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Historical Documents
EARLY
POLITICAL BROADSIDE (1788), COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS in SENATE,
November 19, 1788, Boston: printed by Adams & Nourse. This broadside
sets in motion elections for federal officials in this state, therefore
it is one of the first published calls for the election of the president,
vice-president and congressional members under the newly ratified Constitution.
This proclamation divides the state into eight congressional districts,
establishes the procedure for the appointment & electors, etc.
This rare document is signed in type by JOHN HANCOCK, Governor and
John Avery, jun. Secretary. An ideal size for framing: 16 1/4 " x
13 1/4," printed on very fine paper stock (minor offset) ...EVANS 21240.
HD#1.....$5000.00 SOLD
MILITARY
COMMISSION (May 5, 1842), THOMAS W. DORR (1805-1854).
Illegitimate Governor of R.I. during the Dorr War. Reformer
who led an infamous rebellion. He formed his own political party
to establish reforms concerning voting rights for all men of legal age.
At the time, privileges were restricted to land-owners. In
1841, Dorr's party held a convention drafting a new constitution
which ultimately received a decisive majority in a subsequent election.
His party then held an election and chose him as governor in defiance of
the existing and now minority government. Dorr's followers attempted
to take over the Armory & State House but failed. President Tyler
concerned that Dorr's invasion of the state was imminent, dispatched his
Sec. of War to RI with orders to call on the Militia of Conn., Mass. &
even the federal troops then stationed at Ft. Adams in Newport. The
State Militia successfully suppressed the rebellion. Dorr was convicted
of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released after one
year, his health and spirit broken. This partly printed document
(only one other commission known), was signed by Thomas Dorr, as
governor on one of the few days his government formally met in a makeshift
State House. Acting illegally as "Governor," he appoints Orrin Wright
a Major of the Sixth Regiment of the Second Brigade of Militia. Interestingly,
this staunch reformer boldly crossed out "his Excellency" at the top of
the document. A superb document associated one of the most important events
in American history. The Dorr Rebelllion caused national repercussions
and has enduring significance. In very find condition, measuring
12 5/16 x 7 5/8 inches. Ideal for framing.
HD#2.....$4500.00
SOLD
COLONIAL
MILITARY LETTER, EDWARD CORNWALLIS (1712-1776).
Governor of Nova Scotia, 1749. Soldier, administrator who also served
as Governor of Gibraltar in1762. Probably best known for his role
in Nova Scotia where he dealt with the problems of the Acadians & the
Indians. In June 1749 he stepped ashore at Chibucto Bay. He was followed
by a convoy of 14 ships bearing 2,576 colonists, this site eventually became
Halifax. He returned to England in 1752 & resumed a military
career until his appointment in Gibraltar. This letter, written &
addressed in his hand, was courier delivered to Col. John Graham. Graham
was best known for his command of a company of rangers made up principally
of Indians raised in New England for service in Acadia. With his rangers
he arrived at Chebucto in June 1749 when he was appointed to the Council.
Sir,
Capt Clapham informs you object to his lodging in your house because you
had let it to somebody I should
hope as it is for the publick
service you will let him inhabit one room and I shall pay you what you
would let it for to any other person you may depend upon your goods being
safe & he giving as little interruption as possible.
I Am
Halifax Oc:27th
Your obedient
Humble servant
Ed: Cornwallis
(Gorham docketed:" Letter from the
Gov. relating to Capt Clapham."
Letter has been archively strengthened
at fold. Clean, bold, & on watermarked ?French paper. Approx. 6 x 8
".
Perfect size for framing.
HD#3.....$900.00 SOLD
COLONIAL
PAY ORDER (1731),
for establishing the Rhode Island & Massachusetts Boundary. In
1663, King Charles II granted a charter which was the basis for Rhode Island's
easterly boundary. For years this boundary remained controversial.
This early attempt for a hoped-for settlement caused the Rhode
Island General Assembly to commission Henry Bull & William Wanton (later
Governor) "with others met at Rehoboth ye 6th day of May anno domini
1731" (to prepare a report.) The receipt for both pay orders appear on
same sheet, reading:
Received of Job Barlot (?Treasurer)
full satisfaction for my time my ...horse hire; and expense in this affair
of
government of Rhodes Island and
the ye Massachusetts as a commission for ye Colony of Rhode Isl. touch-
ing the Gore or Gusset of land
near Pawtucket Falls which with others met upon the third Tuesday of April
last at Rehoboth in said County
of Bristol. Received this 6th day of May. Anno ye Dom: 1731.
