1703

One Week before the "Star Spangled Banner" Written.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:137.00 USD Estimated At:275.00 - 350.00 USD
One Week before the  Star Spangled Banner  Written.
Partly printed "Return of the Eighth Co., in the 11th Regt., 3rd Brigade, and 1st Div. of Militia, in New-Hampshire," Canterbury, Sept. 7, 1814 - seven days before Key penned the words of what would become the national anthem. 7 1/2 x 12. Signed by John Foster, "Comm(issa)ry Officer," listing numbers of officers, the latter including "Drums and Fifes, 4," rank and file, and arms, ammunition and accoutrements. For 56 men in all, there are 56 each of muskets, bayonets, cartridge-boxes, and scabbards and belts, 112 flints, 12 pounds of powder, 6 balls, 55 haversacks, 55 canteens - but no blankets. Some fold wear and toning, irregular bottom margin with blank 1/4" section lacking, else good. Somewhat unusual ornamental border. * Another Return, "Fourth Co...," Sept. 7, 1814, 7 1/4 x 12. Signed by Capt. Benjamin Wells. His roster of 51 men is short on muskets and bayonets, but boasts 100 flints and 45 "brush & wier" (sic). Stain at top, some foxing, fold wear, but satisfactory. * A.N.S. of Capt. Benja. Wells, Loudon (N.H.), Sept. 27, 1814, 7 x 11 1/2. To Maj. Asa Foster, Canterbury (see following lot for fascinating biographical information). "...I have Detach'd from my Company Rufus Sleeper, Elijah Osborn, Ebenezer Clough & Jewet Sanborn & have Notifyed them to 'report to] Chamberlins Mills, Equipt according to Law...." Some toning and wear, else satisfactory. * Elongated, partly printed Subsistence Account of "Putnam Farrington, Lt. Col. of a Regt. of Detached Militia 'of Delaware County, N.Y.]," n.p., Dec. 3, 1814, 7 x 16 1/2. For a total of 311 rations at Camp at Greenwich 'New York City], over a period of 103 days, at 20C/ each. Signed twice by Farrington, and once by Paymaster Isaac Q. Leake. Accompanying research describes Farrington's exploits in these weeks: "...After about a week 'in Brooklyn Heights]...they were transferred to New York and stationed at Camp Greenwich, above the old State prison, occupying tents until cold weather drove them into empty houses. They were discharged on the 2nd of Dec., after an uneventful campaign, in which the only battle was between an old sailor and a landsman; no one was killed..."--History of Delaware County, N.Y..., 1880, p. 64. Camp Greenwich was used during both the Revolution and War of 1812, and was likely in the Greenwich Village vicinity. Farrington became a Gen.; during the War of 1812, his son served as an orderly on his staff - at the age of 13. Interesting marginal "strings" from papermaking, miraculously intact; one panel previously separated at fold, repaired with tape on verso; wrinkles in one panel, else fine and clean. * Manuscript receipt signed by Jonathan C. Prescott, place undeciphered but from same collection, Sept. 13, 1814(?), 2 x 8. For "my back pay as a Soldier in the United States Army," received from Jacob Cutter, District Paymaster. Fine. (5 pcs.)