Name/Title
Letter from Frederick Philipse to Elizabeth Philipse, August 14, 1776Entry/Object ID
HHV 001.46Description
On August 9, 1776 Loyalist Frederick Philpse III was arrested by a local Committee of Safety and taken to New Rochelle. Over the next few months, imprisoned, he corresponded with his wife and in one letter, dated August 14, 1776, he cautioned her that if "...any news should come to your knowledge write it on the Inside of the Cover of your Letters not with Ink but the Juice of a Lemon and I shall do the same." This method would produce a type of invisible ink, legible only if held up to heat such as a candle's flame.
Letter from Frederick Philipse to Elizabeth Philipse, August 14, 1776Subject Person/Organization
Frederick Philipse III (1720-1786), Elizabeth Williams Philipse (1732-1817)Context
American RevolutionCollection
Philipse [Philips] Manuscript CollectionTranscription
My Dearest Life
I return you many thanks for your kind favour and have wrote you so late that nothing worthy notice has hapened. Since I hope you have procured me Posts wagon and sent it of before this reaches you for I am really tired and sick of this Filthy place the house is Crowded from morning to night and four Company’s of Militia that are parading here for what purpose I cannot learn but are verry Noisey Companions If the wagon was Arrived I would set of Immediately rain or shine I am thank verry well and in tolerable Spirits and should be more If I Could once get rid of this vile place. Mr. Pintard has been remarkable Civil and generous In their Invitation to his house both to lodge & Dine Mr. Abramse30 and Mr. John Myers have Likewise been remarkably Civil and generous In their Invitations but for some reasons would not go abroad. I shall upon all future occasions Inclose my Letters to you to the Care of Mr. Isaac Williams at West Chester who has promised to take Care of them and all your Letters to Me direct Inclosed to Mr. John Porit merchant at Norwich the Gentleman than Mr. Babcock recommended me to – and get Mr. Babcock to Direct them. I[f] any news should come to your knowledge write it on the Inside of the Cover of your Letters not with Ink but the Juice of a Lemon and I shall do the same. My best regards to good Mr. Babcock and my verry friend Mr. Shaw and Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Morris Mrs. Ludlow &c My love to polly & Fred [his children]: thank them for their Letter Shall answer them asoon as I arrive at the place of Exile. My Love to the Children and Charge them from me to be Dutyfull to you and mind their Study’s and be verry Obedient And pay the greatest attention to Mr. Babcock and not open their lipps about the times. God bless you My Dearest and may he strengthen and support us with Grace to bear his Dispensations with resignation to his Divine will is the sincere prayer of –
Your affectionate husband
FP
N: Rochelle
14th Augst 1776Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Former NumberOther Number
P 826
