Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00402 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 July 1776 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.4 x 15.7 cm. Order a Copy
Reports on intelligence on British forces gathered from Benjamin Davis, one of about 150 prisoners taken from a ship captured by a privateer named Captain Skimmer and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts.
[draft]
Monday Mor:g 11oc
July 29 1776
This moment Benja Davis & son with the rest of passengers came round here by water from Marblehead - there is about 150 of them Many Women. Mostly Scotchmen amongst them are two [illegible] of the Semples - that use to keep shop in Cornhill -
I went up to Goal House with them where I had some Conversation with young Benja Davis - he told me they sail'd in Company with 24 Sail of Transports from Halifax the 3d Inst: Bound to New York. that 120 of the Sail were the Highlands that we drove out of Nantasket The 14th of June - that 4 Sail were Hanoverans that arriv'd at Halifax the 1st of July - and they were Immeadiatly Order to Join them [2] the Next day after they left Halifax they saw 40 Sail of Transports stand'g into Halifax - which they suppos'd were the Hanoveran troops the 4 Sail had Left a few days before - The Prisoners are under Examination by Athority & I suppose an Express will be sent to General Washington Immedeatly - I wish you health and happiness and I pray God may cover your head in the day of Battle is the sincere wish of your sencear friend
Henry Jackson
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