Roby, Henry (fl. 1810-1820) to Abiel Wood
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.711 Author/Creator: Roby, Henry (fl. 1810-1820) Place Written: Wiscasset, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 June 1813 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; free frank ; 30 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
The top half of the first page records three diary-like entries for 16-18 June 1813. They discuss the weather, farming, and local naval activities in the War of 1812, including reports of "a heavy cannonading." The bottom half takes the form of a letter dated 18 June 1813. It discusses hauling a load of rocks, tending to the potatoes, and the town's reaction to the cannonading heard two days before. The townspeople called a meeting and discussed building and arming a battery. Notes that when "the true result of the firing is heard their fears will subside[.]" Also claims that "one half the people will think there is no danger, until the Enemy's frigate stares them in the face." Wood was a congressional representative from Wiscasset, Maine (then a district in Massachusetts). According to the Unites States Census, Roby was a resident of Wiscasset from at least 1810-1820.
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