Unknown [Information pertaining to commissaries and military clothiers]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00793 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: circa 1783 Pagination: 1 p. ; 26.8 x 20.6 cm. Order a Copy
Appears to be collected information about clothiers and commissaries. Mentions James Wilkinson, Clothier General at Philadelphia in 1779 and Otis and Henley, clothiers in Boston. Notes, "About this time- shoes were provided for the army by Exchanging hides with shoe makers all over the Country- for what purpose Commissaries of hides were appointed- this business was extensive, and irregularly preformed some returns are here, of the Commissaries but very little information can be collected from them. Relates that D. Brooks was Deputy Clothier at Newburgh, New York 1779-1783. Another note indicates, "Much clothing was taken at sea & applied to the use of U States. Whole Cloth was in the later periods of the War, purchased and, made up by the army themselves."
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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