Item 33: Letter from Noah Allen to Zebulon Butler, 1783 February 4
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 33
Dates
- Created: 1783 February 4
Creator
- Allen, Noah, 1734-1822 (Person)
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
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Fair. Vinegar smell. Slight discoloration and minor tearing along the page, bottom left-hand side.
Measurements:
13 ¼ in. x 8 ¼ in.
Description:
This letter, dated February 4, 1783, is written by Major Noah Allen to Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant colonel during the American Revolutionary war. In the letter, Allen is writing on behalf of an acquaintance of theirs, Justus Gaylord, for his son, Ambrose Gaylord. Allen writes that they are both concerned about Ambrose’s declining health after losing his brother, possibly a term for a fellow soldier as Gaylord’s brother is younger and living past this letter, and the trauma of the ongoing battles. Allen asks that Butler grant the man a furlough to recover his health, as he states that Ambrose is unfit for service at this time on account of being frantic with grief. It appears that his service may have been extended without his knowledge or approval, as Allen mentions that Ambrose signed up for service of only three years under Captain Samuel Ransom, and that he was returned to his home after that term had been completed with the war. The letter mentions that Ambrose has attempted to desert his post previously, which Allen underscores is against the duties he signed up for, but points to Butler’s better qualities, asking for him to act with mercy toward the boy. He concludes with leaving it to Butler’s judgement.
Location:
New Marlborough, MA
Transcription:
Dear Col[onel]---
I have been Requested by a gentleman of Mr.
Justis Gaylord acquaintance to Write to you. Sir the little
acquaintance I have had With you Embolned (sic) [Embolden] me to write.
I am very Sencible (sic) [sensible] that you have fealling (sic) [feeling] of humanity
as Well as that of a Soldier- the gentleman Request is
That Ambros Gaylord might have a Furlough and Come
Home as he is in a low State of health and not able to do
Service in Camp- it may be the young man is under some
Embrasment (sic) [Embarrassment] that Soldiers in general are not. by Reason of his
Desertion I am inform[e]d that he inlested(sic) [enlisted] for three [illegible] years only and Capt[ain]
Ransom Returned him for During War Which Would greatly aggravate the
Mind of any person, but I acknowledge the method he took to Relieve
Himself was Wrong and [in] no ways justifiable in his deserting—
But there Seams (sic) [seems] to be someing (sic) [something] that plead for him considiring (sic) [considering] the Awfull (sic) [awful] misfortune of his brother (sic) [brother’s] death and the distracted circumstances of his parants (sic) [parents] almost frantik (sic) [frantic] with greif (sic) [grief] – although mr [gay]lord through a Complicated distress of his mind has let
fall [some] undesired Words I think his Distressed circumstances
Plead for mercy that darlling (sic) [darling] attribute of god, the Supreme being
take as much Satisfaction in mercy as he dos (sic) [does] in Justice and Should
God mark our iniquities(?) aganst (sic) [against] us who could Stand—
I Now plead for the the(sic) young man upon account of his
Parrants (sic) [parents] I no (sic) [know] them Well and they are good morral (sic) [moral] folks
and he has been very Zealous for Liberty and his Relations
has done much in the Present War. now if it may be
Consistint (sic) [consistent] With the good of Service for him to come
home I shall ^be Ecceeding (sic) [exceedingly] happy– and if not I Submit the
matter to your Better judgement.
Newmarlborough [New Marlborough] Feb[ruar]y 4th 1783 Dear Col[onel] I am with Esteem your most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t Col[onel] Butler Noah Allen
[Back]
Maj[o]r Allen 4th Feb[ruar]y 1783
Col[onel] Zebulon Butler in Camp
Newmarlborough [New Marlborough] Feb[ruar]y 4th 1783 Dear Col[onel] I am with Esteem your most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t Col[onel] Butler Noah Allen
[Back]
Maj[o]r Allen 4th Feb[ruar]y 1783
Col[onel] Zebulon Butler in Camp
Creator
- Allen, Noah, 1734-1822 (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