Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 24

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Colonial Americana

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 138		Revolutionary War-Era Pewter Plate By Thomas Danforth. Eight-inch plate from Connecticut pewtersmith Thomas Danforth II. It looks to have been cast and hammered, rather than spun. It has a typical shallow form, with a ridge lip. Two touchmarks are on the base, both consisting of a lion in a gateway composed of two columns topped by fleur de lys, under a curved banner inscribed "Thomas"; at the bottom, "Danforth" has worn away. The pseudo-hallmarks touch of Thomas Danforth II are below, the "T D" being very clear; the other three being successively more worn. With the usual scuffmarks of decades of use, but Overall Fine condition. American pewter by Thomas Danforth is quite rare. Danforth pioneered pewter-making in the United States between 1755 and 1782 and founded a family of famous pewterers. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $575
Lot 139		1684 New York Warrant To Seize A Ship. Document Signed by John Palmer ("J Palmer") as Judge of the Court of Admiralty, New York, August 6, 1684, 1 pg., legal folio. An order to seize the ship Seaflower, commanded by Wassall Coble, with all of her guns, ammunition, and whatever could be found on board. She seems to be a foreign-built ship, unlicensed to trade in New York. On the verso, "Thomas Smith Water Bayly" writes that he seized the ship that same day and "found on board her only her standing Rigging." Document is inlaid so that both sides show. Fine. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $489
Lot 140		1693 Account For Repairing New York City Fortifications. Document Signed by Nicholas Bayard ("N. Bayard") as a member of the governor's council, New York, April 3, 1693, 1 pg., 7¼ x 7½ in. Headed "Disbursements towards the Repairing the fortifications about the Citty N. York," and listing additions to the account given October 3, 1692 for £209:11:11. March 15 notations show £2:5 for "one boat load of Stockades formerly omitted in ye acct. from Cornelis Janson," £2:6 to Thomas Robbins for freight, and 2 shillings for "8 smal stockades at 3d." Archival fold repair on verso, else Fine. During his lifetime, Nicholas Bayard held several prominent positions in New York: private secretary to Governor Stuyvesant, surveyor of the province, secretary of the province, mayor of New York, and a member of the governor's council; Benjamin Fletcher was governor at the time of this document. In later years, Bayard was accused (by the Leisler faction) of a scheme to introduce popery and slavery into New York, as well as piracy; he was tried for high treason and condemned to death, but the proceedings were annulled and his property and honors were reinstated. Of added interest is the fact that in 1662, his future wife, Judith Verlet, was imprisoned as a witch by the Puritans of Hartford, Connecticut! Estimated Value $700 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,070
Lot 141		1694 Appointment Of An Excise Commissioner. Document written and signed by John Walley, commissioner (Bristol County, Massachusetts), July 5, 1694, 1 pg., legal folio. Appointing Joseph Smith of Swanzey "to be a Commissioner for ye managing of ye Impost Excise & Tunnidge of Shiping within ye province…." and authorizing him to enter and search houses, cellars, and warehouses and to seize any wines, liquors, brandies, rum, etc., for which an impost has not been paid. All persons are required to assist him in the execution of his office. Smith 's commission is renewed for 1695 at the bottom of the same page. Paper seal is at top left margin and red wax seal at bottom left. Overall toning, else Fine. John Walley was commissioner of war of Massachusetts; he was captain in The Military Company of the Massachusetts during the disastrous 1690 expedition against Quebec. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $604
