1451To Benjamin Franklin from ——: The Dispute over Commissions for the Militia, [January 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The author of this document, which survives among Franklin’s papers, might have been any one of several well-informed members of the anti-proprietary party who was in Philadelphia at the end of December 1755. The handwriting has not been identified. The manuscript consists of three pages, the first two of which are numbered 5 and 6, and the...
1452Memorandum, 1–2 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Patrick Laden has leave to be absent on Furlough, until Sunday night. LB , DLC:GW .
1453From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library A happy New Year to you, and all Friends. We arrived here, all well, about two Hours ago. Capt. Coultas tells me he purposes to start early in the Morning, so as to be at Philadelphia to morrow Evening. I have only time to write this Line, just to acknowledge the Receipt of your agreable Letters, Sally’s, Dr. Bond’s, Mr. Hughes’s, &c. and to promise particular...
1454From George Washington to Robert Hunter Morris, 1 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry it has not been in my power to acknowledge the receipt of yours until now. At the time that your Letter came to Winchester, I was at Williamsburgh; before I got back, it was conveyed thither; and so from place to place has it been tossing almost until this time. There is nothing more necessary than good intelligence to frustrate a designing Enemy: and nothing that requires greater...
1455Orders, 1 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Three days provisions to be delivered to the Troops tomorrow at twelve o’clock. Captain Stewart is to give orders to have a Sentry over the Forage, to prevent any waste: and a moderate allowance be given out every morning, and no more. Captain Stewart is to visit his Guard twice a-week; to see that these orders are duly executed. LB , DLC:GW .
1456Orders, 2 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Three Recruits belonging to Captain Stewart, and one to Captain Bell, are to receive arms, Clothes, &c. After Orders. The Commissary is to deliver three days provision; Clothes arms, &c. to sixteen Recruits belonging to Captain Stewart. LB , DLC:GW .
1457William Hays to Robert Hunter Morris and the Provincial Commissioners, 3 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 8, 1756. I am sorry to inform you, by these Lines, of the bad News of our Defeat at Gnadenhutten. The Day you left Bethlehem, December 31, I set out as soon as possible, and marched with the Waggons about ten Miles, and I continued my March early next Morning, and proceeded with Safety, till I came within about two Miles of Gnadenhutten,...
1458Orders, 3 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Guard is to be regularly relieved every morning at ten o’clock. The Drummer must observe to beat, at the appointed times, the following Beats. Revelé at day-break; Troop, at ten o’clock; Retreat at sun-set; and Tattoo, at nine o’clock at night. An Officer is to see that the above Orders are duly executed. This Tour of Duty to begin with the eldest Captain; and to continue through the rest...
1459From George Washington to Thomas Walker, 3 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Let Ensign Smiths Recruit have Clothes, arms, &c. LB , DLC:GW .
1460Orders, 4 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Christopher Scully, recruited by Ensign Dekeyser, is to receive Arms, Clothes, &c. to-morrow. The Troops are to receive four days provision to-morrow. LB , DLC:GW .
1461To George Washington from Thomas Bryan Martin, 4 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Bailis is now going up to Joyn the Prince Wm Detatchment, by Order of Colo: Lee he Applyd to me for a discharge which I Refusd, as I daly Expect to hear from you. He Informs me that the Men are almost Naked and as the Expence of mentaining them is very great, I think they ought to be discharged, as soon as it can be done with Safty. I am Sir Your very Humbl. Servt ALS ,...
1462To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hunter Morris: Commission, 5 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society When Franklin and the other commissioners met Governor Morris in Reading on January 1, they all intended to take part in an Indian treaty at Carlisle before returning to Philadelphia, but news of a fresh disaster changed their plans. Indians had surprised and routed a military company at Gnadenhütten (see immediately above), again leaving the entire...
1463Orders, 5 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Polson being appointed in Colonel Gage’s Regiment, has Colonel Washington’s leave to resign his Commission in the Virginia Regiment. A Court of Enquiry to sit to-morrow at nine o’clock; to examine whether Thomas Norris, recruited by Sergeant Hughes, is duly enlisted. Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, President. All Evidences to attend. LB , DLC:GW . For John Polson’s subsequent military...
