Beschreibung:

AMERICAN REVOLUTION MEDICINE - HANCOCK, JOHN] Archive of signed items relating to the wartime medical service and career of Doctor ... . Various places including Boston and Albany: 1776-1817. Comprising an April 1776 autograph note quickly written from Jno. G. Frazer permitting Townsend "to take possession of the house belonging to the heirs of John Gould Esq for a hospital for two regiments in the Continental Service" at Boston; a 1777 note signed by Saml. Stringer stating that Townsend was appointed surgeon in the General Hospital of the United States; an associated appointment; a 1780 election result listing Townsend, William Eustis and Saml. Adams (Jr.) as physicians; a 1780 autograph note signed from William Shippen at General Knox's headquarters appointing Townsend "to take charge of the Hospital at Fishkill"; a 1782 printed broadside regarding wartime hospitals; a 1790 manuscript document on vellum signed by John Hancock and John Avery appointing Townsend Physician and Surgeon to the convicts at Fort Independence, Castle Island, with original wax seal affixed by ribbon; an 1812 appointment for Townsend to go on board a prisoner of war ship in Boston harbor; an 1824 document appointing Townsend Justice of the Peace, signed by Governor William Eustis; and documents admitting Townsend to various Massachussetts societies. Most documents (except the Hancock) with remnants of previous mounting stubs to margin, some soiling and splits along folds; Together with an unsigned portion of an October 1780 letter describing Benedict Arnold's defection and battles in the vicinity of Albany. 4 pp., addressed to Townsend from Albany on 24 October 1780. An interesting archive highlighting the service of an important physician and surgeon during the American Revolution. C