Lot 142		Andros, Sir Edmund (1647-1714) Colonial governor of New England, New York, and Virginia. Manuscript Document Signed ("Andros") as Governor of New England, Boston, December 14, 1687, 1 pg. oblong folio. A military commission appointing Edward Tyng Lieutenant Colonel and placing him in command of the province of Sagadahoc from 1688 to 1689 (the boundaries of Massachusetts, at that time, included present-day Maine and Nova Scotia). The vellum document is soiled and toned and has an old repair on the left side, where it was stitched together. A document signed by Andros is so rare it is not even listed in Sanders. Andros' despotic behavior precipitated his arrest and imprisonment by the people of Boston in 1689. He was sent to England but charges were not pressed and in 1692, he was appointed governor of Virginia (1692-98), where he died. The document is attractively matted and framed with an image of Andros and biographies of Andros and Tyng. Overall size is 15 x 23 in. Extremely rare. Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,610
Lot 143		Bourne, Nehemiah (1611-91) British rear admiral; ship builder. Manuscript Document Signed ("N Bourne") two months before being appointed rear admiral, March 14, 1652, 1 pg, 10½ x 6¼ in. Giving orders regarding provisions to be loaded on a ship and delivered to Bourne. Written during the English civil war, during which Bourne fought on Cromwell and Parliament's side, but it may pertain to personal mercantile pursuits in which Bourne engaged. Toned, with a couple of stains, but quite legible, with a huge signature. Bourne migrated to Massachusetts in 1638, and began building ships. He built Governor Winthrop's ship, the Trial, between 160 and 200 tons burden, which was ready in June 1641, but had to wait a year for her rigging to arrive from London. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $184
Lot 144		Bradstreet, Simon (1603-97) Commissioner and governor of New England Confederation. Partly-printed Document Signed ("Sim: Bradstreet Govr.") as Governor of Massachusetts, in the first year of the reign of William and Mary, Boston, February 6, 1689, 1 pg., oblong folio. Appointing Hanania Parker "Lieutenant of a Foot Company…in the Town of Reddin in the county of Middlesex…under the Command of Jeremiah Sweyne, Captain." Expected toning and foxing; small tears and holes; faint dampstain at blank lower edge. The beautiful paper seal at upper left is one of the earliest seals of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The print and script on the document are dark and easily read. Attractively matted and framed with an image of Bradstreet and biographies of Bradstreet and Parker, who was a soldier in King Phillip's War. Overall size is 22 x 17½ in. Ready for display. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,910
Lot 145		Collection of New England Border Wars Documents. A collection of more than seventy (70) documents pertaining to King William's War (1689-1697) and Queen Anne's War (1703-1713). These documents relate specifically to the town of Taunton, Massachusetts and its participation in these bloody, colonial wars. The documents are of varying sizes and conditions, but most are very good to fine. They are housed in a loose-leaf notebook. Approximately 50 documents relate to King William's War and the remainder to Queen Anne's War. They include marching orders; numerous orders to impress soldiers, by command of Major Benjamin Church; a ten-page document recording meetings between 1694 and '97 by Major Church and "Captains and Chief officers of the severall Millitary companies of Bristoll Regiment" to better order military affairs; accounts of men's names and amounts of money they are giving "toward promoting the present war with the Indians"; accounts of costs to arm the soldiers from Taunton, who are named; a 1690 account of money paid to Joseph Hall "for making of Clothing and knapsacks, for ye souldary upon ye Canada expedition"; a 1691 list of officers chosen for the town's military company; numerous documents signed by Thomas Leonard, captain of the foot company of militia in Taunton; and much more. There is also an order signed by William Stoughton ("Wm Stoughton"), Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, as acting governor, to Capt. Thomas Leonard, directing that "ten able and sufficient souldiers" be sent to "John Walley Esqr. Commissioner of War, by him to be sent unto…Castle Island near Boston, for the further strengthening & enforcing thereof…." (old tape remnants on folds not affecting signature). In 1692, Stoughton had presided over the Salem witchcraft trials. This is a treasure trove that should be examined personally. Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $18,975
