Item 40: Letter from Eliphalet Dyer to Walter Franklin, 1772 May 16
Item — Box: 12, Folder: 80
Dates
- Created: 1772 May 16
Creator
- Dyer, Eliphalet, 1721-1807 (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:
Poor. The letter is separated into three separate pieces, the ink is faded, and the paper is covered in stains, tattered, and contains tears.
Measurements:
8 ⅞ in. x 7 ⅜ in.
Description:
The following item dated May 16, 1772, depicts a letter written by Eliphalet Dyer to Walter Franklin. In the letter, Dyer advocates for Major John Durkee’s release from prison, arguing that he is in poor health and could die there. The letter appears to be a placation for those who are holding Durkee prisoner. Franklin writes that they are holding Durkee on a debt they believe the Susquehanna Company will pay for the dues owed to Durkee. Dyer writes that the sum is supposed to be about 6 pounds a day for work done for the company. However, Franklin mentions that the company has already paid Durkee more than he was originally owed. According to Franklin, there is no reason for the party to believe there is more money to be made from the debts incurred by Durkee. Instead, he offers to pay the remaining debts with the help of Durkee’s relations in order to have him freed for the sake of his family.
The information on Durkee’s case is reaching Dyer through an acquaintance, Jonathan Trumball, a prominent politician, and eventual Governor of Connecticut.
Location:
Hartsford
Transcription:
Hartford May 16th 1772.
Sir
On Mr. Trumbulls Return from Philadelphia I understand by him that Maj Durkee is still left in prison that he has no doubt but he could have procured his release had it not been for your Demand upon him & that unless your Compassion is extended towards him he must dye (sic) in prison as his health is allready (sic) much Impaired his spirits sunk & that he has left him in the greatest distress Imaginable We sent by Mr. Trumble to obtain his release, pay his expense, the goaler fell & for his support but as it is Manifest he might be soon discharged if it was not for his own Private Debt the Lehigh Company cannot be prevailed upon to goe (sic) any farther in paying for his support in goal. I understand by Mr. Trumble that you have been Informed that Major Durkee went into the Companys (sic) Services on Wages - £6 per month & that there is considerable sum now due to Majr Durkee on that acct which if you could receive you might be Willing to Release him I have to Assure you there is not the least foundation for such a suggestion Neither has Majr Durkee ever had from either ye Company or Contee ye least Incouragement of any pay nay it is directly against ye plan of ye company & has never been done in any one Instance, ye Company have already Expended for Majr Durkee much more than they were ever under any obligations to and they will do no further. I am sensible not only by letter I have received from you but from Mr. Trumble that you Imagine Majr. Durkee has not in many Instances dealt with you with that honor & Integrity which you might have Expected & Truly I suspect he has not & farther not with landing he has been a gent’n of honor & strict Integrity I fear misfortunes have had a very ill effect upon his virtue & morals it has been ye case of many gent’n who in times of Prosperity have maintained an Excellent corracter (sic) yet upon misfortunes following & being reduced in their circumstances have produced the most fatal effects. when the case is so. I really think ye man deserve our pity more than our Indignation if Majr Durkee could be soon released he might possibly yet be saved from Total ruin. his family & friends are distressed for him, but he is so totally reduced as to his circumstances there is none can think of paying any debts for him & I must assure you that you Cannot have ye least Encouragement that any person will advance any seem whatever for him on that account I have therefore in his behalf & in compassion to Majr Durkee and especially his family & intreat (sic) if you would lay aside all resentments upon account of his ill conduct pity his misfortunes release him from his Imprisonment on your account otherwise he must die in prison which am persuaded will yield no satisfaction to a gent’n of your corracter (sic) & disposition if I thot (sic) he ever could pay you, lying in prison or any other person be thereby induced to pay for him I could under all circumstances excuse you, in confining them in prison, but when it is not in a mans power it cannot be of any advantage to you to punish him I hope fr (sic) you will excuse my Importunity as I really think his circumstances claim pity & compassion & forgiveness from you I should be glad of an answer directed to me at Hartford as soon as may be as we may send & pay the remainder of his charges that he might not be detained on that acct if I hope for a favorable Answer from you & on Hr. with Esteem
your very Hble Servt
Mr. Walter Franklin Eliph[alet] Dyer
New York
Creator
- Dyer, Eliphalet, 1721-1807 (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