Signers of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution, Autograph Group Incl. Mchenry, Read, Gorham, & More

Lot 9

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About Auction

American History Auction by Cowan's Auctions

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American History Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-11-18 10:00:00 2016-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-auction-1870 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Lot of 8, including: Read, George (1733-1798), Represented Delaware and went on to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Also served as US Senator and Chief Justice of Delaware. Clip, 0.75 x 3 in.

McHenry, James (1753-1816), representing Maryland in Continental Congress, signed the Constitution. He later served as Secretary of War under both Washington and Adams, and thus Fort McHenry (where the Star Spangled Banner was written later) was named for him. ALS, 2pp, September 10, 1781, Camp ???. McHenry was a surgeon who served during the Revolutionary War. in 1781 he was with Lafayette's forces in Virginia. This letter would have been written just days before Washington joined Lafayette for the Siege of Yorktown, and ultimately the end of the war. This letter to the Governor of Maryland concerns the state's paper currency.

Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796), represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. He signed the Constitution in 1787. He was president of Continental Congress for 6 months (June - November 1786). ALS, Boston, March 16, 1795, 7 x 9 in., to Joseph Howell, Esq. on legal/financial matters.

Johnson, William Samuel (1727-1819), representative and signer for Connecticut. Later President of King's College. Clipped signature on 1 x 6 in. sheet, with August 29, 1766, Stratford left on the clip.

Spaight, Richard Dobbs (1758-1802), representative to Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention from North Carolina. Although born in North Carolina, Spaight was sent to Ireland when he was orphaned at 8 years of age. He received an excellent education, and returned to his native state in 1778, with the Revolutionary War in full swing. He served in the state militia for a couple years, then left the military to devote full time to legislative duties. Partially Printed DS, 11.5 x 16.5 in., October 14, 1794. Signed as Governor. Doc. with 3 in. wax pendant seal.

Ingersoll, Jared (1749-1822) was a delegate from Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress and signer of the Constitution. He later served as Attorney General of Pennsylvania. Partially printed DS as Attorney General of Pennsylvania, 8 x 13.5 in. Inquest into the beating of one Hector McNeal by Christopher White, Bedford Co., 10 Oct. 1791.

McKean, Joseph Borden (1764-1826), was a Philadelphia lawyer and judge. He was appointed state Attorney General by his father, Thomas McKean, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and prominent patriot. ALS, Philadelphia, November 10, 1802.

Document referencing Timothy Pickering (1745-1829), representative from Massachusetts. Pickering served in a number of positions, including the House of Representatives and Senate, Postmaster General, Secretary of war for a short time before McHenry took over and Pickering became Secretary of State. Pickering was involved in one of the earliest incidents of the Revolution, when he and a group of Salem residents, most members of the North Church, who turned back a force of British soldiers trying to cross a bridge into Salem (right next to the church) under Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Leslie, known as "Leslie's Retreat." It is fortunate Colonel Leslie decided not to search every house for contraband arms as instructed, because Pickering would likely have fired the "shot heard round the world" at that time - he had a reputation in the town as being a headstrong hothead. This land document has a paragraph at the end in which Pickering as Justice of the Peace attests that Thomas and Mary Barnard appeared before him and acknowledged the deed. Signed June 28, 1776.

Condition

Variable. A couple of documents a bit fragile (sep. N. Carolina doc.). Most with expected folds and toning.
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