Archive Record
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Metadata
Catalog Number |
MS050 B02 F33.01 |
Title |
Jonathan Moulton to John Langdon |
Scope & Content |
Three page letter from Jonathan Moulton in Hampton, N.H. to John Langdon in Portsmouth. Brigadier General Jonathan Moulton (July 21, 1726 – September 18, 1787) played an important role in the early history of New Hampshire. For the first two years of the American Revolutionary War, Moulton's regiment guarded the 18-mile seacoast of New Hampshire against British invasion. But in the fall of 1777, he marched with his men to the Battle of Saratoga in New York and the defeat of Lt. General, John Burgoyne's British army invading from Canada. He lends his name to the town of Moultonborough in Carroll County. The letter is a business proposition to start a merchant company in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. Moulton writes to Langdon about his concern at the loss of produce and trade from the western and northern parts of the state to Massachusetts and informs him that he has "for some time attended to laying the foundation for a Trading Town at the Head of Winnepesaukee Pond & have erected several considerable buildings for dwelling houses, stores & shops for tradesmen & am still prosecuting that plan." He makes it clear that he has no intention of living there himself, but asserts that its central location would be important for "a seat of Trade for the Northern & Western country." The present trade route goes to Newbury and Haverhill (and to an extent to Concord), but if there were a closer trade center for merchants, it would both save them the cost of haulage and benefit the state of New Hampshire both because prices would be cheaper and it would generate revenue for the state. He says he intends to settle his son Benning there, but that a single merchant would be insufficient. A merchant house is needed. Langdon is the first gentleman "that I have fully addressed upon the subject" - he has broached the subject withe the letter's bearer, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Folsom, a friend and a suitable person for one of the company, although the latter's engagement in other business prevents him at present from pursuing it. He will call upon Langdon in about 15 days when he returns from the country and hopes to find him "ready to patronise every plan conducive to interest of this state." Dated September 30, 1782. |
Collection |
John Langdon Papers |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
September 30, 1782 |
People |
Langdon, John, 1741-1819 Moulton, Jonathan (Gen.), 1726-1787 Moulton, Benning, 1761-1834 Folsom, Nathaniel, 1726-1790 |
Search Terms |
Lake Winnepesaukee |
Subjects |
Merchants Trade Moultonborough (N.H.) Concord (N.H.) Newbury (Mass.) Haverhill (MA) Trading posts Center Harbor (N.H.) |