Description:

Revolutionary War
Watertown, MA, September 29, 1779
Manuscript Copy of War-Dated Resolve By John Hancock to Enlist Men to Guard the Powder Magazine
Broadside

[John Hancock]. Revolutionary War. Manuscript copy of a broadside resolve of the House of Representatives, State of Massachusetts Bay, 1p, 7.25" x 9.5", Watertown, Massachusetts, September 29, 1779. Penned in a secretarial hand. Docketed at verso. Flattened folds. Minor toning to margins with scattered foxing throughout. In near fine condition.

In full: "State of Massachusetts Bay / In the House of Representatives Septr. 29th. 1779 / Resolved that Jonathan Brown Esqr. be and hereby is appointed a Committee to inlist nine men out of the Militia in Watertown (Vizt) one Sergeant, one Corporal, and seven Privates to serve as a Guard to the Powder Magazine in Watertown till the first Day of Febry 1780 unless sooner discharged, and that they will be allowed for their Service as follows (Vizt) The Sergeant eight Pounds per month, the Corporal seven Pounds, ten shillings, and the Privates seven pounds per Kalendar Month and Rations as accustomed, their Establishment to take Place the 17th July last and be it further. / Resolved that Jonathan Brown Esqr. the committee aforesaid be and hereby is impowered and directed to issue Orders from Time to Time to said Guard as he shall judge necessary for the safekeeping said Magazine and see that they faithfully attend their Duty. / Sent up for Concurrence / Jno. Hancock Esqr. Spkr."

Attested to by Deputy Secretary John Avery: "In Council Septr. 29th. 1779 / Read & Concurred Jno. Avery D. Secry. / Consented to by the Major Part of the Council / True Copy / Attest John Avery D. Secry. "

The "Powder Magazine" at Watertown refers to a historic 18th-century structure located at what is now the Watertown Arsenal in Watertown, Massachusetts, built in 1779 to store gunpowder for the American Revolutionary War. It is a rare example of a surviving British-era powder magazine, known for its thick, reinforced brick walls, which were designed to protect the explosives from fire and damage. The Watertown Arsenal Historical Society maintains the building, which is used for interpretive purposes.

Jonathan Brown (1724-1797) was a captain in the Revolutionary War. A farmer from Watertown, Massachusetts, he served in town offices as clerk, treasurer, justice of the peace, and representative to the General Court starting in 1772.

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: 7.25" x 9.5"
  • Medium: Broadside

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