April 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, April 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
John Hancock military document signed from 1776, as President of the Continental Congress, appointing an Ensign to the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, headed by Colonel John Stark. At the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington, Stark rallied over 1,400 untrained militiamen, without uniforms and using their personal firearms, to thwart a British raid on Bennington, Vermont, famously telling his troops, "We'll beat them before night or Molly Stark's a widow!" Dubbed "The Hero of Bennington" and promoted to General, Stark also proved himself at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton and the Siege of Boston.
John Hancock's large, eloquent signature is on full display here, with his characteristic paraph below. Dated 8 November 1776, document is countersigned by Charles Thomson as Secretary of the Continental Congress. Measures 12" x 8.25". Reinforced with paper on verso. Some separation along folds, with folds touching the ends of Hancock's signature. Overall very good condition given age, and with a bold, attractive signature by Hancock.
John Hancock Revolutionary War Military Appointment Signed in 1776 -- Hancock Appoints an Ensign to the Regiment of Colonel John Stark, "The Hero of Bennington"
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