Autographs
1816 John B. Barton Autograph Letter Signed to his imprisoned father Revolutionary War Gen. William Barton
JOHN B. BARTON (1785-1869). Son of the famous American Revolutionary War General William Barton.
January 17, 1816-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, "J B Barton", measuring 8" x 10.25", 2 pages, Providence (RI), Choice Very Fine. John B. Barton has written to his imprisoned father, General William Barton (1748-1831) at Danville prison, in Vermont. In 1775, William Barton enlisted in the Continental Army as a corporal and he fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1777, as a major in the Rhode Island state troops, he planned and led a raid on British headquarters, capturing Major General Richard Prescott. For this exploit, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and honored by a resolution and was presented with a Commemorative Sword of the Continental Congress. Here, Barton tells his father that he needs a Certificate from the United States Secretary of War in order to file for his Pension, their farm is under litigation, and it appears the Republicans will take the next Election and the Tories will soon be out, plus other contemporary information. Boldly written in rich deep brown ink and easy to read having a couple of trivial fold wear irregularity at top margin edge and boldly signed, "J B Barton" at its conclusion.
John B. Barton born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA on 1785 to William Barton and Rhoda Carver. John B married Hannah West and had 2 children. He passed away on 1869 in Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
William Barton (1748-1831) was an officer in the Continental Army during the American War of Independence who retired with the rank of colonel. He later served as adjutant general of the Rhode Island militia.
Barton was born in Warren, Rhode Island on May 26, 1748. He worked as a hatter in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1771, he married Rhoda Carver. In 1775, he enlisted in the Continental Army as a corporal. He fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1777, as a major in the Rhode Island state troops, he planned and led a raid on British headquarters, capturing Major General Richard Prescott. For this exploit, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and honored by a resolution of the Continental Congress. When Rhode Island ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1790, Barton was sent to New York to notify George Washington.
In 1781, Barton petitioned the governor of Vermont for a grant of unsettled land near the Canadian border. He was joined in this petition by Ira Allen (brother of Ethan), John Paul Jones, and others. The town of Barton, VT came into existence at this time.Then Col. Barton was jailed over a land dispute. He refused to pay a real estate tax on some land he had sold to a party named Wadhams. This put the title in dispute. Wadhams found out about that, repurchased the land from another man, and then demanded that Barton return his money to him. After several court actions, Barton was ordered to pay the original amount, plus court costs. He refused to do this, insisting he would "go to jail and rot" before paying. In 1812, Barton was imprisoned in Danville for his refusal to pay.
At the age of seventy-seven, he was finally released at the initiative of the visiting Marquis de Lafayette, who agreed to pay the balance of his fine. Barton died on October 22, with the year of death being given variously as 1831 or 1833. He is buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island. Fort Barton in Rhode Island was named after William Barton.