Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Rickey, James (fl. 1782) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01572 Author/Creator: Rickey, James (fl. 1782) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph document signed Date: 4 September 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 34 x 20.8 Order a Copy

Petition of James Rickey, formerly of Cherry Valley, New York in Tyron County, stating that he lost his house, trade goods, his "negro," and household furniture "due to the 'depredations and crulty of the Enemy.'" Says "he is reduced from a state of Affleuence to a state of Necessity being obliged to quit the frontiers with his family to seek subsistence in a more peaceable Quarter." Asks for the privilege to settle in the garrison to partner with a Mr. Thompson, who obtained permission from the former Commandant, General Paterson. Says he wants to built a house and sell liquor. Claims to have no other means to support his family.

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