Description:

Washington George

George Washington and RI Declaration Signer William Ellery 1790 Endorsed Lighthouse Document

 

1p ADS signed by 1st U.S. President George Washington (1732-1799) as "Go: Washington" and dated December 14, 1790 at top verso. The document is a Rhode Island lighthouse keeper's provisional contract dated October 15, 1790 and signed by four individuals at bottom recto: Declaration of Independence signer William Ellery (1727-1820) in his capacity as Collector of Customs for Newport, Rhode Island as "William Ellery"; William Martin (1722-1803), Beavertail Lighthouse Keeper, Coanicut Island, as "William Martin"; William Ellery's son William Ellery, Jr. as "Wm Ellery jun"; and an unknown fourth party as "D Lyman." Docketed verso in another hand. Washington's signature is strong and dark. In near fine condition. Some condition issues include three paper folds (2 of 3 are professionally reinforced), overall age toning, and a small likely contemporaneous ink smudge located verso. Measures 12.125" x 7.625".

 

Complete transcript with original spelling and punctuation:

 

"Whereas in pursuance of an Act of a Congress of the United States for defraying the Expences of the Light Houses in the several States, and of instructions received from the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States William Martin is continued Keeper of the Light House on the Island of Conannicut in the Town of James Town in the State of Rhode Island &c until the pleasure of the President of the United States shall be known. I William Ellery Collector of the Port of Newport in the State aforesaid Do by these Presents agree with the said William Martin that he shall receive for his Services in keeping said Light House at the rate of One Hundred and forty Dollars by the year. --

 

And, I the said William Martin Do by these Presents agree faithfully to discharge all the duties of Keeper of the Light House aforesaid, and to accept said allowance in full compensation for my services, and to do and perform whatever shall be required of me respecting the Promises: This provisional contract to commence on the Thirteenth day of September last, and to be subject to the approbation of the President of the United States.

 

In Witness whereof we have hereunto interchangeably set our hands this Fifteenth day of October in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety. --

 

[signed] D Lyman                              William Martin

             Wm Ellery jun                       William Ellery

 

{verso}

 

Approved December 14th 1790

 

[signed] Go: Washington

 

[docketed] Provisl. Contract inter W Ellery + W Martin respectg the Light House."

 

On August 7, 1789, the 1st U.S. Congress authorized the transfer of ownership to federal control of 12 American lighthouses previously maintained by cities (Act 9). George Washington's new federal government agreed to pay for the maintenance and repairs of lighthouses, piers, and buoys. Lighthouses, as well as all matters pertaining to navigation, fell under the jurisdiction of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (ca. 1755-1804). The Secretary of the Treasury supervised the local Customs Collector, who in turn supervised the lighthouse keeper. On a day to day basis, lighthouse upkeep was financed through the collection of "light-dues," or taxes collected from passing ships based on tonnage.

 

Coanicut Island was and is of great commercial, navigational, and military importance. It is the second largest island in Narragansett Bay, at approximately 9.5 square miles, and is located to the west of Newport. Coanicut Island colonists installed a lighted beacon and a fog signal gun in the 1710s to facilitate safe shipping to Newport, Rhode Island's trading capital. The first permanent lighthouse, Beavertail Lighthouse, was constructed at the island's southernmost point in 1749. The brick and stone lighthouse designed by former sea captain and architect Peter Harrison was rebuilt several times, most notably after the British burned it during their occupation of Newport between 1776-1779. Conanicut Island had held considerable strategic value during the Revolutionary War period, so President Washington would have been familiar with the area.

 

William Ellery lived his entire life in Newport, Rhode Island. The Harvard College graduate was a merchant, lawyer, and state assembly clerk before serving as a Rhode Island delegate in the Continental Congress intermittently between 1776-1786. One of only two Rhode Island signers, Ellery's signature on the Declaration of Independence is second largest after Boston merchant John Hancock's. Between 1790-1820, Ellery served as Newport's Customs Collector and Lighthouse Superintendent.

 

William Martin served as lighthouse keeper of Beavertail Lighthouse on Coanicut Island from the 1780s until his death in 1803. By all accounts, Martin diligently maintained the lighthouse beacon. He removed salt spray from its glass panels, and regularly replaced any panels broken by seabirds. This October 15, 1790 contract stipulated Martin's salary at $140 per year. In 1796, President Washington increased lighthouse keepers' annual salary from an average of $120 to $333.

 

Two other examples of Washington-endorsed documents related to lighthouses have been offered at auction during the last quarter-century. Yet this example, written during President Washington's second year in office, is the earliest of its kind noted.

 

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