Lot 146		Collection of Seventeen Colonial Documents. Early Massachusetts and Connecticut documents including a true copy, c. 1673, from the Chelmsford, Mass. town records, of land grants given to Capt. Samuel Adams (great uncle to President John Adams), among which is a 1656 grant of 450 acres "in consideration of setting up a sawmill and thereby suplying the Town with boards at three shilling the hundred…, and a 1660 grant of 100 acres in exchange for "erecting and maintaining a cornmill…." Among the other documents are: a 1677 deposition of about 250 words, signed by Edward Tyng, from a sailor who was shipwrecked from the bark Prosperous: "To save our lives we were forced to trade with the Indians…."; a 1662 Hempstead document allowing owners of "the Southnecks meadowing…to fence in their particular meadows…."; a 1686 indenture between J. Humphrey, mayor of Windsor, Connecticut, and Jahan Hill; a 1677 petition from the inhabitants of Newbury, Mass. for a magistrate; a 1680 assessment for repairing a church; a petition to Massachusetts Governor Joseph Dudley (probably c. 1714-15) to allow Charles More, who had been recommended for a lieutenancy at Fort Saco, to serve as a sergeant, since "now there is no war with the Indians" no lieutenant was allowed at the fort; a 1683 Mass. indenture between John Hoyt and John Harboy; a 1683 bill for merchandise shipped from London on the ship Elizabeth; and several other indentures, etc. of varying sizes and condition. Normal toning, soiling, and some staining. Condition is Good to Very Good. Should be seen. (17 items). Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $6,900
Lot 147		Coote, Richard, First Earl of Bellomont (1636-1701) Colonial governor of New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire (1698-1701). Manuscript Document Signed ("Bellomont") as "Capn Genl & Governor in Chief of…New York…& Vice Admirall…", November 30 (1699), Military commission, appointing Onissimus Talmage "Ensign of a militia company in the regiment of the County of Suffolk of which company Thomas Chatfield…is Capn…" Overall toning; some archival repair to verso and inlaid. Suitable for framing. Bellomont was known for his honesty, unlike his predecessor Benjamin Fletcher. Bellomont promised, "I will pocket none of the public money myself, nor shall there be any embezzlement by others." Bellomont's character was clouded, however, by his association with Captain William Kidd, who was hired to protect commerce in American waters, then turned pirate. Bellomont died suddenly in 1701. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $546
Lot 148		"Deeds & Instruments Belonging to Rochester Propriety". Eight documents dated 1667-1714, regarding Plymouth, Rochester, and Middlebury. They include a 1668 recorded copy of a deed between the Indians Papamo and Monchacomon on the one hand and Constant Southworth, Josias Winslow, Hugh Cole, John Cook, and Capt. James Ludworth on the other, for land in "New Plimouth"; a 1695 document signed by the agents of Plymouth, Middlebury, and Rochester; a 1700 document regarding William Clark's share of Rochester--the town was bought by Clark and others in 1697 from Massachusetts governor Josias Winslow and William Bradford; and two documents, dated 1683 and 1705, re establishing boundaries of Middlebury. A 1714 petition of the agents of the proprietors of Middlebury to the governor mentions lands that were confiscated from the Indians who fought in Philip's War. A couple of the documents are noted, "Indian purchase deeds" on verso. Also included is an old handdrawn map of the several towns. All held in an old paper holder that originally held 15 documents. Condition ranges from poor to very good. Early history, worth researching. (7 items). Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,370
