Description:

Robert Treat Paine Seizes Property of a Loyalist Music Teacher

A Robert Treat Paine autograph document signed petitioning to confiscate the property of a Loyalist. 1p partially printed, measuring 10.75" x 17.25", Suffolk, Massachusetts, dated July 2, 1781. Signed "Robt. Treat Paine" as Attorney General and addressed to the Justices of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas at Boston. A fascinating war-dated manuscript in which Paine "complains of David Propert late of Boston" who "levied War, and conspired to levy War against the Government and People of this Province, Colony and State…" Paine goes on to claim that his property in Boston should be seized by the government as Propert is now identified as an "Alien", having renounced his allegiance to the United States. Docketing on verso. With flattened folds, separations, and edge chipping, which seemingly affect no text. Toned throughout. With a dark, bold signature.

In part:
"...Be it remembered that Robert Treat Paine, Esq., Attorney General, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...gives the Court here to understand and be informed that the said David Propert...levied War, and conspired to levy War against the Government and People of this Province, Colony & State; and then and there adhered to the King of Great-Britain, his Fleets and Armies, Enemies of the said Province...the said David Propert...did withdraw himself from this Province...into Parts and Places under the acknowledged Authority & Dominion of the said King of Great-Britain...hath freely renounced all Civil and Political Relation to each and every of the United States and hath become an Alien…the said Attorney General further alleges, that the said David Propert…was seized and possessed of, and intituled to be seized and possessed of, and to have a demand to his own use the following Messuages & Lands situate in Boston in the county of Suffolk…"

David Propert was a Welsh loyalist who had immigrated to Boston in 1770, where he was employed as a music teacher and organist at Trinity Church. He taught his pupils how to play the spinet, a small harpsichord that was very popular in the 18th century and gained enough success to purchase two pieces of land in Boston's Beach Street, two warehouses and land in King Street, and a messuage in Back Street. Due to looming pressure from local patriots, Propert was forced to sign a document in 1775 stating that he would not buy provisions for the British troops stationed in Boston. And yet, despite having never carried arms or served in the militia, he was forced to flee Boston with the British army in 1776, traveling first to Halifax and then on to England. All of his property was adjudged forfeit in 1781 due to his British loyalty, and his possessions were seized, including four spinets he had left with friends for safekeeping. He returned to teaching music and was granted a government pension of £20 a year as a loyalist.

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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