Lot 252

Gen. Moses Hazen ALS to His Business Partner, Col. Bedel Referencing Gen. Bayley

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Gen. Moses Hazen ALS to His Business Partner, Col. Bedel Referencing Gen. Bayley

Estimate: $300 - $400

Starting Bid: $100

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Moses Hazen
Albany, NY, October 25, 1783
Gen. Moses Hazen ALS to His Business Partner, Col. Bedel Referencing Gen. Bayley
ALS

Moses Hazen autograph letter signed. 2pp. with attached address cover, 7.875" x 12.5"; Albany; October 25, 1783. Hazen writes to fellow Revolutionary War officer Timothy Bedel regarding shared business matters. Signed, "Moses Hazen." With age toning, more so along integral fold which also has professional restoration affecting a few words. Paper has also been added along the vertical edge and at top third of the integral address sheet, with no loss of text. An excellent example of land speculation and business opportunities available after the Revolutionary War.

Hazen writes to Timothy Bedel, with whom he had worked on the construction of the Bayley Hazen Military Road in 1779. After the war, the two partnered to purchase land along this very road. The road had opened up these areas for settlement and development, making land purchases there potentially lucrative investments. In this letter, Hazen informs Bedel that he has acquired an obligation to have conveyed to him land in "the Towns of Lancaster, Topson [Topsham] and Luningburgg [Lunenburg] at the rate of one hundred and Fifteen Dollars…I have been obliged to take in partners in order to raise the necessary sum to pay down on this occasion…"

He continues: "I judge it will be necessary to – begin to improve Particular situations and wish you to be prepaired on the opening pf the Spring for that purpose. I should suppose that a quantity of provisions sufficient to support 20 men through the summer would be necessary…" General Bayley's shared interest in the same land is referenced later in the letter.

During the American Revolutionary War, Moses Hazen, Timothy Bedel, and Jacob Bayley were closely associated through their military service and shared involvement in land speculation and development projects in northern Vermont. Prior to the war, Hazen and Bayley had amassed substantial land holdings in the region. Hazen and Bedel partnered to purchase additional tracts along the Bayley Hazen Military Road, which both Bayley and Hazen had helped construct.

All three men served as Continental Army officers during the conflict, having roles in many significant events. Despite their land wealth and wartime contributions, both Hazen and Bayley died in relatively impoverished circumstances. Their speculative land ventures did not result in lasting financial security, underscoring the precarious nature of colonial-era frontier development.

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: 12.5" x 7.875"
  • Medium: ALS

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