Archive of letters related to General Henry Dearborn and his family, including Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, his second wife; 13 items total. 1st item: War of 1812 Period ALS, one page, from Major General John Armstrong (1758-1843) to General Henry Dearborn (1751-1829), Headquarters of New York, dated August 8, 1812. Marked "Private," the letter reads "Dear Gen. Capt. Crane of the 3rd Regiment of Artillery put into my hand, a day or two ago, an order from Colo [Alexander] McComb [sic] directing him to collect the Recruits of his District and march them to Albany. It was perhaps unknown to you the Colo that there had been organized and made part of the defense of Governor's Mand. But he cannot but know that under this incurcumstance [sic], this order must be disobeyed as no part of my command can be taken from me without my intervention. Your requisitions have been and shall be strictly complied with, whether made by yourself or by any other person previously announced to me arranged with the expression pf your will or your wishes–but not knowing Colo McComb [sic] as much, I have ordered the company to remain where it is, until you shall be pleased signify your your disposition on the subject. In this notice you will, I am sure, set nothing but a receptary attention to those first principles which form the basis of the of all well regulated military service. Believe me, Dear Gen, With great regard and esteem your more obet. servant John Armstrong" with "Majr. Genl Dearborn", below. Notation reading "Gen Armstrong — Aug 8, 1812 Cons. Col. Macombe — Rec. Aug. 10. 1812 private" reverse. 10" H x 8 1/4" W. Biography: John Armstrong (1758-1843). Armstrong fought in the American Revolution, then served in the Senate and as U.S. Minister to France. At the start of the War of 1812 , Armstrong was charged with the defense of New York City. Later that year, when William Eustis resigned as Secretary of War, President Madison named Armstrong to replace him. One thing he implemented was encouraging officers to avoid the use of militia whenever possible, to save money. Armstrong was accused of neglecting the defense of the capital, but when the British sailed into Chesapeake Bay in the summer of 1814, criticism reached new heights. Over Armstrong's objections, President Madison appointed William Winder to oversee the defense of Washington. When Washington was burned, Armstrong was forced to resign. 2nd item: ALS. Two-page, double-sided handwritten bifolium. From Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn (1761-1826), Monmouth, ME, to her adopted granddaughter Pamela Augusta Gilman Dearborn (1802-1880), wife of Greenleaf Dearborn (1786-1846), Care of Allen Gilman, Esq., Bangor, ME, dated August 16, 1819. Sarah begins the letter by writing about her recent travels, stating "My Dear Augusta, Your kind letter of the 20th of July I had not the pleasure to receive, until the 3rd of this month at Gardiner; we left Bath on Friday the 30th and you letter did not arrive there until the next day…". She then discusses the news regarding her numerous friends and acquaintances, including her "beloved Sarah" and Pamela Augusta's relations such as her Uncle Joshua Wingate (1778-1843) and Aunt Julia Cascaline Dearborn Wingate (1795-1867). Regarding Henry Dearborn, Sarah writes "Your G[rand] Father & all the Gentlemen are gone a fishing…". Address panel in Sarah's hand with traces of black wax seal either side. 10" H x 8" W. 3rd item: ALS. Two-page, double-sided handwritten bifolium. From Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, Boston, MA, to Pamela Augusta Gilman Dearborn, Care of Allen Gilman, Esq., Bangor, ME, dated August 8, 1821. Sarah begins the letter by detailing Henry Dearborn's recent social engagement, stating "Your G[rand]-Father [Henry Dearborn], and Major [Reynold Marvin] Kirby went [to] dine at your Uncle Dearborn's with a large party of Gentlemen–I sincerely pitied your Aunt the day was so extremely hot; Your G[rand]Father carried out the Ice Creams, I was apprehensive they would dissolve before they arrived there, but I understand they were in very good orderÖ". Sarah writes more about her hostess duties, stating "ÖI am at the present moment much occupied, as 40 of the Cadets are to dine with us tomorrowñthey arrived in town yesterday at 10 O'clock in the morningñWe do not invite either Officier [sic], or Citizen besides them, except one old Revolutionary Officer, who your G[rand]-Father had not seen for 35 years, and Govn. [James] Miller [(1776-1851), first Governor of Arkansas Territory and a brigadier general in the United States Army during the War of 1812], and Mr. G[eorge] Sullivan [(1783-1866), Boston lawyer and sixth son of Governor James and Hetty (Odiorne) Sullivan]Ö". She writes more about the visiting cadets, writing "Öperhaps it is for the best, you are not here, as you might lose your heart, there is one of the Cadet Officers, that your G[rand]-Father says, he would excuse any Girl, who should fall in love with himñand I really think if I were a young Girl, I should have lost mineñhe has the most expressive Countenance, I almost ever saw, at the same time is modest & sensibleñhe has a handsome name, it is WallaceÖ". The rest of her letter is filled with news about her friends, family, and acquaintances, including her "beloved Sarah". Address panel in Sarah's hand with postmark stamp from Boston, MA, dated August 8 or 9, 1821 and black wax seal below. 