Butler, John (1728-1796) to Jelles Fonda
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02498.02 Author/Creator: Butler, John (1728-1796) Place Written: Niagara County, New York Type: Letter signed Date: 5 February 1789 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 20 x 24 cm. Order a Copy
Inquires into whether a certain Indian owns a particular piece of land. If the Indian does own it, Butler wants to know if the Indian can sell it, and how much it is worth.
Major Jelles D. Fonda was a prosperous trader in the Mohawk River Valley, who earned much of his wealth in trading with Native Americans. Major Jelles J. Fonda (1751-1839) also lived in the nearby area, and was a relative of Jelles D. Fonda. It is possible that he was the recipient of this letter. But since he was a gunsmith by trade, and Jelles D. traded with Indians, it seems likely that Jelles D. was the recipient. Some sources spell his name Jellis.
Colonel John Butler served in the British Army and moved to Canada after the end of the American Revolution.
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