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Abercromby (James) Papers
mssAB  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • General
  • Related Materials
  • Arrangement

  • 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.