124

Autographs/H: Last Colonial Governor of Massachusetts

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Autographs/H: Last Colonial Governor of Massachusetts
THOMAS HUTCHINSON, American Colonial Administrator; Last Colonial Governor of Massachusetts. Partly-printed Document Signed "T Hutchinson," as Judge of the Probate of Wills for Suffolk County, Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, July 1, 1763, Boston, 12" x 7.5", Very Fine. To George Metcalf of Wrentham, appointing him "Guardian unto Moses Adams a Minor above fourteen years of age son of Peter Adams junr...yeoman decd. his choice of you as Guardian having been signified to me...." The laid, watermarked paper is in good condition, with some minor archival repairs affecting one word. Boldly signed by Hutchinson in dark brown ink. Hutchinson had a long history of service to Massachusetts before going in exile to England in 1774, where he remained until his death. He was a member of the legislature from 1737-49, a member of the governor's council from 1749-66, and lieutenant governor from 1758-71. As chief justice from 1760-69, he upheld the legality of the Stamp Act and subsequently had his house burned by a mob (1765). As royal Governor of Massachusetts, he upheld British authority until superseded by General Gage. Few remember that it was largely due to Hutchinson's financial acumen that Massachusetts was entirely out of debt in 1774 and financially able to enter the Revolutionary War.