Description:

JOHN SULLIVAN
(1740 - 1795) American Revolution major general captured at Long Island and exchanged, he later wintered at Valley Forge, and was abandoned by D'Estaing to face the British at Newport. Manuscript D.S. "Jno Sullivan MGnl" 1p. small legal folio, "Head Quarters Providence" Dec. 12, 1778 ordering paymaster Benjamin Steele of the "Army in the State of Rhode Island sir Pay Capn. Clark & Officers Eighty three pounds seven shillings and six pence for their Expences [sic] to ^& from Stonington and during their stay there..." On the verso is the account in question which included expenses for the feeding and care of horses as well as "Cash paid Candles & Nails for the use of the Piggot Galley..." The galley was a British vessel captured on Oct 28, 1778 by Capt. Silas Talbot, then commanding the Hawk. The account also notes 14 Shillings 8 pence paid to "...To Cash pd Wm Card for Pilotage..." The boat ended up at Newport harbor (following the British evacuation) and was utilized as a salvage vessel for the shipwrecks left by the British following their occupation of the town. The clearing of wrecks was likely hastened by the imminent arrival of the French army under Rochembeau that would later join Washington's forces at Yorktown in 1781. Usual folds, some weak , moderate uneven toning, else very good.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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