1792–1794 Connecticut Militia Covers to Declaration Signer Governor Samuel Huntington—Brigadier Noah Phelps and Governor’s Guard
Pair of original 1792–1794 Connecticut militia correspondence wrappers addressed to Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation, former president of the Continental Congress and governor of Connecticut from 1786 until his death in 1796.
The first wrapper is formally addressed to:
“His Excellency Samuel Huntington Esqr., Capt. Genl. of the Military Force in the State of Connecticut, Norwich”
It is docketed “Brigadier Phelps, August 11–94.” The sender is almost certainly Revolutionary War officer Noah Phelps, who was appointed brigadier general of the Connecticut militia in 1792. Phelps helped organize the expedition that captured Fort Ticonderoga and famously gathered intelligence about the fort’s defenses while disguised as a peddler. He later served at Fort Lee, Trenton and Princeton and became a major general of the Connecticut militia.
The second wrapper, dated July 1792, is addressed to Governor Huntington and docketed as a letter from Captain Wolcott concerning a return or report of the Connecticut Governor’s Guard. The exact identity of Captain Wolcott remains undetermined.
Both wrappers retain portions of their original red wax seals. The enclosed letters are no longer present. Neither wrapper should be interpreted as bearing Huntington’s autograph merely because he is named as recipient; the sender identifications appear in contemporary docketing.
Original folds, scattered foxing, staining, handling wear and minor edge losses, but generally well preserved and fully legible. An evocative pair connecting Connecticut’s Revolutionary generation with the state’s early Federal-period militia establishment.
Pair of original 1792–1794 Connecticut militia correspondence wrappers addressed to Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation, former president of the Continental Congress and governor of Connecticut from 1786 until his death in 1796.
The first wrapper is formally addressed to:
“His Excellency Samuel Huntington Esqr., Capt. Genl. of the Military Force in the State of Connecticut, Norwich”
It is docketed “Brigadier Phelps, August 11–94.” The sender is almost certainly Revolutionary War officer Noah Phelps, who was appointed brigadier general of the Connecticut militia in 1792. Phelps helped organize the expedition that captured Fort Ticonderoga and famously gathered intelligence about the fort’s defenses while disguised as a peddler. He later served at Fort Lee, Trenton and Princeton and became a major general of the Connecticut militia.
The second wrapper, dated July 1792, is addressed to Governor Huntington and docketed as a letter from Captain Wolcott concerning a return or report of the Connecticut Governor’s Guard. The exact identity of Captain Wolcott remains undetermined.
Both wrappers retain portions of their original red wax seals. The enclosed letters are no longer present. Neither wrapper should be interpreted as bearing Huntington’s autograph merely because he is named as recipient; the sender identifications appear in contemporary docketing.
Original folds, scattered foxing, staining, handling wear and minor edge losses, but generally well preserved and fully legible. An evocative pair connecting Connecticut’s Revolutionary generation with the state’s early Federal-period militia establishment.
