J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library
American Revolutionary War Collections
Guide
Prepared by Nicholas Woznyj, 2011.
The American Revolutionary War was a conflict between the British Empire and
the colonists of British America. Since the “discovery” of the New World in 1492 by
Christopher Columbus, many countries of Europe sought to expand their empires by
establishing colonies in these strange new lands. The British Empire established thirteen
colonies along the eastern coast of the present day United States, but over the years, the
people of these colonies grew tired of the British government interfering with their lives.
Through a series of what they felt as unfair taxes enforced by the British, the colonist
grew to the point where they began to rebel the British Empire. The British responded by
sending troops to the colonies to put down the rebellion, and the American Revolutionary
War was underway.
The Independence Seaport Museum features a collection that contains numerous
artifacts from the American Revolutionary War era. The collection is organized into two
major sub-groups: Military Experiences and Civilian Life. As for the artifacts in the
collection, there is everything from family letters, business reports, military logs, diaries,
and more.
Military Experiences
Letter to unknown receipt from Benedict Arnold, 1777
a. Autograph document signed by Benedict Arnold addressed to whom
concerned. Reads in full: This may certify that Benjamin Dean Esqr
Captain of Marines, of the Washington Frigate, is an Inhabitant of
Philadelphia & a loyal Subject of the Free and Independent State's [sic] of
America. Given Under my hand. Head Qrs. Philadelphia July 1st 1777. B.
Arnold Major Genl.
Joseph Balch memorandum, 1779
b. Memorandum from the War Office, 28 Dec. 1779, ordering the delivery to
Capt. Joseph Balch of one and a half pieces of Russia duck for the
Protector's sails. Signed by Eleazer Johnson.
Barry-Hayes Papers, 1723-1875
c. The Barry – Hayes Papers are the business, political and personal papers
of John Barry, Captain of the United States Navy, and of his family,
especially his nephew Patrick Hayes and grand-nephew, Patrick Barry
Hayes. The collection includes correspondence, letterbooks, diaries,
logbooks, legal and financial papers related to Barry’s career in the Navy,
the business ventures of the Hayes, Keen and Somers families, and their
personal lives.
General Greene and Industry maritime documents, 1779
d. This collection consists of two documents related to the ship General
Green and the schooner Industry. The first item is a letter to Captain
Robert Caldwell, dated April 26, 1779, from the Philadelphia Council,
naming him captain of Marines on board the ship General Greene. The
second itsm is an October 18, 1787 court decision by Francis Hopkinson,
Esq., judge of the Court of Admiralty of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, instructing John Gifford, the owner of the schooner Industry
to sell the ship, including tackle apparel and furniture, at public sale to pay
the wages owed to the hired mariners who brought the suit to court. Hired
mariners were listed as John Milligan, James Young, Samuel Allen,
William Hogdon, and William Shepherdlake.
Captain John Green papers, 1781-1801
e. Materials include: a letterbook of John Green, 1781-1783 and letters from
1782. Most of the letters were written during Green's imprisonment at Mill
Prison in Plymouth, England. There are also several incoming letters; a
log book of the Empress of China, 1784-1785 and ledger of the China
voyage, 1784. The log book notes daily position, weather, and shipboard
activities from the beginning of the voyage until the ship reached the
lower end of the Malayan peninsula (last entry is January 12, 1785). The
ledger records sales and purchases of merchandise in Canton, listed by
merchant. Other items in the collection include: a copy of the manifest of
the Empress of China; certificates of permission to depart and of safe
conduct for the Empress of China, 1784; a patent granting John Green
land in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; 1801 passport for John Green,
signed by Rufus King; a manuscript document of Proceedings and Court
Decision of April 1, 1799 in the matter of American ship, Pegou, Captain
John Green, Master, with a typescript of this document in French and an
English translation. The collection also has typed transcriptions of papers
of John Green, including the letterbook and letters from this collection and
letters and other documents held by the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania, the American Philosophical Society, and other repositories.
Francis Hopkinson papers, 1780
f. Collection information currently unavailable. Please contact us for
information about this collection.
Civilian Life
Stephen Ceronio memorandum, 1776
a. Manuscript document from Stephen Ceronio to the Committee of Safety
reporting the balance of freight on the brigantine Dolphin and informing
the Committee that John Morton is to be paid the sum due.
Dulith & Wachsmuth records, 1783-1809
b. The collection consists of two series: the business papers of Etienne
Dutilh, and papers of the firm Dutilh & Wachsmuth, 1783-1809. Dutilh's
papers include financial and legal papers regarding the brig Hetty, an
address book (written in French and alphabetized by city) entitled "Livre
de la Correspondence Generale," and account books for the years 17831788 (in French), 1792-1795, and 1795-1809. The papers of Dutilh &
Wachsmuth, merchants in Philadelphia, consist of correspondence, bills of
lading, invoices, orders, and account statements. These papers also
includes a blank power-of-attorney, a map (circa 1764) entitled "A New
Map or Chart in Mercators Projection of the Western or Atlantic Ocean
with part of Europe Africa and America," a promissory note, and a check
on the Bank of the United States.