10" H x 8 1/8" W. 4th item: ALS from Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, at Anchor, on board the Brig Spartan, on the Tagus River near Belem Castle, Lisbon, Portugal, to Pamela Augusta Gilman Dearborn, New York, NY, dated August 5, 1822. Sarah begins the letter by recounted their voyage, stating "My Dear Augusta, I have only time to tell you that we arrived here in safety this morning at 9 O'Clock after a pleasant voyage of 27 daysñyour good G[rand]-Father [Henry Dearborn] is in very good health although he lost 12, or 15 pounds of flesh the two or 3 first days we were out, without being sea-sickñas to myself I have lost much more than that although I have not been what is call'd sea-sickÖWe are at Quarantine but our Consul [Colonel Thomas Aspinwall], a remarkable handsome man from Philadelphia came along side of us, and said he hoped to be able to get us out of quarantine tomorrow but I think it very doubtfulÖThe Consul informed us an opportunity offered of sending letters to the United StatesÖThe Consul is so handsome, I tell Laura "she must take care of her heart". I hope to get a letter from you soon, do write me as often as you can–letters directed to the Care of Colo. Thomas Aspinwall our Counsul at London will reach me hereÖYours–S.B D". Address panel in Sarah's hand with postmark stamp from Boston, MA, dated October 10, 1822. 9 3/4" H x 8" W. Biography: Thomas Aspinwall was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, May 23, 1786. Aspinwall received his early education at a local school, later attending the Leicester Academy from which he graduated at the age of fifteen. He entered Harvard College the same year (1801), graduating with honors in 1804. On completion of his formal education, Aspinwall entered the law office of William Sullivan, and subsequently became a partner. He later opened his own firm and continued in practice until the outbreak of the War of 1812, at which time he gave up his profession and tendered his services to the army. He received an honorable discharge on June 15, 1815. At the end of the war, Aspinwall was offered the position of inspector general; however, he preferred to return to civil service, and in May 1815, he was appointed consul to London by President James Madison. He held this office until his removal by President Franklin Pierce in 1853. Colonel Aspinwall died on August 11, 1876, at the age of ninety-one. (From the description of The Thomas Aspinwall papers, 1822-1848 (bulk 1842-1845) (Georgetown University). WorldCat record id: 70843881). 5th item: ALS. One and three quarter page, double-sided handwritten bifolium. From Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, Lisbon, Portugal, to Pamela Augusta Gilman Dearborn, New York, NY, dated October 12, 1822. Sarah begins her letter by discussing the letters that she has received from her "beloved Sarah", writing "I certainly feel as much at being separated from her, as the fondest mother can do, for her darling childÖ", requesting that Pamela Augusta do the same. She speaks of settling into her life in Lisbon with her husband General Henry Dearborn as Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal, a position that he held from May 7, 1822 until June 30, 1824. Sarah mentions that she will soon have an audience with Queen Carlota Joaquina of Spain, stating "I have not yet been presented to the Queen, her majesty has been and still is very unwell it is said with the Liver ComplaintÖ". Address panel in Sarah's hand with postmark stamp from Boston, MA, dated December 9, 1822. 9 3/4" H x 8" W. 6th item: ALS. Two-page, double-sided handwritten bifolium. From Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, Boston, MA, to Pamela Augusta Gilman Dearborn, Fort Brady, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, dated October 27, 1825. Sarah begins the letter by expressing her pleasure in hearing about Pamela Augusta, her husband Greenleaf Dearborn, and their daughter Pamela Augusta Dearborn (1823-1826), writing "Öwe were very happy to hear by [your letters] that you, your good husband, and dear little Girl were in good healthñwhen so many were sick, and many died you have my warm wishes that your little Augusta may be long, very long continued to you and her Father for a blessing and comfort–I long very much to see her, as well as her MotherÖ". She also speaks of her social interactions including "Öthe pleasure of our good President's [John Quincy Adams] company this way lately, having lately seen so much of Parade to Kings I felt proud that our chief Magistrate could walk about without having any one to attend himñhe kept some time at the Exchange Coffee House, while he was there, he walked one Morning between 10 & 11 without any one to accompany him just like any other Citizen and calle'd & [spent] half an hour with your G[rand] Father [Henry Dearborn]Öhe did us the favor to dine with usÖ". Address panel in Sarah's hand with black wax seal below. 