COLLECTION GUIDES

1728-1785

Guide to the Microfilm Edition


Collection Summary

Creator: Williams, Israel, 1709-1788
Title: Israel Williams papers
Dates: 1728-1785
Physical Description: 2 boxes and 1 oversize box (1 reel)
Microfilm Call Number: P-138, 1 reel
Call Number: Ms. N-473
Repository:
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston StreetBoston, MA 02215library@masshist.org

Abstract

This collection consists of the papers of Israel Williams of Hatfield, Mass. and contains materials related to his career as a soldier and commander of a Hampshire County regiment responsible for the defense of western Massachusetts during King George's and the French and Indian Wars, including correspondence, orders, lists of soldiers, muster rolls, and other military papers.

Collection Description

The papers of Israel Williams of Hatfield, Mass. contain materials related to his career as a soldier and commander of a Hampshire County regiment responsible for the defense of western Massachusetts during King George's and the French and Indian Wars, including correspondence, orders, lists of soldiers, muster rolls, and other military papers. Massachusetts civic and political issues are also represented in papers documenting Williams' role as a selectman in Hatfield, a state legislator, a Hampshire County judge, and a member of the Governor's Council from 1761-1767.

The collection also contains military papers, including muster rolls, of Israel's cousin Ephraim Williams while in command of forts and posts along the Massachusetts and New York border; papers related to the founding of a free school (later Williams College) in Williamstown, Mass. as a result of his will, for which Israel was executor; and papers related to Israel's loyalty to Thomas Hutchinson and Loyalist actions prior to and during the Revolution.

Among the places documented are Hampshire County, Mass.; Fort Massachusetts (Mass.); and Fort William Henry (N.Y.). Correspondents include William Shirley, Oliver Partridge, John Worthington, Spencer Phips, Thomas Hutchinson, Andrew Oliver, Joseph Hawley, Thomas Pownall, and William Williams, Israel's nephew.

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Arrangement

Below is a list of the contents of the Israel Williams papers transcribed directly from the handwritten list included in the collection. The list has been revised to follow a more strict chronological arrangement. Page numbers reflecting a former arrangement in bound volumes have been eliminated. Users should be advised that the order of the materials on the microfilm edition does not follow an exact chronological arrangement and they may have to do some searching within a small area to find the document they are looking for. Also, undated materials may not be in the order they are listed. The original handwritten index remains with the collection and at the end of the microfilm edition. Volume and page locations on the cards for individually cataloged items should be disregarded.

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Acquisition Information

Gift of John Williams, Oct. 1837.

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Other Formats

Black and white digital images of this collection--produced from the microfilm edition--are available as part of History Vault: Revolutionary War and Early America, a digital resource from ProQuest. This resource is available at subscribing libraries; speak to your local librarian to determine if your library has access. The MHS also provides access onsite to the Society's contributions to this resource; see a reference librarian for more information.

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Item List

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Preferred Citation

Israel Williams papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.

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Access Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.

Persons:

Hawley, Joseph, 1723-1788.
Hutchinson, Thomas, 1711-1780.
Oliver, Andrew, 1706-1774.
Partridge, Oliver, 1712-1792.
Phips, Spencer, 1685-1757.
Pownall, Thomas, 1722-1805.
Shirley, William, 1694-1771.
Williams, Ephraim, 1715-1755.
Williams, William.
Worthington, John, 1719-1800.

Organizations:

Massachusetts. Provincial Forces. Regiment, Ephraim Williams' (1755-1763).
Massachusetts. Provincial Forces. Regiment, Israel Williams' (1755-1763).
Williams College.

Subjects:

American loyalists.
Indians of North America--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
Judges--Massachusetts--Hampshire County.
Legislators--Massachusetts.
Fort Massachusetts (Mass.).
Fort William Henry (N.Y.).
Hampshire County (Mass.)--History.
Massachusetts--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
Massachusetts--History--King George's War, 1744-1748.
Massachusetts--History--French and Indian War, 1755-1763.
Massachusetts--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.
Massachusetts--Politics and government--To 1775.
United States--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
United States--History--King George's War, 1744-1748.
United States--History--French and Indian War, 1755-1763.
United States--History--King George's War, 1744-1748--Muster rolls.
United States--History--French and Indian War, 1755-1763--Muster rolls.

Revised 28 May 2021

Encoded by Michael Rush, Jan. 2004

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