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WILLIAM & GEORGE WICKHAM ARCHIVE

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
WILLIAM & GEORGE WICKHAM ARCHIVE

<b>49.</b> <b>WILLIAM & GEORGE WICKHAM ARCHIVE</b>
<hr align=left size=5 width=33% color=#778899>Collection of approx 40 documents and letters 1727-1837, from one of New York’s “first families.” Wealthy and influential descendants of Thomas Wickham, a Puritan English settler who had immigrated to CT about 1648, most reference <b><font size=-1>William Wickham</font></b>, a prominent NY attorney, a member of an exclusive society called the Moot which debated the finer points of law and whose 20 members included John Jay and Gouverneur Morris; and his son <b><font size=-1>George Duncan Wickham</font></b> (1772-1845), a bank president and brigadier general in the NY militia, heavily involved in establishing turnpikes, canals, and railroads throughout New York. He was considered one of Orange County’s most powerful citizens. Most have legal and business content. Among the personal letters is an ALS by William and his wife Sarah, 2pp, legal folio, Goshen, NY, Oct 6, 1799. To Major George Wickham in Scipio, Onondago County. Sarah comments regarding apparently false reports of Yellow Fever in New York City and not to be alarmed. Both advise him regarding a family slave named James whom his father believes would be “<i>improper</i>” to keep any longer because of a robbery charge. “<i>He can’t be sold here—and I don’t know what we shall do with him.</i>..” He continues in another vain, “<i>Portugal to the astonishment of all Europe has made Peace with France. England & the Emperor of Germany have not as yet. By some its doubted whether they will this season.</i>..” Also present is a printed Masonic document, 2pp, legal folio, NY, Oct 29, 1800, regarding a proposed new constitution addressed to George as “<i>Master of Orange Lodge 45</i>” in Goshen. Additionally, there are two letters involving William’s cousin, Parker, one an LS by him, 1p, large 4to, Southold, May 16, 1768. <b><font size=-1>Parker Wickham</font></b> (1727-1785), like William, had remained a loyalist during the Revolutionary War. However, he eventually lost everything because of his outspokenness, which made him enemies in the Patriot camp. His case became the basis of a 1984 book, <i>The Wickham Claim</i> by legal scholar Dwight Holbrook. In his capacity as Supervisor for the town of Southold, LI, Parker writes to William with regard to a civil suit against a Southold citizen. He has also witnessed a second letter to William in the same regard. There is also a DS “<i>Dunmore</i>” on vellum, 1p, 15½"x22", NY, Jun 28, 1771. Being instructions by George III for the survey of 20,000 acres of land to be granted in the province of NY, Albany County. <b><font size=-1>John Earl of Dunmore</font></b> (1732-1809), a British colonial administrator, was appointed governor of NY in 1770 and of Virginia in July 1771. He was responsible for the burning of Norfolk in 1776 after moving the seat of his government to a British man-of-war anchored off Yorktown. In excellent condition. Most are in good/very good condition, though several evidence dampstains and toning. A few are in poor or fragile condition, but most all are generally legible. Preserved in two binders. An interesting archive, worthy of further historical research.

<table border=1 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=100%><tr><td width=50%><center><font size=+1 color=red><b>Register Early !!!</font>
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will be processed.</b></center></td><td><table border=0 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=100%><tr><td colspan=2><center><b>Approximate Selling Schedule (EST)</b></center></td></tr><tr><td width=200><font size=-2>10:00-11:00...Lots 001-100
11:00-12:00...Lots 101-200
12:00-01:00...Lots 201-300
01:00-01:30...Lots 301-359
01:30-02:00...Break</font></td><td width=200><font size=-2>02:00-03:00...Lots 360-459
03:00-04:00...Lots 460-559
04:00-05:00...Lots 560-659
05:00-06:00...Lots 660-759
06:00-Fini...Lots 760-840</font></td></tr></table><tr><td colspan=2><center><font size=+1><b>After the Sale</b></font></center>We will email you an invoice by 5pm EST, Wednesday, 09/18/02, using the information you gave on your registration form. Please <u>do not</u> try to contact us before then.</td></tr></table>