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1776 Rev War Autographed Letter Signed Re: Privateer and Merchant Related Issues

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:700.00 - 800.00 USD
1776 Rev War Autographed Letter Signed Re: Privateer and Merchant Related Issues
American Revolution
1776 Revolutionary War Massachusetts Naval Related Merchant Letter
December 7th, 1776-Dated Revolutionary War, Autographed Letter Signed, at Newbury Port (Massachusetts), regarding Privateer and Merchant Related Issues, with Integral Envelope, Very Fine.
This is an original Revolutionary War letter is 7.25” x 9” on one folded sheet, being

well written between two Masonic Brethren. It is from Stephen Hooper (1741-1802) of Newburyport, to Captain Samuel White of Boston, Massachusetts, being on laid watermarked period paper. It is clearly legible, with original folds, paper loss corresponding with the opposite red wax seal being opened, and having some minor paper residue visible from prior mounting. In this letter Hooper mentions that he reads in the Continental Journal about goods being sold on Long Wharf and asks Brother White to obtain one or two barrels for him. It reads, in part:

“Cushing & White advertise a large hearth hopper fit for a Privateer, pray how large, the price? Rum is at such demand here that my mills are empty at present - if Brother Fowle is at Boston, pray push him to the Doctor that Dr. Smith advised him to, as his life depends on a great measure .. Love to Brother Dalton and let him all are well as he left home. Love to Hannah and yourself... your affectionate brother, -- Stephen Hooper"


Stephen Hooper (1741-1802) was a prominent New England Merchant, son of Robert "King" Hooper, graduated at Harvard college in 1761, and relocated to Newbury Port Massachusetts soon after. He was also Grand Master of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in North America. Records of St. John's Lodge, prior to 1781 have been lost or destroyed, but notices published in the Essex Journal and Merrimack Packet indicate that Stephen Hooper retained the office of Master until the beginning of the Revolutionary war.