JOHN CHESTER (1749-1809). Revolutionary War Hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Crossed the Delaware with General George Washington, from Connecticut.

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Jan 23, 2021

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  Autographs
  "John Chester" Signed Revolutionary War Hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Crossed the Delaware with General George Washington, from Connecticut.
  JOHN CHESTER (1749-1809). American Revolutionary War Hero wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Crossed the Delaware with General George Washington, from Connecticut. Speaker of the Connecticut Legislature; later Supervisor of the Revenue (whiskey "sin" tax) from appointed by President Washington (1791-1801). Depicted holding and protecting the wounded General Joseph Warren at Bunker Hill in artist John Trumbull's historic Painting, "The Death of General Warren."
  Oct. 5, 1798-Dated, Autographed Document not present, this being the outer Address Leaf Signed, "John Chester Supervisor," at Wethersfield (CT.), Very Fine. This was sent to Dyer White Esquire, the Collector of the Revenue in New Haven, Connecticut, in Letter form measuring 8" x 10.25". Written by Chester in quill pen in rich brown ink on clean laid period paper with postal folds, the Red Wax Seal is intact, a hole on the opposite side created when the seal was broken open. The original letter is not present yet John Chester's wonderful official signature is what makes this of good value.
  COLONEL JOHN CHESTER, (1749-1809) from Weathersfield, Connecticut achieved distinction for his actions during the Revolutionary War. He graduated from Yale in 1767. In 1771 he was a lieutenant in the local militia. When the battle of Lexington and Concord took place on April 19,1775, he marched there leading a picked body of about 100 men which ranked as the most select body in the provincial army.
  
  They again distinguished themselves at the Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 where John Chester was wounded. A Continental Army Connecticut Line Captain at the Battle of Bunker Hill, seeing an entire company in retreat, ordered his company to aim muskets at that company to halt its retreat; they turned about and headed back to the battlefield. John Chester Bunker is a Revolutionary War Hero, who is shown holding and protecting the wounded General Joseph Warren in John Trumbull's historic Painting, "The Death of General Warren."
  
  They took great pride in their uniforms wholly blue turned up in red. He was commissioned Colonel in June of 1776.
  
  John Chester fought at the battle of White Plains, NY, where again he was wounded, and also was at the historic battle of Trenton with George Washington in December 1776 (Crossing of the Delaware River). He left the Continental Army in 1777 and was Speaker of the Connecticut Legislature. He was the Supervisor of the Revenue (whiskey "sin" tax) from 1791 appointed by Washington until President Jefferson came into office in 1801.
  
  Colonel John Chester Fife & Drum Corps:
  
  Col. John Chester Fife & Drum Corps is the oldest Jr. Ancient Corps in Connecticut. Organized in 1940, the Corps made its first public appearance at the Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade in 1942. The Corps is named after Col. John Chester School where it was formed as an activity of the PTA. Realizing the need to expand beyond the school, the Corps was then sponsored by the Exchange Club. Since 1955, however, the Corps has been an independent self-supporting organization.
  
  When the Corps was formed, it's mission was to: maintain and preserve the martial music of the "Spirit of 76" and to foster and encourage good sportsmanship, citizenship and the enrichment of American culture through participation in parades, competitions, concerts and other appropriate activities. Membership in the Corps is not limited to Wethersfield residents. Current members come from all over Connecticut.
  
  Col. John is a founding member of the Company of Fifers & Drummers and also belongs to the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association (CFx), Hudson Valley Drum Corps Association and the Massachusetts Fife, Drum and Bugle Association. Over the years, Col. John has earned the reputation as being one of the top Junior Ancient Corps in Connecticut. The Corps maintains an active schedule each year appearing in parades, competitions, concerts and musters. Col. John has been the reigning Jr. Ancient State Champions in the Connecticut Fifer's and Drummers Association (CFx), the Hudson Valley Association and the Massachusetts Association since 1994.
  
  The Corps has had a variety of uniforms during the years. A standout at any event, the Corps first uniforms were a white shirt and white pants with red stripes, a light blue cape with light red lining, all topped with a white sailor hat which had a 'V' for victory on it. This hat was replaced in 1945 by a colonial navy blue tricorn hat. They also added white belts and navy blue capes with royal red lining. By 1947, the uniform was dark blue cadet style with grey slacks and a blue cape. In the early 1960's, a "civil war" type of uniform was worn. The present uniform was researched, designed and adopted in 1969. It is an adaptation of the uniform worn by the Wethersfield Company commanded by John Chester at the Battle of Bunker Hill: blue waistcoats, buff trousers, white shirts, black leggings and tricorn hats. In recent years, the Corps has added a black sash where members proudly display their competition medals and muster pins.
  
  
  
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