On the Job Market

Many people today can relate to the trials and tribulations of being on the job market during an economic recession. The frustrations that this can cause have to be balanced with an upbeat willingness to sell your skills and appeal to your potential employer.  Samuel Newman found himself in this same situation more than 220 years ago.

Hoping for a political appointment in the War Department, Newman wrote to Secretary of War Henry Knox. Knox received the letter on January 17, 1790. Though serving as a Captain in the US military Newman was still having a difficult time supporting his family. 1790 was a time of economic hardships in the country. Having just adopted the Constitution and still trying to rebuild following the Revolutionary War, the American economy was not strong because there had not been enough stability to foster growth. State taxes were also a huge burden on residents as states attempted to repay their war debts by levying huge taxes. This was especially true in Massachusetts, where Newman lived.

Document Spotlight-Horse and Rider Edition

Recently transcriber Mystakaphoros brought us a somewhat lighthearted letter detailing the ragtag conditions that soldiers and government officials often faced. Now, it isn’t the conditions that are funny; it’s the way the writer describes them. He describes the equipment given to the cavalry as “catchpenny;” he laments that some horses could go “scarce a mile but something broke.” And yet another horse is “is so miserably jaded with the journey thus far that I am afraid to risk him.” It is possible to sense the writer’s frustration, even while we are chuckling at his language.

Document Spotlight-Questions of Forgery

Transcriber Rhdkbrown recently brought us a document that raises more questions than it answers. The document appears to be an 19 August 1796 affidavit from Theophilus Beckman, referencing another document dated 9 August 1796. The 9 August letter contains  a statement vouching for a George Wood, declaring that he (Beckman) knows Wood to be an honest man. Curiously, Beckman recognizes his signature on the letter, but does not recognize the statement, and declares it to be a forgery. Another letter dated 14 August contains Beckman’s testimony that he believes that a paper with his signature and seal on it were taken from his office and used to forge a letter of introduction.

Document Spotlight-Captivated Prisoner Edition

This week we read from a document transcribed by Leo. The letter concerns an investigation into a claim made by John Shatcher. Shatcher had claimed to be owed $275 in pay, requested help in proving that claim. Government accountants found no record of a John Shatcher, but did find record of a John Thatcher, who curiously had been captured (captivated, according to the letter) and heldprisoner for a time; their records indicated that Thatcher had received $275 in pay. The writer asks a series of questions in order to authenticate Shatcher’s claim, and further requests that Shatcher answer them under oath if possible. It’s an interesting look at the ways in which officials investigated claims; how did one prove one’s identity? How could officials be sure they were dealing with the right people? How common were fraudulent or improper claims?

Who was Isaac Craig?

There are many letters in the Papers of the War Department written by Major Isaac Craig, Deputy Quarter Master and Military Store Keeper Pittsburgh. He was a conscientious storekeeper, taking the trouble air out goods potentially infected by yellow fever. But who was this efficient Major in Pittsburgh?

Isaac Craig was born in County Down, Ireland, around the year 1742. As a youth he apprenticed as a carpenter, and emigrated to Philadelphia when he was in his early twenties, between 1765–1766. He joined the Marines in 1775 then transferred to the Artillery in 1777; his experiences of the Revolutionary War included the famous crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Brandywine. In April 1780 he was ordered to Fort Pitt, and, with the exception of brief assignments elsewhere, he stayed in that area for the rest of his life.

Who are these transcribers, anyway?

We now have more than 800 transcribers signed up to work on documents at the Papers of the War Department. Some have only ever worked on one document, while some have transcribed dozens. We have not done this in many months, so today we turn to a short interview with one of our more active transcribers, Nicole Salomone, to learn a little more about her background and experiences with the Scripto/PWD project:

Document Spotlight-Expense Report Edition

This week we read from a document transcribed by Timetrvlr. The document actually consists of three short expense reports from 1795. In the first, John Stagg is due $148.60 for expenses related to the education of two Indian youths. In the second, Private Luthor Ludden is due $16.20 for his military service. In the third, Lieutenant Horatio R. Dayton is due $83.01 for his rations. Note that two of the requests are dated a year after the period of service, meaning that soldiers and officers are waiting a long time to be paid.

PWD featured in Chronicle Article

This week the hard work of the PWD editors and volunteer transcribers was featured in an article entitled “Historians Ask the Public to Help Organize the Past,” in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Reporter Marc Parry offered the story of the archive’s original reconstruction, its innovative online-first format, and our use of community transcription. The piece includes interviews with Editor-in-Chief Christopher Hamner, archive originator Ted Crackel, and the director of the Scripto community transcription tool project Sharon Leon.

Community Transcription-Sixteen Months and Counting

It’s been sixteen months now since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription, and ever since then we have been steadily adding finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

To date, we have 795 users-fully 124 them have transcribed within the last 90 days. This continues a trend of increased users, but also more active users. Those transcribers have made more than 4,788 saves to War Department documents, which is about 500 more than at the last update. That works out to more than 957 finished documents, along with another 43 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated approximately 261 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited between three and four times before it is finished.