1464[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 6 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 8, 1756. Jacob Levan, Esq; was sent by us to hear the Particulars of the Affair at Gnadenhutten, and fearing to go alone, sent Fifty-six Men over the Mountains on Saturday Evening, and on Sunday followed them with seventeen more. As soon as they got to the Top of the Hill, they saw all the white People running up, and the Indians running on...
1465Orders, 6 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Whereas it has been represented to Colonel Washington, that Ensign Dekeyser has been guilty of a breach of the twenty-third article of War; by behaving in a manner unbecoming the character of a Gentleman, and an Officer—He is ordered to appear before a Court of enquiry, which will sit to examine into the complaint to-morrow at ten of the clock. The Court to consist of nine Officers; none under...
1466Memorandum, 6 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Wrote to Ensign Buckner at Alexandria, to take John Berry, a Servant of Mr William West, who is willing to enlist; and to give up Jacob Funkhouser in his place. LB , DLC:GW . William West operated an ordinary in Fairfax County (now Loudoun County), and Mordecai Buckner was the quartermaster for the Virginia Regiment. GW noted in a Memorandum of 11–14 Jan. that the exchange of Funkhouser for...
1467Memorandum, 6 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
It was the judgment of the Court of Enquiry this morning held upon Thomas Norris; that he is legally and duly enlisted; as per copy of proceedings. LB , DLC:GW . After Thomas Norris “acknowledged he took the [enlistment] money but did not take it with an intention of being a Soldier,” the court chose to accept the word of the witnesses Lt. Walter Steuart and Sgt. William Hughes that Norris...
1468Orders, 7 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Pay-Master is to pay off all the Troops in town to the first of this instant. LB , DLC:GW .
1469Memorandum, 7 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Crawford, of Captain Gists’ Company of Scouts, has his time of Rendezvous prolonged until the first day of march next. LB , DLC:GW .
1470Memorandum, 7 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Court of Enquiry upon Ensign Dekeyser’s misbehaviour, are of opinion, that he is guilty of the breach of the twenty-third article of War. See the proceedings of the Court. LB , DLC:GW . The court of inquiry held at Winchester on 7 Jan. “to examine whether Ensign De Keyser of the Virginia Regiment is guilty of a Breach of the 23d Article (of the 15th Section) of War” was presided over by...
1471[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 8 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 15, 1756. I arrived here last Night. We met a Number of Waggons on the Road, moving off with the Effects of the People of Lehi Township. All the Women and Children are sent off out of that Township; and many of them have taken Refuge here; all in great Confusion. The Substance of the Action at Gnadenhutten, as we have received it from...
1472Orders, 8 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers in town to attend Lieutenant Colonel Stephens immediately at Lemon’s House. As soon as the Congress is over, three of the youngest Subalterns, and Sergeant Waters, are to go immediately in pursuit of the two Deserters, who made their escape last night; and to use their utmost endeavours to apprehend them. Three days provision to be delivered to the Troops to-morrow, at twelve...
1473Address, 8 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colonel Stephens has orders to read the following suspension and admonition to all the Officers. “Whereas the Court of Enquiry that was held yesterday in behalf of our Sovereign Lord, the King, for examining into a complaint against Leehaynsious Dekeyser, Ensign in the Virginia Regiment, for a Breach of the twenty-third Article, fifteenth Section of War: Were unanimous in opinion...
1474Memorandum, 8 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Deserted last night from the Guard, William Kennedy, confined for desertion; and Abraham Dale, confined for neglect of Duty. A press-warrant given Lieutenant Brockenbrough, to impress four Horses, fo⟨r⟩ him and three other Subalterns, to go in pursuit of these two Deserters. LB , DLC:GW . A court of inquiry held on 28 Dec. 1755 found that Abraham Dale had been properly recruited by Ens....
1475Memorandum, 8 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Jacob Eayzer, enlisted by Captain Robert Stewart; was viewed, and received. LB , DLC:GW .
1476Evening Orders, 8 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Evening Orders. Captain Stewart is to draught out of his Recruits, men enough to complete his Troop to the Establishment; the rest he is to march to town to-morrow, and deliver them over to Lieutenant Bullett, who with Ensign Thompson, is to march them and the Recruits, now in this town, to Fort Cumberland. He is to set out on Saturday; and proceed by the following Rout: viz. Saturday the 10th...
