Brother Jonathans Images, No. 6. Lt.

Colonel Richard Cary Artist: Charles Willson Peale Year: 1776 Collection: Private

Born on January 13, 1746, into a wealthy merchant and distilling family in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Richard Cary grew up in the bustling Boston area following in his fathers footsteps. Cary attended Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating in 1763. He married his first wife, Anna Phillips in 1771

and he was described as an officer from the 14th Regiment of Foot. Carys time in His Majestys service remains unclear, but in 1772 he joined his father in business.[1] Just days after Lexington and Concord, Cary wrote a letter to Joseph Reed of Pennsylvania from Charlestown recounting the trials and tribulations that he and his family faced and stated Things are brought into such a melancholy state that all business is laid aside people are leaving their habitations, and retiring into the country for safety, many not known where to go. The Province is alarmed. Large bodies of soldiers are collecting and enlisting into the Provincial army. General Gage and his troops are shut up in Boston. He and the inhabitants are distressed for want of fresh provisions. There was an agreement between him and them, that on delivering up their arms, they should be allowed to come out with their effects, in doing of which he promised to assist them all that lay in his power. How astonishing to tell you, many cant get papers to come out at all. None are allowed to bring out any provisions with them. They will permit nothing but furniture to come out. To see the poor people coming out over the ferry without anything to eat is affecting. Take it altogether it is a scene of confusion and distress, especially it was so, for the women and children, when the Regulars were drove into the town by the Country people from Concord. My daughter Nancy is in the country, which I wish was with you. The rest of the family are with me. I shall continue in town until I apprehend danger. I am of little service to my distressed friends that come out of Boston, who give me pleasure in coming freely to my house. My dear friend what a trial are many of us exercised with, in being obliged to leave our habitations, quit our business, be separated from our families and friends, and known not when we shall enjoy them again. General Gage breaking the capitulation he made with the town of Boston, is base and dishonorable, for which he must be universally condemned. Theres now such a spirit prevailing, no difficulties or dangers will discourage the rights and liberties of their country. I could enlarge but my mind is so confused, Im not fit to write. My best regards to all friends, particularly to your dear family. Let me hear frequently from you. The state of Boston and Charlestown, demands the pity of every humane heart. May God sanctify our troubles and take us under the protection and grace.[2] Cary added a postscript several days later and concluded I have been made happy by receiving your very acceptable favor of the 28th of April, which is like a cordial. The sympathy, union, and support of the Southern Colonies is a matter of joy and thankfulness, and gives a noble courage and ardor under our distress. We are impatiently waiting till we hear fro the Continental Congress nothing will be done till their mind are known. Their advice will be followed. The difficulty of our friends getting out of Boston daily increases. It is not doubted, the General intends to keep a great number of respectable inhabitants of property in. His conduct to encourage the negroes to leave their masters and come into his service, which many have done is astonishing. It looks as if the horrors and distress of a civil

