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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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24 February 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer (1751-1823)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Samuel Hodgdon seeks his determination in regard to a commission for military uniforms. In a post script, asks if he may obtain clothes for his company immediately. In 1776, Hodgdon was a lieutenant in the Marines, and he later became the commissary general of military stores. Stevens had recently been appointed a captain in Knox's regiment of artillery.

GLC02437.00255

6 September 1777

Spear, Gersham (fl. 1777)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for 200 barrel hoops]

Needed for the making of powder barrels during the American Revolution, priced at six shillings per hundred hoops. With a signed (with a mark) note indicating Thomas Frace received the hoops from the commissary, Samuel Hodgdon.

GLC01450.412.10

1 December 1779

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph note signed

Title: [Certificate for Benjamin Gorton's appointment as Conductor of Military Stores in Hodgdon's department]

Hodgdon, Commissary [General] of Military Stores, writes from Succasunna Plains, certifying Gorton's appointment. Also signed by John Ruddock, who served as Deputy Quartermaster of Stores at Fishkill, New York. Includes a note on the bottom of recto, continued on verso. The note appears to be written by Samuel Shaw 10 July 1782 in New Windsor, New York. Shaw relates that Gorton served in the department at Fishkill until 10 March 1782, when he was discharged by General Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary at War. Shaw asserts that Gorton is entitled to his pay and depreciation of pay.

GLC02437.00789

1 September 1780

Anspach, Peter (fl. 1775-1783)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account between Henry Knox and the Quartermaster General's Department for 1776]

Anspach signs, noting that he received from Samuel Hodgdon, field commissary of military stores, the amount due on Knox's account. Verso contains further account information.

GLC02437.10483

6 September 1780

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he has concluded some business settlement for him, perhaps including ordering a sword.

GLC02437.00839

7 September 1780

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Informs Bryant as a consequence of a resolve of Congress that Colonel Mason is excused from duty. Says it is Congress's wish to place Bryant in charge of the Laboratory with the pay equal to that of a Captain's pay at other branches employed at the same post. Asks Bryant notifies him immediately if Bryant is willing to accept the position. Discusses what will be expected of Bryant and the need to have the Laboratory run like a "well regulated Machine." Fragile.

GLC03432.036

31 March 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript document signed

Title: For Brigr. Genl. Knox in account with Samuel Hodgdon

Contains account information from 1780 and 1781. Hodgdon signs as Deputy Commissary of Military Stores. Contains a note written by Peter Anspach, Paymaster to the Quartermaster General's Department. Anspach writes from Newburgh, New York, 15 May 1781 attesting that Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide, made a payment on behalf of Knox. Docket notes that Hodgdon's account is settled, the balance paid to Colonel Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General.

GLC02437.00930

18 May 1781

Carleton, Joseph (1754-1812)

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Extract from minutes of a meeting of the Board of War]

Carleton, Secretary of the Board of War, attests that as soon as the Board of War receives an accurate return of field commissaries of military stores, Richard Frothingham will be appointed principal field commissary of military stores and will have his warrant dated from the time [Samuel] Hodgdon quit the department.

GLC02437.00952

3 July 1781

Cornell, Ezekiel (1733-1800)

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Cornell writes on behalf of the Board of War. Informs Knox of the status of several supply orders, including spirits, paper, and linseed oil. Notes that [Samuel] Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores, "has a fair prospect of being furnished with some money..." Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide, "From the Board of War 3d July 1781."

GLC02437.01015

18 July 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores, discusses weapons, supplies, and other details. Reports on the repair of muskets previously delivered to his post. Implores Knox to send pistols and muskets Hodgdon has been expecting as soon as possible. Encloses an invoice from a load of stores (not included). Forwarded one Continental standard to Knox while planning to procure five more.

GLC02437.01059

26 July 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Invoice of military stores forwarded to Richard Frothingham]

Hodgdon signs as Deputy Commissary General. Pertains to Frothingham, field commissary of military stores.

GLC02437.01090

29 July 1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Discusses arms, stores, and other military matters with Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores. Compliments Hodgdon on his new appointment. Written at Phillipsburg (present-day Sleepy Hollow, New York).

GLC02437.01100

4 August 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of ordnance & part of the military stores on hand at Philadelphia Augt. 4, 1781

Consists of a return of artillery ammunition and supplies on hand at Philadelphia and of "Muskets &c delivered for the use of the undermention'd states & Troops" from 1 January to 4 August 1781. Signed by Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores. Hodgdon notes that in addition to this list, "five hundred stand of arms will be forwarded... for the State of Maryland."

