Skip to main content

Item 40: Letter from Zebulon Butler to Colonel [Nathan] Denison , 1787 November 12

 Item — Box: 10, Folder: 40

Dates

  • Created: 1787 November 12

Creator

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:

Good. Vinegar smell

Measurements:

13 in. x 7 ⅞ in.

Description:

This letter, dated November 12, 1787, is written by Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant colonel during the American Revolutionary War, is written to Nathan Denison, a justice of Westmoreland, PA alongside Butler, and also a lieutenant colonel. In the letter, Butler is writing about the current state of events at the Wyoming post. Butler explains to Denions’ that the conduct surrounding the quartering of Franklin, likely John Franklin, as he was laid out before a council for hearing was troubling, and that asks that Denison refer Butler to Doctor Smith for further details on the subject. Butler states that he has previously attempted to contact the man himself but has been refuted as Smith believes him to be censured. Butler continues on to write that he has recently completed a return to the company and hopes to receive some strength, possibly men, with which to command. The conclusion of his letter pertains to military movements along the Susquehanna river, where Butler writes that he has sent word to those stationed there to meet on the 22nd to confront field and company officers.

Location:

Wilkes Barre, PA

Transcription:

Wilkes-Barre 12th Nov 1787 Dear sir By this you’ll be inform[e]d I have Raid (sic) [read] yours of the 27 of Oct[obe]r Last Mentioning the Commissioners &c [etcetera] which I have Received and Delivered to the gentlemen. You mention the Number & Rank of the Regiments which Law has Pointed out by the Drawing Lotts (sic) [Lots] of Battalions & Companys (sic) [Companies] and of Course Must suppose the Counsel have no Question to give themselves any troubel (sic) [trouble] of Ranking them. You mention that the affair of the Conduct of the peopel (sic) [people] at this place on the Evening after Frankling [Franklin] was Taken was Laid before the Counsel. &c [etcetera] and Refer me to Doct[o]r Smith for Particulars. I applied to him and all that I have got from him yet is he Believes I am under Censheur (sic) [censure] I’ll thank you to let me know what is true on that subject for I cannot serve in any office under Censheur (sic) [censure]. I have compleated (sic) the officering of one Battallion (sic) [Battalion] and now send the Return of them for their Commis[s]ions (sic) when they Receive them I shall think I have some Streng[th] (sic) as I then shall have some under command. I have sent Notifications up the River for the other Battallion (sic) [Battlion] to meet on the 22d Ins[an]t for the Purpose of Chasing the field and comp[an]y officers which I expect to Se[e] (sic) compleated (sic) [completed] before I Return and as soon as Possabel (sic) [Possible] after that I shall make my Returns to counsell (sic) [Council]. I am Sir your Humbel (sic)[Humble] Serv[an]t Zeb. Butler Col[onel] Denison

Back:

1786 } From Colonel November } Zebulon Butler 12th }

Lieutenant of the County of Luzerne—-

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)