Drawn from various collections in the Clements Library, the Gold Star Collection is comprised of manuscript materials of extraordinary historical importance, as well as items that have a particular importance for public display. The heavy emphasis on the Revolutionary War reflects the depth of the Clements' collections, particularly for the British side, but the Gold Star Collection houses materials ranging in date from the early colonial period through the mid-19th century.

The Gold Star Collection is a collection of highlights, and each item included is of notable historical importance. Among the many interesting items are an arrest warrant for women accused of witchcraft at Salem, 1692; Thomas Gage's order to Francis Smith to march in Lexington in April, 1775; a series of coded intelligence letters from British spies during the Revolution; Benedict Arnold's coded offer to sell West Point to the British; Friedrich von Steuben's instructions for training American troops at Valley Forge; the Jefferson-Hartley map of the United States east of the Mississippi River; first hand accounts of the deaths of Washington (by Tobias Lear) and Lincoln; and Sarah Forten's eloquent reply to the effects of racial prejudice on African American women.

Provenance:

Acquired by purchase and gift, 1927-1996.

Various
Recat. 6/98 rsc

Inventory of the Gold Star Manuscripts Collection

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