Autographs
1766 Sons of Liberty Member John Lamb Autograph Letter Signed Dated When Forcing the Resignation of John Hughes the Last Royal Stamp Agent in America
JOHN LAMB (1735-1800). Colonial American Leader of the Sons of Liberty, commanded the 2nd Continental Artillery in the American Revolutionary War thru Yorktown, VA, firing the cannon which began the siege, Brevet Brigadier General, and Anti-Federalist Organizer, went to Philadelphia and, with assistance of the "Heart and Hand Fire Company," forced the resignation of John Hughes, the Last Royal Stamp Agent in America.
April 23, 1766-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, fine laid period paper, Philadelphia, PA., Very Fine. This letter measures 8" x 5.5" some trivial fold splits along the left side, and is docketed on the reverse. This is a wonderful, original letter dated 1766, at Philadelphia, where John Lamb has written to John Wetherhead (merchant of Long Island) regarding debts owed and the need to track down a few people. This letter is made more significant and important in that it is dated when John Lamb, of the Sons of Liberty, went to Philadelphia and, with assistance of the "Heart and Hand Fire Company," forced the resignation of John Hughes, the Last Royal Stamp Agent in America. A rare and significant signature in American Revolutionary War history his, "John Lamb" is bold and dark measuring a large 2.5" long at the conclusion.
JOHN LAMB (1735-1800) was an American soldier, politician, and Anti-Federalist organizer. Prior to the Revolutionary War, Lamb was a leading member of the Sons of Liberty. During the American Revolutionary War he led the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment. John Lamb, of the Sons of Liberty, went to Philadelphia and, with assistance of the "Heart and Hand Fire Company," historically forced the resignation of John Hughes, the Last Royal Stamp Agent in America. Later in 1783 a Revolutionary War Continental Army Brevet Brigadier General.



Before the outbreak of the Revolution, Lamb was a trader in liquors. He married Catherine Jardine about 1760, and shortly thereafter, when troubles began with the British, he joined the Sons of Liberty.



At the start of the American Revolutionary War, Lamb was commissioned a Captain of the New York artillery. He fought at the Battle of Quebec in 1775, where he was wounded and captured. Released months later, Lamb was a major and then, in 1777, colonel of the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment.



In 1779 and 1780, he commanded the artillery at West Point, NY. In 1781, Lamb led the led the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment during the final major battle of the war, at Yorktown, VA, firing the cannon which began the siege. He was placed in temporary command of all the American artillery after the victory on the return to New York.



In 1783 he was breveted a Brigadier General.



The following year Lamb appointed Collector of the Port of New York. During the Constitutional debates in 1787 and 1788, Lamb came out at a staunch anti-Federalist, leading the fight against the Constitution in New York. Lamb held the Port position until 1797, when it was found his deputy had been embezzling custom duties. Lamb repaid the losses and regained his position, but died in poverty. Burial was in the historic Trinity Churchyard, Manhattan, New York City.