac. Autograph receipt, New Windsor [N.Y.], 29 March 1783, to Andrew Hoper [i.e., Hopper], for "Twenty Shar molds with Twenty Bars of Iron in behalf of Capt. Smith...." One page, sheet fraction. Very good. $250

REPORT OF PRISONERS IN FORT CLINTON, 1778

9. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--FORT CLINTON). Manuscript "Report of the Main Guard Fort Clinton, December 14th, 1778," probably in the hand of James Cooper, who signs as captain and officer of the guard. One page, quarto. Some soiling on blank verso, else very good. $475

A nice relic of this Orange County, New York, fort that in effect no longer exists. Only two prisoners are reported, Mathew Burnet, whose listed crime was "Prisoner of War," and Wm. Steel,imprisoned for "Desertion."

DOCTOR WILLIAM EUSTIS PRESCRIBES PILLS FOR GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE, WEST POINT, 1780

10. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--MEDICAL). Eustis, William (1753-1825; Revolutionary War surgeon). Autograph letter signed, Robinson's House [N.Y.], 13 October 1780. To Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene, prescribing medicine. One page, folio. Docketed by Greene on the verso. Tiny blank margin repair on the verso, else fine. Inlaid. $900

Apologizing for his inability to send "the Cochrean Pills agreeable to your request. I have never used them, but have sent some pills of soap with a very small addition of Emetic Tartar: these are the nearest substitute for the Cochrean pills that I know of..." He then recommends the dosage. "Cochrean pills" may be a reference to pills formulated by Dr. John Cochran, Chief Physician and Surgeon of the Continental Army, and Eustis's superior. Robinson's House, the forfeited estate of Loyalist Beverley Robinson, was located across the river from West Point and was used as a hospital, with Eustis in command. A little over two weeks before this letter was written, Benedict Arnold's West Point treason was exposed, and Eustis treated the hysterical Peggy Arnold. Unpublished in The Papers of General Nathanael Greene . CARRYING THE BAGGAGE OF ROCHAMBEAU'S ARMY

11. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Autograph document, Suffern [N.Y.], 26 August 1781, certifying that John Van Houton "has served two Days with a two horse team to transport the Baggage of the french Army & allowed one Day to return home." Signatures difficult to decipher. Ragged edges, else near fine. $400

On the verso is a receipt: "Received the Contents in full of John Suffern in Behalf of John Van Houton. John Smith."

FEEDING THE CATTLE OF ROCHAMBEAU'S ARMY

12. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Autograph document, Suffern [N.Y.], 26 August 1781, certifying that Adolphus Wannamaker "has found good pasture for Ninety Eight head of Cattle belonging to the first division of the french army one night." Small sheet fraction. Signed by Elijah Hyde[?], with other signatures. Very good. $375

UDNY HAY AT FISHKILL, 1779

13. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Hay, Udny (assistant deputy quartermaster general). Autograph letter signed, Fishkill, 13 July 1779. To Col. Badlam, commanding officer at Hackensack. One page, quarto, with integral address leaf. Seal tear, else fine. $400

"I find the Marquee made by Mr. Van---[?] and delivered to you has never been receipted for by you. Please send the receipt...."

GETTING TO FORT MONTGOMERY BY CANOE AND SAIL, 1777

14. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Letter signed by Thomas Van Steenbergh and Ludwigh Roessell, to William Emrich and William Dederich, 19 June 1777, about getting to Fort Montgomery. One page, quarto. Light soiling and foxing, but very good. Docketed "P.S. With Speed." $475

Having been disappointed by Mr. Carle in traveling to Fort Montgomery, the writers ask to borrow a canoe from Emrich and a sail from Dederich to get to the fort, promising to return in a few days.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PAY ORDER, WEST POINT, APRIL 1779

15. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Order on paymaster Ebenezer Storer to pay Sergt. Jeremiah Bettes the pay due to James Dempsey of Capt. Donnel's company. Signed by Major Tobias Fernald, West Point, 18 April 1779. One page, small quarto. Some browning and light soiling. $425 Bettes signs a receipt at the bottom.

