Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society

The New Hampshire Historical Society’s Collections (often cited as Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society) was a long-running publication series that printed 15 documentary editions for New Hampshire history: manuscripts, transcripts of public records, journals, letters, town and church material, and occasional historical essays.

The series was especially valuable because it collated narrative sources that were hard-to-find and scattered at the time. Each individual PDF is linked below each volumes content, just scroll down.

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 1

I. Sketch of the Formation of the N. H. Historical Society, 5
II. Memoir of the Hon. Samuel Penhallow, 9
III. Penhallow's History of the Indian Wars, &c., 13
IV. Letter from Samuel Penhallow to Dr. Cotton Mather, 133
V. Letter from Nathaniel Weare, Esq., to Major Tike, 135
VI. Address to Queen Anne, 1707, 140
VII. Lieut. Gov. John Wentworth's Commission, 1717, 142
VIII. Order of the King in Council respecting Fort Dummer, 143
IX. Vote of Massachusetts relating to the same, 145
X. Letter from Gov. Shirley to Gov. Wentworth, 146
XI. Indian Deeds to Wheelwright and others, 1638, 147
XII. List of Congregational Ministers in Hillsborough County, 150
XIII. Historical Sketch of Concord, New Hampshire, 153
XIV. Note on the Penacook Indians, in New Hampshire, 218
XV. Answers to Queries from the Lords of Trade and Plantations, 227
XVI. Census of 1775, 231
XVII. Deaths in Fitzwilliam, N. H. for 21 years, 235
XVIII. Continental and Militia Troops in the American War, 236
XIX. Topographical Description of Enfield, N. H., 237
XX. Account of the Great Whirlwind in N. H., Sept. 9, 1821, 241
XXI. Newspaper Extraordinary, 1689, 252
XXII. Witchcraft in New Hampshire, 1656, 265
XXIII. Letter from Oliver Cromwell to Rev. John Cotton, 258
XXIV. The last Will of Capt. Myles Standish, 1655, 259
XXV. Powers delegated to Lieut. Gov. Cranfield, 1682, 261
XXVI. Deposition of John Foulsam, 1684, 264
XXVII. Order respecting the Currency of New Hampshire, 1683, 265
XXVIII. Robert Mason's Deposition, 1684, 265
XXIX. Order of Council, 1685, 266
XXX. Articles of Complaint against Lieut. Gov. Cranfield, 267
XXXI. Affidavits respecting Sir Edmund Andros, 1690, 269
XXXII. Old Tenor Table, 1750, 273
XXXIII. Lieut. Gov. Dunbar's Queries to his Council, 1733, 275
XXXIV. Deposition of Elizabeth Miles, 1754, 277
XXXV. Register of New Hampshire, 1768, 279
XXXVI. Bill of Mortality for Rochester for 47 years, 283
XXXVII. Letters relating to Dr. Belknap's History of N. H., 284
XXXVIII. Topographical and Historical Sketch of Bedford, N. H., 288
XXXIX. Ancient Documents, 297

1. * Indian Deed to Rev. John Wheelwright and others, 1629, with Remarks on its authenticity, by Gov. Plumer, 299
2. Council of New England's Grant of N. H. to Capt. John Mason, 304
3. * Letter from John Mason and others to Ambrose Gibbons, 310
4. * Letter of Ambrose Gibbons to the Company, 1633, 311
5. * Letter from Neal and Wiggin, 1633, 311
6. * Letter from Gorges and Mason to Warnerton and Gibbons, 1634, 311
7. * Letter from Mason to Gibbons, 1634, 311
8. Letter from Gibbons to Mason, 1634, 311
9. Grant from the Council of Plymouth to Capt. Mason, 311
10. Grant of N. H. and Masonia to Capt. John Mason, 313
11. * Commission of the King for regulating the Plantations, 313
12. Extracts from the Will of Capt. John Mason, 317
13. * Letter from Vaughan to Gibbons, 1636, 321
14. Agreement of the settlers at Exeter, 1639, 321
15. Agreement of the Inhabitants upon Piscataqua, 322
16. Vote of the British Parliament, 1642, 323
17. An Act of Parliament for promoting the Gospel, 1649, 324
18. Resolve of the Commissioners of the United Colonies respecting the Quakers, 326
19. Petition of Robert Mason and others for lands in N. H. and Maine, 327
20. Report of Sir G. Palmer upon Mason's title, 328
21. Order of the King to refer Mason's claim, 330
22. Report of the Referees upon Mason's title, 330
23. Petition of Robert Mason to the King, 333
24. * Commission to Col. Nichols and others, 1664, 334
25. * Petition of Robert Mason to the King, 334
26. * The Declaration of Massachusetts respecting the Claim of Gorges and Mason, 334
27. * Order of the King respecting Gorges and Mason's Claim, 334
28. * Letter from Edward Randolph to Josiah Winslow, 335
29. Mr. Jones‘ opinion upon Mason's Claim, 335

