Description
This collection contains letters, with a few manuscripts and documents, from the
Huntington family, a prominent Connecticut family, who played a important role in the state and national affairs at the time
of the Revolutionary War.
Chiefly consists of letters from Ebenezer Huntington (1754-1834) describing his experience in the Revolutionary War and his
political and social activities from 1810-1830s,
as well as some correspondence of Samuel Huntington (1731-1796), president of the Continental Congress, and Benjamin Huntington
(1736-1800) a Continental Congress delegate,
reflecting their legal practice and public service, and concerning procurement for the Continental Army, work of the Continental
Congress, political, and military news.
Background
The Huntingtons, a prominent Connecticut family, played a important role in the state
and national affairs at the time of the Revolutionary War.
The history of the Huntington family goes back to Simon Huntington of Norwich,
Norfolk, England who arrived to Boston in 1633. In 1660, his descendants were among
members of a party that settled Norwich, Conn. During the Revolutionary War, the
Norwich Huntingtons played prominent role in the state and national affairs.
Besides Samuel Huntington
(1731-1796), the signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the
Continental Congress, and Governor of Connecticut, and Benjamin Huntington
(1736-1800), state delegate to the Continental Congress, among the most
distinguished members of the extended family were Jabez Huntington (1719-1786),
Major-General of the state militia, and his sons, Jedediah (1743-1818), Major
General of the Continental Army and delegate to the Constitutional Convention,
Andrew (1754-1824), an entrepreneur and Army commissary, and Ebenezer (1754-1834),
revolutionary soldier and member of the 11th and 15th Congresses.
Extent
136 pieces in 2 boxes
Restrictions
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.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.