This printed broadsheet offers testimony from Quaker Yearly meeting in Philadelphia regarding the Quakers arrest and exile to Virginia due to their questioned loyalty to the American cause. Broadsheet attests to Quakers' neutrality and peacefulness regarding the American cause against the British authority.
Jeremiah Wadsworth's appointment to Commissary General
Description
When the Continental Congress reorganized the supply system they appointed Jeremiah Wadsworth as the Commissary General. This is the letter informing Wadsworth on his new position if he chooses to accept it. Wadsworth accepted in April 1778 and stayed in the position, rising to the rank of Colonel, until December 1779.
Creator
Abraham Clark
Date
29 March 1778
Rights
John F. Reed Collection Valley Forge NHP
Identifier
Box 3, Folder 52, 20-10
Text
March 29 78.
Mr. Wadsworth is desired to peruse the enclosed regulations, and signifie his pleasure whether he is willing to accept the appointment of Comay. Genl. – and whether he find any defect in the system of consequence sufficient to require a reconsideration – the information may be given to Mr. Dyer or
His Hum. Servt. Abra Clark
This American naval blunderbuss is a crude amalgamation of brass and iron components to assemble a working firearm. The walnut stock appears to be the remains of a one-time swivel gun, evidence by a side hole once used for supporting a “Y” yoke to turn a swivel gun. The lock is an early 18th century Queen Anne pattern lock found on English muskets from the 1715 era. The brass trigger guard and side plate are also taken from an earlier English firearm. Two crude iron straps nailed to the stock retain the typical flared “trumpet mouthed” barrel found on a blunderbuss. Worn British markings appear near the breach of the barrel - making the barrel an earlier English barrel. The overall crude construction of this blunderbuss is typical of the makeshift weapons assembled early in the war. The barrel flares to a diameter of 4.1 cm at the muzzle.
Brown, M.L. Firearms in Colonial America: The Impact on History and Technology 1492-1792. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1980.
Date
c. 1750-1780
Rights
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
Identifier
VAFO 177
Original Format
Photograph
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The Chestnut stock secures the iron barrel held by iron pins through the underside of the barrel. The barrel is Dutch manufactured, removed and reused from an earlier Dutch weapon by the Americans. The brass furniture includes an English-style trigger guard, butt plate, and five convex rammer thimbles which secure the rammer. Like many American muskets, particularly early in the war, this firearm was assembled from odd parts or an English contract musket. The barrel is stamped “54.”
This American Flintlock Musket illustrates the ingenuity of the American colonists to assemble firearms from various components and available firearms, early in the war. The musket is patterned after the English Land Service Musket, a weapon American colonists recognized and used as a pattern for their own military firearms.
The Chestnut stock secures the iron barrel held by iron pins through the underside of the barrel. The barrel is Dutch manufactured, removed and reused from an earlier Dutch weapon by the Americans. The brass furniture includes an English-style trigger guard, butt plate, and five convex rammer thimbles which secure the rammer. Like many American muskets, particularly early in the war, this firearm was assembled from odd parts or an English contract musket. The barrel is stamped “54.”
The colonial brass pommel head of this example is better defined than many. It is formed from two vertical shells joined at a median seam and secures the wooden grip which does not taper, but provides grooves for steep curving ropes of brass wire. The double-ended counterguard has symmetrical pierced designs that vary sufficiently to identify unskilled hand work. Its curving European blade bears engraved panoplies of arms, as well as the common 18th century "narrow and wide" fuller combination: 1/8" x 20 1/2"; 5/8" x 24 3/4".
George C. Neumann, Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, (Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1973), 102. (122.S)
Date
c. 1770-1780
Rights
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
Identifier
VAFO 322
Original Format
Photograph
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The iron furniture of this American rifle demonstrates a European influence. The lock plate includes an incorrect rounded cock on the flat lock plate. The wood rammer is secured by two iron pipes.
This “Mountain” rifle offers an excellent example of these crude mountain-style American Rifles made in the back country of the southern colonies. The wood stock features a unique “grease hole” in the butt which held thick grease used to lubricate the cloth and leather bullet patches. This maple stock supports a .66 caliber barrel pinned to the stock by iron pins through the underside of the barrel. The barrel offers an unusual squared shape running from the breech of the barrel for 22 cm toward the muzzle, then turning round to the muzzle.
The iron furniture of this American rifle demonstrates a European influence. The lock plate includes an incorrect rounded cock on the flat lock plate. The wood rammer is secured by two iron pipes.
