Unveiled Documents Belonging to Artemas Ward
The Massachusetts Historical Society is proud to announce the availability of the personal and family papers of Artemas Ward, a major American general during the Revolutionary War. These papers, which span from 1721 to 1953, offer a unique perspective on the life of Ward and his family across multiple generations, but more importantly, they provide an extensive primary documentation on critical periods in Massachusetts and American history, particularly the American Revolutionary War and Shays' Rebellion.
Content and Highlights
The Artemas Ward papers consist of letters, military orders, personal correspondence, official papers, and other documents related to Ward's role as a senior Massachusetts militia commander. These papers offer a fascinating glimpse into his leadership during the early stages of the Revolutionary War, including the Siege of Boston period in 1775 when Ward was appointed commander-in-chief of the Massachusetts forces before General Washington's arrival.
The collection also sheds light on local Massachusetts responses to the Revolution, militia organization, and military strategy. Beyond the war, the papers contain materials from the post-war period that touch on Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787), an armed uprising in western Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and high taxes. Artemas Ward Senior served as a general tasked with suppressing the rebellion, so his papers likely include detailed correspondence and reports regarding this event.
The family papers extend into the 19th and early 20th centuries, providing context on Ward’s descendants and the broader historical legacy of his family.
Significance and Value
As a leading Massachusetts military figure in the Revolutionary War, Artemas Ward’s papers are a key resource to understand the military and political leadership in Massachusetts during the formative years of the United States. The collection offers a rich, firsthand portrayal of the challenges faced by provincial militias, including logistics, troop morale, and relations with Continental Army leadership.
The documents related to Shays’ Rebellion represent one of the earliest tests of the young American government’s ability to maintain order and address civil unrest, making them crucial to studying the political and social tensions of the post-Revolution era. The papers are part of a broader Massachusetts Historical Society module that includes other major Revolutionary War collections (e.g., Revere Family Papers, Benjamin Lincoln Papers), providing a comprehensive lens on the Massachusetts experience.
Accessing the Artemas Ward Papers
A 5-reel, 30-page guide is available for Artemas Ward, produced by the Massachusetts Historical Society. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the papers' organization and content, and it serves as an invaluable resource for researchers and historians. The guide can be accessed online at the provided link: https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/archiveComponent/1292613641. The physical document is also accessible at the Massachusetts Historical Society.
The personal and family papers of Artemas Ward contain a diary of the Ticonderoga campaign, Ward family correspondence, and an orderly book, among other items. These papers provide insight into the military history of the early days of the Revolution before Washington took command, offering a unique and valuable perspective on a pivotal period in American history.
[1] Massachusetts Historical Society, Artemas Ward Papers, 1721-1953. [2] Massachusetts Historical Society, Artemas Ward Papers Guide, 2021.
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