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1778 JAMES PATTISON ALS as American Revolutionary War Royal Artillery Commander

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
1778 JAMES PATTISON ALS as American Revolutionary War Royal Artillery Commander
Autographs
British Commander of the Royal Artillery in North America
JAMES PATTISON. British Commander of the Royal Artillery in North America During the American Revolutionary War.
February 12, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War, Third Person Autograph Letter Signed, "General Pattison" as Commandant of the Royal Artillery in North America, 1 page, measuring 7.25” x 8.75”, well written upon watermarked period laid paper, Choice Extremely Fine. This Letter regards finding housing in New York City for British Soldiers being quartered there. It reads, in full: “General Pattison sends his Compliments to Mrs. Pemberton and has the pleasure to acquaint her that he has had the good Fortune to find a House capable of receiving the Soldiers who are now in Hers, and will give Orders for their being remov'd the beginning of next, and is very glad to have it in his Power to relieve the Distress of her present Situation. -- Thursday 12 Feby”. Docketed on verso by Phoebe Pemberton, “General Pattison to P.P. -- Feby. 12 1778”. Fresh, clean crisp and perfect for display.
General JAMES PATTISON (1724-1805). James Pattison was the son of a London merchant. He received his first commission as a Lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1740 and remained an army officer for the rest of his life, being promoted through the ranks until he became a full General in 1797.

In 1762, Pattison was placed in command of the Royal Artillery companies that were sent to Portugal, and in 1769 went to Venice to supervise the organization of a Venetian artillery.

By September 1777, James Pattison had become Colonel Commandant of the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Artillery, and arrived in New York to take command of the Royal Artillery in North America. He was actively engaged with the main British army in several campaigns including the capture of Verplanks Point and Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson River in October of 1777.

Pattison remained in command of the Artillery in the field until Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander-in-Chief, withdrew his army to New York in 1778. Major General James Pattison was Commandant of the Royal Artillery in North America between September 24, 1777 and September 4, 1780 and Commandant of the City and Garrison of New York from July 5, 1779 to August 13, 1780.

The remainder of his service in America was spent at army headquarters in New York where he held overall command of the Artillery while subordinate officers carried on limited expeditions with small detachments of artillery. Added to these duties was his appointment as Military Commandant of the City of New York, which made Major General Pattison responsible for the militia and for the city's fortifications.

In September, 1780, James Pattison returned to England because of ill health and did not return to active service, although on two occasions he served as commandant of the Woolwich Garrison.

"P.P." was Phoebe Pemberton who lived at The Plantation, on the Schuylkill, on the present site of the U.S. Naval Hospital.

From "The Pennsylvania Magazine" July 1883, in part, "As the spring of 1778 drew on, and as it was at that time supposed that the stay of the army in Philadelphia was to be prolonged, the attention of some of the officers was drawn to 'Plantation;' and so, on the 25th of 3d mo. 1778, we find the polite and business-like lady writing to General Pattison, the commander of the Royal Artillery, the following note: 'Phoebe Pemberton's best Respects wait on Genl. Pattison, and has the Pleasure to inform him that upon reconsidering his Proposals respecting her House upon Schuylkill she has concluded, “that the Genl. may make use of it as soon as is convenient to him; and she shall ever esteem it a Happiness to oblige him in this or any other Instance in her Power.”

As she formerly depended upon that Garden for a supply of Vegetables for her Family, would thank the General to reserve part of the Garden for her use. Mar. 25th, 1778.' While the astute lady in this way complied with the wishes of an officer in high authority, and thus obtained the best safeguard for her husband's property, we see that she was also shrewd enough to make it a point of honor with the General to keep up her own private supply of vegetables, in case he occupied the place."