A stirrup-type hilt is again present on this sword. Its ivory grip has a 3/4" ferrule at the base, and a cap pommel. The elliptical counterguard was apparently cut from a flat piece of brass; it has three decorative piercings opposite each side of the blade, including crude stamped decorative borders. Note the wavy edge on its outboard side, while the inboard surface is smooth (probably to decrease wear on the pants). Its American blade (uneven fuller; iron imperfection) has a single edge and one fuller (1/4" X 17 1/2").
Such a pattern would probably date from the 1730-1740 period in Europe. In this case, it is believed to be an American hilt. Allowing for the normal delay before new styles gained acceptance in the colonies, a 1740-1750 dating has been estimated. The polished wooden grip has never been covered, and the two ridged ferrules plain steel hilt, except for a single incised (crude) line tracing the edge of both of the guard's shells. The European triangular blade has concave faces.
In this one-page document addressed from "Camp Valley Forge 20th March 1778", General McIntosh writes North Carolina Governor on the conditions and privations of state forces at Valley Forge. McIntosh writes, "I am sorry I have to inform you the Men of my Brigade here have suffered severely this Winter...Fifty of them died in and about camp...a most distressing Situation!"
Creator
Brig. General Lachlan McIntosh
Date
20 March 1778
Rights
John F. Reed Collection Valley Forge NHP
Identifier
Box 3, Folder 42, 19-08
Text
Sir,
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 9th of January & Lt. Colonel Dawson of your State, which I hope you received.
I am sorry I have to inform you the men of my brigade here have sufferd severely this winter for want of clothing & other necessarys. – Fifty of them died in & about camp since the beginning of January last. & eve have near two hundred sick have now besides as many more reported sick absent in different hospitals of this state & Jersey. – a most distressing situation! ---- & only Doctor McClure of the second Regiment to attend the whole of them until a few days ago. I fortunately got another young man to assist him, but cannot tell how he will turn out yet.
I cannot with propriety or Justice on this occasion avoid complaining of doctor Canby of the 5th Regiment to his Fate, which I think he has been ingratefull to, & cannot help charging him with inhumanity also in leaving so many of his brave country men to perish without assistance. --- when I was first informed of him, I ordered him in the most positive terms to stay with the brigade. – he attempted to make a plea, that in consequence of a former order, for the staff of the six vacant Regiments to go home with the other officers. he had sent off his Baggage, therefore could not Stay, and at last went without Leave,-- for which I stopped his pay for January, February & an Extra Bounty a Month given by Congress to the army with General Washington’s approbation. And dare say your Excellency will think with me, he deserves still further marks of Resentment from his Country. ---
This Season produces nothing worth mentioning to you save little skirmishes between Foraging Partys of no account.
I hear Col. Shepherd 10th Regiment is under [illeg]culation at Georgetown Maryland but have no Accot. from himself. ---
I have the honor to be respectfully
Yr Excellency’s most obt. Servt.
Lachn. McIntosh
Camp Valley Forge 20th March 1778
REVERSE:
A leter from B. General McIntosh
Dated 20 March 1778
On public Service
His Excellency
Richard Caswell Esqr.
Governor &c.
State of No. Carolina
P Lt. Langford
Brigadier General Charles Scott to personal friend Frankey
Description
Addressed from "White Marsh Church" this letter is addressed "Dear Frankey" and mentions General Scott's view, "we are in High spirits and full of hope of Bringing this most horrid War to a Conclusion by Defeating Genl.Howe in a few days." Personal information regarding leaving "Frankey" some money and "pray dont wish to see me sooner than my Duty to my country will allow me to Leave the SErvice."
Creator
Brigadier General Charles Scott
Date
15 November 1777
Rights
John F. Reed Collection Valley Forge NHP
Identifier
Box 2, Folder 20, 12-01
Text
White Marsh Church 12th Nov 1777
Dear Frankey,
I take this favourable opportunity by Maj. Meade to inform You that we are in High Spirits and full of hope of Bringing This most Horrid War to a Conclusion by Defeating Genl. Howe in a few Days.
I am to march tomorrow morning With my Brigade to Cut the Enemys Supply of provisions, from the Shiping. Colo. Morgan With his lite Coar and Genl. Woodfords Brig. Marches at the same time. I make no doubt of Success and indeed doing something very Cleaver Mr. Lawson who I not long since wrote by will leave you some money which please dispose of in Supplying Your Wants in the Best manner you Can, if any of my Friends has been kind enough to Credit you, pray let it be Your first Care to discharge those debts. I don’t know what Sum Mr. Lawson may have left you as I did not know your Necessity, but directed Him to leave with you what ever your Might stand in need of, pray take notice of the Sum that I may Account with him for it, pray don’t wish to see me sooner than my Duty to my Country will allow me to Leave the Service. With Credits no time shall be lost when that’s the case I am
Dear Franky
Chr. Scott