1777 American Revolutionary War Rhode Island Laws Etc.
65 August 1777-Dated Revolutionary War, Imprint, of the Rhode Island, General Assembly, Signed in Print by “Nicholas Cooke, Governor,” regarding Acts and Laws, Providence, Printed by John Carter, Choice Very Fine. This is a very scarce, original Revolutionary War Imprint, Rhode Island, by the General Assembly, dated August 1777. Its header reads, in part: “At the General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, begun and holden by Adjournment, at Providence, within and for the State aforesaid, on Monday the Eighteenth Day of August, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven.” This historic Imprint has 22 pages, measures 12.5” x 8” (310 x 200 mm), being string bound with the embossed paper State Seal at the top left corner. It is somewhat worn, specially at spine with some very minor marginal edge splits, loss on the Seal, most pages a bit rough at the top of spine. The final page is replaced by mid-twentieth century library facsimile, and has an older library inventory label at bottom of front page (easily removable). Overall, this period imprint has internally choice, crisp pages that are bright and clean, with significant original press text embossing within, thus in excellent condition. The legislation passed included a provision for a paid Bounty for the “Fifteen Months Brigade or Boat Service...”; Price Fixing for certain articles necessary for the army including rum, sugar, and coffee; funding for clothing for the soldiers; the reassignment of town meeting places for Whig inhabitants of occupied Newport and like towns; an Act “to prevent the distilling into any kind of Spirits whatever, Wheat, Indian Corn, Rye, Barley, Oats, or Cider” in order to ensure a food supply for the state and the army; and much, much more fine historic Revolutionary War content. Very Rare. Evans 15568; Alden, Rhode Island, 691; OCLC 191270563...... ....................................................................................... (500-600)
1778 Revolutionary War Soldiers Manuscript Enlistment “for the Preservation of the liberties of America...”
66 June 8, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War, Manuscript Document Signed, “Jacob Walker,” of Scituate, Rhode Island, Very Fine. This is a rare, original and fully authentic Revolutionary War Enlistment Paper, measuring about 5.5” x 8” for Jacob Walker of Scituate, Rhode Island, dated June 8, 1778. This Document is for the Enlistment of Jacob Walker as a soldier into the military service from Rhode Island, and “for the Preservation of the liberties of America and the defense of the United States in general and for this State in particular.” This enlistment is dated from 8 June 1778 and the term of service is to last until the 16th of March 1779, “unless sooner Discharged.” It’s headed “Scituate” and dated on its reverse, which also bears Jacob Walker’s signature at the bottom. This historic enlistment is in very clear and readable condition, with a clean centerfold tear and a 2” tear in the horizontal fold at right being reinforced with scrap book paper around its edges. The ink is bold brown and very legible. It reads, in full:
“I the subscriber do hereby solemnly engage and inlist my self as a soldier in the pay of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation for the preservation of the liberties of America and the defence of the United States in general and for this State in particular from the day of my inlistment untill the Sixteenth Day of March in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine unless sooner discharged by the general assembly of said State and hereby promise to submit myself to all the orders and Regulations of the army and faithfully to observe and obey all such orders as I shall receive from time to time from my officers. — Witness my hand this Eighth Day of June in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight. — (Signed) Jacob Walker” The reverse reads: “Scituate June 8th Day 1778 - Recd of Isaac Hopkins twenty pound LM for inlisting as a Soldier into the Service of State of Rhoede Island and Providence Plantations as witness my hand. - Jacob Walker”
This is Jacob Walker was born c. 1753 and died in 1822. He had settled on a farm in the neighboring town of Foster, Rhode Island and is buried in the Paine Lot, on Paine Road, in that town (no doubt named after the famous Revolutionary War writer and Patriot, Thomas Paine), his wife was Hannah Chase c. 1758-1839. This is a historic and excellent, original American Revolutionary War enlistment document that is rarely encountered so complete in its text, and pleasing in quality..................................... (1,200-1,500)
c. 1780 Silver Hilted Revolutionary War Officer’s Sword
67 c. 1780 Revolutionary War Era, Silver Mounted Hunting Sword, appearance of Hungarian or Polish Royalty in its Design, 23.5” overall, 18.25” decorated blade, Fine. This is an original, Revolutionary War Era fancy design, high quality Sword, that is typical in style as would be also carried by a higher ranking military officer. The style of the Silver cross-guard, ferrule and washer, and button top pommel, with an overall appearance of Hungarian/Polish royal family in style. It is hallmarked on both sides of the cross guard. The ebony grip has an ornate spiral groove design. The blade is straight with a shallow groove on both sides once past the four inches of flat metal, upon which are several hand engraved designs including; “Winged Angels” on either side, plus a “Running Boar” and “Stag.” There is light even pitting along the blades full length and retains much original patina. There are two fine lengthwise cracks to the ebony grip, one being the full length, the other half way through the grip. The pommel cap shows some typical wear, is completely original, and is fully intact. A very original condition, important addition of a late 18th century Sword, quite typical in its use at the time as an American Revolutionary War Era ranking military officer’s weapon............... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................(1,600-1,800) Page 26