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April 26th, 1775 Connecticut Broadside Issued The Week Following The First Shot

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 24,000.00 USD
April 26th, 1775 Connecticut Broadside Issued The Week Following The First Shot
American Revolution
“Discovery” April 26th, 1775 Connecticut Broadside Issued in the Week Following The First “Shot” at Lexington & Concord Starting the American Revolutionary War
April 26, 1775-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Printed Broadside, General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, Hartford, Announcement of the Activation of the Militia for Special Defence and Safety of Said Colony, Conservation, Very Fine.
Connecticut readies its Militia forces immediately following the Battles at Lexington and Concord which were fought the previous week on April 19th, 1775. Measuring 12” x 7.5” tall folio, this original Broadside has been laid down upon an early 19th century light blue lined paper for reinforcement and preservation. The reverse side is blank, there is conservation to the center and other folds having some text letters expertly completed. There are some minor traces of tone along the central outer edge margin selvage, being fairly even in its overall wear and appearance. This historic Broadside has black printed text that is clearly readable, as follows in full:

“AT a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, holden at Hartford, (by Special Order of the Governor of Said Colony) on the 26th Day of April, Annoque Domini, 1775.

WHERE AS the General Assembly of this colony have ordered and enacted that one fourth Part of the Militia of said Colony should be forthwith enlisted, equip’d and assembled for the special Defence and Safety of said Colony, &c.

For the Encouragement of such able bodied and effective Men of said Militia or Others, as shall voluntarily offer and inlist themselves for said Service to the Acceptance of the proper Officers----It is Resolved by this Assembly, That each inlisted Inhabitant or person as aforesaid, shall be entitled to a Premium of Fifty-two Shillings upon their Inlistment, they supplying themselves with a Blanket, Knapsack, Cloathing, &c. to the Acceptance of their respective Captains, and also to One Month’s advance pay.

That each Serjeant shall receive Forty-eight Shillings, each Corporal Forty-four Shillings, each Drummer and Fifer, Forty-four Shillings and each Private Forty Shillings, per Calendar Month during said performance in said Service.

That each inlisted Inhabitant, or Person, as aforesaid, who shall provide Arms for himself well fixed with a good Bayonet and Cartouch-Box, shall be paid a Premium of Ten Shillings: And in Case such Arms are lost by any inevitable Providence, such Inhabitant, so providing himself, shall be allow’d and paid the just Value of such Arms and Implements so lost, deducting only the said Sum of Ten Shillings, allow’d as aforesaid:---Said Premium of Ten Shillings to be paid as soon as such Inhabitant shall be so provided as aforesaid.

That a particular Account shall be taken of all the Arms that may be used, and the same shall be all appriz’d by indifferent Judges.

That each Inhabitant as aforesaid, upon his Inlistment shall be entitled to Six Pence per Diem for billeting Money, until they are otherwise provided for by the Colony.

“A true Copy of Record - Examin’d - by GEORGE WYLLYS, Sec’ry.”

To our best knowledge this is the ONLY EXAMPLE KNOWN as we have not found any listing of it to be in any collection. Further research is suggested, likely UNIQUE. A truly spectacular, early Connecticut Revolutionary War Broadside, issued in the week following the First “Shot” on April 19th, 1775 at Lexington & Concord.