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[Revolutionary War]. Thomas Conway Autograph Document Signed....
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Sold on Mar 28, 2025 for:
$750.00
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Description
[Revolutionary War]. Thomas Conway Autograph Document Signed. One page, 6 5/8 x 7 1/4 inches, White Marsh, Pennsylvania; November 17, 1777. A document written by Thomas Conway confirming his receipt of $400 from Colonel Clement Biddle. Signed, "Gn'l Conway."The document reads, in part: "I received from Coll. Clement Biddle the Summ of four-hundred Dollars continental currency Camp at Whitemarsh the 17th Day of November 1777." With integral address panel on the verso.
General Thomas Conway (1735-1795) was an Irish-born French soldier who volunteered for the Continental Army in 1777. Leveraging his prior military experience and influential connections, he began his American service as a brigadier general and fought alongside George Washington at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. Commended for his actions during the battle, Conway became the subject of controversy when Congress sought to promote him to major general despite Washington's objections. In the midst of this feud, Washington moved the army to encamp at White Marsh, Pennsylvania, where Conway penned this document. Congress did grant him the promotion, but it was short-lived; he lost his post a year later after Washington seized a letter calling him a "weak general" with "bad counselors." Following the scandal, Conway was wounded in a duel with John Cadwalader and subsequently returned to France, where he resumed his career in the royal army.
Colonel Clement Biddle (1740-1814), whom Conway references here, was a Quaker and organizer of the "Quaker Blues," one of the earliest Quaker fighting units. Quakers generally held pacifist beliefs, and often refused to participate in any military action. The Blues, however, carried out multiple successful campaigns before and during the Revolutionary War under Biddle's leadership, resulting in his promotion to Deputy Quartermaster of the Continental Army. During his service, Biddle forged a lasting friendship with George Washington, and was appointed quartermaster general for the Pennsylvania militia after the war.
Condition: Smoothed folds, with some separations thereat. Slight staining and foxing throughout. Slight wear at the right margin.
Auction Info
2025 March 28 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6316 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
March, 2025
28th
Friday
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