Description:

William Williams
Hartford, CT, June 13, 1777
Wiiliam William's Pay for Signing Declaration Of Independence! Signed By Him & Oliver Ellsworth
MDS

Manuscript Document Signed by Oliver Ellsworth, "O. Ellsworth," for the Committee, 1p, 7.5" x 8", Hartford, Connecticut, June 13, 1777. Additionally signed by Pay-Table Committee members John Chenward and Jesse Root. Endorsed at verso by William Williams: "Hartford 13 June 1777 / Recd. ye Contents of ye Secy. / per Wm. Williams." Docketing also appears at verso. Flattened folds and creases; one fold touches the "W" of "Williams." Lightly age toned with a bit of scattered ink splatter. Isolated area of ink erosion. In near fine condition and boldly signed by two of America's Founding Fathers!

Pay Order issued to Treasurer John Lawrence (1719-1802) reads in full: "Sir please to pay to the Honbl: William Williams One hundred pound pounds money to defray Expenses at the Continental Congress Philadelphia and Charge the State Hartford June 13th 1777 £100..0..0."

The Connecticut Assembly appointed Williams a delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress in June, 1776, to take the place of Oliver Wolcott, who had become ill and had to return to Connecticut. In a letter to Wolcott dated August 12, 1776, Williams said that "he did not arrive in Philadelphia until near the last of July, after the most Sultry & fatiguing journey I ever performed, by much. The city has been since I came & yet is the most uncomfortable Place that I ever saw..." His language confirmed the extreme heat and humidity attributed to weather in Philadelphia at the time of the Declaration deliberations. Williams did not arrive in time to take part in the debates for independence in Congress, nor was he present to cast a vote for the Declaration. But his timing did permit him to sign that parchment in August when most of the other delegates did so. As Williams did not arrive to Philadelphia until late July 1776, this pay order dates to his first term in the Continental Congress, which would cover his time and expenses during the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A true rarity!

William Williams (1731-1811) was an American Founding Father, merchant, a delegate for Connecticut to the Continental Congress in 1776, and a signatory to the United States Declaration of Independence. He was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, and studied theology and law at Harvard in 1751. Williams spent 67 years in the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving from 1757 to 1762, 1763 to 1776, and 1780 to 1784, while serving as Speaker of that body in 1775 and from 1781 to 1783. He was a judge of the Windham County court from 1776 to 1804, and served on the governor's council from 1780 to 1803. Simultaneously, he was a judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1784 to 1803. Williams was also pastor of the First Congregational Church in Lebanon, Connecticut, and a successful merchant.

Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807) was a Founding Father of the United States, attorney, jurist, politician, and diplomat. Ellsworth was a framer of the United States Constitution, United States senator from Connecticut, and the third chief justice of the United States, nominated by President George Washington. Additionally, he received eleven electoral votes in the 1796 presidential election. Born in Windsor, Connecticut, Ellsworth attended the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and became the state attorney for Hartford County, Connecticut, in 1777.

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: 7.5" x 8"
  • Medium: MDS

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