Those Articles having a * are not inserted in the volume, but the titles are given for the sake of chronological order and arrangement, and a reference was made to the work, where each Article may be found.

• NH Collections Volume 1

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 2

I. Wheeler's Narrative of an Expedition into the Nipmuck Country, and to Quaboag, 1675, 5
II. Instances of Longevity in New Hampshire, 23
III. Instances of Longevity in the town of Pelham, since 1793, 36
IV. Committee of Safety in New Hampshire, from 1776 to 1784, 38
V. Biographical Notice of Major Richard Waldron, 40
VI. Notice of Rev. Lemuel Wadsworth, 47
VII. Attack of the Indians at Walpole, in 1755, 49
VIII. Proceedings of Convention at Dracut, 1776, 58
IX. Letter from President Weare to Messrs. Langdon and Peabody, Delegates to Congress, 68
X. Letter from President Weare to Col. Peabody, 79
XI. Annals of the town of Keene, 71
XII. Communication respecting the Wheelwright Deed, 137
XIII. Letter from President Hancock to the Assembly of New Hampshire, 1777, 138
XIV. Letter from M. Hillegas to President Weare, 1781, 140
XV. Letter from President E. Wheelock to the Provincial Congress, at Exeter, 1775, 141
XVI. Letter from Committee of Safety in Massachusetts to Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, April 22, 1775, 143
XVII. Letter from Col. John Stark to Hon. Matthew Thornton, giving an account of the battle of Bunker's Hill, 144
XVIII. Letter from Gen. Nathaniel Folsom to the Committee of Safety, on the same subject, 146
XIX. Proclamation of Gen. Burgoyne, dated Skeensborough House, July 10, 1777, 147
XX. Proclamation of Gen. Schuyler, at Fort Edward, July 13, 1777, 148
XXI. Unpublished Letters of Washington.

1. To President of N. H. Convention, 23 Dec. 1775, 150
2. To Matthew Thornton, 16 Jan. 1776, 151
3. To Committee of New Hampshire, 22 Dec. 1776, 152
4. To President of N. H. Convention, 23 Jan. 1777, 153
5. To Speaker and Assembly of N. H., 31 Jan. 1777, 155
6. To N. H. Convention, 7 Feb. 1777, 156
7. To N. H. Convention, 7 July, 1777, 156
8. To Committee of N. Hampshire, 29 Dec. 1777, 158
9. To President and Council of N. H., 24 Feb. 1780, 161
10. To President Weare, 30 June, 1780, 162
11. To ditto, 26 July, 1780, 163
12. To ditto [circular], 18 Oct. 1780, 164
13. To ditto, 11 Dec. 1780, 172
14. To ditto, 5 Jan. 1781, 173
15. To ditto, 22 Jan. 1781, 176
16. To ditto, same date, 177
17. To ditto, without date, 178
18. To ditto, 10 May, 1781, 178
19. To ditto, 15 June, 1781, 180
20. To ditto, 8 July, 1781, 181
21. To ditto, 2 Aug. 1781, 183
22. To ditto, 21 Aug. 1781, 184
23. To ditto, 22 Jan. 1782, 187
24. To ditto, 31 Jan. 1782, 190

XXII. Depositions of Barefoote, Mason, &c., 1683, 195
XXIII. Employment of Seneca and Mohawk Indians, 1684, 199
XXIV. Orders of Gov. Cranfield, 1684, 200
XXV. Original Letter of Rev. Seaborn Cotton to Council of N. H., 1685, 204
XXVI. List of the civil government of Massachusetts from 1630 to 1641, and of Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire to 1630, 205
XXVII. Extract from the Records of the House of Deputies, 1654, 228
XXVIII. Memoir of Nathaniel A. Haven, jr., Esquire, 229
XXIX. Notices of Indian Treaties.

