Revolutionary War, Collection of Land Vouchers for Soldiers

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American History, Featuring the Property of N...

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-06-09 10:00:00 2017-06-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History, Featuring the Property of N. Flayderman & Co. https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-featuring-the-property-of-n-flayderman-co-2392
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• Lot Description

  Lot of 13 vouchers. Eleven of the 13 take the same form: This tickett[sic] shall entitle the person whose name shall be endorsed on it and his Legal Representation to hold and possess in Fee simple Lott No. _____ of the Land Westward of Fort Cumberland in Washington County... They are (secretarially) signed Daniel Lyons, Daniel Cresap, and Benj. Brookes, Commissioners. These were issued in 1789, per an act of the legislature in 1788. The tickets are for:

  James Royston, Artillery
  William Chatland, Private 2d Regiment
  James Dyer 2d German Regiment
  Charles Jones, Pvt. German Regiment
  George Riggs, Pvt. 2d M.) Regiment
  John Donovan 4th Maryland Regiment
  John Burnet, Prvt. 5th Maryland Regiment
  James West "Recruit of 1781"
  John Ryan, "Soldr." 2d Regiment
  William Norton (?)
  Mathew More 2d & 4th Maryland Regiments

  One only includes John Fitzgerald Junior Cat (Captain?) of the Maryland Artillery is entitled to Lot No. 907 of the land Westward of Fort Cumberland. Signed John Callahan, Regtr. Off. WS. (Registrar of Western Shore Land Office) (The John Callahan house in Annapolis is on the National Register)

  The final piece is a land description for Lots 147 and 1844 (Beginning at a bannded(?) maple...running north eighty nine and a half perches,... etc.), also signed by John Callahan, Registrar Off. W.S.

  Continental Congress required Maryland to send eight regiments/battalions (basically the same at that time) as their contribution to Washington's 88 battalions. The Maryland Line consisted of seven regiments, with the eighth often referred to as the "German Regiment" (with at least two representatives in this group). It wasn't until late in 1776 that Congress gave Washington the authority to raise regiments to serve in the Continental Army under Federal control, not part of any state's line. As the war progressed, the structure and sophistication of the Continental Army developed. As is usually the case, it underwent a number of reorganizations as needed during the conflict.

  The issue then arose, who is to pay these men and how? The initial regiments were to be supplied and paid by their respective states. Later Continental Army units became the responsibility of the Federals. There was very little coming in to the central government, which was printing its own money, not backed by anything much (like silver or gold). The states were also printing their own money. By the end of the war, not much of the paper money had any value.

  But the nation had land, and it wanted people to settle that land, and so gave land in lieu of money for military service. In this case, Fort Cumberland, sitting at the confluence of Wills Creek and the Potomac River, was built in 1754 and controlled by the Maryland militia, and so was essentially the westernmost area controlled by the state. By making grants of this land, it would extend Maryland's control westward. She had already been in border disputes over the years with Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Former military men could also help defend against Indians, etc.

  One seldom finds these "land tickets." Many early Maryland service, pension, and land records were destroyed in a fire in 1800. We encounter more often the land deeds/indentures held by each family received when they recorded their lot with the local land offices.

  Condition

  Most with light toning. A few have some water staining and smeared ink.
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