Description:

Colonial Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, April 14, 1785
James Irvine & John Nicholson 1785 Pennsylvania Pay Order for Naval Captain
Partially printed DS
A pay order signed by James Irvine as Vice President of Pennsylvania and John Nicholson as Comptroller-General. 1p, measuring 7.75" x 6.5", Philadelphia, dated April 14, 1785. Signed "James Irvine V.P." and "Jno. Nicholson." The order directs PA Treasurer David Rittenhouse, Esq. to pay £9"18"10 to Captain William Ross of the Navy. With docketing on verso, recording that a payment was received in full by Elizabeth Ross. With flattened folds and toning at the edges. Faint foxing. Boldly signed by Irvine and Nicholson.

James Irvine (1735-1819) was an officer of the Continental Army, a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and Vice-President of Pennsylvania. He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion of the Continental Army and soon rose through the ranks to be promoted to brigadier general in the Pennsylvania militia. Following a skirmish at Chestnut Hill, on December 5, 1777, Irvine was wounded (losing three of the fingers on his left hand) and was captured by the British. He was held prisoner for nearly four years before finally being released on June 1, 1781. After the war, Irvine served on the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, from 1782 to 1785, and was elected in 1784 to the Vice-Presidency of Pennsylvania, a position analogous to the modern office of Lieutenant Governor. He resigned the office on October 10, 1785 and was succeeded by Charles Biddle.

John Nicholson (1757-1800) served as comptroller-general of Pennsylvania from 1782 to 1794. Nicholson was born in Wales and emigrated to Philadelphia prior to the American Revolution. In 1778, he became clerk to the Board of Treasury of the Continental Congress. He resigned in early 1781 to serve as one of the auditors for settling the accounts of the Pennsylvania Line and was appointed a year later to the newly-created Office of Comptroller General. Nicholson would become partners with Robert Morris in land speculation and 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: 7.75" x 6.5"
  • Medium: Partially printed DS

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000