(signed)
Henry Bull
Received of Job Bartlit full satisfaction
as for my time horse hire and expence in ye affairs of Government of
Rhode Island and ye Massachusetts
as commision for ye Colony of Rhoad Island concerning ye part of ye
Government on ye north easterly
side of Blackstone River ye which with others met at Rehoboth ye 6th day
of May 1731.
(signed)
William Wanton
3 Dec. 1733 - At a RI Gen. Assembly
held at Newport it was voted
"that the appeal to His Majesty
(relating to the gore of land
in controversy), presented to this Assembly is approved of and ordered
forth-
with to be sent home to His Majesty
in Great Britain, signed by his honor (William Wanton) the Governor"
(Bartlett, Rhode Island Colony Records,
vol IV, p. 491) See also pps. 60-1, "Early Rehoboth" ?Bliss.
HD#4.....$2500.00
1803 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING, Providence, RI (Recorded minutes)
Present: John Dorrance, Esq.
Abner Daggett
Benj. Hoppin
Jos. Jenckes
Jabez Bullock
Whereas the Freemen of the Town of Providence, at
their town meeting on the nineteenth Day of November instant, voted that the
Town Council should appoint and establish, as soon as ought be, a Watch
consisting of Six Persons, to carefully watch the said Town, in the night-time,
till the first day of April next, upon such terms and in such manner as the said
Town Council should from time to time direct.
This magnificent three page manuscript document, recorded on
watermarked (R.I. Hope) paper, has survived almost 200 years & provides us
with the early concerns and planning for public safety.
HD#5.....$500.00 SOLD
CONVENTION OF COMMERCE (War of 1812). A scarce historical
document presented to both Houses of Parliment by Command of His Majesty,
Titled CONVENTION OF COMMERCE BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY AND THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, Signed at London, August 6, 1828. (Years after the conclusion of
the War of 1812 and the Treaty of Ghent).. The contracting parties: His
Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland and the
United States of America, being desirous of continuing in force the existing
commercial regulations between the two Countries, which are contained in
the Convention concluded between them on the third of July 1815 and further
renewed by the fourth Article of the Convention of the twentieth of October
1818, have, for that purpose named their respective Plenipotentiaries that is to
say: His Majesty the King, RH Chas. Grant, Member of the Privy Council and Henry
Unwin Addington,VP of Privy Council for Trade & Foreign Plantations. And the
President of the United States of America, Albert Gallatin, their Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister to His Britannick Majesty..Agree to following
articles ...
Title and one historic and exciting page, signed in type by Grant, Addington and
Gallatin. Perfect size (8 1/2 x 14" ) for framing. A rare
opportunity for the serious archivist to procure an historically significant
19th century UK imprint.
HD#7.....$500.00
HESSIAN DESERTER. A rare manuscript Pay Order issued
February 4, 1778 by Rhode Island re: a Hessian deserter. "In
Council of War Resolved that John Strong a Hessian soldier lately come to the
Island of Rhode Island be empowered to draw Six Dollars out of the General
Treasury to enable him to travel towards Philadelphia". It would be
exciting to learn what intelligence Strong provided the RI patriots for such a
reward. And why travel towards Phila? Could it be that Strong had relatives in
Pennsylvania, or that he would find a sympathetic community to receive him? The
reverse of this great document reveals John Strong's signature as recipient of
the funds & also provides us with the docketed information describing him as
as Hessian deserter. How many documents revealing payment to deserters of
this war exist? This is the first to come to our attention in 35 years of
studying auction offerings. A most desireable & possibly unique historical
document for the institutional archive or for further research by a serious
student of our Revolutionary War.
HD#9.....$2500.00
CHARLES SUMNER, ABOLITIONIST. An ALS
sent to his biographer who is preparing the many volumes which today reside in
the Houghton Library at Harvard University. Accused my many Southerners &
some Northerners for setting the stage for the Civil War because of his vicious
attacks & strong anti-slavery speeches on the Senate floor. " Signed: Ever yours, Charles
Sumner. Accompanied by the free franked envelope postmarked Washington, DC,
the buyer will obtain a postal history item, two autographs, and a unique
manuscript of some historical interest.
