Description:

George Washington
n.p., September 1, 1783
G. Washington DS For Invalid Who Fought & Recovered with Black Soldier Prince Jenckes, Large and Attractive Signature Rare Format!
DS

A Revolutionary War discharge certificate signed by George Washington, completed and countersigned by Jonathan Trumbull Jr. from "Head Quarters", dated September 1, 1783. Signed "Go: Washington," as Commander of the Continental Army and countersigned by his secretary, "Jona. Trumbull Junr Secty." Washington certifies the discharge of John Slocum, a resident of Rhode Island and soldier in the Corps of Invalids. Slocum had applied for the discharge, having determined that he was "unfit for any farther Duty either in the Field or in Garrison." The document has been backed by a sheet of archival paper. With flattened folds and small separations at the edges. Some minor chipping at edges. Uneven toning and mat burn. Scattered foxing and dampstaining throughout . There are two lines that pass through the "Wa" and "hin" of Washington's large, bold signature. Signature measures 3.75" x 0.75". 1 partially printed page, measuring 11.25" x 8". We note in auction records only 2 other examples we can find on this format and the last one sold for nearly $25,000 but did not have the African American association.

The Invalid Corps operated from 1777 to 1783 and was comprised of older and invalid veterans who could still provide limited military service for the Continental Army. The British army had long organized companies of men who were unfit for active service into garrison companies to guard fortifications and stores, and the Americans sought to make use of any additional manpower they could acquire. Colonel Lewis Nicola was named as commander of the Corps and detachments were established at Boston and West Point where the Corps performed the valuable service. The Corps was officially disbanded between April 1783 and December 1784. The states retained partial control over their men in the Corps, but never gave them a high priority. Slocum we know after the war received pensions as early as 1788 and his fellow black Soldier Prince did too.

John Slocum was mentioned in historian Clare Tyler's thesis, "'Prince Jenckes a Black invalid Soldier': A Unique Case of Disability, Race and Poverty in the Early United States" (University of Rhode Island, 2022.) "One of the most compelling questions raised by the 1788 petition is why it was necessary for Olney (or anyone) to take out the money for Prince. Why could Prince not just go to where the proceedings were taking place and ask for it himself? Given it was established that he had extremely limited mobility, that alone could have been a reason. This is especially the case given his fellow Black soldier, Bristol Rhodes, was able to take out money for himself directly. William Hall was also paid money for the use of John Slocum, a white soldier, in a very similar transaction to Prince and Olney's deal.176 This indicates that Slocum's and Prince's disabilities likely limited their ability to appear in front of the assembly and that race was surprisingly not a factor in whether a proxy versus the soldier appeared in front of the Assembly..."

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: 11.25" x 8"
  • Artist Name: George Washington
  • Medium: DS

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July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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