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.

Sullivan, John L. (fl. 1803) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.07786 Author/Creator: Sullivan, John L. (fl. 1803) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 February 1803 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.4 x 17.8 cm. Order a Copy

Asks Knox about a parcel of land that forms a portion of the Waldo patent. Claims his employer (who is unnamed) has a right to the land, and asks Knox a variety of questions about the land, such as its location and who its proprietors are.

Jno. L. Sullivan
Gen'l Knox Boston Feby 3 1803

Sir
In order to give you as little trouble as possible, I take the freedom of making some inquiries in this manner, which you will much oblige me by answering as soon as your avocations will permit; either in writing, or verbally if more convenient to you: in relation to the Land I mentioned as having been committed to [inserted: my] case. [viz -] a part of that Tract known by the name of "Muscongus Land," being within this Patent granted by the Plymouth Company to [Beaucamp & Leverett] in 1629 - And that part of the Waldo Patent conveyed to the Ten - Proprieters. {not the Twenty associates}
The right of my employer is 3000 acres more or less being one third of one full share of that Tract - which Share was originally owned by Spencer Phipps Esq whose daughter married Richard [Leachmere] Sig, who sold the property to his son in Law, James [Russell], [struck: Esq], the present Proprietor. - [2]

1st Where is the land situated on the Penobscot?

2d Who are the proprietors of the rest of the Land?

3d Are there any Records of the doings of the Proprietors - and where may they be seen?

4 Has any partition been made among the Proprietors?

5 Has the Land been Taxed? if so Who has paid them? have they
been paid on the whole Land as the common property of the Ten
Proprietors or their heirs & assigns?

6 What is its present condition in regard to [Squatters]: & their Improvements?

7 What Provision is made for them by the Legislature?

8 What may be considered the average value for all of the Land?

I shall [inserted: be] under much obligation to you for this & any other information you may please to give me on this subject. [hoping] you will excuse the trouble I give -

I am very respectfully
your most obd Servt Jno L Sullivan

[docket]
Jno L. Sullivan's
Letter 1803

[address]:
General Knox.

Sullivan, John L., fl. 1803
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources