May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
John Avery (1739-1806), partially-printed, document signed, 1 page (15 1/4 x 9 3/8 in.), bifolium, dated Boston, May 12, 1800 and bearing the state seal in the upper left-hand corner, countersigned by Moses Gill (1734-1800) on left margin. A handsome certificate announcing Brigham's confirmation of election to the state senate and call to attend its next session on May 28, 1800. Avery, as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, notifies Elijah Brigham that "You being chosen a SENATOR by a majority of voters in the county of Worcester...[are] summoned to attend and assist at a General Court, to begun and holden at the STATE-House, in Boston...." Possibly the last official document signed by the ailing Gill as Acting President of the state, who died only six days later. CONDITION: bright and clean with bold ink script, marred only by 3 paper clip marks, two on left edge of document not affecting text and one in the center, which could benefit from removal by a conservator. JLK
Provenance: by descent in the General Artemas Ward-Elijah Brigham Family until 2012; private collection to present.