William Bond Papers
Mandeville Special Collections Library
Mandeville Special Collections Library
The UCSD Libraries
9500 Gilman Drive
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Phone: (858) 534-2533
Fax: (858) 534-5950
URL: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/
Copyright 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Creator:
Bond, William, d. 1776
Title: William Bond Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1768-1777
Extent:
1.40 linear feet
(1 archives box and 1 flat box)
Abstract: Papers of William Bond (d.1776), Revolutionary Army officer and colonel in the 25th Regiment of Foot from Massachusetts.
Bond led the regiment from July 1775 to August 31, 1776, when he died from an illness at Mount Independence near Fort Ticonderoga.
The collection is arranged chronologically in a single series containing correspondence, orders, resolutions by the Massachusetts
Provincial Congress, lists of officers and soldiers, financial receipts, and miscellaneous administrative documents related
to the 25th Regiment. Significant documents in the collection include an autograph letter signed by George Washington to
General Sullivan (20 May 1772), an order signed by General Philip Schuyler (5 May 1776), an order signed by General Horatio
Gates (15 March 1776), and a memo signed by Brigadier General Nathanael Greene (15 March 1776).
Repository:
University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Collection number: MSS 0080
Language of Material:
Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Information
Not Available
Preferred Citation
William Bond Papers, MSS 0080. Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Biography
On the basis of materials in this collection, William Bond lived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1768 and was probably
the son of Jonas and Hannah Bond. He was a captain in the military in 1774. In July, 1775, he held the rank of lieutenant
colonel, second-in-command, in the 37th Regiment of Foot (infantry) in General George Washington's Continental Army. After
the death of the regiment's commander, Colonel Thomas Gardner, Bond was promoted to colonel and took over command. After
November, 1775, Bond's regiment was renamed the 25th Regiment and remained camped at Prospect Hill, Massachusetts, during
the winter of 1775-1776.
William Bond and the 25th Regiment participated in the campaign to conquer Canada during 1776. Congress had requested that
General Washington send four regiments to reinforce the army in Canada. On March 15, 1776, the 5th and 25th Regiments received
orders from General Horatio Gates to march to Norwich, Connecticut. On March 30, the Massachusetts regiments led by William
Bond, John Patterson and John Greaton, along with the New Hampshire regiment led by Enoch Poor, arrived in New York. On April
21, the four regiments sailed in sloops up the Hudson River to Albany under the command of General William Thompson.
In early May, the 25th Regiment was preparing to cross into Canada by boat and reached Sorel by June 14, Chamblee by June
17, Isle aux Noix by June 18, and Crown Point by July 11. On August 10, the 25th Regiment was camped at Mount Independence,
a hill near Fort Ticonderoga. The stagnant lakes and swamps around Mount Independence contributed to the diseases already
suffered by the regiment, including smallpox. Desertions and discharges for medical reasons severly reduced troop strength.
On August 31, 1776, Colonel William Bond died of illness at Mount Independence.
Scope and Content of Collection
Accession Processed in 1993
The William Bond Papers contain materials related to the American Revolutionary War (1775-1776), the activities of the 25th
Regiment of Foot from Massachusetts and its campaign in Canada between April and August of 1776. The collection is arranged
in a single chronological series and contains correspondence, lists, orders, resolutions, financial receipts, and miscellaneous
administrative documents. Undated materials are located at the end of the series.
Significant among the few items of correspondence is an autograph letter signed by General George Washington (20 May 1772)
to Major General Sullivan in which he laments the "indolence" of States "so backward in reinforcing you," agrees to allow
General Stark to join Sullivan and relates news that the enemy will soon evacuate Philadelphia. Other important correspondence
includes four letters from Bond to his wife Lucy in Watertown, Massachusetts (12 April, 20 April, 11 July, and 10 August 1776).
The collection contains numerous administrative documents related to Bond's position as commander of the 25th Regiment, including
written orders, resolutions of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, receipts for supplies, and lists of returns of officers,
soldiers, deserters, and discharges. Among the signers of these documents are generals Philip Schuyler (5 May 1776), Horatio
Gates (15 March 1776), William Heath (14 August 1775), and Nathanael Greene (15 March 1776). Among the resolutions are two
signed by Jos[eph] Warren (24 April and 19 May 1775).
Also included is a list of Bond's personal property, which was inventoried and appraised shortly after his death (September
1776).