1477Memorandum, 8 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Paid off Mary Bailey, Nurse to the Hospital, her Wages in full, to the ninth of this instant. LB , DLC:GW . Mary Bailey put her mark to a receipt for 45s. “for my Balla., of Wages, as Nurse to the Hospitall” (9 Jan. 1756, Va. Regimental Receipt Book, 1755–58, DLC:GW ).
1478Orders, 9 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Tour of Duty, mentioned in the Orders of the third instant, is to be done only by the Captains. A general Return is to be given in at ten o’clock, of all the Troops in this Town; except those that belong to Captain Stewart. The Commissary must also give in a Return of all the Kettles he has in Store here. All the Officers now in town, are to hold themselves in readiness to attend...
1479From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 9 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are Ordered to proceed from this to Fort Cumberland: and to be accompanied by all the Officers now in Winchester, on your way thither. You are to Reconnoitre well the Ground about Ashby’s-Fort; and from thence down to the mouth of Patterson’s Creek: and inform me, if you meet with a convenient situation to erect a Fort on. If you find none there; take notice of the ground, between that and...
1480From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 9 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, so soon as he arrives at Fort Cumberland, to detach you with two Subalterns, three trusty Sergeants, three Corporals, one Drummer, and sixty private men to the South-Branch; to protect the Inhabitants of that place. With this Detachment you are to proceed to Colonel Vanmeeters on the South Branch; and when you arrive there, you are to summon all the...
1481General Instructions for Recruiting, 9 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
General Instructions for the Recruiting Officers of the Virginia Regiment. First: That no Officer shall enlist any Servant or Apprentice; nor discharge any man, after he is duly enlisted: neither are they empowered to impress Horses, &c. Secondly; That no Officer shall enlist any men under sixteen, nor above fifty years of age: nor are they to list men under five feet, four inches high; unless...
1482From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 9 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to remain in this town until further Orders: when you are to receive and pass receipts for all the good Recruits which are brought to town. So soon as any Recruits come in, you are to review them; and if you find any that do not answer the instructions, you are immediately to discharge them. You are to be very particular in observing the day the Recruits are delivered...
1483To George Washington from John Carlyle, 9 January 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Carlyle, 9 Jan. 1756. On 12 Jan. 1756 Carlyle wrote to GW : “I Wrote you the 9th Inst.”
1484Orders, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Winchester. Saturday, January 10th 1756. Yesterdays Orders for Lieutenant Colonel Stephens’ march, are countermanded, and postponed until to-morrow; when he and the Officers are to set out for Fort Cumberland. Captain Stewart is to send off Sergeant Hughes, and one or two men of the Troop, upon Troop Horses, in pursuit of John Emre and David Christian, who deserted last night. Captain Bell is...
1485From George Washington to Thomas Walker, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Mr Commissary Walker. You are to lay in at Cockes and Ashby’s Forts, three months provision. As I can not yet determine where Store and Smoke-Houses are to be built; I would have you do the best you can, until you hear from me again. You are to provide three or four months provision to be carried on horse-back. If the Flour at Conongogee, should be demanded by the Kings...
1486From George Washington to David Bell, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to Fort Dinwiddie, to settle your Recruiting Accompt with Ensign Fleming. You are then to proceed to the borders of Carolina, or other places where you may hear of Deserters; and use your utmost endeavours to apprehend them. You must make application to all the civil Officers; who will assist you in apprehending and conveying them to the Regiment. You are to employ your time...
1487From George Washington to Peter Hog, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing you by Major Lewis, I have received yours; enclosing Returns of the eighth and fifteenth of December. In your letter, you speak of Johnstons claim to a discharge, as mentioned in a former letter—that letter I never received —and know of no pretence he can have, unless disobedience of Orders and other villanous practises, are sufficient grounds to claim a discharge. As he deserted...
1488From George Washington to Alexander Boyd, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are, out of the public money in your hands, to pay off all the Troops of the Virginia Regiment to the first of this instant with what arrears are due both Officers and Soldiers. After doing that, if you do not receive a supply of cash from me; and should not have sufficient in your hands to pay the whole, this present months pay; you are, in order to keep the Soldiers quiet, only to pay...