1. Of Fort William Henry, 1693, 235
2. Renewed submission of 1698, 235
3. Of 1702 and 1703, 236
4. Letter of Gov. Dudley to Council of N. H., 237
5. Of treaty at Piscataqua, 1713, 238
6. Letter of Gov. Dudley to Council, 1713, 240
7. Extracts from Assembly Records, 1714, 240
8. Treaty of 1717 at Georgetown, 242
9. Extracts from Assembly Records, 1717, 256
10. Of the treaty of 1725, at Boston, 257
11. Extracts from Assembly Records, 1726, 258
12. Of the treaty of Casco, 1727, 258
13. Indian Articles of Peace, 1727, 260
14. Extract from Gov. B. Wentworth's Message to N. H. Assembly, July 14, 1747, 264
15. Of the treaty of Falmouth, 1749, 264

XXX. Historical Sketch of the Northern Boundary of New Hampshire, 267
XXXI. Memoir of James Freeman Dana, M. D., 290

• NH Collections Volume 2

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 3

Constitution of the Society, page 4
Resident Members of the Society, 6
Honorary Members of the Society, 7
Officers of the Society, 8

I. Memoir of Samuel Dana, of Amherst. By Hon. Charles H. Atherton, 9
II. Memoir of Wyseman Clagett, of Litchfield. By Hon. Charles H. Atherton, 24
III. First settlers of Somersworth, 39
IV. Journal of Rev. John Pike, of Dover, 40
V. Sketches of Northwood, 67
VI. Original Papers.

1. Return of Commissioners, &c., 96
2. Letter to Major Simon Willard, 97
3. Do. from Committee of Militia, &c., 97
4. Votes of Magistrates, 1676, 99
5. Letter from James Parker to Governor and Council, 100
6. Account of people destroyed by the Indian war, 1676, 101

VII. Sketches of Graduates of Dartmouth College, 102, 238
VIII. Account of the Insurrection in N. H., 1786, 117
IX. Letter from Cotton Mather to John Woodward, 122
X. Anniversary Address, June, 1828. By Hon. Salma Hale, 123
XI. Uring's Notices of New England, 1709, 139
XII. Instances of Longevity in Canterbury, N. H., 151
XIII. Provincial Taxes in N. H., 1753–1766, 152
XIV. Anniversary Address, June, 1831. By Hon. Charles H. Atherton, 153
XV. Historical Sketches of Warner, N. H. By Dr. Moses Long, 179
XVI. Memoir of Rev. Federal Burt, 207
XVII. Penacook Papers, 1659–1668, 212
XVIII. Account of the Storm and Avalanches at the White Mountains, 1826. By Jacob B. Moore, Esq., 224
XIX. A Plan for providing Materials for History, 233
XX. Memoir of Abel Parker. By Jacob B. Moore, Esq., 258
XXI. Account of the Destruction of the Willey family, in the Notch of the White Mountains, in 1826. By Prof. Thomas C. Upham, 266
XXII. Original Papers.

1. Letter from Rev. Joshua Moodey, 281
2. “ Gov. Benning Wentworth, 282
3. “ Gov. John Wentworth, 283
4. “ Col. Isaac Royall, 284
5. Petition against location of Dartmouth College, 286
6. Revolutionary Correspondence, &c., 289