GLC02437.01115

circa 4 August 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Return of military stores]

Return of military stores, possibly related to GLC02437.01115. Signed by Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores. Lists lead aprons, powder horns, sheep skins, wine, and other supplies and stores. Date, written in pencil at the top of pages one and three, was previously inferred.

GLC02437.01116

7 September 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Manuscript document signed

Title: Invoice of Ordnance & Military Stores forwarded to the Southern Army.

Addressed to Richard Frothingham, Esq. The ordnance listed was for the siege of Yorktown, which began later that month. Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores. This was Henry Knox's copy, docketed by Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.01168

7 September 1781

Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794)

Autograph document

Title: Ordnance & Stores Sent from Philadelphia by Mr. Hodgdon.

Lists supplies and quantities sent. The ordnance was for the siege of Yorktown, which began later that month. Mr. Hodgdon was Samuel Hodgdon, the commissary general of military stores. List accompanied letter (GLC02437.01173).

GLC02437.01172

8 September 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends a sheet listing ordnance sent for the southern operation, referring to the upcoming siege of Yorktown. Colonel John Lamb will deliver the enclosed spirit levels. Explains some of the munitions information. Samuel Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores. Account of Ordance stores accompanied the letter (GLC02437.01172).

GLC02437.01173

9 September 1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Board of War and Ordnance

Reports that almost all the stores are embarked at Head of Elk, Maryland. He has not yet received a full account of ordnance sent from Philadelphia from Samuel Hodgdon, the commissary general of military stores, so he does not know if the Board's directions have been fulfilled. Knox will ensure full compliance. The supplies were needed for the upcoming siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01175

23 September 1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Board of War & Ordnance

Believes that the provisions of shot and shells will be inadequate for the siege of Yorktown. Requests additional ordnance be sent to Head of Elk, Maryland. Asks that Samuel Hodgdon, the commissary general of military stores, be ordered to superintend the transport. Signed twice, once at close of letter and once after postscript.

GLC02437.01188

6 October 1781

Peters, Richard (ca. 1743-1828)

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Orders Hodgdon to proceed immediately with fulfilling General Henry Knox's request for ordnance (see GLC02437.01189). Emphasizes the need for swift action and mentions that the Board of War & Ordnance will be held responsible for any failure. Peters was the Secretary of the Board of War & Ordnance. Samuel Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board. Knox needed the ordnance for the siege of Yorktown. Written in a clerical hand. This was enclosed with GLC02437.01209.

GLC02437.01210

20 October 1781

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the progress of ordnance being forwarded to Henry Knox. Mentions that some items left in Baltimore had been rejected by Major Sebastian Bauman. Comments on fixes made to munitions made by a Mr. Johnson that were cast without the necessary staples. Plans to send some of the repaired shells to Knox for approval. Indicates some specific items and their quantities that were already in transit. Claims that he has been working expeditiously and that he has done everything in his power to prevent a shortage.

GLC02437.01249

26 October 1781

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

Responds to Hodgdon's letter about sending ordnance from Baltimore for the siege of Yorktown (see GLC02437.01249) and hopes news of Lord Cornwallis' surrender reached him before the ships set sail. Asks that the shell and shot be sent to Head of Elk, Maryland instead. Hodgdon was the commissary general of military stores appointed by the Board of War & Ordnance.

GLC02437.01263

4 December 1781

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: [Return of ordnance & military stores delivered to Samuel Hodgdon]

Lists stores delivered to Hodgdon, Commissary General of Military Stores, in Philadelphia. Ordnance stores were delivered by Mr. [Richard] Frothingham, a field commissary. Lists items such as brass cannons, howitzers, mortars, drag chain, wadhooks, ladles, and gunner belts, among others. Docketed by Samuel Shaw.

GLC02437.10029

7 March 1782

Eayrs, Joseph (fl. 1782)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks if Knox will sign a warrant to allow him to petition for his wages. Commissary [Samuel] Hodgdon will present the petition as early as is necessary for Knox to sign it. Hopes that Knox's "signature to that Paper will put the matter out of all doubt wether I ever was or am Entitled to pay."

GLC02437.01363

1 April 1782

Barber, Nathaniel, Jr. (1728-1787)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox to ask for help in settling his pay with the state assembly of Massachusetts. Relates that the assembly has recently settled with Ezekiel Cheever, a Deputy Commissary General of Military Stores, and is willing to settle with him, except they will only agree to pay him 40 dollars per month for the amount of time he worked as a Commissary, beginning in February 1777. According to documents he has from Knox, who appointed him, he is owed 50 dollars per month (paid in specie) for the first year as Commissary and then 60 dollars per month thereafter.

GLC02437.01379

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