(Pennsylvania) James HENDRICKS (1722-1795) Captain who served in Pontiac’s War, one of several Deputy Surveyors General for Pennsylvania. Tobias HENDRICKS, Jr. (1714-1779) Innkeeper of the landmark “Toby’s Place” located on the Cumberland Trail. A well frequented meeting house for Indian traders and politicians, and a prime hub of Colonial strategic gatherings during the Revolutionary War.

A collection of nine (9) pieces including one Autograph Letter Signed “Tobias Hendricks,” addressed to ”John Lukens,” 23 June 1767, 1p., 183×150 mm., and six Autograph Letters Signed “James Hendricks,” also addressed to John Lukens (Surveyor General of Pennsylvania from 1761-1789), ranging in date from 1770-1772, size range 225×180 – 170×160 mm. Also included is a partial Autograph Letter Signed “James Hendrix” undated, and in three pieces and also together with a manuscript map, 1p. 325×205 mm. [n.p., n.d], of lands granted to officers in the French and Indian War.

Tobias Hendricks’ letter to “Mr. Lukens” reads in part: “I have sent your Coat and gloves with the Sensang J. Shakeroot, in the pokets [sic] by the Bearer James Hunter, which I think he will deliver safe…” The letters from James Hendricks offer his response to accusations of impropriety by his boss, John Lukens, , and later Secretary of the Proprietary Land Office, John Tilghman. Hendrick’s urgency is heightened with each letter as the investigation into his dealings intensified. Cumberland County, 23 August 1770, in full: “Sir, I received yours, wherein you Inform me of your not receiving Vandarin’s Return, which Surprises me as I Enclos’d it in March last to you – by your letter I would understand you Suspect me of Detaining returns after paid for, I am Sorry I have Gave you Reason to think So, and I am Confident I shall be fun on Examination to be as clear of that Charge as the other Deputy as the number of Returns I have made in some Measure Demonstrates. I am Yr. Hum. Servt., James Hendricks.” Cumberland County, 4 October 1770, in full: “Sir, I Inclos’d [sic] two returns to you a few days ago by One Paul Peirce but he being in the land Jobbing way I am Suspicious he will not deliver them he has Several more in my hands but as he has not Comply’d with the Custom of Paying for the Surveys I have detain’d, which has so exasperated him that he has threatened to lodge a Complaint with you against me, but as I can easily Clear up any thin he Can say I have only Just hinted to you, for fear the fellow might have forged some Idle Story to my Prejudice I am now setting off for my District. I am yr. most Obligd Humble Servt., James Hendricks.” Cumberland County, 30th January 1771, in full: “Sir, Having this opportunity, I thought proper to request you wou’d let me know if it wou’d be attended with any bad Consequences my not making the few Returns are in my hands untill [sic] the first of March next as I am oblig’d to be in Philada. at the time, and if Possible I wou’d make one Journey Answer both purposes, Indeed the fare things bear in our back Country, I am Suspicious the People will not be Anxious in Patenting their lands, if their is a Necessity of Returning I will Come down before that time which you’ll be kind enough to let me know. I am yr. Oblig’d Humble Servt., James Hendricks.” Cumberland County, 16 March 1772, in full: “Respected Sir, I received your order for making the Enclos’d Return with the Minutes of the Board of Property, & do assure you it gives me Pain to think Either you or Mr. Tilghman should Suspect I have gone beyond my duty, in that affair, however I am well Convinc’d if the matter had been fairly stated it must have appear’d that I have done nothing to Incur Censure as in that affair and Every Other I have Acted and still Intend to act out of the Reach of Influence, to Sum up the whole Circumstances Respecting that Survey wou’d Perhaps Exceed the Bounds of this letter, I shall only Just give you a Sketch of the matter from whence you will be able to draw a Conclusion. Brownfields order with Englands were (its true) in my hands at the time of the making the Survey, Located Just in ye same manner, Brownfield adjoining Camptn. Thompson on the lower & Jno. McKee on the upper side, McKee’s being taken by a Prior order in the name of Alexandar Ross England adjoining Alexn. Ross on the upper & Captn. Thompson, Brownfield not appearing neither at time of Surveying nor any person for him notwithstanding my advertising ye time & Intended being in my district (nor Indeed yet did Brownfield or any other person appear to for him) & Captn. Batt apearing [sic] for England It was my Opinion England’s Order shou’d be Executed – The arguments made use of Either by Mr. Batt or McKee In support of their respective Claim I am not acquainted with nor Indeed is not in my Province to know – this I am pretty well assured of, that McKee wou’d never have meddled in the matter if it had not been to satisfy a little spite for Captn. Batt’s having flogg’d and drum’d him Ignomenouly [sic] from Fort Pitt for Horse Stealing of which fact it is Notorious he was Guilty, I wou’d be glad you wou’d show this to Mr. Tilghman in order to wipe away any Prejudices he might have Entertain’d against, & if this is not Sufficient with such Other reasons which I am able to give for my Conduct, I shall acknowledge the Error has arose from ant of not seeing into the matter Properly & not Intentionally, I Expect to Be in Philada. some time in the Beginning of Mat, an in the mean time Rests. Sr., Yr. Obdt, humble Servt., James Hendricks.” No place, no date, in part: “Respected Sir, I receiv’d yours of 29 [missing content] later than I ought Occasion’d by the Post being detain’d by the Ice on our River) wherein you desire me to furnish you with those Papers Relative to my office as Deputy Surveyor & your intention of Calling on my Bail for that purpose shou’d I not do it soon – as I have ever gave as little as possible to my friends I shou’d now be wanting in my duty shou’d I now do it – I shou’d have been glad you had been more particular in mentioning what is necessary to be done on this Occasion and what Papers I am to Send shall be much oblig’d to you to write me by Post what I am to do, and in the meantime I intend sending by the first Safe Opportunity, all orders unexecuted and a list of those executed & return’d shou’d these not be sufficient I’ll beg you’ll impute it not to want of respect, Neglect or any other Cause than that of not knowing what is Necessary to furnish you with, what more may be Necessary for me to do I shall be ready to Comply with Imediately [sic] on my getting an answer to this which I request you will send, I live in this Town where there is a Post Office kept so that I shall be in no danger of not getting it. If you remember on my last seeing you I told you I did not intend on Visiting my district again untill [sic] things there were put on Better footing when I have been insulted on many occasions and indeed some times in real danger – if my leaving the prvince without giving up my District has [missing content] intentionally as I had Conceiv’d [missing content] of Consequence Cou’d be done in it [missing content] him, and any thing that might Come in the way of expence [sic] M. Alexander McClean wou’d have Call’d at your office for as a person who was near the district and one that I might Confide in which was likewise my reason for not Calling on you on my being in Philadelphia – if no Opportunity offers before next month I then have a Safe one to send you my Papers so that I Conceive there will be no Damage to the Propriatary affairs arise before then & I hope no Necessity of Calling on my Bail – as I said before I shall expect an Answer to this from the many instances of friendship that you have favour’d me with I flatter myself I shant be disappointed – I conclude with my Compts. to your sons Jesse & Jno. & my best wishes for your welfare, Yr. Oblig’d Hble Srvt., James Hendricks. Be Please likewise to let me know if It will not still be in my power to make such Returns that is executed & and not paid for. J.H.”

The undated letter is separated at a vertical crease with partial separation to the other and marginal losses (as shown) affecting content. All other letters are intact, with  expected toning to paper, usual seams, some with slight separation at seams, most contain remnants of original red wax seal, overall very good condition. Together, nine pieces. 

(EXA 3422) $350