XXIII. Sketch of Capt. John Pickering, 282
XXIV. Memoir of Oliver Peabody, 297

• NH Collections Volume 3

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 4

• Nathaniel Bouton Discourse, 1833, 1
• Memorials of Harvard University, by John Farmer, 39
• Oaths taken by the civil, Military and Ecclesiastical Officers in New Hampshire, 1727, 83
• Directions for the Study of English History, 86
• Great Earthquake of 1727, 92
• Letters from Governor Belcher to Secretary Waldron, 91
• Annals of Charlestown, in the County of Sullivan, New Hampshire, by Jaazaniah Crosby, 101
• Extracts from the records of the Convention of Congregational Ministers in New Hampshire, 140
• Constitutions of New Hampshire, 150
• Sketches of the History of Canterbury, New Hampshire, from a Sermon by Rev. William Patrick, 174
• A Letter of Col. Philip Carrigain, giving an account of the ancient Inscription found on a Rock near the outlet of the Winnipisiogee, 194
• Abner Clough's Journal, containing an account of the march of Capt. Daniel Ladd and his Men, who were sent by the Governor and Council of new Hampshire, to protect the inhabitants of Rumford, and the adjacent Towns, against the incursions of the Indians.
• Brief Notices of the Town of Antrim, by Rev. John M. Whiton, 216
• Gov. Thomas Dudley's Letter to the Countess of Lincoln, 1631, 224
• Journey of Governor Shute from Boston to Portsmouth October, 1716, 249
• Speech of his Excellency Richard Earl of Bellomont, Governor of Massachusetts and N. Hampshire, to the Council and Assembly of the Province of New Hampshire, 7 August, 1699, 254
• Petitions of sundry Persons of Rumford, Canterbury and Contoocook, 1748, 253
• Memoir of Rev. Nathan Parker, D. D., Pastor of the South Church and Society in Portsmouth, by Samuel E. Coves, 255
• Sketches of the Graduates of Dartmouth College from the foundation of that Institution in 1769, by John Farmer, 281
• Letter from Rev. Thomas Fessenden of Walpole to Rev. Jeremy Belknap of Boston, 1790, 290
• Memoir of Hon. D. Barker, by Rev. Isaac Willey, 293
• Appendix

1. Constitution of the New Hampshire Historical Society, 1833, 297
2. Resident Members of the Society, 298
3. Officers of the Society from its Organization, 302
4. Additions and Corrections, 303

• NH Collections Volume 4

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 5

I. Remarks and Documents relating to the Preservation and Keeping the Public Archives. By Richard Bartlett, Esq., page 7
II. Cold Friday, 19 January, 1810, 77
III. Historical Sketch of Amherst. By John Farmer, 79
IV. Sketches of the Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Durham. By Rev. Federal Burt, 129
V. A Sketch of New Ipswich, Civil, Literary and Ecclesiastical. By Rev. Charles Walker, 155
VI. Memoir of Hanserd Knollys, M. A. By Rev. J. Newton Brown, 175
VII. Historical Sketch of Hampstead. By John Kelly, A. M., 179
VIII. Journal of Capt. Phineas Stevens to and from Canada, 1749, 199
IX. Petition of the Inhabitants of Nutfield, afterwards Londonderry, 1719, 206
X. Journal of Capt. Eleazar Melvin, 1748, 207
XI. Biographical Notice of Dr. William Cogswell, of Atkinson, 211
XII. Memoir of Gen. Nathaniel Folsom, of Exeter. By Cyrus P. Bradley, 216
XIII. Sketch of Hon. Samuel Livermore. By the same, 221
XIV. Manners and Customs of Olden Time, 225
XV. An account of the several Provinces in North America, 1755, 228
XVI. A List of Counsellors of New Hampshire from 1680 to 1837. By John Farmer, 231
XVII. Genealogical Notice of the Wentworths of New Hampshire, 238
XVIII. Sketch of Hon. John Wentworth, jr., 240
XIX. Sketch of Hon. Meshech Weare. By Hon. Paine Wingate, 243
XX. Attempt to establish a Play-House in New Hampshire.

