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This collection consists of military, political, and family correspondence of Jacob Jennings Brown, an American general during and after the War of 1812.

The Jacob Jennings Brown papers (707 items) consist of military, political, and family correspondence of Jacob Jennings Brown, American general in the War of 1812. Of special note are several pre-war letters written to New York Governor Lewis Morris, concerning land along the Black River in 1806, and about lobbying for the financing of road-building operations in the Brownville area in 1804 and 1805. Also important is the substantial correspondence in 1814, between Brown and his subordinate, Winfield Scott, regarding plans and intelligence reports outlining the Niagara Campaign. Other notable correspondents are DeWitt Clinton, General James Miller, General John A. Dix, and John C. Calhoun. Many post-war letters comment on national and state politics between 1823 and 1827, including letters from New York Senator Ambrose Spencer, and an account of a quarrel between Colonel Joseph L. Smith of Green Bay and General Alexander Macomb of Detroit.

The bulk of the letters and documents from after Brown's death are the 169 letters from his son -in-law Edmund Kirby, who was one of Brown's executors. These letters deal with Kirby's business interests, particularly in the development of Dexter, New York; routine army matters in regard to his role as paymaster of the army; and letters concerning the settlement of Brown's estate. Fifty-five additional documents and business papers from 1830 to 1851 cover the same topics.

These two orderly books were kept by John L. Fink, captain and later lieutenant of the 13th Infantry, United States Army, headquartered at Sackets Harbor, New York, during the War of 1812. The volumes contain regimental, brigade, and general orders; "Morning Reports" that register promotions, enlistment, reductions, absenteeism, desertions, and deaths; rules for recruiting; and other accounts and receipts.

The Fink orderly books (2 volumes) were kept by the captain, and later lieutenant, of the 13th United States Infantry, headquartered at Sackets Harbor, New York, during the War of 1812.

The first volume consists of "Rules with Regard to Recruiting," forms to use for the commander, orders issued to new recruits from the Broadway Quarters in 1812, accounts of bounties and premiums for Captain Fink’s recruits (April 17-June 30, 1812), and accounts of clothing and provisions for enlistees (1813-1814). In the middle of the book is a copy of three verses of a Civil War era song entitled Manassas, attributed to J.A. of 12th Ohio Regiment and published by the Tobacco Factory, in Richmond, 1861.

The second volume contains regimental, brigade, and general orders, from Sackets Harbor (February 6-May 12, 1815); "Morning Reports" that register promotions, enlistment, reductions, absenteeism, desertions, and deaths, as well as miscellaneous receipts (January-April, 1815); and provision returns (January-April, 1815).

The United States. Army. 29th Infantry orderly book (124 pages) contains the general orders, detail orders, and morning reports of a New York infantry stationed at Sackets Harbor from March to August 1814, during the War of 1812.

The United States. Army. 29th Infantry orderly book (124 pages) contains the general orders, detail orders, and morning reports of a New York infantry stationed at Sackets Harbor from March to September 1814, during the War of 1812. One of the members of the regiment kept the orders.

The volume opens stating the following:

"Major A. B. Sizen Took the command May 11th, 1814 of Smiths cantonment

Samuel B Hickcox

Lieut & Adjutant of the consolidated 5th, 6th, 12th, 15th, & 29th Reg. Infantry"

The morning reports (pages 3-15) are comprised of tables documenting the numbers of troops and officers counted for duty, sick call, absence, arrest, and extra duty. Covered are daily counts for the months April, May, June, and the first half of July 1814. John C. Rochester is listed as commander for April, May and July, and Asa Sizer is listed as commander for June and the empty August table. Page 15 contains three entries for guards serving under Major John Ellis Wool.

The general orders (pages 17-90) comprise the bulk of the volume and cover March 14 to August 18, 1814. The orders come from the headquarters at Sackets Harbor, New York, and include details on the 9th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 23rd, 25th, 26th, and 30th Infantries, as well as a Dragoon of Horses and the 1st United States Riflemen. Various officers signed these orders, including Captain John C. Rochester, Brigadier General E. P. Gains, Brigadier Major James Gleason, War Department Clerk Daniel Parker, Captain of Light Artillery G. W. Melvin, and General Alexander Macomb. The volume also contains occasional orders from Washington D.C. Orders document fort duties, defense, promotions, transfers, appointments, courts martial, and battles.

• June 1 and 12, 1814: Order describing the capture of a British naval force at Sandy Creek by Daniel Appling (1787-1817), leading the 1st United States Riflemen and a group of Oneida Indians. Appling and his troops were charged with protecting naval stores at Oswego under Commodore Isaac Chauncey (pages 50 and 57)
• August 21, 1814: Order for surgeons to report to Plattsburg, and a report on a battle fought by the Light Infantry on August 15th (page 87)

The detail orders (pages A1-A34, beginning at the back of the volume) contain daily counts of subalterns, sergeants, captains, privates, and police stationed at Sackets Harbor from March 15 through July 13, 1814. Both the 13th and 29th Infantries are documented. Entries also contain brief orders for the regiments and details on leadership assignments. Officers mentioned include lieutenants Rosecrantz, Simonds, Noyes, Smyth, Myers, Childs, Captain John C. Rochester, and Ensign [Bunbridge].