History, Military, American Naval History,
Mss. Document, USS Frigate Constitution
Boston June 20, 1798 Receipt: United State Naval Agent
borrows Four Ton of Canister Shot and
Four Eighteen-pound Cannon
for use on the USS Frigate Constitution.
Agent borrows Four Ton of Canister Shot and Four Eighteen-pound Cannon
for use on the USS Frigate Constitution. Of importance, the receipt is a historical deviation
from the Wikipedia version which notes that sixteen cannons were borrowed vs. the four
found in this receipt. The Cannon and shot were borrowed from Castle Island when
the Constitution was ordered out on her first run but had not yet been fully outfitted with cannon.
Transcript as follows:
Boston June 20, 1798
Received from Amasa Davis QM Gen. of Castle Island, under
command of William Perkins, esg four tons of Cannister Shott
the property of Commonwealth Massachusetts.
Four cannon of Eighteen Pound Calliber, for use of the
United States Frigate Constitution
which i have a promise to replace immediately
Signed by duplicates
F L Jackson, Naval Agent of
behalf of the United States
End of Transcript
MSS, Ink on laid paper 9.25 x 7.25 sight, add 1.5" for period frame
Condition: typical folds, strong ink, not examined out of frame.
$6,225.00
270-167
Bandana, Napoleon Crossing the Alps Surrounded by Famous Battle Scenes
SOUVENIRS DE NAPOLEON; printed textile
Likely France, 19th Century
We are not familiar with other examples, Rex Stark sold this example decades ago. The Fine Arts Museums Of San Francisco owns a closely related print
(Fine original condition, expertly mounted; frame: 41 by 38”, sight-size: 37 by 33.5”)
Shipping or delivery is no problem!
$2,150
232-356
MARITIME LAW: PROTECTION OF SEAMAN RIGHTS
2 Sided Partially Printed Document, Obverse: United States of America; An Act for the Government and
Regulation of Seaman in the Merchants' Service; Printed Names of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg,
John Adams, and George Washington. Obverse is the full Act in 3 columns. Reverse is an agreement
between Ship Masters, Seaman and Mariners filled out by Master, specifically spelling out the terms
of the agreement including the Ship, Destination, Duration, List of all names Master and Crew, Place
and Date of Entry; Names Rank or Role, Witness of Signing (preventing sailors going unwillingly),
Advance Wages, day wage rates, and Full/final wages. In summary, the Ships Master is responsible to
meet the terms of the contract and is likely to be checked at each U.S. Port. This act went a long
way in protecting the rights of the seamen and ensured that they got paid per agreement. An
important piece of Maritime Law. This 2 sided partially printed document is framed so either side
can be displayed and shows handsomely both ways. Not inspected out of the frame, but apparently
legible. Ship Master is Henry Barnard, and also carried a 10-man crew. Fascinating piece of U.S.
Maritime Law and History. Folds, creases include some small losses at folds and some small text
loss. See pictures for detail. Many names to research!
(View area: 11.5" x 15"; overall: 13.5" x 17")
$925.00
1039-49
Pair of Small Brass Trouser Spurs
American, second half 19th century
Unmarked brass spurs with original leather straps. Known as “trouser spurs” because of the elongated neck, which was made to arch up around the hem of the wearer’s trousers. Demi-lune terminal with small-toothed rowel. (Yoke: 3”; Length: 4”)
$400
1187-21
Bas Relief Bust Shell, General U.S. Grant, White Frosted on Convex Tin Shell
Manufactured by Huntington, Loretz and Co., 142 Fulton Street, New York
Circa 1865
Plaster, wood, tin, convex glass, silver leaf, and velvet, retains trade label
(Dings to frame gesso otherwise fine; frame: 17.5 by 15.5"; sight-size: 11.75 by 9.75")
$735
232-281
ALS, General Orders, 1807, Massachusetts Militia
CONTENT: ALS, (COPY) of 2 sided letter to Brig. Gen. S Holman from
the Maj General of Seventh Div. Mass Militia (Maj Gen Davis),
signed by John Spurr Jr ADC (aide de camp) Seventh Div. Mass. Militia;
dated July 20 1807
ALS: This is a COPY of a letter from the "Major General of Seventh Division" (gen Davis), and signed "John Spurr, Jr ADC", (aide de camp) requesting the formation of a detachment of artillery and cavalry for use by the Commander in Chief (Jefferson), and providing instructions/ details on the personnel elements of forming a detachment of Artillery (29 men) and Calvary (71 men), totally 100 men. This COPY is hand written by Jacob Fisher, Brig Major, in Fisher's handwriting, and is addressed on the envelope or Outer Folds: to "Cap James Wilder, Sterling “(Mass) . " General Orders July 1807" This COPY sent/signed by Jacob Fisher, Brig Major, and addressed accordingly on envelope (outer folds)
CONTENT: ALS, (COPY) of 2 sided letter to Brig. Gen. S Holman from Maj General Seventh Div. Mass Militia (Maj Gen Davis), signed by John Spurr Jr ADC (Seventh Div. Mass. Militia) dated July 20 1807,
Side 1: "Division Head Quarters at Oxford (Mass), July 20, 1807. Brig Gen S. Holman"….. Is a letter Brig Gen S Holman requesting support for ongoing troops to support the needs of the “Commander in Chief" (Thomas Jefferson) for his use in the defense of the United States. In other words, this letter outlines and appeals for a national force at the disposal of the President. The need was a result of Jefferson's isolationist/protectionist trade policies, England's growing opposition, and (later) evolving with Madison's actions until the War of 1812 resulted. At the time of this letter, there was a growing support for a national military. A large number of this General Order were hand copied and distributed to those who could/would/should follow through with urgency, and thus providing Jefferson with a known level of military support. Side 1 is signed “By Order of the Maj General of Seventh Division (Davis), John Spurr Jr., ADC"
Side 2: This side details the specific detailed personnel instructions for the formation of a 100 man detachment, with 29 men Artillery and 71 Calvary, including ranks. And signed again “By Order of the Maj General of Seventh Division (presumed Maj-Gen Davis), John Spurr Jr., ADC" (Aide de Camp)
$625
110-766
Further Research: Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, Volume ppg. 123-127, available on Google books, provides details of how this General Order evolved into a large gathering of Mass. Militia in Worcester, Mass, Sept 1807, just 2 months after the letter described was originally sent. Levi Lincoln Jr, Brig Gen S Holman spoke at the gathering. John Spurr Jr sent the invitations.
