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Table of Contents > Autographs > Lot 39 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 39
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $2,400 - $3,400 |
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1778 Council of Massachusetts-Bay Signed Military Appointment Including by Artemas Ward Commander of American Revolutionary Forces Post Battle of Lexington & Concord, Issued to Boston Tea Party Participant John May |
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ARTEMAS WARD (1727-1800). American Revolutionary War First Commander of American Patriot Forces Post April 19, 1775 Battle of Lexington Green & Concord; Council of Massachusetts-Bay; Member of the Continental Congress and the U.S. House of Representatives. OLIVER PRESCOTT (1731-1804) Colonial-era Physician, Soldier, and Judge; in 1776 he was appointed a Brigadier General for Middle-Sex County by the Executive Council of Mass Bay: he also was in the same year chosen as a Member of the Board of War; in 1777 Elected a Member of the Supreme Executive Council, 1778 Appointed the Third Major General of the Militia throughout Massachusetts. October 10, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War, Partially-Printed Document Signed by 15 Members of the Council of Massachusetts, Very Fine. Signatories including: “Artemas Ward” and other Revolutionary War notables at Boston, including; Jeremiah Powell; Oliver Prescott; Benjamin Austin; John Avery; T(homas) Cushing; B White; Danl Davis; D. Hopkins; Saml. Danielson; A. Fuller; N. Cushing; Oliver Wendell, Saml. Niles; E. Brooks, etc., . This is the official Military Appointment of John May, 1-page, Large Folio, about 13” x 13”, upon fine quality period laid paper. Currently housed in a blue cloth hard-cover presentation folio, gold print titled, “Military Appointment of John May (1748-1812) October 10, 1778” it measures 13.75” x 13.75”.On July 1, 1781, John Hancock Signed as Governor of Massachusetts, another Military Commission to John May appointing him to the Rank of Major (not present). John May participated in the Boston Tea Party, he later served during Shay's Rebellion, rose to the rank of Colonel of the First Regiment of the Boston Militia during the American Revolution, and ventured into Ohio in the late 1780s. The distinctive original Embossed Paper and Red Wax Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Bay, designed after Paul Revere’s original Engraved Colonial Massachusetts Minuteman used on Revolutionary War “Sword in Hand” Issue currency notes, which is sharply and fully detailed at its center. This historic Document reads, in full: “State of Massachusetts Bay. The Major Part of the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England. To John May - Gentleman Greeting. - You being appointed Adjutant of the Boston Regiment of Militia in the County of Suffolk whereof Jabez Hatch Esquire is Colonel with the rank of Captain. By Virtue of the Power vested in us, We do by these present, (reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Adjutant in leading, ordering, and exercising said Regiment in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Adjutant and you are yourself to observe and follow such orders and instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major Part of the Council or your Superior Officers. Given under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Boston, the tenth Day of October in the Year of our Lord, 1778. By the Command of the the Major Part of the Council. --- (Signed) John Avery” This Document is Partially-Printed and fully completed on laid period paper, having standard folds, with one full vertical centerfold separation and minor intersection wear loss that can be easily conserved if desired. Overall, a lovely presentation having nice eye appeal. The reverse side is blank and clean. A historic Revolutionary War Military Appointment Document. Ward attended the common schools, was prepared for college by a private tutor and graduated from Harvard College (B.A. 1748, M.A. 1751). Like his father, he held a prolific number of public offices at the town, county, and state level. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1752, a representative in the Colonial General Assembly for many terms and in the executive council, Lieutenant Colonel in the Provincial Army in the French and Indian War and appointed Brigadier General by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts on October 27, 1774. As political crises brought on an American Revolution, Ward was made Commander in Chief of the Massachusetts forces on May 19, 1775, appointed by the Continental Congress to Major General on June 17, 1775 (second in seniority only to George Washington) and was in command of the forces besieging Boston until the arrival of Washington in Cambridge July 2, 1775. The Battle of Bunker Hill occurred under Artemus Ward’s general command. Also, the fortifying of Dorchester Heights with cannon brought from Fort Ticonderoga by General Henry Knox took place in the sector under Ward’s command in March, 1776. Soon after the British evacuated Boston, Ward returned to civilian life where he served in demanding and important positions. He was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of Worcester County in 1776 and 1777. He served in the Massachusetts Senate as President of the Executive Council for about three years. In this capacity Ward functioned as Massachusetts’ Chief Executive during the Revolutionary War (1777-1779) in the office, that replaced the Royal Governor no longer recognized. Ward was a Member of the Continental Congress from January 1780 to May 1782 when he resigned, and was later elected as a Federalist to the 2nd and 3rd Congresses (1791-1795). He was elected Speaker of the Massachusetts House in 1786, which made his actions as a Justice of the Peace of the Worcester Court during the 1786 Shays’ Rebellion all the more significant. He faced down the rebels on the courthouse steps, demonstrating his popular influence and his respect for the rule of law. In December of 1797 Ward concluded his long career as judge and spent his final years in quiet retirement at home with his family. He died on October 28, 1800 and is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury Center. Statue of Ward: On November 3, 1938 a bronze Statue of General Ward was unveiled at Ward Circle, Washington, D.C. and stands at the intersection of Nebraska Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue. The sculptor, Leonard Crunelle of Chicago, modeled this portrait after an oil painting of Ward by Charles Wilson Peale. Crunelle also used the cape actually worn by Ward as a model. The sculpture and base each measure approximately 10 feet high by 5 feet wide by 4 feet deep. The stone base is inscribed: “Artemas Ward, 1727-1800, Son of Massachusetts, Graduate of Harvard College, Judge and Legislator, Delegate 1780-1781 Continental Congress, Soldier in Three Wars, First Commander of the Patriotic Forces.” ___ OLIVER PRESCOTT (1731-1804) Colonial-era Physician, Soldier, and Judge. One of the most popular while he was one of the most eminent and useful physicians in the Commonwealth. He was one of the original members of the Massachusetts Medical Society at its incorporation in 1781, and an honorary member of sundry medical societies. He was President of the Middlesex Medical Society during the period of his existence. In 1776 he was appointed a brigadier general for Middle-Sex County by the Executive Council of Mass Bay: he also was in the same year chosen as a Member of the Board of War. In 1777 he was Elected a Member of the Supreme Executive Council, and in 1778 he was Appointed the Third Major General of the Militia throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dr. Prescott was incorporated a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780. Also, one of the trustees of the Groton Academy, and the first president of the board. From 1779 until his death, he was a judge of probate for Middlesex County. In 1780 he became one of the Original Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he was a trustee, patron, and benefactor of Groton Academy. |
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Lot Number: 39
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $2,400 - $3,400 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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