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Table of Contents > Autographs > Lot 44 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 44
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $600 - $800 |
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William Smith’s Autograph Letter Signed Describing “The Battle of Gray’s Garden” to Brigadier General Otho Holland Williams |
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WILLIAM SMITH (1728-1814). American politician and representative of the fourth Congressional district of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives; Member of the Committee of Correspondence in 1774, and Committee of Observation in 1775; Committee appointed by the Continental Congress to Constitute a Naval Board 1777; elected to the First United States Congress and member from March 4, 1789 - March 3, 1791; First Auditor of the United States Treasury July 16, 1791, to November 27, 1791. July 11, 1791-Dated Federal Period, Autograph Letter Signed, “W. Smith”, as First United States Congress member (March 4, 1789 - March 3, 1791); and First Auditor of the United States Treasury, 3-pages, Baltimore, MD, this friendly Letter measuring about 8.75” x 7.25”, Fine or better. Written just a few days prior to starting his new role as the First Auditor General of the United States Treasury on July 16th, 1791. Here, Smith writes to his son-in-law, (Brigadier General) Otho Holland Williams at Great Springs, about family, unseasonably hot weather, the wheat harvest, and a little known “Battle of Gray’s Garden”. Otho Holland Williams (1749-1794) was a Continental Army officer from Maryland in the American Revolutionary War. He participated in many historic major battles throughout the war in the New York, New Jersey, and the Southern theaters, eventually ending his career as a Brigadier General.Apparently, a group of people who Smith describes as “Plebians” were denied admission by the “Patricians” to the Gray brothers’ elaborate pleasure garden. In response, the Plebians launched a volley of stones into the popular Garden and were repelled, but eventually took control of the Garden and caused it “...to be very much injured.” The Grays begged forgiveness for the affront to the Plebians and the matter was settled, despite some broken arms and legs, and perhaps even some deaths. According to Smith, this “battle” never made it to the local papers, but was generally well known. This well written letter is easily readable in deep rich brown ink on quality “JC & Co. - BRANDYWINE” watermarked laid period paper. This letter has some fold splits that have been artfully closed with archival tape across two long central horizontal folds. It contains some great content that is certainly deserving of further research. Boldly signed at the letter’s conclusion, “W. Smith” measuring about 2.75” long with his large flourish. Smith was born in Donegal Township of Lancaster County in the Province of Pennsylvania. He moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1761, and was appointed a member of the committee of correspondence in 1774, and a member of the committee of observation in 1775. Smith was also one of a committee appointed by the Continental Congress to constitute a naval board in 1777. Mrs. James Smith and Grandson, a 1776 portrait by Charles Willson Peale of Smith's mother Mary and his son Campbell. Smith was chosen as a Maryland Delegate to the Continental Congress in 1777. He subsequently pursued a career as a merchant, and then was elected to the 1st United States Congress, from March 4, 1789, until March 3, 1791. Smith was the First Auditor of the United States Treasury from July 16, 1791, to November 27, 1791. He returned to local politics to be elected to the Maryland Senate in 1801. Smith died in Baltimore and was interred in the Old Westminster Graveyard. Smith's daughter Mary was married to Gen. Otho Holland Williams, founder of Williamsport, Maryland. Williams served in the Revolutionary War as Deputy Adjutant General to both Gens. Horatio Gates and Nathanael Greene. Gray’s Garden was the earliest and most famous of several pleasure gardens that flourished near Philadelphia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its picturesque walks, greenhouse, and groves provided the setting for entertainments that attracted local pleasure-seekers as well as tourists passing through the city. Gray’s Garden was also a favorite location for patriotic civic ceremonies and welcoming parties. Otho Holland Williams (March 1, 1749 - July 15, 1794) was a Continental Army officer from Maryland in the American Revolutionary War. He participated in many battles throughout the war in the New York, New Jersey and Southern theaters, eventually ending his career as a Brigadier General. Born in rural Prince George's County, Maryland, Williams spent his childhood on Springfield Farm near present-day Williamsport. He was orphaned at age thirteen and was put in the care of his father's brother-in-law, Mr. Ross. Williams took an apprenticeship under Mr. Ross and studied his profession in the Clerk's office of Frederick, eventually taking charge of the office. At age eighteen, Williams moved to Baltimore and undertook a similar trade. Williams returned to Frederick in 1774 and entered into a commercial life. In response to Congress's call for soldiers at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in the spring of 1775, Williams joined a Continental Army rifle unit as a commissioned officer. Soon thereafter, he and his unit marched off to the Siege of Boston. Seeing his first significant combat action in late 1776 at the Battle of Fort Washington, Williams was captured by the British and imprisoned in New York. He was released in early 1778 and returned to the Continental Army as colonel of the 6th Maryland Regiment, a position he had acquired during his captivity. From thereafter, Williams led his regiment through much of the southern campaign, most notably in the battles of Camden, Guilford Court House, and Eutaw Springs. Near the end of the War, Williams was sent by his commanding officer General Greene with documents to Congress and was promoted to brigadier general in 1782. After the war, Williams later served as an associate justice for Baltimore County, and as the first commissioner of the Port of Baltimore. He returned to Springfield Farm in 1787, bought the house and the surrounding land, and began laying out the town of Williamsport. In 1792, Washington offered Williams to be Brigadier General of the Army, though he declined due to his failing health. Williams died two years later in 1794 while traveling to Sweet Springs, Virginia. |
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Lot Number: 44
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $600 - $800 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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