Description:

Revolutionary War



Revolutionary War Outfitting Gov. Livingston by Famous Doctor

JONATHAN ELMER, Autograph Documents Signed, three receipts to Robert Johnson, March-October 1780, relating to the schooner Governor Livingston. 3 pp., 6.5" x 3.5" to 7.25" x 4". Expected folds; some chips from edges.

 

These three receipts, each signed by Dr. Jonathan Elmer, acknowledge receipt of funds from Robert Johnson for outfitting the schooner Governor Livingston, a privateer during the American Revolution. The first, dated March 1, 1780, acknowledges receipt of $2,670 “for the use of the Schooner Governor Livingston.” It also has a separate endorsement, dated June 7, 1780, for receipt of £248.15s “for the use of the Schooner Governor Livingston” signed by Benjamin Holme. The second, dated August 16, 1780, serves as a receipt for $3,305 “towards refitting & Loading” the Governor Livingston. The third, dated October 21, 1780, is a receipt for $1,193 “on Account of Outfits & Cargo of the Schooner Governor Livingston.”

 

Historical Background



Late in 1779 and early in 1780, the Governor Livingston was built and fitted out at Bridgeton, New Jersey, for privateering work. It was owned by the Elmers and Sinnicksons of Salem and Cumberland County in southwestern New Jersey. It sailed to France in February 1780 loaded with tobacco. Privateers were a risky but often profitable business investment. Ownership of larger privateers was often divided into eight, sixteen, or even thirty-two shares to distribute the risks and profits. Shares in and even ownership of privateers could change hands frequently, even during voyages.

 

In 1780, the Governor Livingston had ten guns and a crew of thirty under the command of Captain Charles Clunn. Together with the Minerva, the Governor Livingston helped capture the brigantine Friendship in June 1781, took it to Havana, and then brought it to Philadelphia as a prize. In May 1782, the British frigate Amphion captured the Governor Livingston, under the command of Captain Moses Griffin, near the Capes of the Delaware, while it was bound from St. Vincent to Philadelphia with a valuable cargo.

 

 

Jonathan Elmer (1745-1817) was born in New Jersey and was among the first class of medical students at the University of Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor of medicine degree in 1768; three years later, he received his doctor of medicine degree, the first awarded by an American university. He opened a practice in southern New Jersey and served as sheriff of Cumberland County from 1772 to 1775. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress three times: 1777-1778, 1781-1783, and 1787-1788. The New Jersey legislature appointed Elmer to the U.S. Senate, where he served in the First Congress from 1789 to 1791.

 

Robert Johnson (1727-1797) was born in New Jersey, orphaned as an infant, and brought up by his uncle John Pledger on a plantation near Salem, New Jersey. He served as judge of Salem County from 1763 to 1787. He received his first commission from William Franklin, last colonial governor of New Jersey under King George I and his last one from William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey under the new state constitution. His daughter married Andrew Sinnickson, and his son and namesake who became a prominent planter, judge, and historian.

 

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

***Please contact our office for information on third party shippers***


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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