Item 30a: Letter from Zebulon Butler to Major [Elisha] Lawrence, 1781 February 24
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 30a
Dates
- Created: 1781 February 24
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
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
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Poor. Vinegar smell. The letter is separated in two due to a tear at a fold. The paper itself is in rather poor condition with the edges being very tattered, with some words becoming illegible due to this, general browning of the paper, stans and folds being present, as well as some fading of the ink and obtrusive tears.
Measurements:
12 ⅜ in. x 7 ⅞ in.
Description:
The letter, dated February 24, 1781, is written by Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant colonel during the American Revolutionary War, to Elisha Lawrence. In the letter, Butler writes that Captain Simon Spalding and his company are marching by Butler’s orders to join Lawrence. He writes that they would be a reasonable choice of joint forces as they have served well and not yet received an addition while other companies have. He continues on to say that a relief has come to their post, a company commanded by Captain Alexander Mitchell from the New Jersey regiment, and that he has heard some word that a position has been asked of his son. He states that he has not heard of any openings of late, but suggests that Spalding be a better fit for any that need to be filled as he believes he has served well and that his son is better suited for a Quarter Master or Pay master position. He concludes by stating that their line will march shortly after receiving clothing and beef enough to make the way.
The National Archives at Founders.gov website has a letter between George Washington and Captain Alexander Mitchell, of the New Jersey regiment, which aided us in locating the active dates of Alexander Mitchell.
The Library of Congress also has a letter of Alexander Mitchell, dated in the same year.
Location:
Wyoming, PA
Transcription:
Wyoming 24 Feb[ruar]y 1781
Honnord (sic) [Honored] Sir
this will be handed you by Capt[ain] Spaulding who
Who I have Directed to March to your Division with
his company Some A few are Remain behind
which I Shall Se (sic) [see] to forward Soon and Shall
not Leave not any behind when I come I have told
Capt[ain] Spaulding and his men that they would have
this choice of Reg[imen]ts to Joyn (sic) [join] if they should
Chuse (sic) [choose] the fourth I hope it would be Judged
Reasonnabel (sic) [reasonable] as that Reg[imen]t has had no addition
and the others have but I have not heard
their choice the Relief from the Jersee (sic) [Jersey]
Line are Arrived hear (sic) [here] Commanded by Capt[ain]
Mitchel[l] A Distressed Gentleman who I think
Will give Entyer (sic) [entire] Satisfaction to the Inhabitants
and Conduct his Command as Judicially as is
in the Power of man. it was Repeatedly mentioned
to me when I was in camp by the Field offices
that my Son must come and take A Commission In the
Line for my Part I cant conceive how there Can be
Vacansies (sic) [vacancies] but if there is Such A thing I think he
Rather inclines to Sorce (sic) that way but the way he
has ben (sic) [been] in has furnished him more properly for A
Pay Master or Q[uarter] Master. Sarj (sic) [Sergeant] Baldwin of Capt[ain]
Spauldings company is A Worthy Deserving young man
would make A good officer and is a great Partizan
shall [Illegible due to damage] march on the Rhode in [illegible] if beef will
Back:
will get me Clothing which I Dayly (sic) [daily] Expect to Effect can only Say I have the Honnour (sic) [honor] to be your Honr [Honor’s] Most Obe[edien]t Humbel (sic) [humble] Serv[ant] Zeb[ulo]n Butler Compliments to Maj[o]r Lawrence and the Gentlemen
Back:
will get me Clothing which I Dayly (sic) [daily] Expect to Effect can only Say I have the Honnour (sic) [honor] to be your Honr [Honor’s] Most Obe[edien]t Humbel (sic) [humble] Serv[ant] Zeb[ulo]n Butler Compliments to Maj[o]r Lawrence and the Gentlemen
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu