FRAMED LEAF FROM THE LONDON CHRONICLE FOR 1780 — LOYALIST "AMERICAN NEWS" REPORT FROM THE BRITISH GARRISON AT FORT GEORGE, PENOBSCOT (CASTINE), MAINE

FRAMED LEAF FROM THE LONDON CHRONICLE FOR 1780 — LOYALIST

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2

$125.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 236-1235

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

An original printed leaf from The London Chronicle for 1780, the issue for December 23–26, 1780, the recto numbered page 605. The three-column page carries, in its right-hand column, a section of "AMERICAN NEWS" of direct interest to collectors of the Revolution in the District of Maine.

AMERICAN NEWS — THE PENOBSCOT LETTER

The American column prints an "Extract of a Letter, dated Port George (Penobscot), October 1, 1780" — a first-person account written from the British stronghold on the Bagaduce Peninsula at present-day Castine, Maine. The dateline "Port George" is understood to be the printer's rendering of Fort George, the earthwork fort the British raised in 1779 as the centerpiece of their planned Loyalist colony of "New Ireland" and the principal objective of the disastrous American Penobscot Expedition of that year. Writing roughly a year after that expedition's failure, the correspondent reports that the garrison has spent the summer "completing the fort," now in his estimate fit to withstand a long siege, with good wells and ample provisions, and describes a steady stream of Loyalist refugees arriving from towns "as far westward as Boston," leaving family and property behind.

The letter's centerpiece is a striking account of Patriot reprisal against a Loyalist who refused the oath of fidelity to the States: as the printed account relates, John Carleton of Pownalborough was summoned before a justice of the peace, refused the oath, and was set upon by a mob that dug a seven-foot pit and built a coffin, sealed him in it, lowered it, and covered it with earth — leaving him buried roughly half an hour until the mob fell to quarreling and drew him out alive. The writer states Carleton had since reached the fort and joined their company. The column continues with reports of whaleboat raiding along the coast toward the Kennebec, prizes taken, and the kidnapping of a Pownalborough officer named in the text as Major General Charles Cushing.

OTHER CONTENTS

The facing columns carry a lighter period piece — a satirical essay, "Directions to Servants, at both Ends of the Town, how to Spend the Christmas Holidays," subscribed "A Lover of Fun" — together with London bookseller advertisements of the day, among them the Works of the Marchioness de Lambert, a Military Dictionary, and John Moore's A View of Society and Manners in Italy (printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell).

CONDITION & PRESENTATION

Handsomely double-matted and framed under glass in a beaded dark-wood molding. The leaf shows even age-toning consistent with period laid paper. Not examined outside the frame; overall framed dimensions are 16" x 19 1/4". [ss] [ph:L]

Additional shipping charge may be required.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About FRAMED LEAF FROM THE LONDON CHRONICLE FOR 1780 — LOYALIST "AMERICAN NEWS" REPORT FROM THE BRITISH GARRISON AT FORT GEORGE, PENOBSCOT (CASTINE), MAINE

should be empty