Auction Closing: April 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 25
Estimate Range: $3,500 - $4,500
Major General Oliver Prescott’s Retained Copy Letter of Resignation from the Supreme Executive Council of Massachusetts May 1780 and as Major General of State Militia, Containing His Superb Historic Patriotic Content

Click an Image to Enlarge It
OLIVER PRESCOTT (1731-1804). Served as Chairman of the Groton, Massachusetts Town Committee that protested the British Stamp Act in 1765 and was Clerk of the Town's Committee of Correspondence in 1774; Served in the Militia before the American Revolution and at the start of the Revolutionary War became Brigadier General of the Middlesex County Militia, then Appointed the 3rd Major General of the Massachusetts State Militia in 1778; During the Siege of Boston, he was charged with setting up checkpoints to stop communication between the British garrison and pro-British sympathizers in the countryside; Served on the Massachusetts Supreme Executive Council from 1777 to 1780.

May, 1780-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Autograph Letter Written by the hand of and Signed, “Oliver Prescott” being his own retained copy of his Letter of Resignation from the Supreme Executive Council of Massachusetts and as General of State Militia, 1 page, measuring 9.5" x 7" containing Superb Patriotic Content. Written by Prescott in rich brown ink that is easily readable, his signature at the conclusion “Oliver Prescott” is large and bold measuring about 2.25” long with his thick quill pen flourish below. This important content Letter reads, in full:

"State of Massachusetts Bay --- To the Hon'le, the Council and House of Representatives in General Court assembled at Bostn -- May 1780 --

Gentlemen --- With every sentiment of gratitude and esteem, I acknowledge the Honours that the General Court of this State, have repeatedly conferred upon me.

Nothing but the unsolicited & united voice of a Free and Worthy people, in a time when their Lives, Liberties & property were in extreme danger would have induced me to emerge from private life, to make my appearance in the Court. ---

And since, by the Blessing of Heaven, Notwithstanding the unremitted malice & Violent Efforts of all our Secret Enemies & open Foes, Our publick affairs now have a more pleasing aspect; I take the Liberty to resign my Seat at the Council Board.

I should be happy to see that Vacancy filled by some gentleman of equal integrity & much Superior Ability; and I assure your Honours, that the remainder of my Life and Fortune, is devoted to the publick service, without reserve, whenever the Safety of the Commonwealth Shall require the Same. --- I am, Gentlemen, your much Obliged most obedient & very humble Servant, -- (Signed) Oliver Prescott"

Docketing on the back final page reads: "Resignation of appointment to Council & Genl. Of Militia 1780 - 1"


OLIVER PRESCOTT (1731-1804) was born in Groton, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard in 1750, and established a successful medical practice in Groton; An ardent Supporter of the American Patriot Cause, he served as Chairman of the Town Committee that protested the Stamp Act in 1765 and was Clerk of the Town's Committee of Correspondence in 1774.

Served in the Militia before the American Revolution & at the start of the War he became Brigadier General of the Middlesex County Militia, and was appointed the 3rd Major General of the State Militia in 1778.

During the Siege of Boston, Prescott was charged with setting up checkpoints to stop communication between the British garrison and pro-British sympathizers in the countryside. Served on the Massachusetts Supreme Executive Council from 1777 until his resignation in 1780.