HD#10.....$180.00 SOLD
NAPOLEONIC WAR, PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. A six
page (autographed letter signed) from Colonel (later General) Nicholas Trant,
dated April 2nd 1809, headed Tornos, (Portugal) to Field Marshall William Carr
Beresford. The letter describes enemy movements, shipment of armaments, battle
plans, spies and military strategy. The content is very detailed &
historically significant. A most exciting document worthy of further
research by the serious student of this war or for the institutional archives.
(The image represents a portion of page one & the close of the letter).
HD#11.....$1500.00
COLONEL AMOS BINNEY, COMMANDANT OF
CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD, BOSTON 1821. ALS.
One page on 4pp. octavo, May 26, 1841. Amos Binney, U.S. Navy Boston Mass., to
Comm. Charles Morris, U.S. Navy Portsmouth, NH. It reads in full"
Boston May 26, 1821 Sir,
Yours of 25 is rec'd in answer to state that Caeger contracted with the Com'er
of Navy for old Guns & Shott., &c, to be received from the Navy Yard
here & at Phi'a at Twenty Dollars per Ton and to deliver as many Tons of
kentledge at Forty five dollars per ton in fact paying him 25$ pr Ton for
Manufacturing. The Stock being turned in, but I suppose the whole 45$ should be
charged in the case you refer to. Messrs F & Chapman & Co. claim 127 to
Shipyard & 275 to ....being the difference between the quantity and the
store keepers rest as per enclosed ....Will you or the storekeeper explain to
them this difference.
Respectfully yr obt
A Binney
Comd Morris US Navy Portsmouth
(Binney was a Lt. Col. regimental commander in the War of 1812)
HD#11.....$150.00
BROADSIDE SIGNED IN TYPE BY JEFFERSON & ADAMS SUSPENDING
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES & FRANCE. 1799. Exceedingly rare
broadside signed in type by Speaker of the House, Jonathan Dayton, Vice
President Thomas Jefferson, President John Adams and Secretary of State Timothy
Pickering. Measures 9 ¾ x 16 ¾ inches, Philadelphia, 1799.
The United States was on the verge of war with France
throughout the late 1790’s as the French government was demanding money and
seizing American ships. This broadside titled “LAW OF THE UNITED STATES BY
AUTHORITY. FIFTH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES... AN ACT, FURTHER TO SUSPEND THE
COMMUNUAL INTERCOURSE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE AND THE DEPENDENCIES
THEREOF:” outlines American legislative response to France. It reads in pat
“That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to give
instructions to the commanders of the public armed ships of the United States,
on the high sea, which there may be reason to suspect to be engaged in any
traffic or commerce, contrary to the true tenor hereof; and if, upon
examination, it shall appear that such a ship or vessel is bound or sailing to
any port or place within the territory of the French republic, or her
dependencies, contrary to the intent of this act, it shall be the duty of the
commander of such public armed vessel, to seize every ship or vessel engaged in
such illicit commerce, and send the same to the nearest port on the United
States...” Bristol B10921 records The New York Public Library as the only
copy of this important broadside from the “undeclared” war with France.
Minor splits, some roughness to edges and a ½” x 4” area of
paper loss in the first paragraph, tape repairs to verso.
HD#12…..$10,000
(AGASSIZ, JEAN LOUIS RODOLPHE, PH.D, MD, 1807-1873). Robert B.
Almy of Glasgow authors a 2 page letter in 1864 to Messrs Freeman & Almy of NY.
In part:….
”Gentlemen, Enclosed please find Bill of Lading for 1 Box
marked “Specimens of Natural History for Prof. Agassiz Cambridge, Mass. Which I
beg you to pass entry for at the Custom House….” “as the package is valuable, I
must beg your careful attention that it is received & forwarded in good order…”
Agassiz.was a key figure in the history of organismal biology
and geology. He formulated the theory of the Ice Ages (i.e., that pre-historical
glacial advances were due to world-wide climatic changes); idealist & leading
exponent of creationism in the tradition of Cuvier (his mentor in Paris):
founder of paleoichthyology; leading ichthyologist; founder of the Museum of
Comparative Zoology and mentor of dozens of American naturalists. He was
involved in founding of AAAS and National Academy of Sciences. In Europe he was
supported financially by the King of Prussia and politically by A.von Humboldt;
in American he was allied with leading philanthropists, politicians and
intellectuals such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Sumner and Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow. He was the only important, outspoken scientific opponent of
Darwinism in America during the 1860’s. He used public lectures and popular
essays instead of scientific publications to further his views. He was Professor
at Harvard University from 1847-1873.
