WADSWORTH PELEG Autograph Document Signed Peleg Wadsworth Ma

Sale 2483 - Lot 68

Price Realized: $ 845

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Estimate: $ 700 - $ 1,000

WADSWORTH, PELEG. Autograph Document Signed, "Peleg Wadsworth Maj'r Brig," a return entitled: "A Weekly Return of Two Regiments of Militia in the Continental Service." 1 page, 7 3/4x12 1/4 inches; folds, minor foxing and wear, light dampstaining visible mainly on verso, unrelated letter in another hand on verso; uncut. Boston, 6 September 1776

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Additional Details

Gives the total number of troops in Dike's and Francis's regiments of Massachusetts militia, with a 6-line addendum listing 64 men working as "carpenters with Colo. Haskell," 14 on guard at Jamaica Plain, 13 "making cartridges" and 2 "with commissary of artillery." Wadsworth signed this shortly after his return to Massachusetts from the Battle of Long Island; soon afterward, he was appointed Brigadier General of the Massachusetts militia. Though he had a distinguished military career, he is perhaps best known as the grandfather of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The unrelated letter on verso is from "Maria" to Mrs. Betsey Ward, probably making use of the old military document as scrap paper--or perhaps the reverse is true? Wadsworth had previously served as an aide-de-camp to General Artemas Ward, which may explain the connection.