COURT MARTIAL AT FORT CLINTON, 1777

16. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Proceedings of a court martial against Capt. Peleg Ransom, Fort Clinton, 12 July 1777. Two pages, folio. Signed by Col. John Snyder as president. Partial fold split, some modern pencil notes, else fine. $550

Ransom was charged with making a false return of his company, thus not furnishing the requisite quota of men. He was found guilty and was cashiered. On the second page is a letter of John Snyder, arguing that Ransom's actions were inadvertant and that he should be restored to his position. The docketing reads "Fort Montgomery."

SOLDIERS WITHOUT ALL THEIR BUTTONS, WEST POINT, 1783

17. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Return for a large quantity of missing uniform buttons for the Second New York Regiment, West Point, 25 March 1783, signed by an E[?]. Stevens. One page, narrow quarto. Faint toning else near fine. $425

"Six hundred Dozen of Large Coat Buttons Wanting to Repair the Coats. also Forty Dozen of Small Buttons...."

PROVIDING PROVISIONS FOR PRISONERS

18. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--RHODE ISLAND). Wheaton, Comfort. Document signed, Providence, 21 July 1777. Being an order to pay Capt. Asa Waterman "an allowance of provitions [ sic ] for two men for three days as prisoners." One page, small octavo. Very good. $325

FROM STANHOPE FURNACE TO OXFORD FURNACE, 1843

19. BLACK, JOHN. Autograph letter signed, Stanhope [N.J.], 21 August 1843. To Messrs. Scranton at Oxford Furnace [N.J.]. One full page, folio. Some wax seal offsetting, else fine. $150

An interesting letter in which Black offers his services to the Scrantons to make pig iron for them, "by the month or by the ton," and says he can produce better recommendations than any man known. He discusses knowing a better stone for hearths and suggests it for their furnace in Pennsylvania. He says the Stanhope furnace is making poor iron which is sold at a low price, and thus the wages are low.

HENDRICK BOGERT'S WILL, 1794

20. BOGERT, HENRY. Document signed, being the last will and testament of Henry Bogert of Bergen County, 26 April 1794. Three pages, folio. Signed by Bogert ("Hendrick Bogert") and with his wax seal; witnessed by Garret Brinkerhoff, Jacob Zabriskie, Jun., and Albert C. Zabriskie. In fine condition. $150

Bogert leaves his wife the house and garden and the liberty of cutting firewood for the use of one fire. He leaves the remainder of his estate to his four brothers: John, Jacob, Cornelius, and Stephen.

THE ERSKINE ESTATE AND TITLE TO RINGWOOD

21. BOGGS, ROBERT. Autograph letter signed, New Brunswick, 5 December 1797, to Hon. John Rutherfurd at Tranquility, Sussex County. Two pages, folio, with integral address leaf. On the Erskine and Hooper estates and the title to the property in the estates. Seal tear, else fine. $175

A year after the death of Robert Erskine, the manager of Ringwood and Washington's map- maker during the Revolutionary War, his widow married Col. Robert Lettis Hooper, a part owner of the Durham Iron Works. Hooper died in 1797, and in this letter two of the leading lawyers in late- eighteenth-century are concerned with the title to property (i.e., Ringwood) that had be- longed to Mrs. Erskine/Hooper, whether she left a will, how to settle the estate, &c.

BRANCHVILLE LETTERHEAD

22. (BRANCHVILLE). Autograph letter of N. H. Hopkins on his printed lumberyard letterhead, Branch- ville, 3 July 1898. To Capt. Baly, inviting him to the sawmill to look over the ground. One page, quarto. Three holes at edge of left margin, else fine. $45

Branchville, Sussex County.

WILLIAM CROGHAN AND THE VIRGINIA LINE

23. CROGHAN, WILLIAM (1754-1822; Revolutionary War officer, Kentucky settler). Autograph letter signed, Smith's Clove [N.Y.], 31 July 1779. To an unknown recipient, on the location of the Virginia Line. Most of integral address leaf missing, a few tiny worm holes and short fold splits, but generally very good. $500

Writing from Smith's Clove in present-day Orange County, New York, Croghan states: "The bearer Michael McMichael is now on horse back waiting for this--therefore shall only inform you that the Virginia Line is stationed here & commanded by Lord Stirling. Almost the remaining part of our army is near West Point...." Croghan would later become an early settler of Kentucky.