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Bond, William, d. 1776 -- Archives
Washington, George, 1733-1799
Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804
Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806
Sullivan, John, 1740-1795
United States. -- Continental Army -- Biography
United States. -- Continental Army -- Massachussetts Regiment, Twenty-fifth
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Biography
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Regimental histories -- Massachusetts
Collection Contents
box 1, folder 1
1768, September 27
Note
"Judge of the Probate of Wills, and for granting Letters of Administration on the Estates of Persons deceased... To Mrs.
Hannah Bond Widow and William Bond yeoman..." William Bond's power of administration for Jonas Bond's estate. 1 p.
box 1, folder 2
1772, May 20
Note
General George Washington to Major Gen. Sullivan. 2 p.
box 1, folder 4
1775-1776
Note
General orders. 8 p.
box 1, folder 5
1775, April 23
Note
"In Provincial Congress, at Watertown, April 23, 1775." Printed resolution which established pay rated for officers and enlisted
men, provided for uniforms for non-commissioned officers and privates and specified that local towns should provide enlistees
with blankets. 1 p.
box 1, folder 6
1775, April 24
Note
Power to enlist 56 "able-bodied and effective" men given to John Stratton; commission as Captain for Stratton upon completion
of the enlistment. Signed by Jos. Warren. 2 p.
box 1, folder 7
1775, May 19
Note
"In Provincial Congress Watertown May 19, 1775. Resolved. That Colonel Bond be and hereby is directed to appoint a Guard
of six men to escort Lady Frankland to Boston..." Signed by Jos. Warren. 1 p.
box 1, folder 8
1775, June 8
Note
"In Provincial Congress. Watertown, June 8, 1775. Resolution ordering those convicted of making false returns of the "Numbers
or Equipments of the Men" in the command to be cashiered. 1 p. (two copies).
box 1, folder 9
1775, June 10
Note
"In Provicial Congress, Watertown, June 10, 1775. Resolved, That each Soldier shall have the following Allowance per Day,
viz..." Printed list of food and supplies. 1 p.
box 1, folder 10
1775, June 16
Note
"In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 16th, 1775. Printed resolution regarding the observance of the Sabbath. 1 p.
box 1, folder 11
1775, June 26
Note
List of men "Belongin [sic] to my Company." 1 p.
box 1, folder 12
1775, July 6
Note
"A List of Officers in the Regiment where of Thomas Gardner Esq. late of Cambridge Deceased was Colonel." 1 p.
box 1, folder 13
1775, July 10
Note
"Instructions for the Officers of the several Regiments of the Massachusetts-Bay Forces, who are immediately to go upon the
Recruiting Service." Printed. 1 p.
box 1, folder 14
1775, July 17
Note
"A Return of the Number and Name of Men in the late Col. Gardner Regt. that are expert in manging [sic] whale boats in the
folowing [sic] companies." 1 p.
box 1, folder 15
1775, August 14
Note
The appointment of John Jones to the rank of first sergeant under Captain Moses Whiting and signed by General William Heath.
1 p.
box 1, folder 16
1775, August 30
Note
"A Return of the Regiment in the Service of The United Colonies of NORTH AMERICA, commanded by..." Printed form with annotation.
1 p.
box 1, folder 17
1775, September 25
Note
"To the Hon. Gen. Assembly of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, now sitting at Watertown. The Humble Petition of Lt. Col.
William Bond of the 37th Reg. of Foot in the Continental Army." Request to approve recommendations for promotions. 2 p.
box 1, folder 18
1775, October 16
Note
"A Return of the Number of Officers and Soldiers that has Engaged or Enlisted in the 37th Regiment in the Continental Army"
and "A Return of the Field, Commiss., and Staff Officers in the 37 Reg. of the Foot together with the Vacancies therein."
1 p.
box 1, folder 19
1775, October 18
Note
Letter to Brigadier General Green from the commissioned officers of the 37th Regiment of Foot discontinuing service for lack
of commissions and appointments. 1 p. (copy).
box 1, folder 20
1775, November 2
Note
"A Return of Capt. Abner Crafts Comp. in the 37 Reg." 1 p. [See also n.d.: "A return of Capt. Abner Craft's Comp. in Coll.