Governor George Izard

As with many of the rising stars of the new US military found  in this collection    (Meriwether Lewis and Zebulon Pike for example),  George Izard began his storied career in the junior officer ranks of the US Army. Born in Europe in 1776, George Izard’s father was Ralph Izard, a delegate to the Continental Congress and South Carolina Senator.  Young George attended Columbia University and the College of Philadelphia.  At the age of sixteen, he returned to Europe under the care of Thomas Pinckney, Minister to England. While in Europe he received formal  military instruction at academies in England, Germany, and France- where he studied military engineering.  When Izard returned to America, he was assigned to Charleston, South Carolina, oversaw the construction of Fort Pinckney, and held command over a regiment of artillerists and engineers until 1800.

Document Spotlight-Treaties and Garrisons

Recently transcriber HollyPBrickhouse brought us a fascinating document detailing the fragile balance between peace and violence. The writer advises the reader that the decision to build military garrisons forward in Indian territory depends on the state of American-Indian relations. If it looks as though the truce will hold, it would be imprudent and provocative to build forts; if the peace appears fragile, then the prudent thing would be to press forward and fortify the territory with garrisons, and as soon as possible.

Document Spotlight-Powder Cask Edition

Today we bring you a document transcribed by BeeBeeaton. The letter covers several different topics including the status of two soldiers who had recently been court-martialed. However, there is included a section concerning the procurement of casks to hold gunpowder. The writer is attempting to have some powder casks made for the army–two hundred of them, actually–and he reports to General Knox that the best price he can get is three shillings apiece. It is his opinion that for casks of sufficient quality, they will not be able to get a better price.

Document Spotlight-Scout Payment Edition

Recently transcriber Dapperlaw transcribed a document that reveals a little more about life on the American frontier. Also, we get a quick look at some of the War Department’s responsibilities with respect to protection of American citizens.

Specifically, the letter from 1795 details a payment made from the War Department to be issued to scouts working in the Woodford County, Kentucky region. For the 18 month period beginning April 1793, scouts were to be paid $697.17. The payments are explicitly meant to be “for the protection of Woodford County.”

Document Spotlight-Requisitions and Salary Edition

Recently transcriber Dapperlaw transcribed a document that gives us a snapshot of how much money it took to run the Quartermaster department of the Army. Likewise, we get a quick look at the salaries of various personnel, from officers to boatmen.

In the letter, James O’Hara, the Quartermaster General, makes a request for funds to pay the salaries of various Quartermaster officers and support personnel. For six months, O’Hara projects salary costs of $13,372–this figure does not include other expenses. He breaks out the salary position, so we know, for example, that master boatmen were paid $45 per month (4 master boatmen for 4 months totaled $720); regular boatmen were paid $12 per month. It’s a fascinating look at the budget process, as O’Hara projected his costs and made the appropriate request.

The Ups and Downs of Tobias Lear

Tobias Lear appears with a fair degree of frequency in the Papers of the War Department, mostly in his capacity as personal secretary to President George Washington.  He is perhaps best known for having recorded Washington’s last words, ‘Tis well,”  and for noting and carrying out Washington’s burial instructions.  Born to a relatively prosperous and connected  family in Portsmouth New Hampshire in 1762, Lear caught the eye of his uncle Benjamin Lincoln, who recommended Lear to Washington.   Beginning around 1784,  Lear went on to become virtually indispensable to Washington.  Nevertheless, Lear struggled personally and financially.  Beginning around 1793, he left Washington to pursue development of the Potomac River for commerce and navigation, but lost money.  He  apparently once pocketed the rent he  collected from one of Washington’s tenants,  which infuriated his boss.  During the so-called Quasi War with France, Lear was appointed as a Colonel and aide to Washington, though he never saw action.  Present at Washington’s death, Lear recorded Washington’s request that he not be placed into the vault for three days after his death.  (Some have suggested that Washington feared being buried alive).  Oddly, given that Washington came to despise Thomas Jefferson toward the  end of his life, Lear went on to become Jefferson’s  Consul General to the North African Coast, where he would  eventually negotiate the release of captive American sailors aboard the Philadelphia.   Lear apparently committed suicide in 1816.

A Pair of Overalls

In the lists of articles of clothing which frequently appear in War Department correspondence there is an item which has a deceptively familiar name: overalls. Inventories list woolen and linen overalls for the troops, commanders write requesting additional overalls for their corps. Overalls were an important part of the suits of clothing issued to soldiers, but they did not in any way resemble the straps-over-the-shoulder coveralls people wear today.

Overalls were, very simply, trousers with a gaiter, which covered the top of the shoe. Unlike breeches, which only went to the knee, overalls covered the full length of the leg. The bottom of the leg flared out into the gaiter, with buttons on the flare for a tighter fit around the foot and sometimes a strap which went under the foot to keep the bottom of the pants from pulling up.

