(AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1780) Baird John Letter by a British p

Sale 2473 - Lot 27

Price Realized: $ 1,062

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Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1780.) Baird, John. Letter by a British prisoner of war in Pennsylvania. Autograph Letter Signed to his mother. 2 pages, 8 x 6 1/4 inches, on one folding sheet with the remnants of an integral address leaf bearing only an inked circular 20/IV stamp; quite worn with separations at folds, several repairs made with postal hinges and the defective address leaf partially extended, but all letter text legible. Lancaster, PA, 17 April 1780

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John Baird was a British soldier being held by the Americans at Lancaster, PA. Many prisoners were held in this central Pennsylvanian town, including numerous Hessians and most notably the famous Major John André, who was there through December 1776. From other letters in the possession of the consignor, we know he had been imprisoned as early as December 1778, and quite possibly had been captured with Burgoyne back on October 1777; his mother was in Scotland. In this letter he writes: "I received your letter of the 23rd of Feb'ry 1779 three months ago, but never had in my power to write you untill now. An officer who is here in the same disagreeable situation with myself has got leave for three weeks to go to New York, has promis'd to send this home by the first opportunity. I hope this will find you and all my friends in good health. My present situation does not permit me to say anything more at present, only that the long wished for exchange is not yet settled but have still some hopes of its taking place soon. The moment that happens, will take the first opportunity of writing you. Any letters directed to me at New York will in all probability come safe to hand. I beg to be remembered to all my friends." From New York, Baird's letter could have easily gone out to Great Britain.