American Revolution
Rare 1779 Revolutionary War "Regimental Court Martial" for the Various Cases to Hear Signed "Hercules Mooney"
December 29, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document Signed, being a "Regimental Court Martial" for the various infractions and cases to be heard by the members, Signed by "Hercules Mooney Colo. Comtt," at Providence, Rhode Island, Very Fine.
This Revolutionary War Document measures about 8" x 6.5", 1 page, Signed, "Hercules Mooney Colo Commtt". Being an well written Appointment to a Regimental Court Martial with Captain Daniel Emerson as the Court Marshals president, to hear the cases of any prisoners awaiting trial. Written in bold brown ink on "British Crown" watermarked laid period paper, having some trivial notations on the blank verso and slightly irregular edges, short fold splits and scattered pin holes. He also appointed four officers, as listed below to serve on the court with Emerson, and has assigned Ensign Timothy Gleason to act as Judge Advocate. This notice of the Regimental Court Martial reads, in full:
"Providence 29th Decemr 1779 / A Regimental Court Martial to be held at one of the Clock this afternoon at Providence at Capt Emerson's Quarters in said Town to try such prisoners as shall be brought before them, whereof Capt Emerson is preside(nt.) - Members (Listed below, include:) Capt Leavitt, Lieut Kelly, Lieut Drury, Ensn Runales, Ensn Gleeson Judge Advocate - Hercules Mooney Colo Commtt".
Accompanied by a printed information sheet about Hercules Mooney. A rare official Revolutionary War Regimental Court Martial document for American forces opposing the British at Providence, Rhode Island.
On June 23, 1779, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to raise a regiment of 300 men for the defense of Rhode Island, organized into six companies. They appointed Hercules Mooney as the colonel and Daniel Reynolds as the major of the regiment.
They also appointed Ezekiel Worthen, Daniel Emerson, Ephraim Stone, and Samuel Runnals as captains of four of the companies, Jonathan Leavitt as Captain-Lieutenant to command Colonel Mooney's company, and William Chamberlain as a Lieutenant to command Major Reynolds's company.
Hercules Mooney (1715-1800) was born in Ireland into a Protestant family, emigrated to North America in 1733, and settled in Dover, New Hampshire. In 1738, he married Elizabeth Evans. He was a teacher and schoolmaster in Dover and Durham. He served as a Captain in a New Hampshire regiment in the French and Indian War. He served as a Delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1775 and received an appointment as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental Army in 1776.
He fought with his regiment in the Saratoga Campaign and served on New Hampshire's Committee of Safety in 1778 and 1779. In June 1779, he commanded a regiment of New Hampshire militia sent to Rhode Island to observe the British Army at Newport. After the Revolutionary War, he moved to Holderness, New Hampshire, where he served as a Justice of the Peace and as a Representative to the State General Court.
Daniel Emerson Jr. (1746-1820) was born in Hollis, New Hampshire. He served as captain of a company that went to Ticonderoga in July 1776 and again in 1777. He commanded a mounted company that went to Rhode Island in 1778 and was again captain of the 5th Company of New Hampshire volunteers who served in Rhode Island for nearly six months from the summer of 1779 to January 1, 1780. He served as a member of the New Hampshire Council in 1787 and of the New Hampshire Constitutional Convention in 1791. Emerson was a member of the New Hampshire General Court for nineteen years between 1780 and 1812.
Jonathan Leavitt of Hampton Falls was a captain lieutenant in Colonel Hercules Mooney's regiment of New Hampshire militia who served in Rhode Island.
Samuel Kelley (1733-1813) was a carpenter and one of the first settlers of New Hampton, New Hampshire, in 1775. Kelley served as a lieutenant in Colonel Hercules Mooney's regiment of New Hampshire militia who served in Rhode Island.
Gershom Drury (c. 1739 - 1804) of Temple, New Hampshire served as constable in 1768 and a selectman in 1773. In 1775, he joined the American Patriot cause as a Lieutenant and gained promotion to Captain in 1777, when he led a group of three dozen men to Ticonderoga. In 1779, Drury served as a Lieutenant in Colonel Hercules Mooney's regiment of New Hampshire militia who served in Rhode Island.
Samuel Runnals (or Runnels) (1754-1847) of Durham, New Hampshire joined the American Continental Army at Winter Hill and then served as an Aide to General John Sullivan in New York, at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and again in Rhode Island. In 1779, he served as a Captain in Colonel Hercules Mooney's regiment of New Hampshire militia who served in Rhode Island. In 1780, he commanded a company for the defense of the Western Frontiers. He served in various local offices and became a Justice of the Peace in 1795.
Timothy Gleason (1752-1827) of Barrington enlisted in 1775 and twice in 1776 for short services, including military service at Ticonderoga. In 1777, he served as a steward aboard the ship "Raleigh" on a Privateering voyage to France, and returned in June 1778. He served two months as an Adjutant in 1779 before volunteering to serve in Rhode Island. Gleeson was commissioned an Ensign in Captain Ezekiel Worthen's company on June 30, 1779, and also served as Quartermaster while with the New Hampshire forces in Rhode Island.