Description:

(CROSSING THE LINES IN REVOLUTIONARY NEW YORK)
MARINUS WILLET (1740 - 1830) American soldier and a leader of the Sons of Liberty with Washington and Sullivan, and a commander of forces in the Mohawk Valley. War-date D.S. 2p. 4to.Goshen, Dec. 23, 1780 requesting a pass for an elderly man to cross the lines to British-held Queens County, New York from New York Governor George Clinton. He writes, in full: "Mr Joseph Sackett a kinsman of mine who lives not far from this place in a very disagreeable and suffering situation is desirous to go to long Island where he has several relations who would be happy in contributing to make his life comfortable, he is upwards of seventy years old so that if he was disposed (which I don't believe to be the case) he could be of no injury to us by being within the lines of the enemy. Mrs Ellsworth when she was lately at New York procured a permit for him to enter within the lines of the enemy. If your Excellency will be kind enough to send him a permit to pass our lines you will perform an act of benevolence that I conceive can be no disservice to us, and will oblige your most obedient and very humble Servt...". It is believed that Joseph Sackett was a lawyer in Newtown, Long Island before the war. From 1776 to 1783, the British occupied New York City and most of Long Island, making it very difficult for patriot citizens to enter these territories and for loyalists to leave. The Revolutionary War in New York was a virtual civil war, with families and communities divided between patriots and loyalists. The new state government of New York tried suspected loyalists, sometimes in absentia, and confiscated their estates. Loyalists joined special British regiments that engaged in foraging and bushwhacking operations, sometimes targeting their old communities. Usual folds, light soiling, else very good to fine condition.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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