Description:

Hawthorne Nathaniel

Nathaniel Hawthorne as Surveyor, on the Cusp of Writing His Masterpiece, "The Scarlet Letter"

 

Single page manuscript receipt with handwritten letterhead of United States. District of Salem, 7.5" x 4.75". Dated "1844", and signed by Nathaniel Hawthorne as "Nath Hawthorne". Mild, uneven toning, else near fine with mounting remnants to verso.

 

A wonderful document signed by Nathaniel Hawthorne as Surveyor for the District of Salem and Beverly and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Salem. A verified receipt of payment from James Miller "for Rev boat to J.C. Howard." Supplies listed include marline (a type of rope), twine, paint brushes, copper, eyes and bolts, with the pricing to the right margin. Shown in part below:

 

"1844 United States District of Salem

+ Beverly for Rev Boat to J.F. Howard Dn

 

The 24 of 2 Hines Marline. 16 '1 lb Robes  --- 10                                    .26

"  "  "  3/4 which & Twine 45 May 7  Gs shls turpintine  34                 .82

May 12  " Cop e/11 + Eyes + Bolts of Bachman + G of  --                     .65

" 16 " Cop e/11   Jacks 25 marline 84 33 28/1/2 Gs  Fpls 4/16/43    1.08

 

….

 

Correct,

Nathl Hawthorne

District Salem … "

 

Hawthorne began writing in the 1930's however initially his novels were not well received or highly profitable. Shortly after his marriage to Sophia Peabody, Hawthorne moved to Concord, Massachusetts, but later returned to his hometown of Salem.  With mounting debt, Hawthorne used his political connections to help him land a job as surveyor in the Salem Custom House, providing his family some needed financial security. However, when Whig President Zachary Taylor was elected, Hawthorne lost his appointment to political favoritism. The dismissal turned into a blessing, giving him time to write his masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter: the story of two lovers who clashed with Puritan moral law. The book was one of the first mass-produced publications in the United States and its wide distribution made Hawthorne famous.



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