Of Note: According to preceding’s of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, Volume 9 "The State Militia, especially the Seventh Division, was composed in 1807 of active, energetic men, who felt an interest in citizen soldiery of the Commonwealth, and are willing to contribute both time and resources to their respective organizations". Thomas Jefferson, through his isolationist/protectionist trade policies, was leading the U.S. closer to the War of 1812. In context, this document/letter is an element of military history leading to " An Act for Regulating, Governing, and Training the Militia of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts" passed March 6, 1810, which is the foundation for U.S ongoing military.
Names mentioned in ALS:
John Spurr Jr: There is a John Spurr listed in the participants of the Boston Tea Party; with a newspaper notation that he later became a Colonel in the Rhode Island militia. In the official US Gov. Archives, a John Spurr was commissioned captain in the Mass Bay Militia. Not sure either are the same guy, but being that this ALS is not actually penned or signed by him, there’s not a lot of reason to check. Rationale: Thomas Jefferson is mentioned in the letter, but obviously he was not involved in writing or signing, so only has a passing significance.
Major Jacob Fisher: The Jacob Fisher House is owned by the Lancaster Historical Society. “Major Fisher, a cabinetmaker from Princeton, no doubt came to Lancaster through his marriage to Nancy Carter, who was from a prominent Lancaster family. A respected and effective leader, Fisher served on many town committees, and his energy and talent promoted the development of business in the area." Taken from: https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:73666j716
Brig. Gen S. Holman is not significant because he did not write or sign this letter, although he did have a long military history from the Rev War through leading the Massachusetts Seventh Division
Thomas Jefferson: Only mentioned as Commander in Chief. Not significant in regards to this letter.
Summary: Very interesting content for the military historian, local historian (Lancaster). In terms of historical significance, this MSS. is a worthy historical document reflecting the development in political and military thought as it pertains to forming a regular militia to be used by the Commander in Chief (national deployment) for the defense of the U.S., and at the discretion of the Commander in Chief.
Copies of General Orders are not uncommon, as they were required to be kept in a Regimental Book, or by any division receiving primary copies also, general orders were hand copied often, and we sent around to staff, subordinates, etc. Many ended up in private hands and many were tossed. ALL general orders are available in the military archives, so the General Order portion of this content is not original. The letter portion of the content appealing for the detachment into specific Artillery and Calvary units has well documented detail, but still is compelling due to historical context. Should be of interest to a collector or researcher of Worcester County, Lancaster, Sterling, or even general Massachusetts military history, or to a student of the period surrounding Jefferson/Madison's time in office, and/or the War of 1812, and/or, the history of American commerce, and/or the history of American maritime impact on international trade
Hat Plate, American Eagle, Army and Militia, Indian Wars Period, Brass Hat Plate
Circa 1870
Dimensions: 4 by 4.25".
1017-3
$115
Union Shield, Patriotic American Shield Flag Holder, Original Condition Date/Period: 1908 (46 stars) - SOLD
Measurement: 20.25" x 15"
Material: Sheet iron, polychrome
Condition: Very good, commensurate with age and use
Additional Information: The shield with rolled wire reinforced edges will accommodate
ten flags; the back is fitted with wire rings tabbed and riveted to shield.
SOLD
259-68
17th Century Helmet, Burgonet, Steel, Lobster Tail, Earflaps, Visor & Face Strip Date/Period: Circa 1650 - SOLD
Measurement: 13" x 9.5" x 10"
Material: Steel, leather
Condition: Considering age and use, excellent, minor small imperfection at tip of
lobster tail as depicted.
Additional Information: 17th century steel burgonet helmet, with folding and pierced
earflaps, ribbed skull, articulated lobster-tail neck guard, and steel visor with adjustable
steel strip for face protection in dark [brown] patina. Armorer’s mark on visor is illegible
and worn through.
SOLD
861-5
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