Description:

Express Riders Summon Connecticut Legislature to Hartford in November 1776

Like Paul Revere and William Dawes, who rode from Boston to warn the minutemen of Lexington and Concord of the approach of British soldiers in April 1775, express riders from the Connecticut revolutionary government rode to warn and assemble members of the general assembly in November 1776. This pay order authorizes Treasurer John Laurence to pay 10 shillings to Mathew Gillett for his services in "warning" (notifying) members of the assembly from New Hartford and Torrington in the northwestern part of the state. Other notations on the same page authorize payments to Benjamin Mix, Captain Bissell, and [Paul Bogg?] for similar services.

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] John Pitkin and Thomas Seymour, Manuscript Document Signed, Order to John Laurence, November 29, 1776, Hartford, Connecticut. 2 pp., 8.5" x 13.25". Expected folds; general toning; some bleedthrough; Trumbull order is light.

Excerpts
"Sir / pay to Mathew Gillett Esqr the sum of ten shillings for his Services & Expences to warn the Members of Assembly as ⅌ account on this paper allowed & Charge the State, for which this will be your sufficient Warrant. Hartford Novr 29th 1776.
"John Pitkin J of Peace
"Thos Seymour Just Pais
"John Lawrence Esqr / Treasurer"

"New Hartford Novr 18th 1776
"The State of Connecticutt Debter To Benja Mix for 17 Miles travel to warn the Representatives of Hartland."

"Capt Bissell of Torringford wornd one of the debaties he went 6 mils"

"New Hartford the State of Conecticut Debttor to Paul Bogg to 3 mils travil to warn one Deputy"

[Governor's Proclamation on verso:]
"To the Honorable the Deputy Govrs Assistants Representatives & Secretary for this State
"Business of Importance requiring your Speedy attention & Consideration, you are hereby notified to attend and meet in General Assembly at the Court House in Hartford in said state on Tuesday the 19th day of November at ten of the clock in the forenoon, Then & there to Advise and consult on such matters & Business as shall be Laid before you. Given under my hand in Lebanon this 13th day of Novr 1776 / Jonathan Trumbull"

Historical Background
On November 13, 1776, Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull, the only colonial governor to join the patriot cause, issued a call for the General Assembly to convene. Express riders fanned out across the state to call the deputies to meet at Hartford six days later, on November 19.

On that day Governor Trumbull, Deputy Governor Mathew Griswold, 9 assistants, and 134 representatives or deputies of the various towns assembled. Hartford was represented by John Pitkin and Thomas Seymour, who signed this document as justices of the peace. Mathew Gillett had notified the delegates of New Hartford and Torrington. Gillett was one of the delegates from New Hartford, along with Isaac Kellogg. The delegates from Torrington were Ephraim Bancroft and Shubael Griswold.

The General Assembly passed legislation to prevent monopolies and price gouging on salt and other essential goods, to permit the governor to enact an embargo and to supply the troops in the Continental Army. The Assembly also appointed officers in four battalions for continental service and passed a series of resolutions on a variety of subjects. They also empowered the governor and council of safety to manage the day-to-day operations of the revolutionary government.

Matthew Gillett (1707-1789) was born in Hartford and was among the first settlers of New Hartford in western Connecticut in 1734. He served as the first town clerk of New Hartford and represented New Hartford in the General Assembly in 1775 and 1776.

Jonathan Trumbull (1710-1785) was born in Connecticut and graduated from Harvard College in 1727. He studied theology and received an A.M. in 1730, but became a merchant with his father in 1731. He served as a delegate to the General Assembly from 1733 to 1740, and as colonel of a Connecticut regiment during the French and Indian War. Trumbull served as deputy-governor of the Colony of Connecticut from 1766 to 1769, Governor of the Connecticut Colony from 1769 to 1776, and Governor of the State of Connecticut from 1776 to 1784. He was the only colonial governor to join the Revolutionary cause. George Washington declared Trumbull to be "the first of the patriots."

John Lawrence (1719-1802) served as treasurer of the colony and then the state of Connecticut for twenty years from 1769 to 1789. During the Revolutionary War, he was also commissioner of loans for the United States.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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