Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Abraham Clark (1726-1794) was a delegate form New Jersey to the Continental Congress. Clark grew up in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he was a lawyer who became well known for his pro bono work for people who could not afford council. Following his service to the Continental Congress, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1791 until his death in 1794.
The letter is addressed to Samuel Tucker (1721-1789) of Trenton, New Jersey. In July, 1776, Tucker was serving as president of the New Jersey Congress and was a member of the New Jersey Committee of Safety. In September of the same year, Tucker was appointed as a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
The letter, dated July 9, 1776, is Clark's response to Tucker's request for more ammunition for the New Jersey militia. While Clark assures Tucker that the defense of New Jersey is important to the Continental Congress, he does not offer more ammunition to the colony. He does make note, though, that he has received intelligence that British General William Howe is approaching the colony with a 20,000 man army. While Clark guarantees that the surrounding Middle Colonies' militias will to come to the protection of New Jersey, this proves unsuccessful as Tucker was captured by the British in December of the same year.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Abraham Clark offering armed support from British invasion to Samuel Tucker, Philadelphia, 1776
- Creator: Abraham Clark
- Creation Date: 1776-07-09
- Subject Date: 1776-07-09
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Locations:
- Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
- Trenton, Mercer County, NJ
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 30 cm x 19.8 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 420, Box 58/7
- Collection: John S. H. Fogg autograph collection
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Founding Fathers of the United States
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
- United States. Continental Congress
- United States. Declaration of Independence--Signers
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
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