Otis, Samuel Allyne (1740-1814) [Receipt for supplies purchased from Otis & Andrews]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00788 Author/Creator: Otis, Samuel Allyne (1740-1814) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript document Date: November 1779 Pagination: 1 p. ; 18.5 x 20.7 cm.
Receipt noting that Otis & Andrews [& Henley] "supplied sundry articles of clothing- inclusive of an inconsiderable quantity of arms, lead & c and sundries in the Quartermaster Generals Department- from 16 October 1778 to the 13 January 1779." Includes balance of account with the note, "The above charges are in paper money, and probably have been settled by the Scale of depr," likely referring to the scale of depreciation.
Otis, a Boston merchant, had participated in clothing procurement since the summer of 1776 when he was a member of a Massachusetts committee engaged in buying clothing for the Continental Army. He served not only as a deputy in the Clothing Department but as a purchasing agent for Major General Nathanael Greene when he became Quartermaster General. The firm of Otis and Andrews became Otis and Henley following the death of Andrews. The partners were active purchasing agents throughout the war. Otis later served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1776 and 1784-1787) and Continental Congress (1787-1788).
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