Willm. Bond Reg."]
box 1, folder 21
1775, November 4
Note
"List of Field Officers in the Continental Army as stated By a Board of Gen. Officers at Cambridge." 2 p. (The following
document on verso) 1775, December 28: "An Abstract of the Pay due to the commissioned staff, officers and soldiers in the
37 Regiment for the Month of October 1775."
box 1, folder 22
1776, January 1
Note
"Proceedings of a Gen. Court martial held in Roxbury by Order of Major Gen. Ward for the tryal of all such Prisoners as should
be bro't before the same." Israel Woodcock was tried for assaulting an officer. 1 p. (copy).
box 1, folder 23
1776, January 17
Note
Notification of the adjournment of the Court Martial of which Col. Bond is president. 1 p.
box 1, folder 24
1776, January 25
Note
Resolution by the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay Colony that discharged officers or soldiers must return
arms and cartridge boxes. 1 p. (copy).
box 1, folder 25
1776, March 10
Note
Discharge orders for James Richardson for "being a Lazy, Idle Fellow, unwilling to do his Duty, and very much subject to the
Poorlys. 1 p.
box 1, folder 26
1776, March 15
Note
"Colonel Bond and the other Field Officers having made and reported the following Arangement [sic] of the Captains in the
Twenty Fifth Regiment - I have examined them and approve thereof..." Signed by Brigadier General Nathanael Greene. 1 p.
box 1, folder 27
1776, March 15
Note
"Orders for Col. John Stark Commanding the 5th and 25th Regiments of Foot." Orders to proceed to Norwich, Connecticut signed
by General Horatio Gates. 1 p.
box 1, folder 28
1776, April 12
Note
William Bond to Lucy Bond [wife]. Bond wrote from New York to his wife in Watertown, Mass., regarding the disposition of regiments
in the area and mentioned that soon several regiments would be sent to Quebec. 1 p.
box 1, folder 29
1776, April 17
Note
List of men to be discharged from Col. Bond's 25th Regiment. 1 p.
box 1, folder 30
1776, April 20
Note
William Bond to Lucy Bond [wife]. Bond wrote from New York to his wife that Colonel Poor's, Patterson's, Graton's, and Bond's
regiment shall sail for Albany and related that his regiment was in good health. 1 p.
box 1, folder 31
1776, May 5
Note
General Philip Schuyler worries that there will not be enough boats to transport his men to Canada quickly and orders Colonels
Patterson, Greaton, and Bond to put 30 men per boat with only 9 oars. 1 p.
box 1, folder 32
1776, July 11
Note
William Bond to Lucy Bond [wife]. Bond wrote from Crown Point about an outbreak of smallpox in his regiment, his movements
in Canada and his impending march to Ticonderoga. 2 p.
box 1, folder 33
1776, July 16
Note
"Return of Deserters from Col. Wm. Bonds Regt. since Jan 1 1776." 1 p.
box 1, folder 34
1776, August 10
Note
William Bond to Lucy Bond [wife]. Bond wrote from Ticonderoga about the numbers of sick men in his regiment, described the
camp outside Ticonderoga and the military activities in the area. 2 p.
box 1, folder 35
1776, August 16
Note
Recommendation of discharge for medical reasons for Thaddeus Willington Trummer and Joseph Eaton, both of Colonel Bond's 25th
Regiment. 2 p.
box 1, folder 36
1776, August 23-24
Note
List of men to be discharged due to illness from Colonel Bond's regiment. 2 p.
box 1, folder 37
1776, September
Note
"An Inventory of Effects left in Camp by Col. William Bond of 25th Rigement [sic] late decesed [sic] as Prised [sic] by Capt.
Eagry and Capt. Smith of said Rigmt."
box 1, folder 38
1833, December 13
Note
Col. Trumbull to Henry Bond. Trumbull has reviewed his copy of General Order of the Army at Ticonderoga and finds nothing
that would help established the family's claim (undisclosed). 1 p.
box 1, folder 39
No date
Note
Field Officers - Wm. Bond Col. 1 p.
box 1, folder 40
No date
Note
List of Field, Staff and Commissioned Officers in the 25th Regiment of Foot. 1 p.
box 1, folder 41
No date
Note
A List of the Names and Rank of the Officers of the Twentyfifth Regiment. 1 p.
box 1, folder 42
No date
Note
Pages 25-28 of an unidentified printed pamphlet. 4 p.
box 1, folder 43
No date
Note
A Return of Capt. Abner Crafts Comp. in Coll. Willm. Bond Reg. 1 p.
box 1, folder 44
No date
Note
A Return of Soldiers Names in Capt. Harris' Company who have Stands of New Arms together with the Names of those Officers,
non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers who have rec[eived] Arms..." 1 p.