Lot 149		Documents Related To Captain John Hill, Commander At Saco, Maine. Eleven documents related to Captain John Hill, dated 1691-1700, most of them military documents related to King William's War (1689-1697). They include: "A Liste of the souldiers that are posted in the several garisons…" (June 13, 1691); a June 4, 1694 account sent from Boston by Major John Walley, for provision and clothing "by Mr. James Gootch for ye supply of ye souldiers…under your comand…."; a 1693 list of men serving under Capt. Hill, and a second list of men who "have serv'd his Majestie at Sacos Fort under ye Command of John Hill from ye 31st August 1699 until ye 23rd April 1700" with the pay due them; two 1699 receipts for skins and furs from John Hill "to be deliver'd to Majr. Jon Walley in Boston"; and a 1700 appeal to Capt. Hill from John Sawyer, "a poor cripple" who had served under him, asking for help in getting a pension. Documents are worn, with toning, tears, etc. but the writing is mostly bold and legible. Condition ranges from poor to very good. (11 items) John Hill was born in Saco, Maine in 1666 and died in Berwick in 1713. He was commissioned an ensign for King William's War and served throughout the war as garrison commander at Saco. In 1700 he resigned his commission at the rank of Captain. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1710 and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1711. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,220
Lot 150		Fitch, Thomas (1696-1774) Governor of the Colony of Connecticut, 1754-66. Partly-printed Document Signed ("Thos. Fitch") as Governor of Connecticut, New Haven, October 24, 1765, 1 pg. oblong folio. Appointing Jonathan Gillet "Ensign of the 3d Company…in the Town of Lyme…" Countersigned by George Wyllys as secretary. Overall toning and part of huge red wax seal is missing, else Fine and suitable for display. Fitch served Connecticut for over 40 years in various capacities, including justice of the peace, chief justice of the Connecticut Superior Court, deputy governor and governor. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $748
Lot 151		Hall, John. Penn, William. Engraving of William Penn by John Hall, London, 1773, "Drawn by Du Simitière, from a Bust in Alto Relievo done by Sylvanus Bevan…Philadelphia, October 1770." A waist-up portrait of the first proprietor and founder of Pennsylvania. Lightly toned, else Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $115
Lot 152		Hutchinson, Thomas (1711-80) Last royal governor of Massachusetts (1771-74). As chief justice of Massachusetts, he upheld the legality of the Stamp Acts and had his house burned by a mob (1765). Partly-printed Document Signed ("Hutchinson") as chief justice of Massachusetts, Boston, November 13, 1767, 1 pg, folio. A probate document appointing James Indicutt of Stoughton, husbandman, as administrator of his late father's estate. The document has been archivally backed for preservation, else Fine. Boldly signed. Suitable for framing. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $334
Lot 153		King Philip's War Account Sheet For Taunton, Massachusetts. Large account sheet likely dating from King Philip's War (1675-76), Taunton (Massachusetts), 12¼ x 15¾. Both sides of the sheet have four columns, one side having "Souldiers debtor" at the head of each column and "Albany" along the left margin, and "Taunton Credit" on the other side. Many of the items listed are military items: hatchets, knapsacks, guns, pouches, cartouches, etc. Thomas Leonard, who is mentioned numerous times, was head of the Taunton militia. Major Benjamin Church (1675-1707) is also mentioned; one John Thresher is paid for "Riding post to Bristoll with the Governors letter to Major Church." Church was the first Englishman to learn and adopt the native American way of war, and who used mixed companies of whites and natives during King Philip's war. Numerous references are made to Indians: "Phillip Kings Indian went to Canada"; "to the Canada souldiers 12 horns of which none to…John Capaunk nor Dickins which was Phill. Kings Indian"; "Josiah Leonard's gun to his Indian servant"; "Uriah Leonards Indian Armes"; "Armes sent to Plimouth for Another Indian," etc. There are also several numerous references to soldiers going to Canada, such as "Due to the town for Ammunition to Canada souldiers & to the Eastward souliers." One old tape repair at horizontal fold; the whole document is encased in a mylar sleeve. Definitely worthy of more research. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,380
