Autographs
Brigadier General John Mead of Connecticut Signed Deed
BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN MEAD (1725-1790). Militia officer before the American Revolution, turned down a Commission for Captain from King George III, and instead joined the Patriot cause, in 1781 made Brigadier General Commanding the 4th Brigade of Connecticut Militia, Justice of the Peace, Member of the Connecticut Legislature for 20 years (1768-1788).
April 9, 1771-Dated, Manuscript Document Signed, "John Mead" as acting Justice of the Peace at the lower left edge, Handwritten Land Deed, Greenwich, Colony of Connecticut, Choice Very Fine. This original Land Deed measures about 8" x 13", 1 page, well written in rich deep brown on clean, lightly folded period laid paper. David Marshall and Henry Marshall of North Castle, Westchester County, New York, have sold land on Quaker Ridge to Daniel Ogden of Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut. This Document is Signed by John Mead (1725-1790) who at the time was the Justice of Peace in Fairfield County. He would become a Brigadier General in the Connecticut Militia during the American Revolution. Other signatures; David Marshall, Henry Marshall, as sellers, Benjamin Mead Jr, John Mead, signed as witness, Jesse Parsons signed on reverse docket as clerk. A scarce Revolutionary War General being the first example we have offered.
Brigadier General John Mead IV (b. October 1725 in Horseneck, Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut Colony - d. December 3, 1790 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut) was a politician and soldier from Connecticut.
John Mead was a militia officer before the American Revolution. He was commissioned Lieutenant of the West Company of Greenwich, Ct. in 1757, during the French and Indian War period, promoted to Captain in 1767, and received a commission as Major of the 9th Regiment, Connecticut Militia.
At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Mead turned down a commission for Captain from King George III, and instead joined the Patriot cause. He was commissioned as a Major on the Patriot side, and quickly rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of the 9th Regiment, Connecticut Militia. He was promoted to full Colonel in 1777.
In 1781, he was made Brigadier General in command of the 4th Brigade of Connecticut Militia. Mead had an extensive career in politics. He was Justice of the Peace of Fairfield County (1769-1774) and was a Member of the Committee of Inspection and Safety. He also served for twenty years as a Member of the Connecticut Legislature (1768-1788). He was the son of John Mead (1682-1759) and Elizabeth Lockwood.
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