HD#14….$100.00
NEW HAMPSHIRE BROADSIDE, Legal Imprint, 1814. One page folio
8x13" Portsmouth. Fifty-one individuals are implicated in what appears
to be a scam. It reads in part: "....upon a petition of .of
Nathaniel Little and others for laying out a certain highway in the town of
Plastow, manifest error hath happened as by the Complaint of said Town we have
been informed....we have caused the record of proceedings aforesaid to be
certified unto us in our Supreme Judicial Court and the said Town of Plastow has
been assigned errors on record in said action and have supplicated us to
provide remedy for them in that behalf...if they be found in your precinct,
that they appear before our Justices of our Supreme Judicial Court to be holden
at Exeter, within and for the county of Rockingham, on the fourth Tuesday of
November next...Nathaniel Adams, Clerk" Inscribed below the printed
text is: "The above is a True Copy attested, Richard Lowe by Sheriff." (Docketed on verso Plastow vs. Little & others.)
Center fold & tiny closed tear, strengthened with document tape on verso.
HD#15....$200 SOLD
SUICIDE
INQUEST. Document signed, one page with docketing on verso, octavo,
November 3, 1842, Providence, Rhode Island.
A very rare manuscript inquest document which has determined a local death to
have been a suicide. Signed by members of the court, the text reads:
“Providence for an Inquisition on the Death of Merrell Eldrich have God
before his eyes being seduced and moved by the Instigation of the Devil. At
Burrisville in said County. In a Certain Back house near the factory of Andrew
Harris Esq. In said Burrisville being there alone said Merrell Eldrich with a
certain hempen cord of the Value of one cent Which he then and there put about
his neck and the other end thereof tied round a rafter of said building
Afforesaid himself then & there with the cord afforesaid Voluntarily and
Feloniously and of his malice forethought hanged and suffocated and so the
jurors afforesaid upon Their deaths aforesaid say that the said Merrell Eldrige
there in manner & form afforesaid as a felon of himself Feloniously Voluntary
and of his malice Forethought himself throttled strangled and murdered against
the peace & Dignity of the State dated at Burriville the 3rd day of
November AD 1842.”
For Witness whereof to the before Written Stephen Vallett
The said duty in the Coroner hath hereunto Eddy B. Ballou
Set his hand & seal the day and year within Joseph Clark
Stated. ..Duty Smith, Coroner Benjamin
Mowry, Jr.
Joseph R. Taft
Daniel S. Mowry Foreman
HD# 16…..$125.00
CUBAN
REVOLUTION. Three letters written by a young lady from Cuba (1912-l913)
to “cousin/dear far-away-friend” in Maryland. Several quotes reveal the
author’s political and racial sentiments.
Letter of 11-5-12 in part: “I almost thought you had forgotten that I was alive.
No, I was not killed in the revolution down here, thanks God, nor had we
experienced the loss of anyone dear to ourselves; but the rebels burned down
the town of “La Maya” where my father had some business…a loss of $45,000. You
see that we have reason to wish all the Negroes blown out of the face of the
earth….” Election day has passed …the new President is the General Mario G.
Menocal, manager of the great Chappara Sugar Mill, the largest of the world. The
Vice-President is Dr. Enrique J. Varona. I am sending news photos of both”….
Letter of 2-1 8-13 in part: “Oh, yes! That Negro revolution was terrible, I
was awfully afraid as those who were in the city
didn’t hide themselves to say that all white women were going to be their
servants, and ----threatened with leaving the city in darkness and cutting off
the heads of white people. But thanks to our army, they got what they
needed…”.
Included are the covers conveying the letters…. sure to be of interest to the
postal history specialist of this region.
HD#18 .$300.00 SOLD
MURDER.
An interesting letter written 15 days after Mary Cecelia Rogers body was found
floating in the Hudson River near Hoboken, NJ.
Listed as one of New Jersey's Mysteries & serving as a basis for Edgar Allen
Poe's book, “The Mystery of Marie Roget.”
This fine 3 page letter sent from NYC to Fairhaven, Mass on Sept.12th 1841
describes in part:"the violation and murder Mary Rogers you heard of, nothing
satisfactory has yet been heard of inhumane creatures who murdered her. She was
a respectable girl. Her mother a widow & only child a living. It is a great
mystery that no one see her after she left home until found in water near Sybil
Lane Hoboken…"
Also mentions "the veto passage No 2 was received here on Thursday it did not
cause so grate (sic) a sensation among stock jobers & financiers of Wall St. as
the first Capt. Tabor is run low by those there were a'crying Tippecanoe & Tyler
too..."