Lot 154		Nine Early Northfield, Massachusetts Documents. Nine early Northfield documents, one of them written before Oct 8, 1672, five dated 1716-1719, two from 1723, the year the town was incorporated, and one from 1733/34. The earliest concerns "a petition for a plantation at Squakheege," which was granted after 20 families appeared and gave their names to Major Pynchon; notation on verso dated Oct. 8, 1672, "A grant of Village at a Place called Squakheege now Northfield.…" A 1716 document concerns a meeting to "apportion the common fence about the Great Meadow in the Town, setting out to each man one rod and half…"; the men's names are listed and the committee is composed of Samuel Partridge, John Stoddard and Henry Dwight. Another 1716 document concerns building a house for a minister; a 1719 one gives Mayor Stoddard more land; a 1723 document names the three men appointed to measure the Great Meadow and to lay out every man's fence according to the amount of land he possesses. Also, a 1734 order in the name of George II to choose town officers. Condition ranges from Good to Fine. (9 items). Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,645
Lot 155		Penn, William (1644-1718) English religious reformer; founder of Pennsylvania. Partly-printed vellum Document Signed "Wm Penn" as "Proprietary of the Province of Pensilvania in America" three times, once at front lower right, and at top and bottom of verso (London), April 4, 1695, 1 pg., 8¾ x 11½ in. Granting to "Thomas Brassey of London, Goldsmith…six hundred Acres of Land clear of Indian Incumbrances…between the Rivers of Sasquehanah and Delaware…." At top verso, Penn acknowledges receipt of 20 pounds paid to him by Brassey; at the bottom, Penn releases all claim to the land by himself and his heirs. The signatures at the bottom of front and back have Penn's red wax seal, and blue British revenue stamps are on both sides. William Springett and Fran: Harding sign three times as witnesses. Overall age toning and soiling. A very desirable document. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,105
Lot 156		Pynchon, John (1621-1703) Colonial leader and landowner in Massachusetts Bay. Autograph Letter Signed, Springfield (Massachusetts), November 20, 1672, 2 full pages, legal folio. With integral address leaf. To his son, Joseph Pynchon, then a physician in Uxbridge, England. Waterstained, not affecting legibility of text; fold wear; basically in good condition. A long, newsy letter. In part: "…I understand you are in a way of settling at Uxbridge in your practise of phisick: I no whit dislike your imploying your selfe therein….I am desirous…to help you and furnish you with necessary requisites, and to encourage you I have resolved to settle upon you my Parsonage Land at Wraisbury….I also give you Blaste house and orchard and ye Pigeon house and orchard….I also do give you 1000 acres of land in this countrey at New London…I can ill spare any money…in furnishing your self with drugs….I have wrote to Mr. Wickins to furnish you with £100….you must be ye more husbandly and thrifty. You speake of Tenants complaining…It hath always been so….I hope John hath sent you your Commendamis from ye Colledge….The Lord Jehovah be your protection…." John Pynchon's father, William, was the founder of Springfield, Massachusetts; William returned to England in 1652 and left his extensive land holdings and flourishing trading ventures in John's hands. John served as selectman, town clerk, magistrate, deputy to the General Court of Massachusetts Bay and Assistant in the Council; he was also one of the commissioners who received the surrender of New York from the Dutch. His business ventures prospered; he owned sawmills, corn mills, grist mills, and ironworks, and he established trading posts in the Housatonic Valley. In the 1680s he obtained a large sugar plantation in the Leeward Island, and his own ships carried sugar to the colonies and furs to England. At his death, he was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in New England. An autograph letter signed by John Pynchon is listed at $3750 in Sanders. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,530
Lot 157		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 158		Winslow, Josiah. Governor of New Plymouth Colony (1673-80); first native-born governor in America; commanded forces of United Colonies in King Philip's War (1675-76). Document Signed ("Jos. Winslow") (New Plymouth Colony), February 23, 1659, 8 x 12 inches. An indenture between Thomas Broman and James Burt, both of Taunton, Mass. Encased in mylar for preservation. Together with a document signed by Thomas Leonard, Taunton, March 16, 1694, 5 x 8 inches, to Capt. Sewall, regarding Leonard's examination of a man thought to have taken a bridle that Sewall had lost. Both Very Good. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $776
