Amos Stoddard Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Amos Stoddard (1762-1813), a veteran of the Revolutionary War, practiced law in Massachusetts before accepting a US commission as Captain of Artillery in 1798. He was promoted to Major in 1807. When the US purchased Louisiana from France in 1803, Spain - former owner of the territory - had not yet formally ceded it to France. During a 3-week interval (November 30 - December 20, 1803), Stoddard was Commandant of Upper Louisiana for both France and the United States. He represented both nations at the formal transfer of power ceremony in St Louis on March 9-10, 1810. The Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the new US territories was not allowed entry by Spain, while it remained in control, so Stoddard played host to the expedition during the winter of 1803-1804. After commanding the artillery at Fort Columbus in New York Harbor, Stoddard was sent West to joint General and future President William Henry Harrison's command in Ohio. Stoddard died on May 11, 1813, from wounds incurred while successfully defending Fort Meigs there from a combined attack by British soldiers and their American Indian allies.