James Abercromby papers

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: