September 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, September 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
Revolutionary War broadside from 8 July 1775, less than three months after shots were first fired at Lexington and Concord. In this broadside, David Cheever calls upon the men of Attleborough, Massachusetts to provide clothing - ''as you value the lives and Health of your Countrymen'', to the soldiers in the Continental Army. At this time, Cheever was Chairman of the Commissariat subcommittee in the Committee of Safety for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, a pro-Independence body that earlier in 1775 urged Massachusetts residents to resist the British - insisting ''it becomes the christian and social duty of each individual'' to do so when confronted with oppression and tyranny.
From Watertown, Massachusetts, broadside reads in full, ''Gentlemen, In Obedience to the Order of Congress we have proportioned Thirteen Thousand Coats on all the Towns and Districts in this Colony, excepting Boston and Charlestown; and have enclosed you the Proportion, with their Resolves, and a Sample as a Direction to you both as to the Colour and Quality of the Cloth which shall be Manufactured by you, and of the quality of the imported Cloths of which the coats shall be made: We are to assure you that the Coats you shall Supply shall be delivered to the Men of your Town so far as Circumstances will admit. / We are, Gentlemen, respectfully / your most humble Servants, / DAVID CHEEVER, Chairman.
P.S. A large Number of Shirts, Stockings and Summer Breeches are wanted immediately for the Use of the Army, you are therefore earnestly requested, as you value the lives and Health of your Countrymen, to furnish this Committee as soon as possible, with a large Number of the said Articles, not less than two Shirts, two pair of Stockings and two pair of Summer Breeches to each Coat, apportioned as the Share of your Town-----and send them as soon as procured to Mr. William Hunt, at Watertown--- We shall be ready to Order Payment for the same as soon as receiv'd according to the Price which you shall certify, relying on your judgment to prevent Impositions upon the Soldiers.''
Broadside measures 7.75'' x 12.5'', on hand laid paper, with ''To the gentlemen the Selectmen of Attleborough'' written in period script on the verso. Handwritten calculations also appear on verso. Folds, small tear to bottom where there's remnants of a red wax seal, and some shadowing of writing on verso. Overall very good plus condition. A rare early Revolutionary War broadside.
Rare Revolutionary War Broadside From the Beginning of the War in July 1775 -- ''...A large Number of Shirts, Stockings and Summer Breeches are wanted immediately for the Use of the Army...''
Click above for larger image.