Secret Military Mission

A set of instructions titled "Secret" directing the 15th Garrison Battalion, dated 22 June 1918. The instructions are for the next morning (June 23rd) and direct the Battalions movements, location and dress. The troops are to be in full marching order with steel helmets at back of pack and the directions lead them to Lederzeele - St. Momelin road.

Secret Orders - 16 June, 1918

A set of instructions marked "Secret" for Lt. Col. F.C. McCordick, Commanding 15th Garrison Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The handwritten document is dated 16 June, 1918 and is Copy No.1. The document describes the role of the Battalion in the event of an enemy attack.

Daniel Shannon fonds, 1816-1822

Lt. Daniel Shannon fl. 1777-1822, was the only son of Susan Drake, granddaughter of Rev. Thomas Drake, eldest brother of Sir Francis Drake, and Captain Daniel Shannon of the Royal Navy. He married Elizabeth Garvey, daughter of Alexander Garvey and Catharine Borden of New Jersey. Lt. Shannon was a Regular in the British Army and on February 12, 1777 he joined the Royal Standard, 5th New Jersey Volunteers. After being arrested and sentenced to hang for spying he was pardoned through the efforts of his mother Susan Drake Shannon who pleaded his case with the Governor. He served under General Cornwallis at the surrender in Virginia in 1781. In 1783 he moved to New Brunswick, Canada where he was reduced to a half-pay ensign in the 2nd Regiment of the Lincoln Militia. He was granted 500 acres of land on the St. Johns River, and on April 1, 1786 his daughter Catharine was born there. The family returned to the United States, residing in Pennsylvania, for a short time. In 1800 Lt. Shannon, with his mother and family, returned to Canada and settled in Stamford Township where he bought 200 acres of land on the Niagara River near the whirlpool. He later served in the Secret Service during the War of 1812 and was stationed at a lookout point on the Niagara River below the falls. In 1806 Shannon’s daughter, Catharine, married Thomas Lundy, fourth son of William Lundy of Stamford Township.

Histoire De La Fondation Du Grand Orient De France

A book entitled Histoire de la foundation du Grand Orient de France by Claude-Antoine Thory, 1812. This is likely an editor’s copy for a new edition. It has 471 pages and is annotated throughout. There are 4 plates at the end of the book that contain various illustrations resembling lockets. The title page states that the book contains the “…revolutions that have preceded, accompanied and followed until one thousand seven hundred ninety nine, era of the meeting in this body, the Grand Lodge of France, known as the Grand Orient de Clermont, or the Arcade de la Pelleterie, with an appendix containing the supporting documents, several curious and unpublished reports with the history of the Franche- Masonry, the details of many rites and a fragment of the secret meetings of women.” (Section 1 pp1-96, Section 2 pp. 97-183, Section 3 pp.184-281, Section 4 pp. 282-346, Section 5 pp. 347-471)

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from J.J.B. in Saginaw, Michigan.

Letter (1 handwritten, double sided page) to S.D. Woodruff from J.J.B. in Saginaw, Michigan. J.J.B. says that he doesn’t want any money for his information. He explains where the pine is, and encloses a crudely drawn map. He says the Mr. Woodruff can correspond with him, but to please keep this a secret, Jan. 23, 1880.