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245

John Hancock

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
John Hancock

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Auction Date:2011 Sep 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : 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
Partly-printed Revolutionary War-dated DS, signed “John Hancock, President,” one page, 14 x 9.5, January 1, 1776. Military appointment reads, in part: “WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO, by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of Captain Edward Shipmans Company in the nineteenth Regiment of foot Commanded by Colonel Charles Webb in the Army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign–by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as Ensign–And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being, of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.” Signed at the conclusion by Hancock and countersigned by Charles Thompson. Matted and framed with a color portrait of Hancock to an overall size of 32.5 x 19. Paper loss at bottom of document has been professionally restored, and a portion of Hancock’s paraph has been touched-up; Thompson’s first name has also been restored and traced over. In very good condition, with aforementioned restoration, intersecting folds, two through single letters of signature, with a few partial separations, uniform toning, and some scattered light soiling and damp staining.

By this document, Selah Benton was appointed Ensign in Shipman’s Company in the 19th Continental. The Regiment marched under General George Washington from Boston to New York, and served in the area from April-December 1776. On August 10, 1776, Ensign Benton was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in Captain Eli Leavenworth’s Company in the 19th. They were ordered to the Brooklyn front on August 27th, with part of the 19th participating in the Battle of Long Island that day. After the surrender of Fort Washington on November 16th, General Washington ordered the fort to be abandoned and his forces to fall back to New Jersey. Washington, along with the soldiers of the 19th Continental crossed the Delaware on December 25th, and participated in the victory of the Battle of Trenton the following day. An important and highly desirable war-dated document, with outstanding association between Hancock, Washington, and one of the most famous images of the American Revolution.
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