war will soon take place, on the arrival of his troops. To be cooped up in Boston without fresh provisions &c will be too dishonorable and humiliating for British Troops, that have been a terror to Europe. Thing appear too violent to last. It looks by the spirit and union that American will prevail and be free. As you Justly observe, Lord Dartmouths conduct is astonishing. The love of money is the root of all evil. Dr. Franklins advice is pleasing and will be followed. A thousand thanks is returned for your sympathy, concern, and kind invitation. It is like, Nancy may see you, and personally express her gratitude. Adieu, my dear friend, Every blessing attend you and yours very affectionate friend. Richard Cary[3] With a need for officers to command the newly established American army, John Adams wrote James Warren and recommended Cary. Richard Cary then received the commission of Brigade Major, which her served until June of 1776, when General George Washington appointed him as an Aide de Camp. In December 1776, Cary resigned from Washingtons inner circle and married his second wife Anna Low of New York.[4] Cary wrote his heart felt letter of resignation in Philadelphia Phila. 22d Dec. 1776 Dear Boys I hardly know whom to address particularly & therefore you may take it all together if I am not by this time as much forgot as if I had never existed, saving as far as respecting promising the breeches, stockings, boots &c it may possibly be worth while to tell you that I am very happy fellow & have been really so since the night before last. I am very agreeably accommodated by Mrs. Yard with two rooms, and have every thing provide in an elegant, neat manner, so that I have not the smallest trouble in my new state as a housekeeper. Absolutely I dont envy the happiest man on earth. Tell the old fellow he was more then half right in his remarks and lessons but I beg his pardon for the unpolite appellation. Mr. Harrison, I have taken all possible pains to get your breeches & stockings, but as yet have no prospects of success, however I will persevere till I obtain them if to be had in the city. Mr. Webb, you have no chance at present for your boots, but dont despair Dear Sam, dont lose sight of your matrimonial intentions, take my advice. Capt Gibbs, your letter went forward before I arrived here. I hope it got safe to hand please to send mine by Cris. God bless you all my dear boys, health, and happiness ever attend your. My most dutiful respect to our worthy General I expect a letter from some of you. R. Cary[5] After his resignation, Cary never served in the Continental Army again. He moved to St. Croix where he continued in the mercantile business. At the end of the Revolution he returned to New York City and later moved upstate. His later businesses ventures failed and forced him to declare bankruptcy. He lived out the rest of his life in Cooperstown, New York, passing away in 1806.[6] Richard Cary likely had his miniature painted by Charles Willson Peale around the time he sent his letter of resignation to Washingtons staff. He is painted wearing

the typical blue coat faced in buff as worn by Continental Army staff officers. He wears a ruffled shirt and neck stock. Cary wears his own hair short on top and pulled back into a queue tied with a black ribbon. His hair is teased out around the ears. Two gold epaulettes adorn the coat showing his rank of Lt. Colonel. Most importantly, he is painted wearing a green ribband as stipulated by Washington to identify Aide de Camps.[7]

Brother Jonathans Images Consortium Neal T. Hurst tailor@nhursttailor.com John U. Rees R. Scott Stephenson Matthew C. White (Series introduction below.)

[1] Arthur S. Lefkowitz, George Washingtons Indispensable Men (Mechanicsburg, Pa: Stackpole Books, 2003), 55-57. [2] William Bradford Reed, The Life of Esther de Berdt (Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 1853), 212-215. [3] Ibid. [4] Lefkowitz, George Washingtons Indispensable Men, 55-57. [5] J. Watson Webb, Reminisences of Genl Samuel B. Webb (New York: Globe Stationary and Printing Company, 1882), 184. [6] To George Washington from Richard Cary, 27 October 1789, Founders Online, National Archives (http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-0402-0167, ver. 2013-08-02). Source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential

Series, vol. 4, 8 September 178915 January 1790, ed. Dorothy Twohig. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1993, pp. 240241. [7] George Washington, July 14, 1775, General Orders, The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2008. ____________________________________________ (July 2012) Welcome to the military artwork series, Brother Jonathans Images. We will be following the same premise as Redcoat Images moderated by Dr. Greg Urwin (now nearing 1,900 installments). Greg began this new series, originally called Continental Images, in August 2010 with two contributions. His Redcoat Images project continued on and eclipsed the newcomer. Our small consortium thought that artwork showing the soldiers and uniforms of the fledgling republics military forces is well worth disseminating and we now continue with Dr. Urwins blessings. The series will cover the period 1753 to the end of 1799, the first date denoting George Washingtons rise in military service and the latter coinciding with his death after serving as commander-in-chief and first president of the United States. Images will include militia, officers (including foreign volunteers), and soldiers of the Confederation and early Republic. The narratives will focus on clothing and officers careers, but other pertinent information will be presented as well. Guest contributors will be considered, and anyone with information, images, or artwork sources they wish to share please email Neal Hurst at tailor@nhursttailor.com. With that in mind, we hope to make this an informative and entertaining, as well as a collaborative effort. Our first installments will begin with Greg Urwins Continental Images Nos. 1 and 2, renamed Brother Jonathans Images to reflect the wider umbrella. Our initial contribution, No. 3, will immediately follow. ______________________ The British were very civil, and indeed they generally were after they had received a check from Brother Jonathan for any of their rude actions. Connecticut soldier Joseph Plumb Martin writing in his 1830 memoir of the October 1776 Battle of White Plains.