Lieut. Williams Revolutionary War Journal

First page of Lieut. Williams’ journal, 1774

Recently, the Rare Book Room has digitized the original autograph manuscript of Lieutenant Richard Williams, a British Officer of the 23rd Marines, which covers the period of January 1, 1774 to September 5, 1775. Known as, A Journal : in part describing the battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill, this unique manuscript was acquired during the Second World War under the generous guidance of then interim Library Director of the Grosvenor Library, Julian Park (son of Roswell Park). Published as a transcribed excerpt in 1954 by the library group, the Salisbury Club of Buffalo, Discord and civil wars was prepared for publication by our first Grosvenor Rare Book curator, Jane Van Arsdale. The journal contains detailed eyewitness accounts of several Revolutionary War battles, with lists of casualties and maneuvers used by the forces during battle. There is also a description of the ‘rebels’ using signal lights flashed from church belfries, reminiscent of Paul Revere’s famous ride.

Remarkably, Lieut. Williams was a talented artist who included several of his own charming watercolor drawings among the journal’s pages.

Illustrated page

Williams also was surveyor of the map, A Plan of Boston and its environs shewing the true situation of His Majesty’s Army and also those of the rebels, 1775, available to be viewed online from the Boston Public Library’s digital collection: http://maps.bpl.org/id/rb16892. Other examples of Williams’ watercolor views are held at the Boston Public Library and the Nova Scotia Historical Society. Lieut. Williams died on May 20, 1776 after a brief but eventful life.

British Officer

Upcoming Free Genealogy Classes @ the Central Library

4/3/2014 -12pm-1pm – Jumpstart Your Genealogy – Learn what is involved in genealogy research, the starting steps in genealogy and gain an overview of select, easy to use, high impact genealogy resources. This event will be held in the Ring of Knowledge.

4/10/2014 -12pm-1pm – HeritageQuest Helper – HeritageQuest Online is a genealogy database which includes resources such as U.S. Federal Census Records, Revolutionary War pension files, Freedmen’s Bank Records, and thousands of family and local history books. It is available for use in-library and from home with a Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Card. This event will be held in The Ring of Knowledge.

4/17/2014 – 12pm-1pm – Print Sources for Genealogy Research – Primary records aren’t the only sources for genealogy research. Published works can advance family lines, provide details of ancestors’ lives and help break down brick walls. Learn how print resources such as histories, directories, newspapers and magazines can help you expand your family tree. Tips on locating published resources will also be given. This event will be held in The Ring of Knowledge.

4/17/2014 – 5:30-7:30 pm – Genealogy 101 – This is an introduction to genealogy research including basic concepts, the types of records used, and an overview of genealogy databases available through the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System.Held in the Computer Training Lab, 2nd Floor, Central Library. Registration is required. Please call 858-7132 to register or in person at the Central Library Borrower Services Desk from 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Saturday. Registration begins 1 month prior to the class date.

4/24/2014 – 12pm-1pm – Breaking Old World – The key to breaking your genealogy research into the “Old World” is knowing your immigrant ancestor’s origin. Learn about American resources which will tell you your ancestor’s birth town or region. This event will be held in The Ring of Knowledge.