December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Significant early Pennsylvania militia commission of the French and Indian War dating soon after the November 1755 militia act brought forward by Benjamin Franklin, spurred by trouble on the frontiers and Braddock's defeat in July, that for the first time authorized the formation of (still voluntary) military units by legislative act of the Assembly, where previous units had been extra-legal associations. This commissions John Groves "lieutenant of a company of foot militia formed in the City of Philadelphia, whereof William Grant is Captain." Signed lower right by R.H. Morris as lieutenant governor and commander in chief of the province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex-on-Delaware, and dated 29 December 1755. Robert Hunter Morris (1700-1764) was designated as lieutenant or deputy governor during his tenure from 1754-56 in deference to Thomas Penn as the official "Governor," resident in England. The militia act was also part of long-standing political maneuvering between the Assembly, Franklin and Morris over taxation of the Proprietors' estates. CONDITION: Excellent. Nicely matted and framed. Fully legible printed text and brown ink handwritten additions. A French and Indian War period commission that displays impressively.
Item Dimensions: 19" X 14 - 1/2"