For the archivists seeking a timely account.
HD#19.. $100.00 SOLD
(GENERAL
NATHANIEL PEABODY 1741-1823.) Physician, Revolutionary patriot.
Prominent member of the NH Committee of Safety; organizer, NH Medical Society
1791.
A fine 12mo 1 page letter, carried outside the mail, author Isaac Noyes to the
General Nath Peabody then residing in Exeter, NH In full:
Hampstead February ye 14th 1807
Sir, I enclose the following names and all I have been able to collect at
present, Iviz)
Ellenwood was murderer or murdered
The Jury names vc Hanged
Timo Osgood. Hazeltime Samuel William
Abram Adams – Perley
Uncommon deaths
Sanders – Bradbury
This is from your friend and Humble Servent
Gen. Nathl Peabody Isaac Noyes
Docketed by General Peabody:
Query was not Dummner Jewett & Richd Ayer Jurymen
Additional docketing. Recd Independ. Chronical 4month 19th
1807 (Quaker dated)
Executed on clean, stout laid paper & in very fine condition
HD#20....$100.00
FRENCH & INDIAN WAR PAY ORDER. Manuscript
document, one page, oblong octavo, August 16, 1757, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. A
pay voucher itemizing services rendered by one John Sherman, Jr. Below the
accounting it reads:” To ye general Treasure of ye Colony of Rhode Island
Please to Pay ye Contents of ye above account to John Sherman Jur., January 13,
1758. Francis Brayton First Deputy'. Of considerable interest is that two of
the items are being charged in 'dollers'. Light aging, uneven left edge, else
Fine
HD#21……$200.00.
JOSEPH CUSHING DEED.
(1732-1791) Signs boldly as Probate Judge. ADS, 3 pp., quarto, November 3, 1788,
Plymouth County. A partially printed notice of a will's recording accompanies a
manuscript copy of the will itself. The author, Priscilla Hiller, writes in
part: '...my body I dismiss to be decently buried in the Ground at the
Direction of my Executor...I give all my Lands or Real Estate with every
privilege to my three grandsons...(who) were sons to my Son Isaac Hiller
deceased, they paying out in Like proportion Such Legacies as I shall herein
after order. To wit - to my Son Nathan Hiller Sixty Dollars - to my Son Price
Hiller Twenty Dollars - to my Grandson Benjamin Hiller Son to my Son Benjamin
Hiller one dollar, to my daughters as follows to wit - Hannah Brownson Twenty
Dollars - Martha Handey Twenty Dollars - Mary Griffin Twenty Dollars - Thankful
Dollars and my necklace and gold locket...'”.
Joseph Cushing a
Brigadier General in Revolutionary War was present at Bemis Heights. Research
reveals that In1781 he ordered a regiment raised from the Plymouth County
militia to protect Newport by replacing troops under Rochambeau who was marching
west to join Washington, for what would soon be the Yorktown Campaign. Several
references to Judge Cushing were found in John Adams Diary.
Few small fold splits. Executed on watermarked paper. A fine opportunity to
acquired the autograph of a patriot and respected judge. A prominent American
worthy of further research.
HD#22..$250.00.. SOLD
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION VOTER LIST PROVIDENCE, R.I. 1813.
Original Town Council minutes and voter registration, folio 22 pages. Nov. 18,
1812. This important roster of Providence’s voters lists over 600 individuals
and begins: “Here follows a register of the names of Freemen who voted at
this meeting for electors for the election of President and Vice-president of
the United States”. The election referred to would be that for 1813 in
which James Madison and Eldridge Gerry won the Presidency & Vice-presidency
respectively. This document is written on ruled legal paper. A few light stains
and small perforations from being bound. In fine condition.
