80

1756 Manuscript Document Signed, Mass. French and Indian War - Fort Crown Point

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:375.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
1756 Manuscript Document Signed, Mass. French and Indian War - Fort Crown Point
Colonial America
French and Indian War Expedition at Fort Crown Point
May 17, 1756-Dated French and Indian War Period, Manuscript Document Signed, “James Otis” and “John Chandler,” as Committee for the Province of Massachusetts, Choice Very Fine.
This original document is dated in 1756, at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Here, James Otis and John Chandler have signed a payment receipt for Raising a Regiment of Men to go from Plymouth and Barnstable, to protect Fort Crown Point. It measures 4” x 5” and is very well written in deep brown ink on clean period laid paper, so it is easy to read. This is a rare period document for expenses in the raising of a military regiment to march to Crown Point in the defense of the American colonists.
James Otis, Sr. (1702–1778) was a prominent lawyer in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. His sons James Otis, Jr. and Samuel Allyne Otis also rose to prominence, as did his daughter Mercy Otis Warren. He was often called "Colonel James" because of his militia rank and also to distinguish him between his famous son.

Born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, Otis became the undisputed head of the bar in the colony. As a result of his distinguished service, in 1748 Colonel James was appointed Attorney General of the province. Later, in 1762, like his father John (a judge, representative to the Massachusetts Bay General Court, and member of the Council of Massachusetts), he was elected to the Council. Otis expected to be appointed Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, but the position went to Thomas Hutchinson instead, creating enmity between the Otis and Hutchinson families.

He served on many committees of the legislature during the period from 1760-1775, which reported some of the most remarkable of those sincere and masterly state papers which were produced during the period preceding the epoch of the American Revolution. His name has been frequently mentioned in terms of high esteem, as a compeer with Adams, Quincy and Hancock.

John Chandler was born in New London, Connecticut, February 26th, 1721, and came with his father to Worcester when eleven years of age, and grew up in the town. His home was east of Main Street, and nearly opposite the Court House. He was Colonel in the militia, and served in the French and Indian war; was Selectman, Sheriff, Judge of Probate, Town and County Treasurer.

He was one of the delegates, " Empowered and Commissioned by William Shirley, Capt. Gen. and Governor in Chief over His Majesty's Province in Massachusetts Bay, in New England, to meet in Albany, X. Y., in June, 1754, for the purpose of holding an interview with the Indians of the Five Nations, and making them presents, Conciliating and treating with them: and of concerting measures for a Union of all the British American Colonies. This was the term of that Congress of the Colonies that resulted in the union of the States twenty-two years afterwards."

He married first, Dorothy, a sister of Hon. Timothy Paine, the Tory; second, Mary Church, of Bristol, Rhode Island. She died in Worcester in 1783. In 1774 he was compelled to leave Worcester, going to Boston; two years later he accompanied the Royal army to Halifax. Proscribed and banished from his country in 1778. During his stay in Boston, it is said, he was for a portion of the time supported through sales of silver plate sent him by his family in Worcester. His adherence to his king, and loyalty to his mother country appears to have been his greatest offense, for which he was driven from his home and all he possessed. Judge Chandler went to England, where he was known as the '' Honest Refugee", never to return to the United States.