1. Petition for such an establishment at Portsmouth, 247
2. Petitions against such an establishment, and for prohibiting plays, 247
3. Assembly's Address to prevent acting plays, 249

• XXI. Mortality in Kingston, from 1725 to 1832. By Rev. Ora Pearson, 250
• XXII. Petition of the Inhabitants of Souhegan West, now Amherst, 253
• XXIII. Letter of Col. Hinsdale to Gov. Wentworth, 254
• XXIV. Letters relating to Mrs. Jemima How, 256
• XXV. Rate of silver per ounce, from 1700 to 1750, 258
• XXVI. Original Letter of Gov. John Wentworth, 259
• XXVII. Meteorological Tables for Concord. By John Farmer, 261
• XXVIII. An Address delivered before the Society, 1836. By Daniel Oliver, M. D., 263
• XXIX. A List of the Resident Members of the Society, time of election, &c., 306

• NH Collections Volume 5

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 6

1. An Account of the New Hampshire Historical Society. By Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, 9
2. Memoir of John Farmer, A. A., late Corresponding Secretary of the New Hampshire Historical Society. By Jacob B. Moore, Esq., 38
3. Letters of Dr. Franklin to his Sister, never before published, 51
4. History of Atkinson, prepared by Rev. William Cogswell, D. D., 56
5. Letter from Col. Atkinson to Gov. Belcher, 79
6. Col. Joseph Badger's Muster Roll in 1776, 80
7. Gov. Wentworth's Order for raising men in 1759, 81
8. Copy of Gov. Dunbar's Commission, 82
9. New Hampshire in 1760, 82
10. Address of Rev. Charles Burroughs, D. D., before the New Hampshire Historical Society, at their Anniversary in 1843, 83
11. Bradley Monument, erected August 22, 1837, 110
12. Memoir of Hon. Joseph Badger, prepared by Col. Joseph Badger, M. A., 124
13. Gov. Pownall's Letter to Sir William Pepperrell, 131
14. Address of Hon. Levi Woodbury, LL. D., before the New Hampshire Historical Society, at their Anniversary in 1845, 132
15. Dartmouth College Statistics, 164
16. Instructions to Commanders of Privateers in 1776, 165
17. An Act of the Legislature respecting Snowshoes and Moccasins, in 1722, 166
18. Address of Hon. Jeremiah Smith, LL. D., delivered at the Celebration of the Second Centennial of the Settlement of Exeter, July 4, 1838, 167
19. Plymouth Rock, 204
20. Memoir of Samuel Abbot, Esq., of Wilton, N. H., prepared by Hon. Charles H. Atherton, 205
21. Instructions of Gov. John Wentworth to Theodore Atkinson, Commissioner to Canada in 1724, 211
22. Historical Sketch of Croydon, prepared by Lemuel P. Cooper, Esq., 212
23. Order of the Governor and Council respecting the currency in N. H., 1683, 242
24. Table of Mortality in Concord, from 1825 to 1849, by Rev. N. Bouton, 243
25. Stages one hundred and seventy-five years ago, 248
26. Table of Mortality in Gilmanton, from 1825 to 1850, by Rev. Daniel Lancaster, 244
27. Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Settlement of New Hampshire, 245
28. Poem on same occasion, by O. W. B. Peabody, Esq., 269
29. Letter of Matthew Thornton, 1775, 277
    Certificate of Richard Waldron, 277
30. New Hampshire State Society of the General Society of the Cincinnati, 278
31. Rev. James Macgregor, 307
32. Military Journal of Major Daniel Livermore, 308
33. Vote of Council and Assembly, respecting Grafton County, January 3, 1777, 336

• NH Collections Volume 6

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 7

1. Records of the N. H. Committee Of Safety, page 1
2. History of the Town of Chester, N. H., 1720-1784, by Charles Bell, 341
3. The Valley of the Merrimack, by Joseph Walker, 414
4. A Report on the alteration in the Channel of Merrimack River, 433

