87

Lot 87: Oliver Ellsworth Signed Dicument

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:360.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Lot   87: Oliver Ellsworth Signed Dicument
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>Connecticut Founding Fathers Form A Unit Of The Continental Line</b>

<b>OLIVER ELLSWORTH.</b>
Autograph Document Signed, 1 page, 4to., June 19, 1776, being a contract authorizing the formation of Selden’s Connecticut State Regiment, signed by two members of the Continental Congress, Oliver Ellsworth (1745 - 1807), who would later be a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Benjamin Huntington (1736 - 1800), Choice Extremely Fine.
In addition, the document is signed by two Continental Army officers, Samuel Tyler, a Lexington Alarm Minuteman and a Lieutenant in Mott’s Connecticut State Regiment, and Charles Fanning, who would serve as one of the regimentâs ensigns. The contract authorizes one William Belcher, as Captain of the newly formed regiment, to act as: “Paymaster to his own Company now to be raised, to join the Continental Army now in New York.” While some Continental Army documents, such as pay vouchers and discharges, are fairly common, this is the first document we have encountered in which a unit of the Continental Army is actually formed. By its very nature this document is unique which, notwithstanding the additional value added from the signatures it bears, represents a true piece of America’s history. The signers of this document well knew that by affixing their name to this contract they would be committing an act of treason against the British Government, signing what could well be their own death sentence should Americaâs bid for Independence prove unsuccessful. The document is in exceptionally fine condition, and should display quite nicely.