Item 38: Letter from [Gussinius] Enkelen to Zebulon Butler, (Removed to Legal Box #1) , 1787 August 18
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 38
Dates
- Created: 1787 August 18
Creator
- Enkelen, [Gussinius] (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. Some vinegar smell. The ink is almost completely faded, however the paper is in good condition, with no notable damage outside of some minor folds and browning.
Measurements:
12 ¾ in. x 7 ¾ in.
Description:
This letter, dated August 18, 1787, is written by [Gussinus] Enkelen to Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant colonel during the American Revolution. In the letter, delivered to Butler by Thomas Neill, Enkelen is writing to Butler to discuss the recent events concerning a child who had been missing following a battle at Wyoming. Enkelen explains that Obadiah Munson, a doctor living in the Wyoming region, had lost their child, and in subsequent time, a child matching his description was found by Doctor Ezra Stiles, the president of New Haven Yale College. Enkelen mentions that Neill gave the boy his name, Ezra Stiles, and attempted to reunite father and son after caring for the boy. Enkelen states that the boy had been going by the name Anthony before being named by the doctor. However, in the conclusion of Enkelen’s letter, he notes that this was not Munson’s son, as it was believed that the child died during the battle. Stiles the younger appears to be traveling to Butler, who has agreed to attend to him.
Location:
Chatham, Connecticut River
Transcription:
Gen[era]l Z Butler Chatham on
Connecticut River
Aug[us]t 18 1787
Dear Sir
At last have the pleasure to
inform you that I am released of ye disagreable (sic)[disagreeable]
Situation I was in, in New York: in which
many Valuable C[h]aracters (sic) by y[e] turn of y[e] times
find them Selves Still: By the opportunity
of M[r]: Thomas Neill: cannot neglect to
Write a line of account of y[e] Boy: taken by
the Indians When in N[ew] York went by y[e] name
of Anthony: but Since on account of Dr [Doctor] Stiles,
president of New Haven Yale College having taken
particular notice and friendship towards the
Orphan has honoured him with y[e] name of
Ezra Stiles the Doctor after a While thought
that a M[r]: Obadiah Munston: living in, I think
Waterbury 20 Miles from Miles from New Haven.
Who had lost, a son at Wyoming and I immediately
delivered him up to y[e] family, but Doctor
Stiles Since, having given him Self the trouble
to Write on y[e] subject to y[e] Rev[erend] M[r] Johnson
Minister at your place, is been informed
by his reverence, that it is not y[e] Child of
M[r] Munster (sic) [Munson], because that (as far I am informed)
that missing child was killed: I must refer
to M[r] Neill conversations with you: it pleases
God shall be with Ezra your way in 3
or 4 weeks; and the attention Which you So
Back:
Generously have offered in Favor of the Boy in the intention of my comming (sic) [coming] Shall be most Gratefully accepted: by him. Who has the honor to Subscribe him Self: With the Utmost Esteem D[ear] Sir Your M[os]t Obed[ien]t M[os]t Humb[le] Serv[an]t Gussinus(?) [Gussinis?] Enkelen
In another hand:
Enhnorsel (?) from Chatham about A Lost Child
Back:
Generously have offered in Favor of the Boy in the intention of my comming (sic) [coming] Shall be most Gratefully accepted: by him. Who has the honor to Subscribe him Self: With the Utmost Esteem D[ear] Sir Your M[os]t Obed[ien]t M[os]t Humb[le] Serv[an]t Gussinus(?) [Gussinis?] Enkelen
In another hand:
Enhnorsel (?) from Chatham about A Lost Child
Creator
- Enkelen, [Gussinius] (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