(AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1781) John Elliott On the cusp of vict

Sale 2646 - Lot 41

Price Realized: $ 531

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Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1781.) John Elliott. On the cusp of victory, a Baltimore man hopes to "drive those d__d gentry out of this bay." Autograph Letter Signed to Capt. Robert Elliott of Philadelphia. One page, 9 1/4 x 7 inches, plus integral address leaf with no postal markings; two holes in text area. Baltimore, MD, 9 October 1781

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This letter notes the victory of Americans led by General Nathanael Greene in the 8 September Battle of Eutaw Springs, which sent the British back to Charleston, SC. It was written soon after Washington's army began its siege of Yorktown, and 8 days before General Cornwallis made his final surrender: "There is very little doing here yet, but we are in hopes we shall soon drive those d__d gentry out of this bay. Genl. Green has given the enemy a total defeat near Charlestown."

The letter begins "I was very glad to hear that you are very well by Mr. Grats." The intermediary was very likely one of the two Gratz brothers of Philadelphia, Barnard or Michael Gratz, both merchants and leaders of Philadelphia's Jewish community, and progenitors of a well-known Philadelphia family.