May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
Benjamin West's undated application for compensation for unpaid military service "as Minute man about 7 mo[nth]s in the Fall of 1774 under Command of Col Greyton [John Greaton] To my Services for Campaigne to Quebec under Command of Col. [Benedict] Arnold drawn from Col Greyton's Regiment in Cambridge about 14 Months in 1775 and 1776" and to "Furnishing myself with equipments Clothing &c All of which were taken when I became a prisoner at Quebec. To my Service, in the Penobscot expedition about the year 1779. For all the above I never have received my payment." Autograph document (unsigned, but written in West's hand), 1 page, 9 7/8 x 8 inches.
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Benjamin West's 1819 Petition "To the Honourable Senate and house of Representatives" of Massachusetts, autograph document signed, 2 pages, each 10 x 8 1/4 inches. West represents "that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five which was a Day that tried mens Souls, a day when Every Honest and benevolent hart felt willing to give up half he possessed if we Could gain his Independence, to any Poor man that would harness himself with Implyments of war, and seppard [sic] his life in the high Places of the field, and Rescue there lives and the lives of there little ones from the Ravages of a Mercy less foe....there is no one Remembers the same Poor man who under god obtained the Liberty they now enjoy, were it not for the fortitude and corage [sic] f our worthy citizens of that Day we should not have been colonies to grate Briton, your Petitioner therefore humbly Prays that as he has wated more than forty years and my gray hairs are now Blossoming for the grave...you will hear his cry answer his Request and grant him Relief...." The sheet on reverse bears the notation that it was "Read and approved" in the Senate on January 31, 1820 and signed by Senate President John Phillips. However, it was not until June 10th that the House "Read and committed" West's petition "to the Committee on Sick & Wounded Soldiers' applications, per affixed signature of the Speaker, E. H. Mills. West's pension application in the National Archives (copies included) shed further evidence on his service. He marched on Arnold's expedition "by way of the Kennebec" in Captain Simeon Thayer's company of musketmen and served during the siege of Quebec until captured during Montgomery's ill-fated assault, during which by "Loss of our Brave Commander our party fell into the Enemys hands", noting elsewhere that "Five different Prisons I was cast into during the War, from 1775 to 1783 when I came from Newfoundland in a Hog Ship." CONDITION: both documents with original folds, now flattened, and in very good condition with strong ink; handsomely"floated" in window matted, UV-glazed framing by a professional paper conservator. JLK