"FAIL NOT AT YOUR PERIL"

24. ELMENDORF, JONATHAN. Dramatic letter signed as lieutenant colonel of the New York militia, Kingston [N.Y.], 14 October 1778. To Captain Dederich. One page, small octavo. Light soil on verso, but very good. $800

"I Received this moment Intelligence from Col. Contine that the Enemy have yesterday Destroyed peelpaugh and are there yet. You therefore are Commanded to march your Company Immediately to Kingston with four Days Provisions and Equipt according to law. Fail not at your peril." A superb Ulster County Revolutionary War letter.

MARCH IMMEDIATELY TO GREAT AND LITTLE SHANDAKAN

25. ELMENDORF, JONATHAN. Letter signed as lieutenant colonel of the New York militia, Hurley [N.Y.], 24 October 1778. To Captain Dederich, ordering an immediate march. One page, quarto. One tiny hole not affecting writing, else very good. $600

"In Consequence of an Order from his Excellency the Governor, sent by Express, you are hereby strictly commanded ... to order out ... your company ... to join them immediately at great and little Shandakan, well equipped according to Law. Fail not at your Peril." With a related postscript. A fine Ulster County Revolutionary War letter.

NICHOLAS FISH TO RICHARD VARICK, 1782

26. FISH, NICHOLAS (1758-1833; Revolutionary War officer, prominent citizen of New York). Autograph letter signed, Pompton, 13 May 1782. To Colonel Richard Varick, aide-de-camp to General Washington, at Poughkeepsie. A fine social letter. Two pages, quarto, with integral address leaf. Thin stain from old tape at extreme fore-edge, minor dampstaining. $450

General news, including his unhappiness on account of Van Ingen's disappointment. He then turns to social banter: "How do you pass your time? Still indefatigable in the Quill driving business? Or do you relax a little with the agreeable few of Poughkeepsie? If you do not, you must be very insensible of the genuine source of happiness. I hope Madam Jay's cheerfulness of temper, and amiableness of deportment have not been without a due impression upon your phlegmatic constitution...." He closes with compliments to Washington, Mrs. Jay, the Prince, &c.

TEMPERS FLARE IN FLATBROOKVILLE

27. (FLATBROOKVILLE) Delightful letter from Wm. S. Craun [?], Flatbrookville, 22 May 1899, on illustrated letterhead of the American House, Flatbrookville. To a Mr. Van Blarcom about poor repairs to a bridge. Two pages, octavo. Fine. $90

Craun writes as a freeholder defending his refusal to pay Jacob Cole for poorly done repairs to a bridge. "... I gave him a contract to cover a Bridge near Solaman Bells with covering stone ... he Put Part new ones on Again & Refuses to Put the Rest on he ses the old ones is good enuff But I consider they are good for nothing & I Refuse to Pay him the counteys money...." Flatbrookville is in Walpack Township, Sussex County. GARRET HOBART WARNS ABOUT VOTING "REPEATERS"

28. HOBART, GARRET A. (1844-1899; New Jersey politician, vice-president of the ). Autograph letter signed as chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Executive Committee, Jersey City, 29 October 1880. To an unidentified recipient (and perhaps the draft of a form letter), sending circulars to fellow Republicans warning them of Democratic "Repeaters" in the forthcoming election. Very good. $90

MILITARY STORES AT POMPTON, 1778

29. KINNAN, PETER (1751-1836; assistant quartermaster, New Jersey militia). Autograph document signed, "Account of Grain Hay &c Received at the Post of Pompton for the Month of July 1778." One page, octavo. Few edge tears else fine. $400

Includes a chart of the various grains and their quantities.

SAMUEL LOUDON DISCUSSES UNITED STATES LOTTERY TICKETS

30. LOUDON, SAMUEL (1727-1813; New York printer and publisher). Autograph letter signed, Fishkill [N.Y.], 11 November 1778. To Joseph Bullock and John Mease, managers of the United States Lottery, on the mechanics of selling lottery tickets. One page, folio, with integral address leaf. Seal tear (no loss), some soiling and fold wear on the address leaf, slightly affecting the addressees' names, two small and faint dampstains, else very good. $1200

Loudon was a patriot printer who moved his press to Fishkill when the British took over New York. In November 1776 the Continental Congress enacted a national lottery with four classes of tickets, and Loudon was one of the sellers of the tickets. Here he acknowledges the receipt of nine hundred tickets, provides their inclusive numbers, and explains to the lottery managers how he will sell the tickets and what he will do with the unsold tickets. He then asks the managers to explain the mechanics of adventurers converting their first class tickets into second class tickets.

