Description:

John Lawrence, Rev War Colonel & New York Politician, War Dated AMS

This handwritten paper fragment is a July 31, 1781 copy of an original January 20, 1775 document, authorizing John Lawrence to practice law in the New York Courts of Record. Partial page, measuring 7.625" x 6.5", New York, dated July 31, 1781. Lieutenant Governor Colden authorized his onetime protegee John Lawrence to practice in certain New York law courts. Just 4 short months later, Lawrence would join the Continental Army. The copy is signed by Robert Harpur, then serving as Deputy Secretary of State to the New York State Assembly, in Poughkeepsie, New York six years after the original was recorded. In very good to near fine condition, with expected light paper folds and several minor closed tears along folds.

In part: 

"By the Honorable Cadwallader Colden his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America. To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern Greeting: Know Ye that being well assured of the ability and Learning of John Lawrence Gentleman, I have thought fit to appoint him an attorney at Law, authorizing him to appear in all his Majesty's Courts of Record within the province of New York, and there to practice as an attorney at Law according to Laws and Customs of that part of Great Britain called England, and the Laws and Customs of the said Province…"

Cadwallader Colden was an Irish émigré of Scottish heritage who relocated to the colonies in the 1710s. Colden served as Lieutenant Governor and acting Governor of New York for multiple terms during the 1760s and 1770s. His son David Colden (1733-1784) was the clerk of Colden's original 1775 pronouncement, and is listed as Colden's "pt. Secty." John Lawrence practiced law throughout the Revolutionary War era. He attained the rank of colonel in the Continental Army and was a charter member of the Society of Cincinnati. A Federalist, Lawrence was a New York district judge and a Congressman and Senator from New York.

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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