AUTOGRAPH LETTER BY LIKELY REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER HELD AS PRISONER IN ENGLAND

Autograph letter signed by Nathan Goodwin. Forton Prison, Gosport, England, 30 June 1779. 2 pages, 7 1/2 x 12 in. 

An incredible letter from Nathan Goodwin, most likely a Revolutionary War soldier held prisoner at Forton Prison in Gosport, England. He writes to his wife, Sarah, who lives in Massachusetts Bay, reassuring her that he will eventually come home. 

What makes this letter especially significant is Goodwin's recounting of the two times he's tried to escape prison. He writes about one time simply trying to run but was brought back by soldiers. The second time, though, he "got on Board of a Ship that was Bound to hallifax [sic] and... was Betrayed By a fellow prisoner tho Not a Brother" and promptly returned to his punishment: the Black Hole, Forton's version of solitary confinement. Goodwin's stay in the Black Hole lasted 40 days and included half rations such as "Six Ounce of meet [sic] and Six Ounces of Bread and one pint Small Beer for 24 hours." 

Forton Prison existed from as early as 1777, with two buildings and the grounds spanning 3 1/2 acres. During the Revolutionary War, one building was used for lower-rank captives and the other for higher officers. In addition to Goodwin's account, other letters and journals from the time recount prison escapes as not uncommon. In 1777, 30 prisoners broke out; in 1778, close to 100 attempted to escape. Between 1777 and 1782, a reported 536 men escaped Forton Prison. While it's unclear if Goodwin ever did escape from Forton, it would be moot — in 1783, the prison closed its doors for good, and the British released all its American prisoners. 

References: 

Forton Prison. Prisoner of War Prison. 

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