September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/6/2023
Lot consists of 2 items signed by Revolutionary War General William Heath of Massachusetts. (A) April 1778 signed pay warrant for troops guarding Burgoyne’s captured troops from Saratoga, the "Convention Army". Directed to Deputy Paymaster General Ebenezer Hancock, signed by Heath, directing him to pay Col. Jacob Gerrish "Commanding one of the regiments of guards at Cambridge Four Thousand five Hundred & Seventyfive Dollars & Sixteen Seventyseconds of a Dollar in full for the pay of his Regiment for the month of March 1778 agreeable to the within abstract for which this shall be your sufficient warrant. Given at Head Quarters / Boston April 6th (?) 1778" and signed, "W. Heath / MGenl." This is docketed at bottom, "By command of the General / Seth Loring Adj." and at top by "John Adams Asst. D.P.M.[G.]" (Assistant Deputy Paymaster General) attesting that an accompanying pay abstract, absent, was correct. On the reverse Gerrish directs the money due be paid to a Captain who will give a note "for discharge of same," and is then signed by Gerrish as paid in full and is docketed at bottom for filing, noting it is Heath’s Warrant for payment to Gerrish and dated April 8, 1778. Heath was commissioned Massachusetts brigadier general in the Massachusetts militia in 1774, major general in 1775, and brigadier general by the Continental Congress. He took part in the defense of New York in 1776, seeing action in several battles, was promoted Major General in 1777 and served thereafter in rear echelon assignments, including later charge of the Highland Department. He was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, a member of state’s convention on the Constitution, and member of the state senate. CONDITION: Fair. Losses along folds, small tears, but largely legible. (B) A December 1806 signed order for distribution of funds from a will as probate judge. CONDITION: Very good. Partial seal at upper left. Minor stains. Excellent signature lower right. Both Letters come with James Spence Authentication Full Letters of Authenticity and are former Dr. John K. Lattimer Collection.
Item Dimensions: 10" x 10"