Document Spotlight-More Woolen Overalls and a Medicine Chest

Your would not think there was much to say about woolen overalls. A recent blog post here told us what they were and how they were worn. So we thought we’d follow up with a specific reference. In a letter recently transcribed by Nsalomone, Henry Knox refers to a shipment of overdue overalls. The letter informs us that three boxes of them (along with a medicine chest) are finally headed to Pittsburgh. The letter was written in November, 1791, so one rather suspects that they were eagerly anticipated.

Hamilton’s Illness, Redux

A few weeks ago, we posted a document that referred to Alexander Hamilton’s illness, which was unnamed in the document. The astute transcriber (Nsalomone) did some research and provided a wealth of background to that illness and the circumstances. Here is a hint: It was yellow fever.

Nicole Salomone points out several key aspects of the epidemic, including its breadth. She also demonstrates the fascinating political implications of Hamilton’s choice for his personal doctor.

Celebrating the 4th with a Bang

The Society of the Cincinnati in Providence, Rhode Island, made sure to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in an explosive manner. That year, 1787, they cajoled Jeremiah Olney, inspector of public and military stores, to give them twenty-four pounds of gunpowder from the public magazine. The powder was damaged and might not have been good for use in guns, but it certainly worked for shooting off cannon to celebrate Independence.

Document Spotlight-Overdue Salary Edition

Recently transcriber Nsalomone brought us a document that reminds us of two important facts about the American Revolution: soldiers did not fight for free, and the new Congress was ill-equipped to perform some of its new responsibilities. It is very well known that Congress had a tough time raising money to support the military during the Revolution. In just a few short lines of text, “The Board of Treasury are so low in resources that they can scarcely make this payment,” we are reminded that soldiers often went months or longer without being paid. Moreover, once Congress found the money to begin paying soldiers, it did not happen all at once; as the letter points out, there was a line of people waiting to be paid: “these claims shall however be attended to in their order and the amount rendered as soon as possible.” It’s worth reflecting on the difficult positions facing both the new national government and the soldiers making sacrifices.

Jonathan Jackson

The name “Jonathan Jackson” appears in hundreds of War Department letters, especially documents from the accountant’s office. Who was he?

Jackson was born in Boston in 1743, attended Harvard, and later became a merchant in Newburyport, Massachusetts. As supporter of the American Revolution, he had some of his merchant ships converted to privateers, served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1777 and was a delegate to the Continental Congress. A solid Federalist with Revolutionary credentials, Jackson became the Federal Supervisor of Revenue for the District of Massachusetts from 1782 to 1800. He later became treasurer of Harvard University and president of the Boston Bank.

Document Spotlight-“Please, Sir, Could I Please Have Some Clothing?”

Recently transcriber Vpgold transcribed a document that simultaneously recounts the trouble the young nation had keeping its soldiers fed and equipped, and also the troubles soldiers had getting what was owed to them. The letter, penned by army accountant Johnathan Elmer, recounts unfortunate Sergeant Ephraim Dayton’s troubles receiving his clothing allotment from the army. As of July 1788, his clothing vouchers were thirteen months overdue. Elmer seems to take an interest in the situation, and orders that it be resolved immediately.

Document Spotlight-Mr. Hamilton is Ill

Recently transcriber Nsalomone brought us a document in the hand of General Knox. Knox writes to inform that Mr. Hamilton has been taken ill and is stuck in bed. Although he is pleased to report that Mr. Hamilton’s illness seems not to resemble a more serious (but unnamed) illness that is currently circulating, Knox appears concerned about Hamilton’s fever. To add to the concern, Hamilton’s doctor believes it extremely dangerous for Hamilton to leave his bed; consequently, Hamilton will be unable to attend to the President.

Community Transcription-Where Did the Time Go?

It’s been fourteen months now since we opened the War Department archives to community transcription. Nearly a year ago, we offered the Scripto transcription tool, and ever since then we have been steadily adding finished documents to our archive. What started with just a dozen or so volunteers has grown into an active, vigorous community of volunteer transcribers.

We offer here yet another snapshot at our transcription activity.

To date, we have 680 users-fully 110 them have transcribed within the last 90 days. This continues a trend of increased users, but also more active users. Those transcribers have made more than 4,262 saves to War Department documents, which is about 500 more than at the last update. That works out to more than 860 finished documents, along with another 68 documents begun. Additionally, transcribers have initiated approximately 230 conversations using the “talk” feature. We also know that on average, each document is edited between three and four times before it is finished.

What is a Nighthead?

One of the many documents sent and received by Josiah Fox regarding the construction of frigates in 1796 discussed a rumor that the night heads had not been raised with the frames. From the context, a night head must be part of a ship, but what is it?

The term appears in a 1781 book Naval Architecture, or the Rudiments and Rules of Ship-Building spelled as “knighthead” not “nighthead”. It is used as a reference point when taking measurements, often referred to in conjunction with hawse-pieces. A hawse is the part of the bow, or forward part, of a ship in which holes (called hawse-holes) are cut for cables to pass through. Knightheads are therefore part of the bow. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, they are a large timber which rise from the keel to support the bowsprit, the large spar which extends forward from the bow. The knighthead is an important part of the strucutural integrity of the ship.