HD#22….$400.00E
BLACKS IN EARLY RHODE ISLAND John Nichols respecting his
settlement – He says he was born in the Isle of Franes that he came into this
country in the time of the American Revolution in General Rochambeau’s Army –
that he went to France with the Army. He left France about the beginning of the
French Revolution. Was embarked at the port of Brest for this country, he first
landed in the Town of Newport where he staid one night and then came directly to
this Town – from where he has continued to reside until this time – he says he
lives is Kings House with Becky Tucker in a tenement of the widow Packards
his
John
Nichols
Mark
Pridy Frick a Woman of Color
is examined respecting her place of Settlement she say she was born in this Town
and was brout up in the family of Zephariah Brown – and that she is the daughter
of Ruth Frick of said Warwick. Brown – she say she has thirteen children
with William Frank – James Frick who lives in Warwick – that her youngest child
George lives with her – that she never lived in any place but this and was never
married -
Pridy her Frick
mark
HD#23…..$150.00
FRENCH & INDIAN WAR
PAY ORDER.. Manuscript document,
one page, 2 1/2' x 7 1/2', January 9, 1758, Glouster, Rhode Island. This pay
voucher reads in full: 'To the General Treasurer for the Colony of Rhode
Island Please to pay Mr. Joshua Eddy of Glouster or to his order thirteen pounds
and ten shillings in the money of old tenor Due to him from the Colony for the
hire of his horse in the Late Expedition in Defense of the Country. Dated in ye
Glouster January ye 9th 1758 John Smith First Deputy.' Endorsed on the verso
by Zevedia Hopkins for Eddy. Light aging, else Fine.
HD#24….$150.00
FREEHOLDER IN RHODE ISLAND A great opportunity to
possess a neat, small, unique historical document, ideal for framing.<p>A chance
to own your own piece of an important part of history that required ownership of
land to vote.p>This rare, document inscribed by Town Clerk, Daniel Mowry states
in full:<p>I hereby certify that George Gordon of Providence is possessed of a
Freehold Estate in the town of Smithfield as appears of record Smithfield April
19, 1813.<p>Signed Danl Mowry <p>Endorsed on verso by Geo. Gordon<p>In 1613, Dr.
John Clarke secured a Royal Charter for the Colony of RI from Stuart monarch
King Charles II.<p> This royal document conferred upon the General Assembly
power to determine those citizens who would be eligible to vote.<p>The
Legislature, in 1798 established a statuatory freehold (property) requirement of
$134.<p>For the early settlers, this did not pose a problem.<p>However, for the
larger immigrant population of primarily Irish Catholics (who worked mostly in
the textile mills) these became The Landless Disenfranchised.<p>Our history
books reveal the enomous problems to follow.<p>Rhode Island became the testing
grounds for Reform & the Dorr War a result.<p>This little document reflects the
Inequality of the antiquated government of this period .<p>The paper is sound,
stout, clean laid paper.
HD#25….$35.00
REVOLUTIONARY WAR PAY ORDER. State of Rhode Island &
Providence Plantations.: In Full:-
In Council of War. February 19th
1778
Resolved that the Account of Martin Seamans Esqr. For stockings by him collected
in the Town of Providence and delivered the Agent Clothier for the use of the
Army be allowed and that the amount thereof being One Hundred and Thirty Four
Pounds & Nine Pence Lawful money be paid unto the said Martin Seamans out of the
General Treasury.
L 134.0.9 Witness William Mumford Clk
.Verso:
Martin Seamans signs for receiving on Feb 20th & docketing shows
endorsement & payment by the Auditor.This fine 6x2 ¾ in document executed on
sound, stout, laid paper. Ideal for album page or framing. Reflects the conduct
of war-time procurement at the local level by the patriots.attempting to clothe
the needy soldier in mid-winter.
HD#26…..$125.00
STEPHEN HOPKINS AND WILLIAM GREENE A unique &
official manuscript document describing a vote (appropriation) by the (RI) House
In full:
June 17th 1758
To the House of Mag.sts
Gent
Resolved that the Honorable Stephen Hopkins Esq. Govr. be allowed & paid
out of the Genl Treasury the Sum of fourteen hundred pounds for his Salary and
extraordinary Service as Governor for the years 1755 & 1756 and that he be
allowed in the same proportion from the 14th day of March last when he was
chosen Govr. by the General Assembly until the last General Election.
Voted and past (sic)
Per order J Lyndon, Clerk
Read the same Day in the Upper House & concurred with this
addition to wit that the Representatives of the late Honorable
Willian Greene, Esq.be allowed in the same proportion for the Time he sustained
the Office of Governor from the Election in May 1757 to the day of his Death.
Voted and past by order Thomas Ward Secy. Read the same Day in the Lowr House &
concurred.
per order J Lyndon Clerk
A True copy duly examined
Witness Tho Ward Secy
A true copy duly examined
Witness THO Ward Secy.