• NH Collections Volume 7

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 8

• Provincial Papers and Court Papers, 1680-1692, page 1
• Ancient Papers and Documents found in the Office of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, 291
• Brief Notices of some of the Early Councilors of New Hampshire, 304
  • John Cutt, 308
  • Richard Martyn, 311
  • William Vaughan, 318
  • Thomas Daniel, 326
  • John Gilman, 327
  • Christopher Hussey, 329
  • Richard Waldron, 332
  • Elias Stileman, 341
  • Samuel Dalton, 344
  • Job Clements, 346
  • Col. Richard Waldron, Jr., 348
  • Anthony Nutter, 352
  • Nathaniel Fryer, 353
  • Robert Elliot, 356
  • John Hinckes, 360
  • Francis Champernoon, 364
  • Robert Wadleigh, 368
  • Henry Green, 374
  • Peter Coffin, 377
  • Nathaniel Weare, 380
• Unsettled State of the Province, 396
• Massacre at Dover, 403
• Character of the Penacooks, by Rev. Edward Ballard, A. M., 428
• Indian Mode of Applying Names, by Rev. Edward Ballard, A. M., 446
• Indian Names of New Hampshire, by Rev. Edward Ballard, A. M., 451
• Miscellaneous
• Ancient Deed from Nedacocket, 453
• Petition of William Houchins, for aid to obtain a cure of the King's Evil [distemper], 454
• On the use of the word “Colony” and “Province,” in the history of New Hampshire, 455
• Newspaper Extraordinary, 1689, 458
• Index, 462

• NH Collections Volume 8

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 9

• Record of the transactions of the annual convention of ministers in the Province of New Hampshire, 1747 to 1788, 1–67
• Correspondence between Rev. Eleazar Wheelock and others, of Dartmouth College, and John Phillips, LL. D., 1765 to 1787, 68–122
• Diaries of Rev. Timothy Walker, first minister of Concord, edited and annotated by Joseph B. Walker, A. M., 123–191
• Records of the 15th Regiment of N. H. Militia, 1774, 192–196
• Letter from Col. Alexander Scammell to Miss Abigail Bishop, 1777, 197
• Orderly book of Captain Daniel Livermore's company, Continental army, 1780, 200–244
• Records of Commissioners of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, at a convention held in Providence, Dec. 25, 1776, 245–271
• Records of Commissioners of the same states, and including New York and New Jersey, in convention held at New Haven in January, 1778, 272–295
• Records of Commissioners of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, at a convention held in Boston in August, 1780, 295–303
• Case of Councillor Peter Livius vs. Governor John Wentworth,—testimony for the defence, 304–363
• Orderly book of Adjutant Silvanus Reed, of Lt. Col. Peabody's regiment in Rhode Island, 1778, 364–414
• Report of Commissioners on war accounts of New Hampshire against the United States, 1791, 415
• Schedule of service performed in the Revolutionary War by New Hampshire troops, 417–422
• An old time Bill of Lading, with ancient initial letter, 1718, 422.

• NH Collections Volume 9

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 10

• Colonial Papers, Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1606-1687, 7-93
• Colonial Entry Book, 1620-1716, 94-146
• Board of Trade Journals, 1691-1760, 147-226
• Board of Trade, Massachusetts Bay, 1748-1759, 227-232
• Board of Trade, New England, 1685-1729, 233-434
• Board of Trade, New Hampshire, 435-437
• Board of Trade, Plantations General, 1691-1764, 439-469
• Board of Trade, Proprieties, 1662-1706, 471-476
• Board of Trade Trade Papers, 1700-1714, 477-479
• America and West Indies, 1674-1771, 481-515
• Abbreviations, Explanations, and Indexes, 524-557

• NH Collections Volume 10

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 11

The Indian Stream Republic, 3–128

Chapter 1. Ancestry and Early Years of Luther Parker, 3
Chapter 2. Indian Stream, 8
Chapter 3. The Settling of Indian Stream, 21
Chapter 4. Indian Stream Proprietary Administration, 30
Chapter 5. The Indian Stream Democracy, 36
Chapter 6. The Parkers at Indian Stream, 40
Chapter 7. Indian Stream Territory, U. S. A., 48
Chapter 8. The Indian Stream Constitution, 57
Chapter 9. The Assembly of 1832, 68
Chapter 10. The Assembly of 1833, 75
Chapter 11. The Assembly of 1834, 79
Chapter 12. The Assembly of 1835, 88
Chapter 13. Rival Claims to Indian Stream, 93
Chapter 14. The Indian Stream War, 102
Chapter 15. The Wisconsin Pioneer, 112
Chapter 16. The Territorial Legislature of 1846, 118
Chapter 17. The Last Years, 125

PART TWO

Ellen Parker's Journal, 130–162

PART THREE

• Report of the Indian Stream Commissioners, 1836, 163–250
• Joint Resolution of the New Hampshire Legislature, 165
• Report of the Commissioners, 167

