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655

Nathaniel Fanning

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Nathaniel Fanning

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Auction Date:2013 Nov 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Officer (1755–1805) in the Continental Navy and later the United States Navy, who served on board Bonhomme Richard during its 1779 battle with HMS Serapis. Archive of seven ALSs signed “Nath’l Fanning,” written to his wife, Eliza, between January 18, 1804, and March 8, 1805. Many written from his new appointment in Charleston, South Carolina, and most discuss finances and arrangements for her to move there from New York.

The earliest letter, three pages on two adjoining sheets, in part: "I write you from the place where the vessel is building, which I am to command; it is upon an island (called Daniels Island) six miles from Charleston…I am now boarding with the master builder of the boat…whose house is so much crowded at present as all the carpenters who are at work upon the gun boat board, and lodge with him…The gun boat I am to command will be launched in about three weeks…If my little family was here I could maintain them…in quite a genteel stile. What say you my Dear for coming as soon as a convenient opportunity offers. I am very anxious to see you and our little cherub."

He expresses a similar sentiment in a letter of March 9, 1804, one page, apparently pencil traced over in ink, in part: "Present my love to…our little daughter tell her she must be a good girl & learn her book and then her Papa will give her oceans of pretty things."

On August 20, 1804, one page, he informs her of difficult news: "My Dear Girl you will be acquainted with the Death of your brother Caddington. Silas Holmes arrived yesterday from New Orleans the place where he died, and brings the mournful tidings."

Another letter, one page both sides, January 20, 1805, in part: "I think the prospect now begins to brighten, the clouds of adversity are dispersing fast, & the sunshine of prosperity is be inning to shed its mild influence upon the heads of our little family. And as we have been hand, in hand, through prosperity & the thorny paths of adversity, we are now once more fitted for prosperity."

Another, one page both sides, January 22, 1805, in part: "Cheer up my lovely friend; Fortune that fickle Goddess is beginning to smile upon us…we have, you know, experienced for some time past all the horrors attached to a state of abject poverty…I don't much believe that the vessel which I am to command will be launched before the first of March."

In a letter of March 8, 1805, one page both sides, Fanning informs his wife of final arrangements for her moving, in part: "I have agreeable to your request agreed with a clever captain to bring my family out to this place…The looking glass I wish to have cased & brought with you…should you conclude after seeing Charleston to live in the place I wish you merely to bring out with you only such articles as you think we shall need at beginning again to keep house…you ask if it is sickly in Charleston in the summer season. I answer that it is generally more healthy than New York."

The final letter, also penned on March 8, one page, apparently pencil traced over in ink, in part: "Have put on the Brig. Venus my little daughter's doll. If you send any person for it she may get it time enough to dress it before…I should have sent you a pair of earrings…had I not have expected to see you soon…I should be very glad to go out to New York and accompany my best friend back here but I cannot do it my presence is wanted every moment on board of my vessel…it would not do for me in this early stage of this business to desert my duty and the Public Service."

In overall very good condition, with fragile intersecting folds, some paper loss to edges, and scattered toning and soiling. Accompanied by an ALS from Eliza Fanning, one page, March 15, 1841, regarding “the Paul Jones prize money,” which had not yet been distributed to Fanning’s heirs.

Serving under John Paul Jones, Fanning participated in the Battle of Flamborough Head wherein the Bonhomme Richard engaged the Serapis, resulting a surprising tactical victory for the Continental Navy and one of the most celebrated naval actions of the American Revolution. As captain of the Bonhomme Richard's main fighting top, Fanning led the action which cleared Serapis's deck and rigging of British seamen—of Fanning's actions, Jones later said that he was he was "one cause among the prominent in obtaining the victory." Of great historical importance is Fanning's description of this battle in his memoirs, thought to have been written around 1801, which is accepted as the most complete and accurate account of the important battle. Fanning spent the rest of his career in the Navy, eventually being commissioned as a lieutenant on December 4, 1804; unfortunately, shortly after penning the final letters in this group, Fanning contracted yellow fever and passed in Charlestown on September 30, 1805.
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