John Hancock, Partly Printed Document, accomplished in Manuscript, Signed

Description

John Hancock, as President “in Congress” signs Scarce Revolutionary War Military Commission for “William Allen Gentleman” as “First Lieutenant of  Captain Silas Talbot’s Company in the Eleventh Regiment of Foot commanded by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock.” 

This document is probably an earlier iteration of Charles Evans’ AMERICAN BIBLIOGRAPHY #15129, containing a slight difference in text, lacking “Georgia” in the opening list of colonies.  Also, reference to “United Colonies” rather than “United States” suggests this copy was printed prior to the vote for Independence in July 1776 and represents an early and unrecorded form of a Revolutionary War military commission.

William Allen of Rhode Island served as an officer in the Continental army from 1776 to 1783, rising from lieutenant to brevet major.**  After his service, John Brown and John Francis recommended Allen to George Washington for Office of Surveyor of the Customs at Providence, RI., as a man “Deserving of the Publick Confidence;” but he received no appointment.

Silas Talbot of Rhode Island served in both the Continental Army and Navy during the War, and is best known for commanding “USS Constitution” from   1799 to 1801.  During the War he was badly burned on a fire-ship later in 1776, was wounded in action at Fort Mifflin in 1777, and captured at sea in 1780, exchanged, and served to the close of the war.  He was commissioned a Lt.-Colonel in the US Army in 1778 for “bravery and good conduct…in boarding and taking the armed schooner ‘Pigot’….”

Daniel Hitchcock of Rhode Island, was Colonel of the 11th Continental Infantry from 1st January to 31st December, 1776 and Colonel of the 2d Rhode Island, 1st January, 1777; but died 13th January, 1777.

Extremely bold ink writing, especially so for Hancock’s own signature; old fold lines with two pinholes at fold intersects.

Hancock, John (1736/7-1793; Founding Father; President “in Congress”; Governor of Mass.)  Partly Printed Document, accomplished in manuscript, signed “John Hancock President”, with his famous pareph beneath.  [Philadelphia]: 1 January 1776.  “Attest(ed)” by  “Charl(es) Thompson, Secy.”