43

1757 Mass. Document 2 Pence Embossed Stamp Act Codfish Vignette, Scott Cat. RM-2

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
1757 Mass. Document 2 Pence Embossed Stamp Act Codfish Vignette, Scott Cat. RM-2
Colonial America
1757 Massachusetts “Stamp Act” Embossed Revenue Paid 2-Pence with “Codfish” Vignette On Full Document RM2
November 12, 1757-Dated French & Indian War Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Seth Mitchell” & “Noah Mitchell,” measuring 8” x 12”, with an Official Massachusetts “Stamp Act” 2 Pence, Embossed Revenue Stamp, Scott Cat. RM2 with “Sacred Codfish” vignette design, Fine.
Original 1757 Document where Seth Mitchell a Blacksmith, and Noah Mitchell of North Yarmouth, Maine have sold to John Brown of North Yarmouth a plot of land. Signed at bottom by Seth Mitchell, Noah Mitchell, Jacob Brown Jr., Ebenezer Lake, Jonas Mason and Mary Mason. A official paid, Massachusetts “Stamp Act” Embossed Revenue Stamp, 2 Pence denomination, (Scott Cat.) RM2, Embossed Revenue with central design of the “Sacred Codfish” with the legend “STAPLE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS” surounding, Embossed at the upper left. Most text, designs and II PENCE denomination clear, being just a bit weak on the upper portion. Expected folds, tone along folds with small intersection wear holes at center folds reinforced with acid free archival tape on the blank reverse and otherwise in overall easily and very readable condition on period laid watermarked paper. See much more information on the various signatories presented in our Online Auction Catalog.

The Colony of Massachusetts imposed a tax on certain documents by the Act of January 8, 1755 using Embossed revenues, while New York Colony imposed a similar tax between 1757 and 1760. The tax was in effect from May 1, 1755 to April 30, 1757. Stamps were issued in the following denominations: ½d, 2d, 3d, and 4d. The “Embossed” Revenue Stamp could be impressed upon ordinary paper; however, it was not possible to impress the stamp on vellum. Instead, for documents prepared on vellum, the Revenue stamp was impressed upon either beige or dark blue paper first, which had been glued and stapled to the vellum and attached.
Mr. Seth Mitchell" ("MT" was then a title of much respect) was voted by the town the sum of £5 per year, "for beating a drum on the hill behind the meeting house every Lord's day morning and noon, to notify the time of public worship." The ridge of land, now known as "The Old Ledge," was the most prominent point about the neighborhood, and the drum was probably heard for miles around, as well as far out into the bay

In 1760, the names of Seth, Jacob, and Noah Mitchell appeared in a list of jurors " qualified to serve" from the town of North Yarmouth ; but Seth Mitchell did not live through the year. He died August 26, 1760.

Noah Mitchell , b. Sept. 16,1712, in Plymouth; mar. Hannah . He soon followed his father from Kingston to North Yarmouth, as he was a resident of the latter town in 1735, and his name appeared on the Town Records of North Yarmouth May 1, 1736, when he was chosen one of a committee of seven citizens who were to "settle the bounds of the town." In the division of the estate of his father, in 1746, he received "h part of Lot N? 93 & other land," beside the sum of :06: 07.

Noah Mitchell served, on scouting duty, in Captain George Berry's company, seven weeks and two days, beginning Jan. 19, 1747-48; also eight weeks in the same company — from March 10 to May 10, following.t In 1758, he signed for his son John, then under age, in a return of "Capt. Solomon Mitchell's Company of Foot, in Col. Samuel Waldo.

Jonas Mason was born in Lexington, Mass., Oct. 21,1708. He was of Charlestown, Mass., in 1727; but, before 1731, he had removed to North Yarmouth, Maine. He was received into the First Church of North Yarmouth, Feb. 27, 1732, from the church in Charlestown. In 1737, he was chosen Deacon (with Jacob* Mitchell, Sr.), continuing in that office until his death, March 13, 1801, at the age of ninety-three years. His wife, Mrs. Mary (Chandler) Mason, became a member of the First Church, July 9, 1732, and d. Nov. 27,1787, in North Yarmouth, " aged eighty-five years." He was a country magistrate, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland County. He is mentioned as "one of the best of men," a man of sterling integrity and great moral worth. He filled the office of selectman many years.