George Washington Papers

Thomas Langley Collyer to George Washington, 27 May 1781

From Thomas Langley Collyer

fishkill Pervo May 27th 1781

Sir

Having Informashion that I am under sentens of Death I was Born and Broght up In old England and what I am persest of Come from ther.1 I Leved My Natife Countery to Carey on the woolen Maneyfactery In ⟨America⟩ and Have Doun a Gret Deal of Et and to Gret satesfacton In pertickler In Colling skarlet2 and If My Condock Have forfet My Life I Bege et at youer hands to save et for part of the Evidancs a Gainst Me Is fales I Hope That uer Excelence will Tacke et In to Consedrashion I have a wife and Tow Children3 and Might In perse of Time Be a Great Benefit to the Countery for Manafactery if My Life Is spard.4 I Hope for youer Excelencs Grase from youer Hombel Pertishanr

Thos Langly Collyer

ALS, DLC:GW. Collyer headed his letter: “A Hombel Pertishan un to His Excelence Genral Washinton Esquire.”

1Collyer had been sentenced to death for corresponding with the enemy and was imprisoned at Fishkill. For his court-martial, see Samuel Holden Parsons to GW, 8 May, and n.5.

2The Connecticut Journal, and the New-Haven Post-Boy for 22 May 1772 printed an advertisement regarding Collyer’s “Business of making and dressing Cloth” in that town.

3Collyer was then married to his second wife, Elizabeth Wakeman Hill (c.1750–1796). After her death, Collyer married Catherine Hawley in December 1797. Collyer’s first wife had been Abiah Hawley. His children living in 1781 have not been identified.

4Collyer avoided execution (see David Hawley et al. to GW, 22 May).

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