Description:

Artemas Ward DS 12 Years Before Cont. Army Major General Commission

A 1p document signed in a docket verso by Artemas Ward (1727-1800), one of Washington's future leading major generals, and then in his role as Justice of the Peace, as "Artemas Ward Jus.ta Paeise." The land deed dated May 11, 1763 confirmed the sale of a 100-acre plot of land in Royalshire (modern-day Royalston, Massachusetts). Signed and sealed by the buyer at lower right, and countersigned by two witnesses at lower left. Ward's autograph endorsement dated October 29, 1763 is located near the center verso, above the docket of a recording secretary. Partly printed and partly manuscript on laid paper. Expected wear including even toning and flattened paper folds, some with isolated separation or with marginal closed tears, else near fine. 8.125" x 13.25." Contained within a plastic sleeve with stickers from Early American History Auctions, Inc. and Hindman Auctioneers.

Abraham Eager, a yeoman from Shrewsbury in Massachusetts Bay Province, purchased 100 acres of land from Jason Badcock, a yeoman from Royalshire, for 16£ 13 shillings and 4 pence. The land was located "in ye North Part of a New Town in ye County of Worcester aforesd called Royallshire…" Farmland in the "Royalshire tract" had been originally distributed by grant after 1752; the town would be incorporated in 1765 under the new name of Royalston. The buyer may have very well been Abraham Eager (1709-1779), who was indeed a resident of Shrewsbury. Two of Abraham's children were named Paul and Sarah, who almost certainly served as witnesses in the signing of this document.

The docket signed by Artemas Ward verso reads in full, with original spelling and punctuation, as: "Worcester Js: October ye 29th 1763 The within Named Abraham Eager Personally appeared & acknowledged the within written Instrument by him subscribed to be his free act of Deed. Coraon [?] Artemas Ward Jus.ta Paeise."

Just twelve years later, on July 17, 1775, Artemas Ward would receive a commission from the Continental Congress to serve as Major General in the Continental Army. Ward was one of Washington's four original high-ranking Revolutionary War military commanders, alongside Israel Putnam, Charles Lee, and Philip Schuyler. The Harvard-graduated French & Indian War veteran had significant command experience, having served as commander-in-chief of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's militia after 1774.

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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