Roger Alden
Roger Alden (born February 11, 1754) graduate at Yale in 1773, and served in the revolutionary war as aide to General Nathanael Greene. Lieutenant in Colonel Philip B. Bradley's Fifth Connecticut Line, promoted to Captain on September 1, 1779 in the Second Connecticut Regiment. He continued to serve in the army until February 10, 1781, where he picked his interest in law and began his study in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Alden study in the office of William Samuel Johnson (1727-1819), whose third daughter, Gloriana Ann (also known as Nancy), he married on September 7, 1783. Nancy died on March 4, 1785, at the age of twenty-eight. A few months after her death Alden was elected a deputy secretary to the Continental Congress on 23 June 1785, serving until 1789, when he became chief clerk to the domestic department of the State Department. He became agent of the Holland Land county, and resided at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from 1795 to 1825. Soon after Alden was appointed ordnance storekeeper at West Point, 20 Jan, 1825, and remained as such until his death.
Letter to George Washington
[c.8 February 1781]
Since I have had the Honour of serving in the Army under Your Excellency’s command, my satisfaction has been equal to my appointments. Such is my present situation, that a regard to my future Happiness, now impels me to ask a Dismission. To a Mind, not flattered by Success, nor depressed with Misfortunes, the small concerns of others may appear trifling—this would make a particular detail of my feelings, and circumstances, disgusting. Was I possessed of a fortune to bear the Expences—A Constitution to endure the fatigues, and an Heart to withstand the Temptations, incident to the Life of a Soldier, perhaps my Vanity is so great, that it might induce me to give my Ambition the Appearance of Patriotism—but I cannot do such Violence to my feelings, as to sacrifice my Happiness to my Pride, or make a shew of Principles, which are not the Sentiments of my Heart. Neither my Character or Influence is so important or necessary, that my Country will need my services, or the Army require my Continuance. It is mortifying to quit an employment, to which a person is attached from Principle and Affection, when it cannot be done with reputation. Tho my present determinations may be censurable, yet I hope all my past conduct is not liable to the same Imputation. If not, a single mark of your Excellency’s Approbation, would do me more Honour, and afford me more Satisfaction, than all the Distinctions and Emoluments my Country can give—but as I have no Merit to boast, I have no favours or rewards to ask. If my Request can be granted, it will be very acceptable, & acknowledged with Gratitude by Your Excellency’s Most obedient Humble Servant R. Alden
Capn 2d Connect. Regt
