Description:

Valley Forge Muster Roll Incl. African American Private Who Fought Alongside Washington

Henry Sewall (1752-1845). Manuscript Document Signed, "H. Sewall D.C.M", as muster master, 1p, 13" x 16", Hartford, Connecticut, November 2, 1778, "A Muster Roll of Capt. Hugh Maxwell's Company in the First Battalion from the Massachusetts State in the Service of the United States of America Commanded by Colo. John Bailey taken for October 1778". At verso, the "Proof of the Effective" table is signed by Hugh Maxwell and witnessed by Michael Jackson. Folds, creases and wrinkles, with separation and areas of loss. Minor discoloration and scattered foxing. A bit of chipping at edges. In very good plus condition and scarce. 

This company muster roll lists, by name, three officers, fourteen non-commissioned officers, and thirty-seven privates, with their terms of enlistment, including "Catto Gray" of Pelham Massachusetts, a private enlisted for three years. Gray was "reported a negro" and he appears in Moebs's Black Soldiers Black Sailors Black InkThe Valley Forge Muster Roll Project lists Gray as a Private in the 2nd Massachusetts under the Company of Capt. Hugh Maxwell, with an Ethnicity of African American, on Roll in Valley Forge December 1777 through June 1778. Another Cato Gray included muster roll sold for over $16,000 at Sotheby's in 2020.

Hugh Maxwell (1733-1799) was a lieutenant of a minuteman company. He fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and was present at the Siege of Boston, Defense of Canada, Lake Champlain, and the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, plus the Defense of Philadelphia, Philadelphia-Monmouth. He was commissioned major in July 1777 under Col. John Bailey, with whom he entered Valley Forge in December 1777 to join Washington's main army. They entered Valley Forge with 459 men assigned, with 297 fit for duty, and left Valley Forge with 392 assigned, and only 226 fit for duty. Maxwell was commissioned lieutenant colonel of Michael Jackson's regiment August 1, 1782. 

Michael Jackson (1734-1801) was a captain of a minuteman company and took part in the final part of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, harassing the British retreat to Boston. In 1783, he received a brevet to brigadier general and finished his country's service as a general under George Washington and the Continental Army on November 3, 1783. He was one of the very few individuals to have served in the Continental Army for the entirety of its existence, from its inception in June 1775 to its disbanding in November 1783. Jackson was admitted as an original member of The Society of the Cincinnati in the state of Massachusetts when it was established in 1783.

Valley Forge, more than any other place associated with the American Revolution, has come to epitomize the suffering and sacrifice, as well as the perseverance and fortitude, of the American Army led by George Washington. Of the 10,000 men stationed at Valley Forge, over 2,500 died, most of them from disease and exposure. Valley Forge also represents the metamorphosis of the American army from ragged, undisciplined troops into a unified fighting force.

The National Park Service notes that the majority of the African-Americans who served in the Continental Army at Valley Forge were in combat units; they manned positions in the outer defense lines and were on foraging parties. These soldiers helped to construct huts and fortifications in the encampment. They also performed specialized duties in many fields such as medical orderlies, musicians, waiters, wagoners, and armorers. African-Americans and White soldiers received the same pay, wore the same uniforms, and shared the same winter hardships of short rations and being sheltered in cold huts. There were no whole African-American regiments that served at Valley Forge. Most of the African-American soldiers served in regiments from Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts mixed in with other ethnic groups.

As the army dwindled due to these many hardships at Valley Forge, there was constant need for new troops. General James Mitchel Varnum and others believed that recruiting more African-Americans would help win the war and save the army. In January of 1778, Varnum convinced Commander-in-Chief George Washington that the states needed to foot the bill to purchase the freedom of slaves and train them into the Continental Army. Between 130 and 300 African-Americans joined before the law allowing their enlistment was repealed on June 10, 1778.

This lot 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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