Auction Closing: November 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 50
Estimate Range: $350 - $450
1777 Connecticut Pay Order for Sick Soldier, Reuben Wadsworth, in Colonel John Chester's Regiment

Click an Image to Enlarge It
February 3, 1777-Dated Revolutionary War Period Manuscript Document, a Pay Order for a Sick Soldier in Colonel Chester's Regiment Sent Out of Camp by Order of the Colonel, Choice Very Fine.

This Revolutionary War date manuscript document is a pay order to State Treasurer John Laurence, to "pay to Reuben Wadsworth the Sum of Two pounds seven shillings for Expense of his Sickness sent out from Camp pr. order Col. Chester his Colonel...". Signed by two members of the Connecticut Committee of the Pay Table, Thomas Seymour and Ezekiel Williams. Signed on the back by Reuben Wadsworth, acknowledging receipt of payment on Feb. 3, 1777. The document measures 8.2” x 4.9” is very clean and nicely written in rich brown ink on clean laid period paper, Choice Very Fine.
"Col. Chester" was Colonel John Chester, (1749-1809), a member of the Connecticut General Assembly and a Militia Officer before the Revolutionary War, he distinguished himself in the Battle of Bunker Hill and is shown in John Trumbull’s famous painting the “Death of General Warren”, where Chester is shown holding Warren while trying to protect him from British bayonets.

Chester was promoted to Major in January, 1776, and in March, was one of the first officers to enter Boston after the evacuation by the British.

In June, 1776, he was appointed Colonel of one of the Regiments raised to serve under General Washington, and was engaged at the Battle of Long Island. Soon after, he was made Brigade Commander and was present at the Battles of White Plains and Trenton. At the close of 1776, he was recommended for a Colonelcy in the new Continental Army, but declined the appointment and retired to private life in March, 1777.