Robert Hardie account book and wastebook, 1758-1796
c. Account and letterbook (1758-1761) and account book (1774-1800) of
Robert Hardie, recording expenses relating to shipping interests in
Philadelphia, Canada and the West Indies. The earlier volume also
includes letters to his wife, Elizabeth, written from the West Indies (1758)
and Quebec (1761) regarding sales and insurance of cargoes. The latter
volume includes accounts with the Committee of Safety, Dr. Benjamin
Rush, the United States of America Loan Office, and Hardie's business
partner, Margaret Duncan, owner of a half share of the ship Patty and
Peggy.
J. Welles Henderson manuscript collection, 1761-1909
d. Manuscripts in this collection include invoices and shipping documents
from various merchants (late 1700s-late 1800s); an 1802 manuscript
which refers to the plan of the Navy Yard in Washington; printed
broadsides and advertisements; a copy of minutes of an 1800 meeting of
the Board of Property of Philadelphia in the hand of Tench Coxe, along
with an obituary of Coxe; a small number of business financial documents
related to Stephen Girard; issues of American Military Magazine, 18391842; and miscellaneous newspapers, 1761-1868. A portion of the
materials relate to "French spoliation," legal claims for payment for lost or
seized goods and vessels. Materials include: correspondence between
claimants and lawyers; indentures and shipping papers; powers of
attorney; statements. A number of the papers relate to the lawyers
Lawrence Lewis, Jr. and John Gerhard (1880s). The collection also
includes records of a spoliation case handled by William Meredith
regarding a ship captured by the Spanish (1797).
Letters to Lord George Germaine and J. Forrest from Richard Howe, 17761790
e. This collection consists of two letters written by Richard Howe. The first
letter, dated August 11, 1776 , sent from Eagle off Staten Island to Lord
George Germain, reads in part: "It is with much regret that I find myself
unable to make any essential addition to my public letter, on the subject of
my endeavors to open an intercourse with the moderate Party amongst the
Colonists, in the spirit of the King's Instructions." The second letter, dated
March 15, 1790, sent from Grafton Street to J. Forrest, Esq., reads in part:
"The Masters of Vessels coming up the Delaware when I left the River in
1777, were not ordered from thence; But only apprised that the Navigation
up to Philadelphia was rendered impracticable at that time, by the Ice
formed in the upper part of the River."
Humphreys Shipyard records, 1772-1840
f. Collection information currently unavailable. Please contact us for
information about this collection.
Indenture forms, 1780-1790
g. Collection information currently unavailable. Please contact us for
information about this collection.
Maritime documents collection, 1766-1951
h. A collection of records related to maritime commerce. Records include:
correspondence; invoices; bills of lading; ship manifests; freight lists;
payroll sheets; bills of sale (for vessels); and customs declarations.
Includes a small quantity of business correspondence addressed to Alfred
Cope, Henry Cope, and Thomas P. Cope. The collection also includes ship
passes, powers of attorney, shipping articles, insurance papers, ship
surveys, charter party agreements, bunkering contracts, bills and receipts,
bills of exchange, broadsides, and land deeds.
Robert Morton diary, 1777-1778
i. Diary of Robert Morton, Philadelphia, 16 September 1777 - 30 December
1778. Morton writes of the British occupation of the city, British and
Hessian soldiers ransacking his and other plantations, the Battle of
Germantown and the attack on Fort Mifflin, news of Burgoyne's surrender
at Saratoga, and the difficulties in using paper money.
Ogden & Cuthbert family papers, 1750-1906
j. The Ogden and Cuthbert family papers consist largely of financial records
(receipt, invoice, and account books) of Joseph Ogden, his son George,
and his son-in-law Anthony Cuthbert. Also included in the collection are
account books of Anthony’s father Thomas, brother Samuel, and sons
Joseph and Allen Cuthbert; letters, insurance policies, and property maps
pertaining to descendants of Anthony Cuthbert, a diary kept by Joseph
Cuthbert’s son, Henry C. Cuthbert, and several bills and receipts from the
early 1900s.
Reed and Forde business papers, 1735-1907
k. This is a collection of business papers of Reed and Forde, papers related to
the estates of John Reed and Standish Forde, and a small number of papers
of John Claghorn, who was administrator of the estate of John Reed.
Materials include: correspondence (1792-1907), including a number of
letters from Daniel Clark Jr., clerk, addressed to Reed and Ford and to Mr.
Daniel W. Coxe; correspondence related to the French spoliation claim of
Reed and Forde for the schooner Ulalia; a 1905 financial statement of
award in the French spolication case; printed documents of Court of
Claims in the case of Ulalia; and news clippings, 1886-1891 related to the
French Spoliation settlements. JThe collection also includes cemetery
records of John Claghorn and John Reed and a copy of the will of Standish
Forde; a 1886 certificate assigning John W. Claghorn as administrator of
the estate of John Reed; a 1735 deed for a lot in Mulberry Street; and and
a manifest of the brig Molly from 1794.
Richard Vaux insurance policy and bill of lading, 1781
l. Collection information currently unavailable. Please contact us for
information about this collection.