Lot 121
Letters From Prison, Written by a Former Revolutionary War Officer. William Barton (1748-1831) Enlisted as a corporal in the Continental Army (1775) and fought at Bunker Hill; in 1777, as a major in the Rhode Island militia, he captured British Maj. Gen. Richard Prescott during a raid, for which he was promoted to Lt. Col and honored by a resolution of the Continental Congress. In 1812, Barton was imprisoned in Danville, Vermont, over a land dispute. This collection consists of five handwritten copies of letters (approximately 8 pp) written by Barton between 1818 and 1829, from prison (Limits of Danville), to various leading men and organizations regarded some facts about his case that have been entered in error. A couple of excerpts: "…pray you pay attention to an old officer who fought and bled for his country before some of you was born….I am a citizen of Rhode Island who has been confined in prison in the place for more than 8 years for lands that were deeded to him by yur Superior Court…." Letters have folds and some light soiling; overall very good. Barton spent almost 13 years in prison, finally being released at the age of 77, when the visiting Marquis de Lafayette agreed to pay the balance of his fine. Fort Barton in Rhode Island is named after William Barton.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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