Description:

Bowdoin James

James Bowdoin Writes to Hartford Attorney Regarding Lost Promissory Note

 

In this letter Boston merchant and future governor James Bowdoin writes to Hartford attorney Thomas Seymour asking Seymour’s assistance in getting a replacement promissory note.

 

JAMES BOWDOIN, Autograph Letter Signed, to Thomas Seymour, June 25, 1753, Boston, Massachusetts. 1 p., 7.25" x 11.75"  Expected folds and significant hole in paper, not affecting text.

 

Complete Transcript

Boston June 25, 1753

Sir

            When I was at Hartford I selled [settled? the Acct wth Mr Sam Flag & took his note hand for nine pounds lawful money dated May 17, 1753 payle to Mr James Pitts or order in Six months from the date wth Intt till paid. This note I have by some means or other lost. I pray the favour of you to acquaint Mr Flag of it, and desire him to give another note of the same Tenor with the other; in which for Mr Flag’s security some reference may be had to the former note. Mr Flag’s Honesty I have so much dependence on that I am satisfied he will make no semple to do this.

            When ’tis executed please to send it me by the first safe hand. I am respectfully

                                                                        Sr your most Gble Sert

                                                                        James Bowdoin

Thos Seymour Esqr

 

Historical Background

Promissory notes, like the one mentioned in this letter from Samuel Flag to James Pitts, served as a form of currency and sometimes circulated as such from one creditor to another. In this case, it appears that Flag gave Bowdoin a note for a debt that Flag owed Pitts, thus making Bowdoin liable to pay Pitts, as part of the settlement of accounts between Flag and Bowdoin. When Bowdoin lost it, he needed another from Flag because when he paid the debt, Pitts would sign the note as proof of payment.

 

James Bowdoin (1726-1790) was born in Boston and graduated from Harvard College in 1745. He inherited a considerable fortune from his father and became a wealthy merchant in his own right. He served in both branches of the Massachusetts General Court from the 1750s to the 1770s. He later became an influential advocate of independence. He served as president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress from 1775 to 1777. In 1785, when John Hancock resigned as governor of Massachusetts, Bowdoin was elected governor and served from 1785 to 1787. His administration endured Shays’ Rebellion, and Bowdoin funded militia forces to put it down. He lost the 1787 gubernatorial election to Hancock. Bowdoin was also active in scientific pursuits and collaborated with Benjamin Franklin in experiments on electricity.

 

Thomas Seymour II (1705-18) was born in Hartford, the son of Captain Thomas Seymour (1669-1740), and graduated from Yale College in 1724. In 1730, he married Hepzibah Merrill (1712-1788), with whom he had eleven children, including Thomas Seymour III (1735-1829), who became the first mayor of Hartford in 1784. Thomas Seymour II was a prominent lawyer in Hartford. He represented Hartford in the Connecticut General Assembly in 1746, 1747, 1749, 1750, and 1751. He served as a lieutenant and later captain in the local militia, and as King’s Attorney from 1764.

 

 

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