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Pepperrell, William (1696-1759) to Jacob Wendell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01541.02 Author/Creator: Pepperrell, William (1696-1759) Place Written: Nova Scotia, Canada Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 February 1745 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 30 x 21 cm Order a Copy

Pepperrell writes to Colonel Wendell first of his poor health, then discusses his hopes that the siege of Louisbourg will end by the spring.

Sir William Pepperrell led the successful English siege of Louisbourg in 1745, during King George's War. Sir William Pepperrell (1696-1759), 1st Baronet was a merchant and soldier in colonial Massachusetts. His most famous exploit was organizing, financing, and leading the expedition that captured Fortress Louisbourg from the French during King George's War. Jacob Wendell, originally from New York, was a successful Boston merchant and colonel in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Louisbourg fell in June 1745 to a force of New Hampshire and Massachusetts solders after a six-week siege, an important victory for the British during King George's War (1740-1748).

Louisbourg February 13th: 1745
Dear
Sir
Your favour of ye 6th: of Decer last I received, and altho Scarc[e] able to write, Yet could not let Slip this oportunity to return you my hearty thanks for yor. congratulation. I have been confind. to my Chamber almost three weeks by Sickness but desire to be thankfull, [inserted: ye favor] has almost left me and my health seems to be restord. Every day I rejoyce to heare you was Safe returnd. from yor Journey. I heartyly Sympathise with you in ye Death of yor Dear Daughter [Mary Wendell] Sewall, the Lord Supports you, yor Dear Lady & all [strikeout] concernd. in this heavy Stroke. I hope Providence will so order it, that Sufficient Troops may be here so Early in ye Spring that [inserted: those] brave men that came here to reduce this place may be releasd and then hope to be with you in ye Spring, but to Leave then behind me contra to their wills is what I cannot bare to think of. I am not at present able to Enlarge, which you will Excu[s]e but believe me to be as I truly am wth best respects to your Self [,] Lady & all inquiring Friends
Dear Sir
Your Affectionate Friend &
Very Humble Servt

Wm Pepperrell

I am pleas.d to heare you are taken care of ye Front[i]ers I hope ye Almighty will watch over poor New England for good maney of her Sons have been taken away here by Death

[address leaf]
To
The Honourble
Collo. Jacob Wendall
Esqr
In
Boston
[docket]
Louisbourgh Feby 13, 1745
Sr. William Pepperills Letter

Pepperrell, William, 1696-1759
Wendell, Jacob, 1691-1761

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