9 7/8" H x 8" W. 7th item: ALS. One half page. From Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, Boston, MA, Pamela Augusta Gilman Dearborn, Care of Care of Allen Gilman, Esq., Bangor, ME, by the schooner Herald, undated. A short, likely incomplete letter addressed to Pamela Augusta "and Mother", reading "Believe me my Dear Augusta Your affectionate G[rand]-Mother Sarah B. Dearborn pray do not let any one read this letter–it is wrote so badly–let me know the truth concerning the small pose–we have very bad accounts here Columbus will leave us for the District of Maine in a few days–". Address panel in Sarah's hand with black wax seal below. 9 1/2" H x 8" W. 8th item: ALS. One page, handwritten bifolium. From Sarah Bowdoin Dearborn, Lisbon, Portugal, to Georgeann Wingate Clapp, daughter of Julia Wingate and Charles Q. Clapp, great grandaughter of Henry Dearborn on her mother's side, Portland, ME, dated August 11, 1823. The short letter reads "Mrs Dearborn requests Miss Georgeann Wingate Clapp to accept a little pr[esent] of Coral Earrings with her kind love and good wishesñshe requests that her good mother with have her Ears pierced immediately". Also includes a red wax seal depicting the profile of a man reading "Mitchell FT" on a piece of card stock. Letter – 4 7/8" H x 4" W. Card stock – 2 5/8" H x 1 3/4" W. Seal – 1 1/2" H x 1 3/8" W. 9th item: ALS General Henry Dearborn fragment in his handwriting. Later pencil inscription indicates that the original letter was dated May 4, 1818. 3 1/4" H x 5 1/4" W. 10th item: One page, handwritten copy of the translation of a letter from Baron Rendufe, the Marquis of Palmela and Quartermaster-General of Police, written on behalf of the King John VI of Portugal to Henry Dearborn, United States Minister to Portugal (August 16, 1822-June 30, 1824), dated May 25, 1824. The letter expresses the king's "high estimation [in] the services rendered by your Excellency in the crisis which has just passed byÖ" likely referring to the April Revolt, an absolutist political revolt that took place in April 1824, stating that Dearborn is to be presented with "Öa picture of his Majesty in a medal setÖwith diamonds". 8 1/8" H x 5 1/8" W. 11th item: ALS. One page handwritten bifolium. From John Wingate Thornton, 20 Court St., to General Henry A. S. Dearborn, Mayor of Roxbury, ME, dated May 14, 1847. The short letter reads "I beg you acceptance of the old Dearborn trunk, and am with sentiment and great regard Respect Your humble servant J. Wingate Thornton. Ink inscription indicating that the trunk belonged to Godfrey Dearborn (1599 -1686) the great great grandfather of Henry Dearborn, en verso. No address panel. 9 7/8" H x 8" W. Note: John Wingate Thornton (1818-1878) was a United States lawyer, historian, antiquarian, book collector and author. In 1844 he was a founding member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and authored numerous articles for their publication, the Register. He was a member and Vice-President of the American Statistical Association, and a member and Vice-President of the Prince Society. He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1855. (source: The American Antiquarian Society Members Directory). 12th item: One page, handwritten letter stating the Intentions of Marriage between Charles G. Dearborn from Penn, Buckinghamshire and Clarissa E. Downs of London, June 4, 1779. Also includes a later note from Monmouth, ME, dated August 10 1824. 4 7/8" H x 7 7/8" W. 13th item: One column newspaper article about Henry Dearborn from the Kennebec Journal. Later ink inscription indicates that the article was published in February 1909. 6 5/8" H x 2 1/2" W. Note: Henry Dearborn (1751-1829) was a Revolutionary War general, Congressman and Secretary of War under Thomas Jefferson. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, President Madison made Dearborn the Commanding General of the United States Army. Fort Dearborn and Dearborn, Michigan were named in his honor. Provenance: The Estate of Charles Boyd Coleman, Jr., Chattanooga, TN. Descended in the family of Charles Harrod Boyd whose wife, Annette Maria Dearborn Boyd, was the granddaughter of Pamela Augusta Dearborn (Gen. Henry Dearborn's daughter). CONDITION: Overall good condition with foxing spots, toning impressions, dampstaining, tears (primarily along fold lines and wax seals) to be expected from age. Majority of signatures in strong, clear condition. 4th item: Signature affected by two tears, largest 1 1/2", along fold line and two minute holes. 8th item: Dearborn signature in strong, clear condition. 9th-12th items: Overall good condition.