Details
[DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, SIGNER] HARRISON, Benjamin (1726-1791), Virginia. Autograph letter signed ("Benj. Harrison"), to Maj. General Nathaniel Green[e], Virginia, 20 August 1781. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed.
TRYING TO FREE A CONTINENTAL POW. Father of one president, and great-grandfather of another, Virginia signer Benjamin Harrison was an active leader among the Virginia revolutionaries. A member of the Committee of Correspondence in the early 1770s, he served in both the First and Second Continental Congresses, and during the war sat on the committees for foreign affairs, war and ordinance, and the navy. Here, he writes General Nathaniel Greene (misnaming him "Green"), trying to win the freedom of one of his countrymen, Col. Robert Goode, who had "unfortunately fallen into the hands of the Enemy, and is now a prisoner on parole; he is a Gentleman of Honor, and is second to no militia officer in abilities, and readiness to serve his country, added to which, he is a man of influence in his county and if at liberty would be of great service, as there is no chance of his being exchanged here, I have to beg the favor of you if possible to effect his exchange with you, which will be a favor done that gentleman and the State."
TRYING TO FREE A CONTINENTAL POW. Father of one president, and great-grandfather of another, Virginia signer Benjamin Harrison was an active leader among the Virginia revolutionaries. A member of the Committee of Correspondence in the early 1770s, he served in both the First and Second Continental Congresses, and during the war sat on the committees for foreign affairs, war and ordinance, and the navy. Here, he writes General Nathaniel Greene (misnaming him "Green"), trying to win the freedom of one of his countrymen, Col. Robert Goode, who had "unfortunately fallen into the hands of the Enemy, and is now a prisoner on parole; he is a Gentleman of Honor, and is second to no militia officer in abilities, and readiness to serve his country, added to which, he is a man of influence in his county and if at liberty would be of great service, as there is no chance of his being exchanged here, I have to beg the favor of you if possible to effect his exchange with you, which will be a favor done that gentleman and the State."