Description:

Revolutionary War
Philadelphia, PA, May 6, 1776
1776 Provisioning the Chatham, A Row Galley in the Pennsylvania Navy
Partially printed DS

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] John Christie, Partially Printed Document Signed, to John Mitchell, Order for Rations and Rum, May 6, 1776, Philadelphia, PA. 2 pp., 6.75" x 4.75". Toning; irregular edges; very good.

With this order and receipt to merchant John Mitchell, John Christie of the Pennsylvania row galley Chatham orders rations and rum for the crew. On the verso, Seaman Jeremiah Cullin signed the receipt for the rations. In October 1776, John Christie became captain of the fire brig Vesuvius.

Complete Transcript
May the 6th 1776.
SIR,
PLEASE to deliver for the Chatham Armed Vessel, under my Command one hundred & Eight Rations of Provisions of all Species and Rum.
CAPTAIN, / John Christie
To Mr. John Mitchell.
108 Rations
No.
Beef, Mutton or Pork,
Bread,
Flour,
Rum or Beer,
Vegetables,

[Receipt on verso:]
Philadelphia, May the 6th 1776.
RECEIVED of Mr. JOHN MITCHELL, one hundred and Eight Rations of Provisions of all Species and Rum for this Order.
Jereah Cullin

Historical Background
When the American Revolutionary War began in early 1775, the Province of Pennsylvania's Committee of Safety determined that Philadelphia needed protection against incursions by the British Navy on the Delaware River. In July 1775, it authorized the purchase and outfitting of armed galleys for that purpose. By the end of August 1776, the Pennsylvania Navy consisted of 27 vessels with 21 more vessels on order.

Armed Boat Chatham was one of thirteen row galleys built by the State of Pennsylvania in the summer and fall of 1775 to defend Philadelphia from the British Royal Navy. The Chatham, which was rowed by oarsmen instead of using sails, was commanded by a series of captains, including Charles Alexander (October 1775-March 1776), James Montgomery (ca. 1747-1810) (May-August 1776), and George Garland (September 1776-August 1777). In May 1776, the Chatham had a crew of 24 officers and men, which increased to 34 by July 1776.

John Mitchell (1741-1816) was born in Ulster, Ireland. He began his career as a merchant in Dominica, British West Indies. He may have spent some time in Baltimore before going into business with his brother Randall Mitchell in Philadelphia in 1769. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a colonel in the Pennsylvania militia, commissary of artillery troops, and mustermaster of the Pennsylvania navy. In 1778, he was appointed as deputy quartermaster general, a position he held until 1780. After the war, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was elected a city warden in 1787. He was active in the Society of the Cincinnati.

Doris Harris, 1982.

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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  • Dimensions: 6.75" x 4.75"
  • Medium: Partially printed DS

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