LOT RR Auction  /  RR Auction Quality Autograph Auction 383 and Ame...  / 

1741

Azor Orne

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Azor Orne

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2012 Feb 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Colonel in the militia before the start of the Revolution (1731–1796). In 1775, he and fellow Marbleheaders Elbridge Gerry and Jeremiah Lee joined John Hancock and Samuel Adams on the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. He later served in the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention and the Massachusetts State Senate. Historically-exciting ALS signed “Azor Orne p’ ord,” one page, 7.25 x 4.75, June 17, 1775. Brief letter to General John Thomas, headed at the top, “In Committee of Safety.” In full: “Sir, the Troops are now landing at Charlestown from Boston[.] You are to Judge whether this is designd to deceive or not[.] In haste leave you to judge of the Nesesaty of your movements.” Reverse bears an address panel in another hand, “To Genl John Thomas at Roxbury,” and also docketed in the hand of John Hancock, “From the Committee of Safety.” In very good condition, with professional repairs to previous horizontal separations, repaired paper loss to both right corners, one affecting two letters of Orne’s closing and the beginning of Hancock’s docketing, and restoration to portions of two letters.

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Continental Congress adopted the Massachusetts militia and formed the Continental Army with Washington as its commander. That battle was the start of the Siege of Boston. On the day this letter was written, Orne and Hancock looked out and saw the British as they fired incendiary shots and began marching on and burning Charlestown as part of another offensive attempt to gain strategic positions on the hills surrounding the city. This letter was quickly dispatched to advise Thomas of the situation so that he might have the information necessary to decide whether to hold his position or join Prescott's forces. This was the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Whether heeding this warning or for other reasons, Thomas opted to keep his troops defending Dorcester Heights instead of coming to Prescott's aid. It was from this position almost a year later that, with a cannon Henry Knox brought from Fort Ticonderoga, Thomas would fire upon the British fleet in the harbor forcing them to evacuate Boston and end the eleven month-long siege. This a fascinating piece of correspondence regarding one of the revolution's most famous battles as it was happening; signed by Azor, who was elected to the First Continental Congress, and docketed by Hancock who would later serve as its president.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot