James Abercromby Papers: Finding Aid mssAB

Finding aid prepared by Huntington Library staff and updated by Diann Benti.
The Huntington Library
1999
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org

Note

Finding aid last updated on July 31, 2023, by Maggie Hughes.


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: James Abercromby papers
Creator: Abercromby, James, 1706-1981
Identifier/Call Number: mssAB
Physical Description: 21.7 Linear Feet (16 boxes, 5 oversize folders, 1 volume)
Date (inclusive): 1674-1787
Date (bulk): 1758
Abstract: This collection primarily contains letters, reports, memorials, returns, etc., written by or received from British Major General James Abercromby (1706-1781) during the 1758 campaign of the British army in North America during the Seven Years' War.
Language of Material: English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Conditions Governing Use

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. James Abercromby papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Lathrop C. Harper, a New York dealer, in August 1923.

Biographical / Historical

British general James Abercromby (1706-1781) was a native of Banffshire, Scotland. He entered the army as a youth, and rose by degrees to be major general, in 1756. At this time, through the influence of the Earl of Loudoun, Abercromby was appointed his second in command in North America, and, in 1758, when Loudoun was recalled, succeeded him. It soon became apparent that Abercromby was unfitted for the supreme command, and he was replaced by Amherst within the year. Following his recall, he received the usual military promotion, and finally attained the rank of general in 1772.

Scope and Contents

This collection primarily contains letters, reports, memorials, returns, etc., written by or received from British Major General James Abercromby during the 1758 campaign of the British army in North America during the Seven Years' War.
Specifically, the materials concern orders and instructions for the 1758 campaign; the embargo on colonial shipping in March 1758; the fall of Fort William Henry and complications related to the exchange of prisoners of war; the surrender of Louisburg; the expedition against Fort Ticonderoga and the defeat of Major General Abercromby and the death of Lord Howe; alarms up the Mohawk River and defenses at the Oneida Carrying Place; the conquest of Fort Frontenac (Cadaraqui) by Lieutenant Colonel John Bradstreet; Brigadier General John Forbes's expedition against Fort Duquesne, including difficulties with the Indian allies, opening of roads and establishing of outposts, the capture of Major Grant and party, and French evacuation of Fort Duquesne; British use of and relations with the Indians, including efforts to unite the Northern and Southern Indians to the English cause, the gathering of the Cherokee Nation for the expedition to the Ohio, under Brigadier General Forbes, and conferences called by Pennsylvania Governor Denny; the internal affairs of the British army including returns of troops, arms, provisions, etc., returns of the staff, and orders, warrants, appointments, etc., issued by the commander in chief; and the recall of Abercromby.
Correspondents include John Appy, John Bradstreet, James De Lancey, William Denny, John Forbes, Thomas Hancock, Sir William Johnson, Charles Lawrence, William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, Thomas Pownall, John Stanwix, and others. The documents addressed to Abercromy are originals; papers emanating from Abercromy are chiefly office copies written by secretaries.
The collection also contains a fragment of the 1758 journal of Christian Frederick Post and genealogical data on the Abercromby family. Also included is an item written by a relative of Abercromby, also named James Abercromby (1707-1775). He was agent to England for Virginia and North Carolina from 1738 to 1760. The item is "An examination of the acts of Parliament relative to the trade and the government of our American colonies." (1752, AB 976).
Some notable items include:
  1. Abercromby, James. An Examination Of the Acts of Parliament Relative To the Trade and the Government of our American Colonies. Also The Different Constitutions of Government in the Colonies Considered With Remarks By way of a Bill for Amendment of the Laws of this Kingdom in Relation to the Government and Trade of these Colonies... May, 1752
  2. James Abercromby, a kinsman of the general, served as agent in England for the colonies of Virginia and the Carolinas, 1738-60.
  3. Howe, George Augustus, 3d Viscount Howe. Two letters to Major General Abercromby reporting his preparations for the attack on Ticonderoga. May 28 and 30, 1758
  4. Post, Christian Frederick. Journal of Frederick Post's Journey from Philadelphia to Wioming. June 20, 1758
  5. Relation de L'affaire du 8 Julliet 1758. (Endorsed: A French Relation of the Affair of the 8th July, 1758, At Ticonderoga, found in the woods at Gaspe.)
  6. Wolfe, James. Letter to Major General Abercromby, relating his activities following the surrender of Louisbourg until his departure for England. Sept. 30, 1758

General

Individual call numbers included in the collection: mssAB 1-976, mssFAC 674.

