This is a collection of 1812 resources held by the Special Collections and Archives department of the James A. Gibson Library. These materials came from a number of other collections and resources based on their 1812 era content. See the supplied information on each item for more information.

Recent Submissions

  • Diary of Oliver Rising Senior,1797-1851

    Rising, Oliver Sr. (2014-07-03)
  • Letter written by Mahlon Taylor to Samuel Clarke commenting on US troops during Fort George occupation - July 26, 1813

    Taylor, Mahlon (2014-06-13)
    A letter written by Mahlon Taylor to his uncle, Samuel Clarke, dated at Marcellus [New York], July 26, 1813. Mahlon Taylor writes that he believes the mail he has sent out is not making it past Princeton, as he has not had a reply to any of his sent correspondence. He also writes that he has heard there are 3500 men at Fort George, 1000 are unfit for duty, and that there is skirmishing daily. He comments that the general opinion is that the troops will withdraw from Canada entirely. The letter is signed Mahlon C Taylor and is addressed to Mr. Samuel Clarke, no. 227 South Front Street, Philadelphia.
  • James Monroe letter of marque, ca. 1812

    Monroe, James (2014-06-12)
    A letter of marque addressed to Captain James Rogers, commander of the boat Retaliation, and signed by James Monroe, secretary of state. Letters of marquee provided legal authority for an armed vessel to capture enemy ships and commit acts which would otherwise constitute piracy. The letter has no date, but was likely created during the War of 1812, and authorizes the Captain to attack and capture enemy vessels.
  • List of Officers of the reduced Independent Companies who are to receive half pay - 1791

    Yonge, George (2014-06-12)
    A List of Officers of the reduced Independent Companies who are to receive half pay from the days hereafter mentioned, to the 24th of December 1791, both days inclusive, or to the days of their death or Provision respectively. The document includes 153 names of Captains, Lieutenants, and Ensigns. Among the names are Isaac Brock and his brother Irwin Brock. It is signed by George Yonge.
  • Charles Larned letter - April 3, 1813

    Larned, Harriet; Larned, Ruth (2014-06-12)
    A 3 page letter to Charles Larned from his sister [Harriet] and mother [Ruth], dated Pittsfield, [Massachusetts], April 3, 1813. The letter is addressed to Mr. Charles Larned, Winchester, Kentucky. The letter contains news about the Larned family, many of whom were actively involved in the War of 1812, as well as news about their local community. Archival collection RG 451.
  • London Gazette - October 6 & November 27, 1812

    Brock, Isaac; Sheaffe, R.H.; Prevost, George; Baynes, Edward (2014-06-12)
    Two "extraordinary" issues of the London Gazette containing letters written by Isaac Brock, R.H. [Roger Hale] Sheaffe,George Prevost and Edward Baynes, dated from August-October 1812. The first issue is numbered 16653, October 6, 1812, pp. 2011-2014, and the second issue is numbered 16672, November 27, 1812, pp. 2363-2365. The gazettes include Brock's account of the British victory at Detroit in August, 1812, the terms of the Americans' surrender to the British under General Hull at Detroit, and Brock's proclamation to the residents of Detroit after the defeat. Also included is an account of the battle at Queenston Heights in October, 1812, in which Isaac Brock was killed, written by R.H. Sheaffe (Major General) and Edward Baynes (Adjutant-General)
  • Schooner Ranger document, 1810-1815

    Porter, Barton & Co.; Kibbe, George (2014-06-11)
    A page of entries detailing the financial history of the Schooner Ranger, a Great Lakes cargo ship, from 1810-1815. The ship sustained damage in 1811 on its journey from Detroit to Black Rock, in which 3 people drowned. The ship was subsequently "destroyed by the enemy in January 1813". In August 1815, the ship's account was settled. The settlement acknowledged that the ship was "taken by the U.S. Navy Officers for the use of the Government", and is signed by Porter, Barton & Co., and George Kibbe.
  • James Corbin Letter - October 2, 1813

    Corbin, James (2014-06-11)
    A letter from James Corbin of Williamstown, Massachusetts, to Mr. Pliny Moore of Champlain [New York], dated October 2, 1813. The letter refers to Pliny Moore’s desire to employ James Corbin at his mill and James’ difficulty in accommodating this request due to his partnership in running a farm and mill with his brother.
  • H.A.S. Dearborn letter - May 29, 1812

