Description:

18th Century Counterfeiting
Providence, RI, August 4, 1787
Seeking Massachusetts Counterfeiters in Rhode Island
DS
[COUNTERFEITING.] Ebenezer Thompson, Samuel Chace, and Benjamin Bourne, Document Signed, Arrest Warrant, August 4, 1787, Providence, Rhode Island. 3 pp., 6.5" x 8". Expected folds; separation on two folds; general toning; embossed paper and wax seals still present

Boston merchant Eliakim Moore complained to authorities in Providence, Rhode Island, that he believed that George Ormond and Peter J. Smith had passed counterfeit bank notes purportedly issued by a bank in Boston. Chief Justice Ebenezer Thompson (1735-1805) of the Providence County Court of Common Pleas and Justices of the Peace Samuel Chace (1722-1802) and Benjamin Bourne (1755-1808) issued this arrest warrant for the apprehension of Ormond and Smith. Deputy Sheriff and Revolutionary War Major William Allen (1752-1815) found them aboard a ship bound for New York and brought them to Providence for examination. According to the file note, they were not the persons whom the authorities were seeking.

A George Ormond and a Peter J. Smith were lieutenants in the British army who were on half-pay when their Loyalist regiments were disbanded or reduced in 1783. Ormond had been a lieutenant in Simcoe's (Queen's American Rangers) regiment, while Smith was a lieutenant in Fanning's (The King's American Regiment of Foot) regiment. These British officers may be the persons involved in this arrest warrant.

Complete Transcript
State of Rhode Island &c.
Providence Sc.
To the Sheriff of the County of Providence or his Deputy Greeting
Forasmuch as information and Complaint is this Day on Oath made before us Ebenezer Thompson Esqr chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence Samuel Chace and Benjamin Bourne Esqr Justice of the Peace for sd Town of Providence by Eliakim Moore of Boston in the Common Wealth of Massachusetts Merchant that sundry Bills or Bank Notes issued by the Superintendent & Directors of the Bank in Boston have been Counterfeited and knowingly passed And that he suspects & has probable cause to suspect George Ormond & Peter J Smith now in Providence aforesd have passed said Bank Notes knowing them to be Counterfeited, which is a gross fraud and cheat. You are therefore hereby required to make diligent search for the sd George Ormond & Peter J. Smith and if found within your Precinct them to Apprehend and bring before us to be examined touching the Complaint aforesd & further to be Dealt with as law & Justice shall require. given under our hands & seals this fourth day of August A D 1787
Ebenr Thompson
Saml Chace
Benjn Bourne

[Sheriff's Return:]
Providence Ss 4th August 1787
By Virtue of this Warrant I have apprehended the within Named George Ormond and Peter J. Smith as they were on their passage to New York in Captain Christopher Godfreys Packett, and brought them up to this Town before the within named Justices as commanded.
Wm Allen D. Shff

[File Note:]
Warrant for apprehending Geo. Ormond & Peter J Smith suspected of passing counterfeit Notes of ye Massachusetts Bank.
N.B. they were discharged not proving to be the Men advertized.

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: 6.5" x 8"
  • Medium: DS

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