Related Materials

  1. Loudoun papers : Americana (mssLO 1-6999)  
  2. Aaron Noble His Book, 1758, May 30 - Nov. 10 (mssHM 59428)  
  3. Joseph Nichols diary, 1758-1766 (mssHM 89)  

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically, with 3 oversize items and a volume at the end.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Abercrombie's Ticonderoga Campaign, N.Y., 1758.
Forbes Expedition against Fort Duquesne, Pa., 1758.
Indians of North America -- Government relations -- To 1789
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1754-1763.
Fort William Henry (N.Y.) -- Capture, 1757.
Great Britain -- Colonies -- America.
Fort Frontenac (Ont. : Fort) -- Capture, 1758.
Great Britain -- History -- 18th century.
Military records -- Great Britain -- 18th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Great Britain -- 18th century
Personal papers Great Britain 18th century
Abercromby, James, 1706-1781 -- Archives
Appy, John, active 1758 -- Archives
De Lancey, James, 1703-1760 -- Archives
Denny, William, 1718- -- -- Archives
Forbes, John, 1707-1759 -- Archives
Hancock, Thomas, 1703-1764 -- Archives
Johnson, William, 1715-1774 -- Archives
Lawrence, Charles, 1709-1760 -- Archives
Loudoun, John Campbell, Earl of, 1705-1782
Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778 -- Archives
Post, Christian Frederick, 1710?-1785 Journal, 1758
Pownall, Thomas, 1722-1805 -- Archives
Stanwix, John, 1690?-1766 -- Archives
Great Britain. Army -- Colonial forces -- Archives.
Abercromby, James, 1707-1775, correspondent.
Appy, John, active 1758, correspondent.
De Lancey, James, 1703-1760, correspondent.
Denny, William, 1718- correspondent.
Forbes, John, 1707-1759, correspondent.
Hancock, Thomas, 1703-1764, correspondent.
Johnson, William, 1715-1774, correspondent.
Lawrence, Charles, 1709-1760, correspondent.
Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778, correspondent.
Post, Christian Frederick, 1710?-1785, correspondent.
Pownall, Thomas, 1722-1805, correspondent.
Stanwix, John, 1690?-1766, correspondent.

Box 1

1674 November 25-1758 March 15

Physical Description: 58 folders
Box 2

1758 March 16-March

Physical Description: 54 folders
Box 3

1758 April 1-April 13

Physical Description: 65 folders
Box 4

1758 April 14-April 27

Physical Description: 60 folders
Box 5

1758 April 28-May 13

Physical Description: 53 folders
Box 6

1758 May 14-May 28

Physical Description: 54 folders
Box 7

1758 May 29-June 10

Physical Description: 58 folders
Box 8

1758 June 11-June

Physical Description: 63 folders
Box 9

1758 July 2-July 18

Physical Description: 56 folders
Box 10

1758 July 19-August 3

Physical Description: 60 folders
Box 11

1758 August 4-August 26

Physical Description: 64 folders
Box 12

1758 August 27-September 10

Physical Description: 72 folders
Box 13

1758 September 11-September

Physical Description: 72 folders
Box 14

1758 October 1-October 15

Physical Description: 67 folders
Box 15

1758 October 16-November 5

Physical Description: 57 folders
Box 16

1758 November 6-1787 October 8

Physical Description: 60 folders
Volume 1

An examination of the acts of Parliament relative to the trade and the government of our American colonies. Also the different constitutions of government in the colonies considered with remarks by way of a bill for amendment of the laws of this kingdom in relation to the government and trade of these colonies. mssAB 976 1752 May

Folder Oversize 4

Bond of the owners of Transports taken up by Captain Loring and arbitration on the same, together with the copy of a l letter from Capt. Loring to Brig. Gen. Lawrence. mssAB 157 1758 April 14

Folder Oversize 2

James Abercrombie letter to William Johnson Barnt. mssFAC 674 1752 December 27.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Facsimile copy, gift of the Litchfield Historical Society, 1972.
Folder Oversize 3

Observations on the Plan for a Fort at the Oneida Carrying Place by William Green mssAB 442 1758 July 16

Scope and Contents

Camp at Lake George. Autograph document signed. 3 pages, folio.
Folder Oversize 1

Warrant on Abraham Mortier AB 914 1758 May 23

Folder Oversize 5

James Abercromby to Colonel Morris of the 17th Regiment AB 971 1758