Beschreibung:

Lot of over 40 items, comprised of 38 letters and related imprints identified to members of the Melendy Family, including Peter Melendy (1784-1823) of Amherst, NH, who enlisted in the US army in 1813 and served a short time in the infantry, then was transferred to the artillery service, in which he served as lieutenant and was employed in garrison duty at Fort Constitution near Portsmouth. Peter's brothers Luther (1793-1883), an early abolitionist, and John (1783-1869) are also represented in the collection. The archive features several letters addressed to Lieutenant Peter Melendy, including six letters signed by John A. Dix; single letters from William Lee Josiah Meigs, and James Gadsden, all dated 1821; and single letter from James S. Hook dated 1823. Broadside, 6.25 x 9 in. Western Spy Office. February 22, 1815. Announcing receipt of preliminary terms of Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812. This was almost certainly collected by Peter during his military service, as well as a copy of the Official Army Register for 1823, identified to "Melendy" on front. Printed paper wraps, 3.5 x 6.25 in., 21pp, the last torn in half. Register contains lists of General Staff for various departments, with Peter Melendy listed on p. 8 under 1st lieutenants. A lengthy, 7pp letter from Peter to his brother Thomas (October 14, 1822) as well as several receipts for Peter (dated 1817-1821) affixed to larger sheets of paper are also enclosed. Additional documents include a framed appointment, 9 x 12 in. (sight) issued by the "State of New Hampshire" to Luther Melendy, as surveyor of Highways for 1819. Part of the document reads: "...you are hereby directed to warn the several persons named in your list, to work on said Highways according to his proportion of said Tax, at the price of nine cents per hour for each Man, nine cents per hour for a pair of oxen,..." etc.; indenture signed by Salmon P. Chase, dated December 3, 1841; document from Thomas Corwin (1850); and document from John Scott Harrison, father of Benjamin Harrison (December 19, 1856). A second Peter Melendy is represented through approx. 18 commissions and appointments, such as Recruiting Officer for the 13th Iowa Regiment, September, 20, 1861; appointment to Iowa State Agricultural College, 1862, plus renewals 1864, 1865, 1868; 1st Lieutenant in the Iowa Governor's Guard, July 27, 1863; commission as Notary Public (1864); appointment as US Marshal (1865); Agent to investigate claims for Quartermaster's Stores, 1879 and renewals in 1882 and 1886; Mail Weigher for B.C.R. & N. R.R., 1891; and an appointment to negotiate for the state with the United States government for "Swamp Lands" within the state. Additional items include a bronze medal from The Ohio State Board of Agriculture, 2 in. dia. in approx. 3 in. square case. Engraved below the state seal is: "P. Melendy / best pair of Chiligongs / A. Watts Prest. / 1852." Opposite side with figures of classical agricultural deities; Union ticket affixed to letter-sized sheet, with notes along both sides: "I was a delegate from the 6th district of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa to the Great Union national Convention held in Baltimore Md. that nominated Lincoln and Johnson in 1864...I voted cheerfully for Lincoln / voted under protesst for Andy Johnson. Melendy"; and Republican ticket for 1888. These final items are identified to Cincinnati native Peter Melendy (1823-1901) who served in the Ohio Cavalry, Artillery Invincibles, and Harrison Guards Infantry (1838-1848), achieving the rank of first lieutenant. In 1851, he purchased "Thinadiska Place" near Mt. Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio and farmed, with a focus on purebred livestock. In 1857, the family moved to Butler County, Iowa, and he served as a representative of the Ohio Farm & State Breeding Co. This endeavor failed, but Melendy saw potential in Iowa and decided to stay. He served with the state Agricultural College and held many other roles, eventually becoming Mayor of