Below are excerpts of letters written by Hannah’s husband David to her during the during the Revolutionary War.
Inclosed you 15 Dollars by Val. Harrison-- I sent five pounds yesterday by Harry Peyton-- &) as opportunity will not be so frequent I now send you five pounds more; This I hope will be sufficient for my Dearest Hannahs purposes for the remainder of the Summer-- I need not mention the necessity of frugality in using it.
(Page 1 Wmsburg 19th April 1776)
I think it will be best to have the Wheat threshed out since have recd. Yours by (Ino. or Gno/a.?) Sims, & I hope you will have it done, & send it to Mr. Cavens(?) or Kirk as fast as is ready. I have sent the enclosed to (?Muisheid or pu...?) & have left it Open for your inspection but desire you will Seal it before you send it to him.
(Page 3 Wmsburg. 2nd July 1776)
In my yesterdays Letter I forgot to inclose the Bill of Eight Dollars inclosed in this which is for John Hanks--It has not been in my Power to send it before. I recd. it only three Days ago. It is just the amount of his Pay. He was allowed 4 Days at 12/a Day for Horse feed & all. Take His rect. for it. It will come time enough to help him in Harvest.
(Page 5 Wmsburg. 3rd July 1776)
to know how you go on in the management of your Plantation Business and your Stock, wether you have got your wheat Threshed & Ground--by the Bye, do not send any more wheat or Flower to Mr. Herbert nor dispose of it at all till you hear From me. I hope good Care is taken of the Stock, as you know much depends upon that. I want to be informed of many things
(Page 8 Philadelphia 8th Decr. 1776)
In a former Letter or two I have told you, in general, that I should leave the Management of Plantation Affairs entirely to Your discretion. I am sorry you find them so bothersome: But you may remember that my desire was, when last at Home, to disencumber you of that Care by selling off the Stock[?1st]. You have only your self to blame; & you may be assured I shall not wish you to continue it longer than is agreeable to yourself.
In a former Letter you say you paid Mr. Kirk £39. In your last you say it was £49. Either of these sums are much more than I think I owe him, firstly, and I must again desire that you will not discharge any more Debts till I return
(Page 13 Camp in Whitemarsh 6th Nov 1777)
The Season is now Advancing when it is necessary to make Provision for the Winter. The Pork you want you must endeavour to provide on the best Terms you can—I imagine you will not have a sufficiency without purchasing. Is Salt to be had? You must get Canby or some other of your good Neighbors to Provide you some.
(Page 14 Camp in Whitemarsh 6th Nov 1777)
PS. write to me about Plantation affairs & let me know how you go on.
(Page 25 Valley Forge 3rd June 1778)
Inform me Particularly respecting all your Plantation & Domestic Matters- How Spinning & Weaving go on- wether your Family are like to have Clothes, in time, this winter- How your Corn flax & Oats were- How much fodder & Hay you shall have for the Winter. By the bye- remember to be earful of it in the beginning of the Season, & keep the best for the Spring.
(Page 33 White-Plains Sept. 14th 1778)
I rejoiced to hear that you had got through the fatigue of harvest- I want to know how your Hay turned out, & how the New Meadow looked. I would have you buy salt as soon as you can, & inclose you have something to enable you to do it. How many Hogs have you that will be fit to kill this fall & in what order are they: will you have Clothing sufficient for your People & in time
(Page 38 New Ark 27th October 1778)
Your account of Plantation Matters gives me much satisfaction, but you neglect to tell me how the Hay turned out-How the Servants behave & what is become of Israel Wilkinson. I would have the Oldest Horse- Stabled this winter & well fed, but not broke, as I think it will hurt his growth & make him dull.
(Page 48-9 Bound Brook 17th Dec 1778)
I am Sorry to hear that Loudoun Partakes of the Destruction occasioned by the weevil, & I would have you purchase 5 or 6 Barrels of Good flour as soon as you conveniently can, for I am sure it will be exclusively high before the winter is out. Apply to Israel Hanny, but take none but what is very good. I would not have you delay this matter longer than is necessary.
(Page 49 Bound Brook 17th Dec 1778)
I shall bring Home my Teams with me, & you are to spare no Corn or any other Grain: On the contrary I desire you will purchase 60 Bushels of Rye, be the Price what it will, & if you have not Money apply to Colonel Powel & I will repay him ar my return. Be careful of your Fodder & Straw, & let the Oath be used without thrushing. Loose no time in Purchasing the Rye, & if your Corn does not turn out well purchase 100 Bushels.
(Page 50 Bound Brook 21st Dec 1778)