Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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29 April 1782

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph document signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Lists several items needed by the artificers at Burlington [New Jersey], including one ton of iron, the dimensions of which to be given by Captain [Thomas] Patten to Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon, "iron to cover the ammunition waggons and tumbrills," and "8 blacksmiths with their tools, to be hired for one month to go to Burlington."

GLC02437.01398

13 May 1782

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Samuel Hogden's purchase from Christopher Henry]

Hodgdon bought 75 pounds of leather from Christopher Henry. Total came to £7.0.7. Hodgdon notes that Henry Knox gave him money to pay for the leather. Samuel Shaw delivered the money to Hodgdon. Docket in the hand of Shaw.

GLC02437.08550

16 May 1782

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Samuel Hodgson's bill to Henry Knox]

Knox paid for 2 weeks and 6 days of keeping 2 horses, another 6 days and nights of keeping 2 horses, and 1 day for keeping a horse. Total came to £9.11.0. Signed by Hodgson stating the bill was paid in full. Docket in Samuel Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.08557

20 May 1782

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Explains his recommendations and opinions on key issues regarding the "ensuing campaign" in and around New York. Relates that upon asking General George Washington when to be prepared to march his troops, General Washington claimed to be out of touch with the status of preparations, but as soon as he decided, he would let Knox know. Knox relates that this makes him uneasy, as it makes planning the ordnance and stores far more difficult.

GLC02437.01426

11 July 1782

Lamb, John (1735-1800)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that the present letter will be given to Knox by Mr. [Richard] Frothingham. Writes, "I yesterday received a Letter from Mr. [likely Samuel] Hodgdon, informing me the Shells at Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch's Works, are Cast. - and, that Genl [Benjamin] Lincoln requests, Capt. [William] Stevens may be sent, with a Party of Men to prove them - In consequence of this information, I have sent Capt. Stevens, to Philadelphia, to settle with Genl Lincoln, the mode of subsisting himself, and Party, while on this Service.

GLC02437.01482

17 July 1782

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript document

Title: Extract of a letter from Samuel Hodgdon Esqr. C.G.M.S. to Henry Demler at the QM Genls. office

Samuel Hodgdon, the Commissary General Military Stores, writes, "Inclosed you have an order on Mr. [John] Ruddock for a Load of Muskets, to be brought by a returning waggon which getts out from this city to day - and as arms can never come amiss, should be glad to have a load as often as circumstances will permit - and for the delivery when opportunities present, you will produce this Letter which Shall be confidenced as a Standing order until revoked."

GLC02437.01492

25 August 1782

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Writes that a friend of William's [name illegible but might be Mr. Samuel Hodgdon] will be travelling to France and will see William, so Knox felt he had to take the opportunity to write. Thanks William for his last several letters. Comments that he thinks William's motives are just for remaining in Europe till peace is achieved. Mentions the recent defeat of Comte de Grasse, and also relates that General George Washington has appointed him Commandant of West Point. Reports that he and his family resided in Philadelphia until they moved to the North River.

GLC02437.01539

31 August 1782

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Cheever

Marked "copy." Written from the War Office. Declares that he has not yet responded to Cheever's last letter because he had not yet been able to get his account overlooked by the people whose business it is to do so; he is confident they will soon, though, "a proper arrangement being now made for the adjustment of those a like Circumstanced in every department." Is saddened to hear that "those you have nourished & brought up have rebelled against you," but assures Cheever that he has never seen any reports from them that were prejudiced against him.

GLC02437.01553

30 September 1782

Cheever, Ezekiel (1720-1793)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that he has taken the liberty of enclosing a letter by Mr. Commissary [Samuel] Hodgdon regarding Cheever's continued grievances (possibly regarding his pay and benefits: see GLC02437.01379 and GLC02437.01553). Remarks that Hodgdon's letter is "flattering, but [...] a poor boon." Adds that he hopes Knox will be able to "use your influence in my behalf, my perplexed circumstances I trust will apologize for this request." Place name listed as Wesford, possibly Westford, Massachusetts. "Public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.01633

26 November 1782

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Notifies Bryant he has not received any returns for the stores under Bryant's control. Informs Bryant a standing order from the Secretary at War (Benjamin Lincoln) requires all persons in charge of any stores to send monthly returns. Orders Bryant to "punctually to comply" with this order. Fragile.