    Clary, Capt. A.M. (2014-06-11)
    A letter addressed to H.A.S. Dearborn in Boston, dated May 29, 1812 at Concord, N.H [New Hampshire]. The letter was written by Capt. A.M. Clary and describes his success at recruiting troops for his company, likely in preparation for the War of 1812, which was declared on June 19, 1812.
  • Admiralty Commissioner's Orders - October 13, 1812

    Dommett, Wiliam; Sydney, Joseph; Warrender, George; Barrow, John (2014-06-11)
    Admiralty Commissioner's Orders sent to Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Newfoundland, informing him of America's declaration of war against Great Britain and instructing him to seize and destroy all ships belonging to the United States of America which he may encounter. The document is dated October 13, 1812, and is signed by William Domett, Joseph Sydney Yorke, George Warrender, and John Barrow. The paper is marked "duplicate". It is likely that several copies were issued and sent via different ships to ensure that at least one made it to Admiral Duckworth.
  • John Miller Letter - December 1, 1812

    Miller, John (2014-06-11)
    A letter addressed to Archibald McIntire [McIntyre], Comptroller, Albany, [New York], from John Miller, dated December 1, 1812. The letter explains that a receipt has been enclosed showing that the taxes on David Griswold's property in Truxton have been paid. Griswold requested that John Miller write the letter for him. Letter transcription: Truxton, Dec. 1, 1812. Sir, Enclosed I transmit the [receipt] of the Collectors at Truxton to David Griswold for the tax on 50 acres of no. 56 Truxton … showing that the tax has been paid on that portion of the Lot; Mr. Griswold wishes you to keep the receipt and he will call this winter sometime and get it… not being a writer he called on me to do it for him. I am Sir yours sincerely John Miller
  • General regulations and orders, 1804

    Great Britain. War Office. (2013-12-05)
    A book of general regulations and orders by the War Office of Great Britain, inscribed by L. Colonel Brock. (SPCL UE 58 G73 1804) This book of General Regulations and Orders by the War Office in Great Britain also includes manual and platoon exercises, as well as general orders and observations on the movement and field exercise of infantry. The front paste-down is inscribed with "L. Colonel Brock". Also inscribed in the front is "Maj. Genl T.A. Smith late of the 1st. Rifle Regt.". There is also a bookplate of Robert B. Taylor, Norfolk. On the front flyleaf is a lengthy, two-page transcription in ink, headed Copy/Circular/ that is dated "Horse Guards, 25th May '07" and signed "Harry Calvert Adjt. General". This bound volume contains three separate sections: 1. General Regulations and Orders, 1804 2. The Manual and Platoon Exercises, 1804 3. General Orders and Observations on the Movements and Field Exercise of the Infantry, 1804 77 p., 2 fold. Leaves
  • Budding sprays and sketch of the life of General Sir Isaac Brock (1912)

    Brock, Blanche Adelaide (1912)
    A sketch of the life of General Sir Isaac Brock.
  • The report of the Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada with an appendix and a list of subscribers and benefactors (1817) and An Index to the Report of the Loyal and Patriotic Society.

    Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada (1817)
    The original book contains minutes, accounts and other records dating 1812 to 1816 of the Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada formed at York, to alleviate distress in Upper Canada resulting from war with United States. The Loyal & Patriotic Society Index was transcribed and compiled by Fred Blair in 2019. As the names of the members of the society appear throughout this text, only the first page that their name appeared was recorded here, with a few additional pages. The remainder of the names generally fall into the categories of petitioners or subscribers. The spelling of surnames was not consistent throughout the text and first names were often omitted. A person may therefore have been recorded here more than once. The dates of wounds and deaths sometimes do not agree with those in other sources. The transcriber’s comments appear in square brackets.
  • [British Parliamentary papers], Session 24 November, 1812 - 22 July, 1813. Vol. XIV, Correspondence and treaties with foreign powers.

    Great Britain. Parliament. (1813)
    Most of this volume consists of correspondence between high ranking U.S. and British statesmen. E.g., James Madison, James Monroe, The Marquess Wellesley (brother of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington). The discussion centers around the War of 1812. Also includes facsimilies of treaties signed between Great Britain and Sweden, Russia and Sicily.

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