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1780 Revolutionary War Printed Broadsheet Style Draft ACT Order for Raising Massachusetts’ Soldiers Quota to Serve in the Continental Army “Sixteen years old and upwards...”

June 22, 1780-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Broadsheet style Printed Massachusetts Military “Draft” Act to Raise Soldiers, “sixteen years old or upwards, except Settled Ministers of the Gospel, and the President, Professors, Tutors, Librarian, and Students, of Harvard College,” Document Signed in Type, “John Hancock, Speaker”, 4 pages, Complete, (Boston), Massachusetts, Very Fine.

“STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY / In The House of Representatives, June 22, 1780” official printed ACT, 4 pages, measuring 7.75” x 13.25”, Complete, on laid period paper with just some expected light age tone, folded at center. Signed in typeset print, “John Hancock, Speaker” (not hand-signed, of the House of Representatives). Countersigned typeset, twice, John Avery, as Secretary. This is the original historic printed official Broadsheet style “ACT” of the House of Representatives, outlining various detailed terms and conditions for its newly institued Massachusetts Military “Draft” Act.

This “ACT” was created in order to fill the State’s quota for soldiers needed to serve in the growing Continental Army and as requested filled by the Continental Congress. The text of the draft is followed by a list of each town’s quota for the draft, by county. Ink notation on the top margin edge of the front page reads, in part:

"Court Orders June 23, 1780" with two additional brown ink notations written in the outer margins of page 4, being the final back page, reading: “Order for raising Men 1780” and “June 22, 1780 for raising Men”. This highly important early American Draft Act reads, in part:

"STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY. -- In the House of Representatives, June 22, 1780. (Headed) --- WHERE AS the Commander in Chief of the Continental army has earnestly requested a detachment of four thousand seven hundred and twenty-five of the militia of this State, in addition to the number for filling up our battalions, to reinforce the said Army for three months, unless sooner discharged, to co-operate with our Allies in the great designs of the present campaign, which cannot be accomplished without the exertions of this State: Therefore, ---

Resolved, .... by draft, lot, or voluntary inlistment (sic); each town and plantation to furnish their quota agreeable to the schedule herewith annexed, to be formed into regiments... to serve for the term of three months... Said drafts to be made from the male inhabitants of each town and plantation, of sixteen years old and upwards, except settled Ministers of the Gospel and the President, Professors, Tutors, Librarian, and Students, of Harvard College.

Resolved, That no prisoner or deserter that may be inlisted or detached by any town in this State, shall be considered to exempt such place from filling up their proportion hereafter mentioned.

Resolved, That every person procured as aforesaid for the term of three months, shall supply himself with a good firelock, bayonet, cartouch-box (cartidge), haversack, and blanket...”

This rare printed ACT continues through its conclusion listing, “THE SCHEDULE” of Massachusetts Counties and Towns with each set quota for soldiers, inclusive of parts of Maine and New Hampshire then connected to the State. An important “Draft” ACT for raising new soldiers by almost any draconian means possible. It even includes heavy punitive fines for Draftees who are “not qualified” to serve as soldiers, to be fined 150 (Pounds) or must find an able-bodied replacement for their military service! In review, these Draftees and inlisted (sic) men are to serve for at least three months in the Continental Army, and are to be “sixteen years old or upwards, except Settled Ministers of the Gospel, and the President, Professors, Tutors, Librarian, and Students, of Harvard College.” Extremely Rare.

Additional Information:

(JOHN HANCOCK) (1737-1793). First Signer of the United States Declaration of Independence his huge bold signature a synonym for “Signature”, American Patriot of the Revolution, Prominent Colonial Boston Merchant, President of the Second Continental Congress, the First & Third Governor of the State of Massachusetts.

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