1489From George Washington to Robert Rutherford, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to have regard to such order and Orders as you shall receive from Captain Stewart, relating to Provisions, Stores, &c. and deliver none without his directions, or the directions of a Superior Officer, during my absence. If any fresh provisions or other necessaries are wanted for the Hospital; you are to provide them, upon receiving an order for that purpose from Captain Stewart. You...
1490Memorandum, 11–14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Jacob Funckhouser received his discharge at William West’s, January 11th as Ensign Buckner had taken John Berry in his room. LB , DLC:GW .
1491The Organization of John Van Etten’s Company, 12 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
I. DS : New York Public Library. II. MS , and III. DS : Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The three documents printed together here illustrate how a company of provincial troops was organized in 1756 and, in general, what was expected of its members. All three are in the hand of William Franklin, who accompanied and assisted his father throughout the period of service on the...
1492To George Washington from John Carlyle, 12 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote you the 9th Inst. Acquainting you of the Arrival of the Cloathing. They are landed at Malbrough In Maryland, & I have Sent Six Wagons to bring their Loads & Expect them on Saturday Evening. I thought it better to Land them their at this Season of the Year & Trust to Land rather than Watter Carrage & Yr Men Will be upon a Certainty of Getting Cloathed 14 days Sooner & phaps a Month if a...
1493From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 13 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Majr Lewis being at Winchester when your Letter came to hand was immediately dispatchd to Augusta to take upon him the command of the Troops destin’d against the Shawnesse Town with orders to follow such directions as he shoud receive from you. this scheme thô I am apprehensive will prove abortive as we are told that those Indians are removd up the River—into the Neighbourhood of Du-quisne. I...
1494[January 1756] (Adams Papers)
At Worcester. A very rainy Day. Kept school in the forenoon; but not in the afternoon, because of the weather and my own indisposition. JA had come to Worcester “about three weeks after his commencement” at Harvard to keep a school. (Commencement in 1755 fell on 16 July.) The circumstances of his appointment are related in his Autobiography. The school he kept was the “Center School,” built in...
1495January the 14th. 1756. (Adams Papers)
At Worcester. A very rainy Day. Kept school in the forenoon; but not in the afternoon, because of the weather and my own indisposition. JA had come to Worcester “about three weeks after his commencement” at Harvard to keep a school. (Commencement in 1755 fell on 16 July.) The circumstances of his appointment are related in his Autobiography. The school he kept was the “Center School,” built in...
1496From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Hunter Morris, 14 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As we drew near this Place, we met a Number of Waggons, and many People moving off with their Effects and Families from the Irish Settlement and Lehi Township, being terrified by the Defeat of Hays’s Company, and the Burnings and Murders committed in the Township on New Year’s Day. We found this Place fill’d with Refugees, the Workmen’s Shops, and even...
1497Orders, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
All the Recruits in Town are to be completed to six days provision; and are to-morrow to march to Winchester, under the command of Ensign Deane; who is to see that they commit no irregularities on their march. They are to Halt two days at Winchester, and then to proceed on their march to Fort Cumberland: they will receive provision at Winchester for that purpose. The rest of the Officers here...
1498George Mercer to William Cocks, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Washington has ordered the Commissary at Winchester to deliver you, from the public Stores there, thirty Blankets, thirty Shirts, thirty pair of Shoes, and the same quantity of Stockings. If you are not provided with them before you receive this; you are to send immediately down for them. The Things are calculated at the lowest prices; and ordered to be sold to the men at the following...
1499George Mercer to Robert Stewart, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Washington desires, (if Captain Cockes, of the Company of Rangers, should apply for any necessaries) you to order the Commissary to deliver him thirty Blankets, thirty Shirts, thirty pair Shoes, and the same quantity of Stockings. If you have not got the Horse for the Troop, which Colonel Washington left at old Edwards’s; you must send him word to contrive him to you by the first...
1500George Mercer to Mordecai Buckner, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
As Colonel Washington is doubtful that some of the men, to whom you delivered Shoes, Stockings, Shirts, &c. here, have received them a second time at Winchester—Desires you will examine the Commissary’s Book there; and if you find any such, give a list of them to the Pay-Master; in order that he may stop the value of them next pay-day. As soon as you receive this, you are to continue your...