GLC03432.037

7 February 1784

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Knox writes to Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores. Discusses cannon that are to be engraved and presented to General [Nathanael] Greene by resolve of Congress. Orders that two British cannon at Philadelphia should be engraved with the enclosed inscription (not included).

GLC02437.02946

16 February 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Writes to Bryant that he has been informed by a letter from "Benj Huntingdon" [possibly referring to Benjamin Huntington], addressed to the Superintendent of Finance (Robert Morris), that there are a number of military stores "lying without regard in several places in the State of Connecticut; particularly in Hartford." Instructs Bryant to make immediate inquiry into such stores and move them to Springfield under Bryant's direction.

GLC03432.038

23 February 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores, discusses a letter received from Knox (GLC02437.02946). In the letter, Knox asked Hodgdon to obtain cannon to be inscribed in honor of General Nathanael Greene. Assures Knox he will proceed with the selection, engraving, and delivery of the cannon immediately.

GLC02437.02964

21 June 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Tells Bryant he has been informed that two "hogshead of Cartouch" and two "tons Cannon Ball" have been deposited in Danbury, Connecticut. Instructs Bryant to move the "cartouch" to Springfield and put it in the deposit of Bryant's immediate supervision. The cannon balls are to stay in Danbury as long as they are secure enough to prevent embezzlement.

GLC03432.039

31 July 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Says he received Bryant's return today and was disappointed to hear about a breach made upon the stores. States it is obvious that is was the discharged guards who committed the robbery and that Bryant's inquiries should focus on those guards. Instructs Bryant, while making a general search for the men, to follow one of the men back to their homes. By detecting one of the men, Bryant will discover the whole of them and may be able to recover the arms. Believes in the future the arms will be safer without a guard.

GLC03432.040

11 August 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Encloses (not included) an invoice of stores that are to immediately be sold. Also includes (not included) the conditions of the sale and an advertisement. Asks for an account on the amount of twine Bryant has available. Provides Bryant with instructions for an upcoming sale on military stores.

GLC03432.041

21 August 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Bryant

Marked as a copy on the docket. Encloses a receipt (not included) for the return of stores he received from Hartford, Middletown, and New Haven, Connecticut. Asks for information about the availability of other stores and provides further instructions.

GLC03432.042

29 September 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt of stores from Captain John Bryant]

Includes items such as sulphur, iron, steel, breeching hooks, twine, damaged twine, damaged muskets, etc.

GLC03432.043

30 September 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Writes Bryant from Grave Tavern with instructions on a possible upcoming sale of supplies. Discusses pricing and other details related to supplies.

GLC03432.044

6 October 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Writes Bryant he has informed Mr. [Henry] Knox to bring the account of sales and the securities. Requests Bryant assists Knox.

GLC03432.045

26 October 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Provides instructions to Bryant regarding what stores should be sold. Notes the sale of the brass cahorns [possibly referring to a coehorn] were sold by mistake and the person who was responsible for it should be held accountable. Says he will only be in Boston for another three to four weeks and needs Bryant's accounts before he leaves. Address leaf missing causing text loss on docket.

GLC03432.046

1 November 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Writes Bryant that Mr. Sheldon has informed him that there are still "loads" of stores remaining. Asks Bryant to sell any stores he can and to use the money towards the completion of the other buildings. Comments he is considering allowing Mr. Byers to use the vacant furnace and dwelling house and asks Bryant for his opinion the amount of rent to charge. Has a tear in the middle of the page causing minor text loss on both pages.

GLC03432.047

10 November 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Asks for a payroll of the men under Bryant who have not been paid and to note their pay masters and which corps they belonged to. Notes that Bryant's pay needs to be stated in an account and the sums received credited. Says the iron and stores can be sold as Bryant sees fit but he is to leave the substance and wood demand alone until Hodgdon arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Discusses steel missing from a shipment, believes it was likely stolen and inquiry needs to be conducted. Informs Bryant that Mr.

GLC03432.048

15 December 1784

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Discusses receipts he sent to Bryant regarding the number of stores sold at Springfield, Massachusetts.

GLC03432.049

6 January 1785

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores, encloses a bill for Knox from his "purchases at the public sales" (bills not included). Relates that he will be traveling to New York and Philadelphia.

GLC02437.03083

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