ALS, 1p, 7.25 x 9.5 in., 25 March 1779, place uncertain, but possibly Raritan ("Rarratan"), NJ, since the Continental Army camped at Morristown that winter. In the letter, Clement Biddle, clerk, is inquiring about payment to Owen Biddle Esq. (his older brother), "...for directing the business of the Forage Department at Philadelphia..." He goes on to make several inquiries about how much he is to be allowed in salary, purchases, commissions, office rent, clerks, etc. Signed by Biddle. Clement Biddle (1740-1814) was born in Philadelphia, part of the branch of Biddles who moved there from West Jersey in the 1720s and 1730s. The Biddles were Quakers, and initially emigrated from England to escape religious persecution. Although usually pacifists, Clement was one of the organizers of the "Quaker Blues" during the Revolution. As a soldier, he fought at Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. He served as Commissary General for Washington at Valley Forge (1777-1778), and apparently through the next year before resigning in 1780. In 1781 he was quartermaster general of Pennsylvania troops. After the war he served as the first U.S. Marshal, then focused on other occupations (notary, broker, etc.). Condition: Folds as expected, scattered foxing. Overall fairly good, readable.
ALS, 1p, 7.25 x 9.5 in., 25 March 1779, place uncertain, but possibly Raritan ("Rarratan"), NJ, since the Continental Army camped at Morristown that winter. In the letter, Clement Biddle, clerk, is inquiring about payment to Owen Biddle Esq. (his older brother), "...for directing the business of the Forage Department at Philadelphia..." He goes on to make several inquiries about how much he is to be allowed in salary, purchases, commissions, office rent, clerks, etc. Signed by Biddle. Clement Biddle (1740-1814) was born in Philadelphia, part of the branch of Biddles who moved there from West Jersey in the 1720s and 1730s. The Biddles were Quakers, and initially emigrated from England to escape religious persecution. Although usually pacifists, Clement was one of the organizers of the "Quaker Blues" during the Revolution. As a soldier, he fought at Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. He served as Commissary General for Washington at Valley Forge (1777-1778), and apparently through the next year before resigning in 1780. In 1781 he was quartermaster general of Pennsylvania troops. After the war he served as the first U.S. Marshal, then focused on other occupations (notary, broker, etc.). Condition: Folds as expected, scattered foxing. Overall fairly good, readable.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
