Pope, Edward to Benjamin Williams
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.198 Author/Creator: Pope, Edward Place Written: Dartmouth, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 April 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 23 x 18 cm. Order a Copy
Upon being informed that Nantucket residents were trading with the Brittish on one of the Elizabeth islands Captain Clayhorn investigated and took two prisoners. One man, John Walter Fletcher, is being sent to Newport, the other, Job Halsey, was sent to the County Committee for a further investigation. Since Williams is on this committeee, explains to him the details of the first examination of the prisoner. Halsey says he lived in Long Island, but left once the British took command there, since he favored independance. Moved to Connecticut and joined the army. Says that while returning home from a visit to Long Island he encountered Fletcher on board a ship, which was forced aground. The men they boarded another ship together, which Fletcher took to Elizabeth island, where Halsey was hiding when he was captured. Pope says Halsey "does not appear to be open and fair...has at different times told different stories." Suspects Halsey knows more than he is saying about "what connections is form'd or forming between Nantucket and Long Island."
Edward Pope was a colonel in the Massachusetts militia.
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