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“Elias Boudinot” Autograph Letter Signed Considered a Founding Father and President of the Continental Congress

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ELIAS BOUDINOT (1740-1821). 10th President of the Continental Congress (1782-1783), Founding Father, Member who served in the First Continental Congress of 1789, Signed the “Treaty of Paris” with Great Britain ending the Revolutionary War, Member of the Committee on Correspondence, New Jersey Provincial Congress, Commissary-General of Prisoners, and in 1795 Appointed as Third Director of the United States Mint by George Washington. Elias Boudinot founded the American Bible Society and began “Thanksgiving” in America as a National holiday.

July 2, 1805-Dated Federal Period, Autograph Letter Signed, “Elias Boudinot” measuring 7.25” x 7.5”, 1 page with Integral Envelope, Burlington (NJ.), Very Fine. Boudinot writes to his brother-in-law Lewis Pintard Esq (1732-1818) at New Rochelle (New York), concerning collecting a large debt from General Cumming. It is written in brown ink on fine quality watermarked laid period paper (large Angel with the word “ALMASSO”). There are a few trivial edge splits and its original wax letter seal is retained on the verso near center. This Letter reads, in part: “General Cummings owes me a considerable sum of money, and I find it difficult to get him to pay it at this time, when I want it exceedingly, on account of the constant demands on me on account of my buildings...”. Accompanied by a fully typed transcription.

On July 18, 1789 Elias Boudinot wrote to the new 1st President George Washington recommending John Noble Cumming as “a Man of a liberal Education, great activity and I verily believe of a most unblemished reputation-His Qualifications for that Office is not to be questioned and I have no doubt, if he should meet with Success, it would give general Satisfaction thro’ the State of New Jersey”. Boudinot again wrote to Washington on Sept. 23rd, that since Cumming had furnished him: “with the enclosed Letter from our Chief Justice, I take the liberty of troubling you with it, as it confirms the Idea I suggested, that his Appointment to the Marshals Office would give genuine Satisfaction to the State”.

Chief Justice of New Jersey David Brearley’s letter to Cumming, stating that although he had already suggested someone else for the post he considered Cumming well qualified. Cumming did not receive the Marshal’s post for New Jersey; it went instead to Thomas Lowrey.

Major General John Noble Cumming Original Member, admitted 1783, and Vice-President of the Society of the Cincinnati in New Jersey (1808-1821). He retained in and last served in Cumming’s Continental Battalion from April 1783. Served to the close of American Revolutionary War on 13 Nov 1783. Born in Monmouth County, NJ on 19 Jan 1752 and died in Newark, NJ on 6 Jul 1821. Major General of the 2nd Division NJ Militia.

A remarkable personal Letter, regarding three major Revolutionary War and Federal Period historic persons, all whom were close confidants of 1st President George Washington early in his administration.
Elias Boudinot was a Member of the New Jersey Committee on Correspondence (1774-1775) and the New Jersey Provincial Congress (1775). In 1777 he was Appointed Commissary General of prisoners. He was a Member of the Continental Congress (1777-1788 and 1781-1784) and its President (1782-1783).

Boudinot was a Signatory to the Treaty with Great Britain to end the Revolutionary War. He served in first Congress of 1789; in 1795 was made the third Director of the United States Mint, and from 1816 to 1821 served as the first President of the American Bible Society.

Lewis Pintard (1732-1818) was a New York City merchant of Huguenot descent and a major importer of Madeira and other wines into the United States. During the Revolution he served as a Commissary of Prisoners in New York and in late 1782 became agent for New Jersey in settling the state’s accounts with Congress. His marriage to Susanna Stockton had made him the brother-in-law of Richard Stockton, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and of Elias Boudinot, United States congressman from New Jersey. Pintard did not receive the appointment he sought.

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Reference: The Society of the Cincinnati in New Jersey:

Major General John Noble Cumming Original Member, admitted 1783, Vice-President of the Society of the Cincinnati in New Jersey (1808-1821).

Major General John Noble Cumming’s Revolutionary War service as 1st Lieutenant in Captain Richard Howells Company in the 2nd Regiment NJ Line 29 Nov 1775. 1st Lieutenant in Captain James Lawries Company 29 Nov 1776. Captain 30 Nov 1776. Major in the 1st Regiment NJ Line 16 Apr 1780. Lt. Colonel in the 2nd Regiment NJ Line 29 Dec 1781 and Lt. Colonel Commandant in the 3rd Regiment NJ Line 11 Feb 1783.

Retained in and last served in Cumming’s Continental Battalion from Apr 1783. Served to the close of Revolutionary War on 13 Nov 1783. Born in Monmouth County, NJ on 19 Jan 1752 and died in Newark, NJ on 6 Jul 1821. Major General of the 2nd Division NJ Militia. Princeton graduate 1774 and MA Degree 1777. Judge and Justice in New Jersey.

Cumming constructed the first raceways in Paterson, NJ which brought water power to the mills from Passaic Falls. Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Newark from 1798 and the Second Prebyterian Church from its founding in 1809. Surveyor of the Highways 1787. Overseer of Highways 1788. Vice President of the Newark Fire Association from its organization in 1797. A Founder and member of the Board of Trustees of the Newark Academy for over fifteen years from 1795 and Founder and Director of Newark Banking and Insurance Company.
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