Lot 159		French and Indian War Journal. The diary of Lemuel Boydon, a soldier in the French and Indian War. Inside cover of the dark-green, leather-bound book says, "Lemuel Boydon, His Book anno Domini 1755. God Save the King"; the front and back covers of the original diary have been laid to a newer diary with gilt lettering on the spine, "Diary of Lemuel Boydon - 1755"; however, the daily entries beginning May 15-December 2 are from 1756. Octavo, housed in a custom-made, matching case. Approximately 85 written pages, with military content on some 50 pages. Boydon describes his march from Medfield through Sherborn, Framingham, Marlboro, Springfield, etc. to Fort William Henry, located on Lake George, south of the French fort (Fort Frederick) at Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, and many of the events that transpired during his service. The diary contains numerous reference to Robert Rogers, the acclaimed leader of Rogers' Rangers (formed in 1756), a highly-mobile force that could live off the land for long periods of time and whose frontier-style practices of warfare served as a model for later ranger activities. His "Plan of Discipline" lists 28 rules and regulations to which his men were subject and which systemitized their style of fighting. In 1756, Rogers and his men were stationed at Fort William Henry and made repeated trips to Crown Point and Ticonderoga to ascertain the strength of the enemy and to annoy him as opportunity presented. Following are some excerpts from the journal: (May 25) "This morning we Began the Forte…" (May 27 "this morning about 2 hundred men was ordered for to go Begin upon another fort…." (May 31) "Captn Roggers came from Forte Edward and about two hundred men…He brought one Frenchman and a Scalp." (June 9) "Captn Roggers went Back to the Lake with 4 or 5 Whail Boats…" (June 28) "Collonel Ruggels caim in with all his Riggement…and a company of Stokbrig indians came up today…they have 20 pounds a scalp…" (July 1) "…General Liman came up here to day & about a thousand men & three hundred waggens & two 68 pounders" (July 18) "Capt. Roggers came from the Lake with 8 frenchmen & 4 scapls. They took them about 25 miles from Crownpoint…" (July 22) "we marcht from fort Hardy…to fort Edward…" (Aug 3) "Last night there was about 100 & 30 men went out a schout with Roggers. They went with two sloops from here…they intended to go by watter…& then by Land…" (Aug 4) "…the schouts that went out with Roggers came in & told about an encounter with the French & Indians…" (Aug 5) "..Roggers & about 20 of his men…intended to go to Crownpoint…" (Aug 10) "Capt. Roggers caim in today…they killed 40 waggen Horses within a mile…of Crownpoint…the french & indians followed them. roggers had thoughts of takeing a Brush with them But they had so large a Number…it was not Prudent & so took to his heels" (Aug 11) " about 20 mohawks caim up today & Dutchmen with them" (Aug 12) "14 mohawks & 20 highlanders caim up today…" (Aug 13) "14 StockBrig Indians came in who had been to Toconderoga. They said the French had 2 advance guards this side of Ticonderoga…" (Aug 23) "We had a general muster today threw the Camp and *War was proclaimed to us…" (Sept 3) "Capt Roggers came in with 3 prisoners who told of about 400 French soldiers stationed at Crownpoint, & about 10,000 at Ticonderoga…" (Sept 20) "…men dead & Scalped & Some with their heads Cut off…" (Sept 27) "Great talk of an army a coming upon us…" (Sept 28) "…the french army is hard by…" (Oct 1) "..the mohawks went off…& caim back in a great fright for their was a large army a coming…" (Oct 5) "…five of our men caim in that had been take Prisenor one of them Belonged to Roggers…the other was taken at Oswago…" (Oct 16) " my Lord Lowden [Londown] went back with all his men…& about 300 more of our men with him…" (Oct 22) "Major Roggers went of for Ticondorage…" (Nov 1) "Waggons came up to take the sick to Albany" (Nov 5) "5 Regiments went off to Day Colo. Plaisteds, Colo. Thatchers, Colo. Baglys, Colo. Wolters & Colo. Whiteings" (Nov 12) "General Winslow left Lake George to Day*." On November 6, the regiments of Colonels Ruggles, Gridley, Liman, Wolters, Whitings, and Dwights set off for home; Boydon was in one of these. He recounts the march home to Medfield, where he arrives on December 2. Estimated Value $10,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $20,125