The American Revolution at sea: Shelter Island letter surfaces recounting battles timesreview.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesreview.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
(Credit: Copyright G. Gosen Rare Books & Old Paper)
The short letter was dashed off quickly, 246 years ago this month. Sent from New London, Conn. across Long Island Sound to Shelter Island, it arrived damp from what must have been a rocky crossing, but to this day is still sturdy and legible.
Written on April 27, 1775 from Thomas Fosdick to his brother-in-law Nicoll Havens, the letter is an insight into the emotions Americans felt at the moment the American Revolution was born.
Thomas Fosdick wrote: “Dear Brother, I Send You Inclosed the News Paper containing the most a Larming News of the King’s Soldiers Striking a Blow on the Americans, I’ve Recd the News Last Night, & are one Fixing To Go Immediately for Boston, So I have only Time To Let You Know that I am one that is Going who am your Affectionate Brother Thos. Fosdick.”