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269

John Hancock

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 17,000.00 USD
John Hancock

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Auction Date:2011 Nov 09 @ 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
Revolutionary War-dated partly-printed DS, one page, 13.25 x 8.75, August 10, 1776. Appointment reads, in full: “The DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to Selah Benton Esquire. WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be second Lieutenant in a 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 Second Lieutenant 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 second Lieutenant–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 [sic, States], 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. Philadelphia August 10th: 1776.” Document has been professionally inlaid to a slightly larger sheet as well as some restoration at folds and a couple of letters filled in to restored previous paper loss. Aforementioned restoration, repairs, and fill in, scattered toning and soiling, a couple partial separations to folds, horizontal fold passing through top portion of Hancock’s signature, and trimmed edges, otherwise very good condition.

This rare 1776 document promoted Ensign Selah Benton to 2nd Lieutenant in Captain Eli Leavenworth's Company of the 19th Regiment of Foot under the command of Col. Charles Webb five weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Ordered to the Brooklyn front, part of 19th Continental marched to fight in the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776. Shortly thereafter, General Washington selected 130 officers and soldiers from four Connecticut regiments and one Massachusetts regiment to serve as scouts in New York and report to the Commander-in-Chief. One of the eight captains chosen from the 19th was Nathan Hale who would be captured and hung as a spy on September 22.

After Washington ordered the abandonment of Fort Washington on November 20, he withdrew the American army to New Jersey. Benton and the soldiers of the 19th Continental crossed the Delaware with Washington on December 25 and joined in the victory at the Battle of Trenton the following day. Benton received another promotion to 1st Lieutenant of the 8th Connecticut Regiment January 1, 1777. He swore the Oath of Alliance at Valley Forge in spring 1778 and probably endured the long, memorable winter of 1777-1778. He received a final promotion to captain in 1783 before he mustered out on June 3, 1783. An historical document connecting Benton to major players and events that changed the course of American history.
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