Paymaster papers of the 2nd regiment of light dragoons, 1779-1783

Description

Title: Paymaster papers of the 2nd regiment of light dragoons, 1779-1783
Creator: Janes, Elijah, 1759-1823
Abstract: Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection of 24 records of rosters, pay, allowances, and provisions for the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons under Col. Elisha Sheldon. The volume includes an account of the clothing delivered to each member of the troops, along with their names and ranks; the amounts of provisions of food and drink received for the use of General John Glover; soldiers' pay as directed by Congress; allowances of subsistence money supplied to the officers in lieu of rations for themselves and their servants; as well as muster rolls for each troop in the 2nd Regiment, listing each member's name, rank, term of enlistment, and "casualties." The collection also includes a copy of a letter which requests permission to hire tailors to make clothing for the Army
Description: Elijah Janes was paymaster of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, where he served under Col. Elisha Sheldon. He began his military career as a cornet on November 16, 1779 and was promoted to Lieutenant eight days later. He was wounded by a horseman's sword on the right wrist on November 20, 1780, and became Paymaster in 1782. The friendship that developed between Janes and fellow lieutenant in Sheldon's regiment James Dole continued after the war and their move to Lansingburgh (now Troy), NY, where Janes became godfather to Dole's daughter. In 1811 Elijah Janes became one of the original directors of the Farmers Bank of Troy. He died February 22, 1823 at the age of 64 and is buried in the Old Lansingburgh (Troy) Cemetery.
On December 12, 1776, Congress constituted the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons at Wethersfield, CT, also known as Sheldon's horse after its commander, Elisha Sheldon of CT, for service with the Continental Army. Congress authorized George Washington to appoint the other officers of the regiment, but he gave the duty to Sheldon. In accordance with General Washington's instructions, the new regiment was to have one other field officer, a major; a regimental staff of an adjutant, a surgeon, and a surgeon's mate; and 6 troops. Each troop was to consist of a captain, a lieutenant, a cornet, a quartermaster, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, a trumpeter, a farrier, and 34 privates. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Crooked Billet, and the Battle of Yorktown. The regiment was furloughed June 9, 1783 at Newburgh, New York and disbanded on November 20, 1783.
In English.
Binding: half cloth over marbled covers. Pasted on cover: Manuscripts of Lieut. Elijah Janes Paymaster of the Second Regiment of Light Dragoons, 1779-1783. Elisha Sheldon Col.
Provenance: Purchased from ABL, November 1963. Previously owned by William Gay, Julius Gay, and Crompton Johnson.
Extent: 1 43 cm. v. (40 leaves) ;
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.
Language: English