Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 43

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Colonial Americana

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 338		(17th Century Colonial Plymouth - James Leonard's Ironworks). "John Baker" ALS to James Leonard, who came to America in 1652 and established the first ironworks in the U.S. and developed a close relationship with Indian King Phillip (of King Phillip's War), 1p, 7¾" x 6", Dorchester, December 1694. Fine; light toning. Baker requests (we use modern English) that Captain Leonard "…would pay to… James Whitte of Dorchester… that proportion that is due to me for my part in the Iron works & his writ shall be your discharge…I think that there is three years…due to me John Baker who am the right owner being bequeathed to me by Richard Baker my grandfather …." Numerous calculations on the address leaf and inside pages. John Baker was a blacksmith, admitted to Artillery Co. in 1644. An excellent 17th century letter. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 339		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 340		(French & Indian War) British 40th Regiment of Foot in North America. ALS from Captain John Hamilton to William Adair, who is the company's agent, 3pp, 8¾" x 7", Placentia, [Newfoundland], 1759 Aug. 21. Overall toning, else fine. Hamilton sends news of the death of Major General [Peregrine] Hopson, who had succeeded Cornwallis in 1752 as Nova Scotia's governor and colonel of the 40th Regiment, then resigned as governor but remained colonel until his death. Hamilton also refers to Colonel [Charles] Lawrence, who had been appointed governor in Hopson's place, and worries that Adair may no longer be his company's agent. Hamilton asks Adair for his assistance in the disposal of Hamilton's son's commission as quarter master and other regimental matters. He also complains of the cold and doubts that there will be any "Relief from America…till next year." Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $891
Lot 341		Johnson, Sir William (1715-1774) British colonial official who came to America in 1738 to run his uncle's land holdings in the Mohawk Valley. He was a member of the Council of New York from 1750. In 1755 he was commissioned major general and sent againt Crown Point, then created baronet for his victory over the French under Dieskau. He was very successful in his dealing with the Indians and was superintendent of Indian affairs from 1756-1774. He founded Johnstown, New York, naming it after his son John. An early ALS ("Wm. Johnson"), written two years after Johnson's arrival in America, 1p plus integral address leaf, 8" x 6½", n.p., 1740 June 30. Addressed in Johnson's hand to Walter Butler at Fort Hunter. Very good; light toning and soiling; seal tear affects a couple of words of text. Johnson sends 32 shillings to Butler and assures him, "…beg ye never think it a trouble to me, to serve ye in any thing…in my power…." Butler is best known for his part in one of the most notorious events of the American Revolution: the Cherry Valley Massacre on Nov. 11, 1778, in which Butler led his force of Butler's Rangers, along with Joseph Brant's Indians, killing 47 settlers, including 32 women and children. Butler was killed by a Mohawk ally of the Americans in 1781, during a skirmish after the battle of Johnstown. Fort Hunter, which was built in 1711 at the juncture of the Schoharie Creek and the Mohawk, was torn down in 1820 for the construction of the Erie Canal. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,500
Lot 342		Pownall, Thomas (1722-1805) Colonial governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony; opposed British taxation of colonies. Scarce French and Indian War military commission signed "T Pownall," 12" x 13½", Boston, 1760 Feb. 20. Countersigned by Andrew Oliver ("A Oliver"), who, as Lt. Gov. of Massachusetts, would be commissioned to enforce the Stamp Act, then forced to resign. Appointing Ezra Newhall Ensign under the Command of Brig. Gen. Timothy Ruggles. Newhall would serve as Lt. Col. at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Very good; toned and worn; housed in an old 14" x 16" frame; not viewed out of frame. The engraver of the document, Thomas Johnston, was the colonies' most revered engraver and map maker, renowned for his "Plan of Boston," (c. 1722-29) and the earliest engraving of an American historical event, "The Battle of Lake George" (1755). Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold