Item 11: Letter from Susannah Green to General [John] Sullivan, (removed to legal box #1), 1779 July 9.

Item — Box: 10, Folder: 11

Staff Only

Letter from Susannah Green to General [John] Sullivan, (removed to legal box #1) 1779 July 9

Dates

Created: 1779 July 9.

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Letter.

Condition Note:

Poor. Vinegar smell. The paper is falling apart, with quite large tears present at folds in the paper; a section of the paper has been cut out. The paper itself is very stained, browning, has tattered edges, and has fading ink.

Measurements:

12 ⅝ in. x 8 ¼ in.

Description:

This letter, dated July 9, 1779, is written by Susannah Green to General John Sullivan. In the letter, Green explains that her husband died during the battle of Kingston, and without his aide, she explains that she can no longer afford to support her family. She continues on to request that General Sullivan provide her family with monetary support, as she believes he has the reputation required to do so. On the reverse, we can see that the letter is delivered to Sullivan by Zebulon Butler who acts as a witness and testimony to the truth of Green’s case. Beneath his testimony, Sullivan approves any aid Butler may believe is necessary. He only stipulates that Green is to act as service to the public when called forward for her aid.

Location:

Wyoming, PA

Transcription:

Wyoming 9th July 1779

Whereas it has been a Custom among all Civiliz[e]’d Nations that concord & Harmony Reaneth (sic) [Reigneth];

It is the humble petition of Susannah Green, who left destitute of Succour by the Unfortunate Battle at Kingston by depriving her of the partner in this life, who boldly venting himself for the sake of his Bleeding Country & was Killed in the Attempt Now as the Root of the Family is taken from the Branches, it behoves every tender hearted person to bewail her loss, & help if in their power the now presents Issue of his- And as it is the [illegible; torn] talk amongst all Ranks that the Honorable General Sullivan has a peculiar Name in helping the distressed, who left alone with Four Small Children, none of them able to [Illegible; torn] [Illegible; torn] [Illegible; torn] It is there therefore desired that the G[Illegible; torn] [Illegible; torn] [Illegible; torn] & Investigate a Rule, that a portion may be allowed to the Widow and Fatherless in their present circumstances, which will be gratefully acknowledged & the desire will forever pray; And if accepted by your honour or if Impossible to be granted, may the Almighty Shour (sic) [Shower] down his blessings Upon the Army in General under the direction of Commanders set over them by the United States, may God grant you, Sir, Conduct Sufficient & the Troops under your Command to conduct themselves under your mild Instructions & may God give you Victory over over our natural as well as Savage Enemy’s I am, Hon[orable] Sir, Your H[um]ble petitioner Susanna Green

{Back}

the Representation of the Widdow (sic) [Widow] Green is true her Husband was killed in the action at this place and she is Left Poor with four Children. Wyoming 12 July 1779 Test[ify] Zeb Butler Colo[nel]

Col Butler is Directed to Issue to Mrs Green & her children Such Quantity of provisions as he Shall think necessary provided she works for the publick (sic) [public] when called upon by him given at Head Quarter in Wyoming. [Illegible; torn]

Upside down:

To Major Gen[era]l Sullivan