Descriptive Summary
Restrictions
Scope and Content of Collection
Biography
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Digital Content
Descriptive Summary
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: William Bond Papers
Creator:
Bond, William
Creator:
Bond, William
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0080
Physical Description:
1.4 Linear feet
(1 archives box and 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1768-1883, bulk 1775-1776
Abstract: Papers of William Bond (d. 1776), Revolutionary Army officer and colonel in the 25th Regiment of Foot from Massachusetts.
Bond led the regiment from July 1775 to August 31, 1776, when he died from an illness at Mount Independence near Fort Ticonderoga.
The collection is arranged chronologically in a single series containing correspondence, orders, resolutions by the Massachusetts
Provincial Congress, lists of officers and soldiers, financial receipts, and miscellaneous administrative documents related
to the 25th Regiment.
Restrictions
Digital surrogates must be used in place of original documents.
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers of William Bond (d. 1776), Revolutionary Army officer and colonel in the 25th Regiment of Foot from Massachusetts.
Bond led the regiment from July 1775 to August 31, 1776, when he died from an illness at Mount Independence near Fort Ticonderoga.
Significant among the few items of correspondence is an autograph letter signed by General George Washington (20 May 1776)
to Major General Sullivan in which he laments the "indolence" of States "so backward in reinforcing you," agrees to allow
General Stark to join Sullivan and relates news that the enemy will soon evacuate Philadelphia. Other important correspondence
includes four letters from Bond to his wife Lucy in Watertown, Massachusetts (dated 12 April, 20 April, 11 July, and 10 August
1776).
The collection contains numerous administrative documents related to Bond's position as commander of the 25th Regiment, including
written orders, resolutions of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, receipts for supplies, and lists of returns of officers,
soldiers, deserters, and discharges. Among the signers of these documents are generals Philip Schuyler (5 May 1776), Horatio
Gates (15 March 1776), William Heath (14 August 1775), and Nathanael Greene (15 March 1776). Among the resolutions are two
signed by Joseph Warren (24 April and 19 May 1775). Also included is a list of Bond's personal property, which was inventoried
and appraised shortly after his death (September 1776).
The collection is arranged chronologically in a single series containing correspondence, orders, resolutions by the Massachusetts
Provincial Congress, lists of officers and soldiers, financial receipts, and miscellaneous administrative documents related
to the 25th Regiment. Materials with approximated dates appear at the end of the collection.
Biography
On the basis of materials in this collection, William Bond lived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1768 and was probably
the son of Jonas and Hannah Bond. He was a captain in the military in 1774. In July, 1775, he held the rank of lieutenant
colonel, second-in-command, in the 37th Regiment of Foot (infantry) in General George Washington's Continental Army. After
the death of the regiment's commander, Colonel Thomas Gardner, Bond was promoted to colonel and took over command. After November,
1775, Bond's regiment was renamed the 25th Regiment and remained camped at Prospect Hill, Massachusetts, during the winter
of 1775-1776.
William Bond and the 25th Regiment participated in the campaign to conquer Canada during 1776. Congress had requested that
General Washington send four regiments to reinforce the army in Canada. On March 15, 1776, the 5th and 25th Regiments received
orders from General Horatio Gates to march to Norwich, Connecticut. On March 30, the Massachusetts regiments led by William
Bond, John Patterson and John Greaton, along with the New Hampshire regiment led by Enoch Poor, arrived in New York. On April
21, the four regiments sailed in sloops up the Hudson River to Albany under the command of General William Thompson.
In early May, the 25th Regiment was preparing to cross into Canada by boat and reached Sorel by June 14, Chamblee by June
17, Isle aux Noix by June 18, and Crown Point by July 11. On August 10, the 25th Regiment was camped at Mount Independence,
a hill near Fort Ticonderoga. The stagnant lakes and swamps around Mount Independence contributed to the diseases already
suffered by the regiment, including smallpox. Desertions and discharges for medical reasons severly reduced troop strength.
On August 31, 1776, Colonel William Bond died of illness at Mount Independence.
Publication Rights
Digital copies of this material are intended to support research, teaching, and private study. This work may be used without
prior permission. The original manuscripts for this collection are held by Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Preferred Citation
William Bond Papers, MSS 80. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 1965.
Digital Content
This collection has been digitized.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Biography
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Regimental histories -- Massachusetts
Washington, George
United States. Continental Army. Massachusetts Regiment, 25th
Bond, William -- Archives
Sullivan, John
United States. Continental Army -- Biography
Schuyler, Philip John
Gates, Horatio