1773 Major General JOHN SULLIVAN Pre Revolutionary War Legal Land Deed Sale

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Black History & Slavery, Historic Autographs,...

By Early American History Auctions

Feb 27, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-27 12:00:00 2021-02-27 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Black History & Slavery, Historic Autographs, Colonial America & Weapons https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/black-history-slavery-historic-autographs-colonial-america-weapons-6434
318 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Slavery & Black History, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Colonial Currency, Historic Early American Guns & more... Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com

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• Lot Description
  Autographs
  American Revolutionary War Major General John Sullivan Signed 20 Acre Land Sale for "Fifty Pounds Lawful money"
  Major General JOHN SULLIVAN (1740 - 1795). Lawyer, American Revolution Continental Army Major General under George Washington, captured at Long Island & exchanged, Wintered at Valley Forge, Delegate in the Continental Congress; 3rd Governor / "President" of New Hampshire, Appointed by President Washington as First U.S. Federal Judge for NH (1789-1795).
  March 29, 1773-Dated Pre Revolutionary War, Partly-Printed Document Signed, "Jno Sullivan," while practicing law, measuring 7.25" x 10.75", 1 page, Durham (NH), Fine. This Boldly signed Document being a Land Deed where Sullivan is selling 20 acres to Daniel Rogers for "Fifty Pounds Lawful money." This Deed describes the area of land being sold. Sullivan signs at lower right and has affixed his seal. Soiling, edge chips, some old fold splits acetate tape repairs, trimmed at bottom to just below the bold vivid deep brown signature "Jno Sullivan" with his official red wax seal. Daniel Rogers would also later join the Patriot cause and fight in the Revolutionary War. Recorder's filing Docket written on the blank reverse.
  John Sullivan (February 17, 1740 - January 23, 1795) was an American Major General in the Revolutionary War, a Delegate in the Continental Congress, Governor of New Hampshire and a United States Federal Judge.
  Sullivan, the third son of American settlers, served as a Major General in the Continental Army and as Governor (or "President") of New Hampshire. He commanded the Sullivan Expedition in 1779, a "scorched earth" campaign against the Iroquois towns that had taken up arms against the American revolutionaries. As a member of Congress, Sullivan worked closely with the U.S. Ambassador the Chevalier de la Luzerne.
  At home Sullivan was a hero. The New Hampshire legislature selected him as a delegate to the Continental Congress for one year to start in November 1780, against his wishes. Although most of the delegates to Congress were new, Sullivan still had opponents there. Nonetheless, he accepted the position in order that New Hampshire be represented in the controversy concerning claims to Vermont under the New Hampshire Grants. In the absence of other delegates from New Hampshire except the soon to depart Nathaniel Folsom, Sullivan was seated early, on September 11, 1780.
  Immediately, Sullivan and Folsom had to deal with the question of whether Vermont would be part of New York or New Hampshire or would be independent. Ultimately, since possible negotiation of Vermont with the British to become a part of Canada was threatened, on August 3, 1781, Sullivan seconded appointment of a committee to negotiate with Vermont on becoming a separate state. Congress also had to deal with a financial crisis since the treasury was empty and the Confederation's credit was poor. Sullivan served on a committee to deal with this problem.
  In late 1780 or early 1781, Sullivan, who often claimed to be in financial straits, borrowed money from the French minister to Congress, probably with no intent or expectation of repayment. Sullivan already supported positions favorable to the French in Congress, but historian Charles Whittemore described Sullivan's conduct as "ethically obtuse" and as tarnishing his reputation. Yet, Sullivan worked to help the country and government on several matters such as seeking French financial support for the United States.
  Later in the year, Sullivan worked to get people appointed as peace negotiators, especially Benjamin Franklin, who were favored by the French because they might not insist on western land claims and thereby help shorten the war by eliminating that issue. Of course, Sullivan alone could not have attained results on such matters without majority support. One of Sullivan's last acts was to vote for Robert Livingston for appointment to the position of United States Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
  Having been seated early, and having dealt with the matters he believed he was required to deal with, Sullivan resigned from the Congress and departed from Philadelphia on August 11, 1781, a month before the expiration of a one-year term from the date he was seated.
  Later life.
  Returning home to New Hampshire, he was named the state's attorney general in 1782 and served until 1786. During this same time he was elected to the state assembly, and served as speaker of the house. He led the drive in New Hampshire that led to ratification of the United States Constitution on June 21, 1788. He was elected President of New Hampshire (now Governor) in 1786, 1787 and 1789. During his first term as governor, he put down the Exeter Rebellion.
  When the new federal government was created, President George Washington nominated him on September 24, 1789, to be the first federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, and received his commission the same day. Although his health prevented his sitting on the bench after 1792, he held the post until he died on January 23, 1795, aged 54, at his home in Durham. He was interred in the family cemetery there.
  He was first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire and had been a member of St. John's Lodge, Portsmouth, New Hampshire since 1767.
  
  Our Auction Contents:
  
  Black History & Slavery: (Lots 1 - 63)
  Abraham Lincoln Related: (Lots 64 - 74)
  Historic Autographs: (Lots 75 - 235)
  Colonial America: (Lots 236 - 261)
  Revolutionary War: (Lots 262 - 304)
  George Washington Related: (Lots 305 - 306)
  Early American Guns & Weapons: (Lots 307 - 318)
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