(AMERICAN REVOLUTION CONNECTICUT) Correspondence of merchan

Sale 2287 - Lot 63

Price Realized: $ 1,800

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--CONNECTICUT.) Correspondence of merchants Dudley and Samuel Woodbridge during the war. 11 Autograph Letters Signed, various sizes and conditions. Vp, 1777-78

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Addressed to a mercantile firm in Norwich, CT dealing in rum, sugar, flour and other staples. Most of the letters allude to the war and blockade: Daniel Carpenter writes from Fishkill, NY that supplies of flour and rum are short "by the reson of the arival of the French fleet at the hoock" (27 July 1778). Samuel Penfield writes twice from Fairfield, CT: "We hear that Jenaral Washonton is ordred all the publick stores cared from the sea cost. We hear the seage is like to be raised in Rodisland" (29 August 1778) and "I should think the rum & wine as safe at Norwich as aney whear at present. We hear Bedford is burnt & if the enemy should take to distress the cost it may be more in danger hear. . . . I think rum will be in demand soon at camp" (11 September 1778) Hezekiah Ripley predicts the British evacuation of New York five years too early on strength of Alexander Hamilton's testimony: "Every account from New York indicates the speedy evacuation of that place by our enemies. . . I last evening saw Cols. Hamilton and Tilghman, aids de camp to his Excellancy, who both declared they had not the least doubt but that the enemy were preparing to leave New York" (5 November 1778). Asa Waterman writes from Providence, "Our army is on Rhode Island. The French fleet is now out, fearfull they have had a bad storm" (13 August 1778). Two letters are from Fishkill printer Samuel Loudon, who had recently printed the first edition of the New York state constitution (see lot 357). Complete list upon request. with--3 unrelated Backus family letters, 1785-89.