Books and Manuscripts

Hartford (Connecticut), February 24, 1792. One oblong sheet, 3 3/4 x 7 3/8 in. (95 x 186 mm). Autograph document, signed by Benjamin Tallmadge, "Receiv'd Hartford Feby 24th 1792 from A. Hubbard Esqr. of Middletown of the hands of Dan. Jones Eight Dollars for Elijah Hubbard, Abijah Savage, Nehemh. Hubbard & George (illegible) Taxes on their shares in the Ohio Purchase-- Benj. Tallmadge - Agent." Docketed on the verso "Col. B. Talmages (sic) Rect. for 48/ for Exps. of Ohio Lands (?)" Creasing from contemporary folds, tears along the same, unevenly toned. Lot includes two additional documents related to Tallmadge: a manuscript letter, initialed by Henry Seymour of Hartford to Secretary of War Lewis Cass, attesting to the Revolutionary War service of his late brother, Thomas Y. Seymour, who served with Tallmadge, and a true copy of a letter written by Tallmadge, confirming that the late Seymour had indeed served with him.

Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835) was a Major in the Continental Army, an intelligence officer, and later a U.S. Representative for Connecticut. Following the war he moved back to the town of Litchfield, Connecticut and entered a variety of business ventures, was a bank president, and the town postmaster. In 1787 he joined the Ohio Company, a land organization whose members are credited with establishing the first non-native, permanent, settlements west of the Allegheny Mountains. Their main goal was to buy and resell land in the Northwest Territory, to which this document pertains.

Tallmadge is most remembered for his role as a spymaster during the American Revolution. In 1778 he organized the Culper Ring of Patriot spies which operated in and around New York during the British occupation of New York City from 1778-83. The ring was extremely successful at ferrying information to the Patriot side, and while Tallmadge was their direct point of contact, their operations were often dictated by orders directly from General George Washington. They were directly responsible for foiling a surprise British attack against General Rochambeau in Rhode Island, and brought to light a British plan to produce counterfeit American currency. Notably, the ring uncovered the treason of a high ranking American officer in 1780: Benedict Arnold.