Letters:

• Hon. Isaac Hill to Hon. John Forsyth, 176
• Hon. Isaac Hill to Hon. John Forsyth, 177
• Hon. John Forsyth to Hon. Isaac Hill, 177
• Hon. John Forsyth to Gov. Badger, 178
• Lord Gosford to Mr. Bankhead, 179

Report of Canadian Commissioners, 183

Letters:

• Hon. William Badger to John P. Hale, 188
• E. H. Mahurin to Gen. Joseph Low, 188

Depositions:

• Ephraim H. Mahurin, 190
• Ira Young, 193
• James M. Hilliard, 196
• John Hughes, 198
• Rufus Brockway, 199
• Luther Fuller, 202
• Luther Fuller, 203
• Jesse Carr, 205
• Ebenezer Fletcher, 206
• Gideon Tirrell, 207
• David Kent, 209
• Samuel Danforth, 210
• John Harriman, 210
• Nathaniel Perkins, 213
• Horace Loomis, 215
• Francis Wilson, 217
• Hezekiah Parsons, 217
• Ira Young, 218
• William M. Smith, 220
• Milton Harvey, 223
• Richard I. Blanchard, 224
• Miles Hurlburt, 226
• Ephraim C. Aldrich, 231
• James M. Hilliard, 233
• Josiah Parmelee, 235
• James Mooney, 236
• James M. Jewett, 239
• Hiram A. Fletcher, 240
• Archelaus Cummings, Jr., 244
• Joseph Wiswell, 246
• Ephraim H. Mahurin, 248
• Benjamin Applebee, 250

• NH Collections Volume 11

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 12

The Utah Expedition, 1857–58, edited by Otis G. Hammond.

Letters of Capt. Jesse A. Gove, 10th inf., U.S.A., of Concord, N. H., to Mrs. Gove, and special Correspondence of the New York Herald

• The Utah Expedition, 1857–58

New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol 13-15

Letters and Papers of Major John Sullivan, Continental Army, 1771-1795

The correspondence and papers of Major-General John Sullivan of the Continental Army were collected from all accessible sources throughout the United States. The foundation of this collection consisted of about five hundred original letters preserved in the vaults of the New Hampshire Historical Society, together with original documents held in the state archives. Copies of all Sullivan correspondence in the Library of Congress were obtained, and the archives of other states, as well as the collections of historical societies and institutional libraries in which relevant material might be found, were carefully searched. Undoubtedly some Sullivan letters remained in private possession; however, the amount of material thus lost to publication was small and probably not of vital importance.

The Sullivan papers were published by the New Hampshire Historical Society to provide a detailed and accurate history of New Hampshire's involvement in the War of the Revolution, much of which had previously been inaccessible. Another purpose of the work was to correct errors found in the writings of certain narrative historians whose works had enjoyed wide circulation and frequent citation. For instance, Bancroft could see little merit in Sullivan and judged him solely by his misfortunes, giving no consideration to his military successes or abilities. Other writers, even as late as Lodge, followed Bancroft in this respect, apparently without consulting the original material then available to them.

It was not the purpose of this publication to argue the merits of General Sullivan. That task had already been undertaken by Thomas C. Amory in his Military Services and Public Life of Major-General John Sullivan, published in 1868 and were readily available in most major historical libraries at the time. In the same libraries were found the works of Bancroft, Lodge, and other well-known historians. Amory’s analysis of Sullivan’s career was excellent, but his book lacked many original documents that would have helped substantiate his conclusions, although he undoubtedly used all that were then accessible.

The object of this publication, therefore, was to collect and present all the correspondence and papers of General Sullivan, so far as it had been possible to locate them, without argument, editing, or annotation, in order that future students of American history might, from the incontestable evidence of contemporary original documents, arrive at a fair and unprejudiced judgment of Sullivan’s merits and abilities in both war and peace.

