Description:

Orders for Return of 20th Regiment CT Militia Plus List of Wages 

Autograph Letter Signed, "Simeon Huntington", 1p, 8" x 6.75", Norwich, CT, August 15, 1777, to Elijah Backus, Captain of the 2nd Alarm Company in the 20th Regiment. Address panel and docketing at verso. Remnants of red wax seal with small opening tear. Accompanied by a handwritten list of "3rd Class" militia with wages due them, 1p, 4" x 10", calculations at verso. Both documents have pencil notations from a previous collector, with flattened folds, edgewear, toning and scattered foxing.

Huntington's letter reads: "Pursuant to Orders from Col: S: Abbott you are Ordered forthwith to Convey Me a  True Return of the Company under your Command, agreable to the Inclosed form." Below, Samuel Abbott's handwritten, signed statement reads: "Lieut. Simeon Huntington is appointed Adjutant of the 20th Regt. and is to be Obeyed & Respected as Such."

The accompanying list has 25 names, beginning with Elijah Backus, and the amount of wages due each in pounds, shillings and pence. The total due is £1512:10:6. Several men on the list have surnames in common. 

The 20th Regiment of Connecticut Militia was formed in 1774 and was initially commanded by Colonel Jedidiah Huntington. He served with the unit from October 1774 to May 1777, when he was promoted to Brigadier in the Continental Army and his command was filled by Samuel Abbott. The 20th Regiment was stationed in Boston from the spring of 1775 to 1776 when the British evacuated the city.

Simeon Huntington (1740-1817) was born in Norwich, Connecticut. He married Freelove Chester in 1777, and together they had at least three sons and three daughters. He was most likely related to Colonel Jedidiah Huntington.

Samuel Abbott (1726-1788) was a prominent Connecticut businessman and served as Colonel in the 20th Regiment of Connecticut Militia.

Elijah Backus (1726-1798) was born in Norwich, Connecticut. He was a captain in the Norwich militia, going to New London to defend the soil in consequence of alarms of invasion many times. A leading member of the Committee of Safety, member of the Legislature, he was a valuable man of all affairs in all departments of civil life. He administered the rite of marriage in many cases, as his book of records now extant, shows. He was one of King George's justices of the peace, and was, after the Revolution, one of the justices of the peace for his native state of Connecticut.The Backus Iron Works, with its lurid fires was quite an institution in its day, and quite an important factor in the growth and development of the country and its times. Elijah Backus was the owner and manager of the Iron Works at one point in time, himself a skilled mechanic. He was prosperous, albeit a very busy man.

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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