REVERSE of document:
IN FULL:
Newport May 17th 1759
Received of Thomas Richardson General Treasurer the sum of Thirty Pounds
thirteen shillings Lawfull money being equal to Five Hundred and Sixty one
Pounds Eighteen Shillings & Ten Pence Old Tenor which Sum is in full for the
within Grant of the General Assembly.
L30;.13
561.10.10L
Benjamin Greene. Executor
Folds strengthened on reverse
Many important names are listed on the original document.
Stephen Hopkins, many times Gov. & signer of the Declaration of Independence:
Gov. William Greene; Josiah Lyndon who became Gov. 1768; and Thomas Ward,
Secretary of the Colony or RI.
Historical document measures approx. 6 x 7 inches & executed on crown
watermarked laid paper.
A rare opportunity for the Archivist/Institution to acquire such an important
historical document involving our early American leaders.
HD#27...$400.00
WAR OF 1812 (Gunpowder order) Headed Abington (Mass.) Sept. 19, 1816 In
Full:
To Nathan Gurney Esq & Capt James Bates selectmen of the Town of Abington
Gentlemen I hereby make application for ten and one half pounds of powder made
into blank cartridges to be delivered on or before the twenty fourth instant
The number bourn on my Company batt are forty seven five of which are ?musket
Yours with respect John Cushing
Note carried outside the mails addressed to Capt. James Bates & docketed
on file flap. Capt.Cushing request for Powder 1816. Executed on
laid paper. Sound some soiling on address page not affecting text
HD#28….$100.00
.
PIONEER’S LETTER. A magnificent letter written to
Captain Luther North. Luther who along with his brother Major Frank North, were
U.S. Army Scouts after the Civil War. In In Full: Denver, Colo, March 8th 1934.
Captain Luther North, Columbus, Neb
My Dear Captain.
This evenings Denver Post has a news item which says the citizens of Columbus
are
celebrating the 75th anniversary of your arrival there. Wish I was there too for
I remember you, your brother Major Frank North and Jim Cushing very distinctly.
As you three moved our family across the Lough River at Columbus in October
1867. We were moving, with two covered wagons, our household goods, and two
cows, and least in the stature, but no in value, a most wonderful bulldog from
Iowa to Chapman, Neb We were laid up on the east bank of the river 48 hours,
when you ferrymen decided to dismantle the wagon and carry the goods and family
across We were all safely landed on the west bank in a few hours, and the
memory of it all is still very vivid. In 1874 I taught school at Silver Creek,
and boarded some weeks at the same house with Jim Cushing. I suppose I am one of
the few left that you three piloted across the river, for surely that was a long
time ago, and it was not many years till the bridge was built, so the quick
sands ceased their troubling of the immigrants Wishing you many more years of
life and prosperity Sincerely your friend in old memories,
Lucy Beery Whitman 55 High St Denver, Colo.
The North brothers led Pawnee Scouts against Sioux & Cheyenne Indians, who were
hostile marauding bands along the line of the Union Pacific RR and on the
Nebraska-Wyoming frontiers. The Norths are considered important factors in
bringing the West into Civilization. (See “The Fighting Norths and Pawnee
Scouts” Robert Bruce, 1932) The envelope that carried this scarce letter has
been docketed in the hand of Capt. North indicating the date it was answered.
Any material in Capt. North's hand is rare, most is in institutional
archives. The envelop will accompany the letter.
HD#29…..$150.00
KING GUSTAV IV ADOLPH, who was exiled to Switzerland following a coup d'etat in 1809..living under a pseudonym "Colonel Gustafson". He addressed this
l802 envelope to: A Monsieur Mon Cousin Le Prince Guillaime Frederic La Grande
Britagne....The recipient ( the 3rd son of George III), became Duke of Clarence
& later ascended the English throne as William IV, who reigned for 6 years. The
cover was docketed on left margin "King of Sweden, 8th September 1802"...we feel
this is in King Williams hand. The fully intact black wax seal with a Swedish
Royal Crest of the flap enhances this rare & exciting "document" involving two
very unusual royals of that period. See more biographical details under scanned
image.
HD#30....$50.00
WEYBOSETT BRIDGE OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND . Three
original pages recorded at the Providence Town Council meeting in 1810.
The Committee appointed by the Town at the Annual August Meeting to
examine the state of Weybosett Bridge and devise a plan for rebuilding same.