NEWTON IN THE CIVIL WAR

31. (NEWTON). Group of four letters between members of the Cassidy family, 1849 (1) and 1861 (3). Family news, with two of the letters mentioning regimental recruiting in Newton. One letter with some worm holes and satains, else very good to fine. The group, $150

The letter of 28 April 1861 reports on recruiting: "... there was a great Union Meeting at Newton to raise Men & Money ... James G.[?] Fritts was ... chosen Captain and John J. Jones Lieutenant of the Newton Volunteers. H. S. [illegible] and John A. Wildrick ... are recruiting a rifle Company ... Col. Sam Fowler is raising a company in Hardyston and Sparta...." SAMUEL OGDEN WRITES TO NATHANAEL GREENE FROM BOONTON, 1780

32. OGDEN, SAMUEL (1746-1810; owner of the Boonton ironworks, wealthy Morris County resident, lukewarm patriot). Autograph letter signed, Booneton, 20 August 1780. To Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene, about payment for a carriage purchased from Mrs. Kennedy. One page, quarto. Docketed by Greene on the verso. In fine condition, inlaid. $450

In June 1780, Ogden, on behalf of Nathanael Greene, purchased from Mrs. Kennedy, the wife of prominent Loyalist Archibald Kennedy, a carriage, described as "nearly as good as new." Apparently Greene had not yet paid Mrs. Kennedy, who insisted on being paid in hard money and not continental money. Ogden asks Greene to settle with Mrs. Kennedy to avoid "the most disagreeable importunities." Samuel Ogden was a prominent but controversial Morris County figure-- a wealthy ironmaster whose loyalty to the patriot cause seems to have been driven largely by his desire to preserve his family wealth. Unpublished in The Papers of General Nathanael Greene .

CANAL NEWS FROM YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, 1837

33. (OHIO). Autograph letter from G. W. Seers [Seas? Sears?] to Samuel Cassada [Cassidy?], Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey, 20 September 1837. 3 full, closely written pages, folio, plus integral address leaf with manuscript Youngstown postal marking. Occasional small spots and stains, but very good. $90

News of mutual friends, life in Ohio, and comments on the canal under construction: "Our canal is going on very slowly. When the charter was granted it was expected that it would be in successful operation from Warren to New Castle ... When the line is completed we can send our produce to Philadelphia with a little more expense than it can be sent from Rochester...."

REPAIRING THE FORT AT , 1777

34. (PAULUS HOOK). Mallom, John (British Army officer). Autograph document, "An Account of Work done by the 57th Regiment at Powlis Hook in Demolishing Works left by the Rebels, & Repairing Redoubts now Standing, & in Erecting Log-Breast Works," 13 April 1777. One page, 7 1/2 x 9 1/4 in. Signed by Mallom as lieutenant of the 57th Regiment of Foot, Royal Army, and countersigned by Lieutenant Colonel John Campbell. In fine condition. $1250

Early in the war the continental army had erected a fort at Paulus Hook (now, Jersey City) to guard against British incursions across the Hudson. It was taken over by the British in October 1776, and this document describes the work done during the next several months by British soldiers under Mallom's supervision. Nine men spent nearly two months accomplishing the work. Mallom signs a second time after receiving the funds from John Grant, paymaster in the Royal Engineer's Department. On 19 August 1779 the American forces under Light Horse Harry Lee stormed the fort during the Battle of Paulus Hook. A handsome display item. S.U.M. LOTTERY TICKET

35. SOCIETY FOR ESTABLISHING USEFUL MANUFACTURES. Lottery ticket for the "Paterson Lottery," undated but late 1790s. Printed by John Woods in Newark. Signed by Jonathan Rhea. Very faint vertical crease, else a near-fine example--clean and fresh. $400

A rare ticket for the ill-fated S.U.M. lottery in Paterson.

SUSSEX COUNTY LAND AGREEMENT

36. (SUSSEX COUNTY). Manuscript articles of agreement between Christian D. Day of Vernon Township and Bradford R. Streit of Hardyston Township, 13 February 1858. Concerning a land transaction in Vernon Township. Three pages, folio. Fine. $75

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