1. William H. Sumner, An Inquiry into the Importance of the Militia to a Free Commonwealth: In a Letter from William H. Sumner, Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to John Adams, Late President of the United States; With His Answer (Boston, 1823; Shoemaker description begins Richard H. Shoemaker, comp., A Checklist of American Imprints for 1820–1829 (11 vols.; New York, 1964–72). description ends 14241). JM’s copy is in the Madison Collection, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.

2. William H. Sumner (1780–1861), a graduate of Harvard College, practiced law in Boston, 1802–18, and represented that city in the Massachusetts legislature, 1808–19. Sumner was aide-de-camp to Gov. Caleb Strong during the War of 1812 and rendered important services in defense of the District of Maine. In 1818 he was appointed adjutant general of the state militia and held that office until 1834, when he resigned to devote his energies to the development of Noddle’s Island, now a part of East Boston (Alonzo H. Quint, “Memoir of William Hyslop Sumner,” Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society 18 [1880–81]: 282–86).