Respectfully offer the following report. The Bridge has been thoroughly examined
by Mr. John Newman & partially by several others of the Committee from which has
resulted a perfect conviction that a new Bridge must be built as soon as it can
done to advantage.
The Committee are of opinion that the plan upon which the present Bridge is
erected is the best that can be adopted for building the new one making such
addition to its width as the Town may deem expedient.
The Committed have not made an estimate of the probable expense, as this must
depend upon its width, but they recommend that immediate measures be adopted for
procuring materials.
J A Brown
By order of the Committee
Moses Brown
Richard Jackson
John Carlisle
John Newman
(Page 2) attached with red sealing wax on watermarked 1810 paper
and to make the contracts as shall be necessary to effect the object of
these appointments and that said Committee be authorized to draw on the Town
Treasury for the expense of the same and that they be requested to procure the
necessary materials for building he Bridge as son as may be ---
Voted that the Tax of fifteen thousand dollars ordered by the Town on the 2nd
day of August last be augmented to Twenty Thousand Dollars the whole be levied
assigned & collected as then ordered.
The remainder page 2 of the minutes deal with city streets, etc
Page (3)
Reference noted that Thos. Greene….a motion re using the Market House for
building an Alms House or Hospital…..the final paragraph ref. to finding a
suitable person or persons to inoculate with the …..Pock….
Some interesting Providence history ideal for further research.
HD#31...$200.00
FOURTH OF JULY PLANNED CELEBRATION & CIVIL GUARD
(Act) RULES IN PROVIDENCE, R.I. 1813.
Offered here are 2 sheets, attached by wax
seals, containing original recorded minutes of the Town Council dated, June 7,
1813..(Page 1 ) in full
Whereas the independent Companies and Civil Guards of this town
have established signals of alarm for assembling expeditionaly the members of
their several Corps at their respective alarm post when necessary, and being
liable under the present regulations of the Town to be unnecessarily alarmed at
all times by mischievous and ill disposed persons, It is therefore resolved
---that no person or persons (except those appointed by the commanding officer
of the limited Company of the….Artillery of this Town) shall fire, or cause to
be fired, any ordinance in the Town without leave of the proper authority
between the the setting and rising of the Sun, under a penalty not exceeding ten
nor/less than five Dollars, to be recovered to and for the use of the Town, by
action of ….brought by the Town Treasurer before any Court proper to try the
same. Resolved that this act be published three weeks ….in the Newspapers
printed in this Town
Prov. June 7, 1813
Page 2.)
Resolved that Nicholas Brown, William
(Page 3)
James Burrill Jun. Appointed in the Room of Saul W. Bridgham Esq.
Representative to the General Assembly.
Voted that Mr. James B. Mason, Walter Paine, Oliver Kane, Smith Bosworth,
Gardner Daggett, esquires be and they hereby appointed a Committee to make
arrangements for they Celebration of the Fourth Day of July next in this town,
and that the sum of One Hundred Dollars be appropriated to defray expenses, to
be paid out of the Town Treasury to the Committee in such money as has not been
paid by Direct Taxation upon the Town
Page 2 executed on
stout watermarked (seated Britannia) laid paper. Pages can be separated
allowing both the July 4th and the War of 1812 themes to be
displayed.
HD#32....$300.00
PAROLEE. 1892. An interesting partially printed
completed form letter written by the Supt.of the Penna. Industrial School.
For the archivists and collectors of documents related to this essential
social/rehabilitation program, a fine opportunity Letter is clean, crisp & the
one page makes it ideal for framing or the album page. The cover shows some age
soiling.
HD#33....$45.00
REVOLUTIONARY WAR PAY ORDER. Superb contents for the
specialist/archivist of this exciting period in our history.
In full:
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations In Council of War March
5th 1778
Elihu Robinson Esqr. is compensated to draw the sum of Five Hundred Pounds
Lawful Money out of the General Treasury to enable him purchase the Necessaries
to supply the families of Officers and Soldiers in the Town of Providence.
L500- Witness William Mumford, Clk.
The reverse is endorsed as received by Elihu Robinson A fine opportunity to
acquire such a unique & official document. Measures approx. 6 x 3 1/2 inches.
Ideal for framing or the album page Manuscript will be mailed in rigid format
enclosed in an archival, acid free document protector fully insured at seller's
expense
HD#35....$100.00 SOLD
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