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Home » Adopt a Piece of History » Conservation of the Thomas Gage papers (1754-1807), Vol. 110 (American Series) April – May 14, 1772

Conservation of the Thomas Gage papers (1754-1807), Vol. 110 (American Series) April – May 14, 1772

Conservation, Manuscripts

$175

We are seeking contributors to help offset the costs of unhinging and re-boxing approximately 23,000 manuscripts in 172 volumes from the Thomas Gage Papers. Conservator Julie Fremuth will remove each manuscript from the paper on which it is currently mounted and other staff will place the manuscripts into new archival boxes and folders. A donation of $175 will support the unhinging and re-housing of one volume of the Thomas Gage Papers.

The Thomas Gage papers consist of the military and governmental correspondence and headquarter papers of General Thomas Gage, officer in the British Army in America (1754-1763) and commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America between 1763 and 1775. The papers include incoming correspondence and retained copies of letters written by Gage, together with a large quantity of documents related to military matters and manuscript maps. The collection is particularly strong in documenting British administration of North America after the French and Indian War, interactions with Native Americans, and the years preceding the American Revolution.

Here are a few of the key occurrences found in Volume 110, taking place

  • Thomas Gage receives documentation about John Wilkins and expenditures of Fort Chartres in Illinois, as well as on misappropriation of public funds.
  • Thomas Gage receives reports on the condition of Fort Crown Point, Ticonderoga, St. Augustine, and the forts in Quebec.
  • David Ramsey presents a declaration about conflicts around Fort Erie.
Special Notes About this Grouping

The Gage Papers are rife with information relating to the military conflicts and negotiations during the years preceding the American Revolution in the form of communications and reports, but also include visual evidence like manuscript plans and maps, like this one showing a store-house.