It must be borne in mind that Sullivan had two bitter and persistent enemies. One was Major John Taylor of Colonel Moses Hazen’s regiment, whose charges led to a court of inquiry into Sullivan’s conduct during the attack on Staten Island. The other was Thomas Burke, a member of the Continental Congress from North Carolina, who alleged that the failure at the Battle of Brandywine was largely due to Sullivan’s lack of military judgment and ability for an officer of his rank. The court of inquiry disagreed with Major Taylor on all points, reprimanded him for his unfounded statements, and gave General Sullivan high praise, which was followed by commendation and thanks from Congress. The failure to achieve complete success in the Staten Island attack was attributed to the incompetence or disloyalty of a guide employed to conduct General Smallwood’s brigade to the position ordered by Sullivan.

Regarding Burke’s charges that Sullivan, among other alleged errors, sent false information to General Washington concerning enemy movements, Washington himself stated that Major Speare, who brought the report to Sullivan, was an officer whose rank, intelligence, and knowledge of the country entitled him to confidence. Washington further stated that Sullivan would have been guilty of a serious military error had he failed to forward the report to the commander in chief. Washington’s letter on this subject appears on page 541 of this volume. The reasons for the hostility of Burke and Major Taylor are not apparent in these papers.

General Sullivan was not without faults. He was temperamental, jealous, and extremely sensitive, and these traits, combined with his energy and ambition, led him at times to imagine military slights and offenses that did not exist. How much of this oversensitivity resulted from ill health was a matter worthy of consideration. Washington himself sharply rebuked Sullivan for this self-inflicted distress in a letter dated March 15, 1777, appearing on page 328 of this volume. Yet Washington was sufficiently great to overlook these defects of temperament and to recognize and appreciate the value of the officer and the man. It should be sufficient for Sullivan’s reputation that throughout the war and the subsequent period of civil adjustment he retained Washington’s firm, constant, and sincere trust and personal friendship, as demonstrated by the papers contained in this and succeeding volumes.

As an introductory sketch of the life of General Sullivan, the editors deemed it appropriate to reprint the able biographical address delivered by the Reverend Alonzo H. Quint, D.D., on the occasion of the dedication of the monument erected by the state in front of the old Sullivan homestead in Durham on September 27, 1894.

The location of the original source of each document printed herein was indicated beneath its title. Without presenting in this introduction a lengthy enumeration of all sources consulted, acknowledgment was made of the courteous assistance received from institutional librarians and custodians of public archives in various states. Without their cooperation, the collection would have been far more limited. Richard Coe of Durham generously permitted the use of his private collection of Sullivan papers, now deposited in the archives of the Society, which supplied many valuable connecting links that clarified the meaning of documents obtained from other repositories.

These papers were presented to the public in the confidence that they would establish for all time the reputation of General Sullivan as one of the ablest general officers of the American army. The true character of a military officer was best demonstrated by the judgment of his fellow officers, both in war and in peace.

• Letters and Papers of Major John Sullivan, Continental Army, vol 1, 1771-1777
• Letters and Papers of Major John Sullivan, Continental Army, vol 2, 1778-1779
• Letters and Papers of Major John Sullivan, Continental Army, vol 3, 1779-1795

Sources

New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol I-III, Concord : Jacob B. Moore, 1824-1832.

New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol IV, Concord : Marsh, Capen and Lyon, 1834.

New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol V-VI, Concord : Asa McFarland, 1837-1850.

Bouton, Nathaniel, editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol VII, Concord : G. Parker Lyon, 1863.

Bouton, Nathaniel, editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol VIII, Concord : McFarland & Jenks, 1866.

Hammond, Isaac W., editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol IX, Concord : Ira C. Evans, 1889.

Batchellor, Albert Stillman, editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol X, Concord : John B. Clark Company, 1893.

Showerman, Grant; Hammond, Otis Grant, editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, The Indian Stream Republic and Luther Parker, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol XI, Concord, N. H. : New Hampshire Historical Society, 1915.

Hammond, Otis G., editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, The Utah Expedition, 1857-1858, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol IV, Concord : Marsh, Capen and Lyon, 1928.

Hammond, Otis G., editor, New Hampshire Historical Society, Letters and Papers of Major-General John Sullivan, Continental Army, Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, vol XIII-XV, Concord : Marsh, Capen and Lyon, 1930-1939.

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