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1819 General William Barton Autograph Letter Signed While he was Imprisoned

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:650.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
1819 General William Barton Autograph Letter Signed While he was Imprisoned
Autographs
General William Barton Who Fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill & Captured General Prescott ALS While Imprisoned!
WILLIAM BARTON (1748–1831). Officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War a Lt. Colonel, who later served as Adjutant General of the Rhode Island Militia. By Resolution of Congress, 25 July 1777, an “Elegant Sword” to be presented for his capturing British Major General Richard Prescott and Major William Barrington, his Aide-de-Camp.
November 25, 1819-Dated Autograph Letter Signed, “Wm Barton”, 2 pages (one page front and back), measuring 6.25” x 7.75”, at Danville (VT), Very Fine. This historical original Letter was written by the renowned American Revolutionary War General William Barton, while he was imprisoned over a payment of money in a disputed land sale, at Danville, Vermont. Here, General Barton has fully written and Signed this Letter to a Samuel Barrell, of Boston. Barton writes about his remarkable achievement in the Capturing of British Major General Prescott and of the brave men who helped. Then submitting a Memorial to the Congress regarding his brave deed, and the fact that he is now imprisoned for no reason... he had hoped someone would have taken his case to Congress, but so far no answer on his Memorial... but that he will keep trying. This original Letter is written by Barton with numerous corrections and in very readable penmanship in rich brown ink on clean period wove paper. A wonderful, historic “memorial” statement in and of itself.
William Barton (1748–1831) was an officer in the Continental Army during the American War of Independence who retired with the rank of colonel. He later served as Adjutant General of the Rhode Island militia.

Barton was born in Warren, Rhode Island on May 26, 1748. He worked as a hatter in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1775, he enlisted in the Continental Army as a corporal. He fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1777, as a major in the Rhode Island state troops, he planned and led a raid on British headquarters, capturing Major General Richard Prescott.

For this exploit, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and honored by a Resolution and given a special Presentation Sword by the Continental Congress. When Rhode Island ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1790, Barton himself was sent to New York to notify George Washington.

In 1781, Barton petitioned the governor of Vermont for a grant of unsettled land near the Canadian border. He was joined in this petition by Ira Allen (brother of Ethan), Naval Captain John Paul Jones, and others. The town of Barton, VT came into existence at this time. Then Col. Barton was jailed over money in a legal land dispute. Barton refused to pay a real estate tax on some land he had already previously sold to another person named Wadhams. This put the title in dispute. Wadhams found out about that, repurchased the land from another man, and then demanded that Barton return his money to him.

After several court actions, Barton was ordered to pay the original amount, plus court costs. He refused to do this, insisting he would 'go to jail and rot' before paying. At the age of seventy-seven, he was released at the initiative of his friend, the visiting Marquis de Lafayette, who agreed to pay the balance of Barton’s fine.

Barton died on October 22, with the year of death being given variously as 1831 or 1833. He is buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island. “Fort Barton” in Rhode Island was named in commemoration for the renowned General William Barton.