Welcome to AAAWT’s Newly Expanded History Gallery.
Over the next few weeks, we will be adding considerably more material to the site, as well as announcing Single Owner Sales in many History, Sports, Rare Books, and Political Categories.
If you have material that you feel would fit our History Gallery, please contact Rob Morin at rm@net1plus.com or 978-597-6935, David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com, or Lynn Morin at lfm@aaawt.com or 978-597-8084.

History Gallery

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18th Century Indenture on Vellum
American

Approximately 17.25-inches by 30.75-inches, slight scallop along top, four black wax seals, deals with a land transfer in Philadelphia in 1733. Very good condition. An early American document worthy of further research.

Price: $175

XJT55

Account of the Committee for Fortifications in Boston, 1709

This is a brief report, dated February 28, 1709 of the Committee for Fortifications on the accounts for the repair of the platforms at the South Battery. The second side has a list of accounts due and accounts paid. The 7 5/8-inch by 6 1/8-inch document has been folded into thirds vertically and while slightly toned in good condition. Historically important look into the early years of Colonial occupation. Documents of this era are extremely rare. Well worthy of some further research with such names as Lynde, Little, Keeling.

See Acts, Massachusetts, I, 1869, 631, setting the force at 80 men in 1709; and III, 1878, 982, limiting the force to 120. See also Larrabee to the Council and House of Representatives (protesting proposed reduction of force from sixty to fifty soldiers), April 8, 1757, Massachusetts Archives, Military 1757-59, vol. 76, 624

Price: $700

XJT19

1691 Note Signed by Samuel Shrimpton
Along with an archive likeness of Shrimpton

Samuel Shrimpton (1643 - 1698) was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Militia and a member of the Governor’s Council in Massachusetts. He owned a number of properties in Boston as well as in Boston Harbor. This note, written by a shaky hand, makes reference to Goat Island. Shrimpton is named in the Quitclaim deed in which the Native American, Josias Wampatuck late Sachem, sold the Boston Harbor, Deer Island, etc.. and surrounding lands to the several colonists including Shrimpton, named throughout the original document. Perhaps one of the most important land acquisitions ever, and a stroke of genius by the principals to secure the rights to the Town of Boston after 55 years of occupation. More importantly, Shrimpton, a contemporary of Cotton Mather, was involved in Boston's Revolutionary Declaration of 18 April 1689. Shrimpton was involved and highly influenced the New England Church, Political landscape, and the future of New England. This document is worthy of further research, and is a rare and important piece of the history of Boston, New England, and the evolving New World.

Price: $1,600

XJT61

1782 Accounting Document

Wadsworth & Carter were from Philadelphia and were major contractors supplying the Continental Army and their French allies. The list includes merchandise, wine and sugar, as well as suppliers. Payments were made by Wadsworth & Carter to Daniel Parker, a Massachusetts businessman who was also a contractor to the Continental Commissary Department. Approximately 9.75-inches by 7.25-inches. Apparently connected to XJT60, Wadworth and Carter were contractors supplying the French Army during the American Revolution, with direct ties to Archameault, et al. Note the large amounts of wines, spirits, and other “necessities” that only the French would find worthy at the same time Washington was begging his troops to stick it out just one more year. Fascinating example of how different cultures and positions reflect different behaviors.

Price: $475

XJT62

17th Century Indenture on Vellum

Scalloped along top with two red wax seals attached to vellum hangers, this indenture is dated 1 May 1637. Approximately 27.5-inches by 14.75-inches, staining along folds.

Price: $100

XJT54

17th Century Receipt

Hand written receipt dated on one side May 1694 and on the other January 1700. One side concerns payment of 20 pounds “...Lawfull [sic] New England money...” the other a transfer of land. Wax seal of Samuel Wentworth on 1694 side. Approximately 3.75-inches by 5.875-inches. Wentworth, and Boston Taylor, would be an interesting study simply for the time he worked and lived in Boston. A look at the genealogy records finds several mentions of Wentworth, Lois Chadwell, also named in both sides of the document, Jon Rawlings, and Isaac Addingtion, Justice of the Peace. A document well worth further research.